ADULT SERVICES

• Seaside Escapes: the Art and Architecture of the New England Coast. A look at seascapes by beloved American artists, including Winslow Homer and Edward Hopper, as well as the lavish summer “cottages” in Newport, RI designed for nineteenth-century robber barons.  Art historian Jane Oneail has worked at some of the state’s most esteemed cultural institutions.  Hosted by the Maynard Public Library in partnership with the Wayland and Lincoln Public Libraries.  Online only.  Wednesday, August 9 at 7 p.m.
• Virtual Author Talk: Robert Jones, Jr. and The Prophets. Fiercely summoning the voices of slaver and enslaved alike, The Prophets fearlessly reveals the pain and suffering of inheritance but is also shot through with hope, beauty, and truth, portraying the enormous, heroic power of love.  Register.  Tuesday, August 15 at 4 p.m.
• The Fascinating Life of Gertrude Bell. She was able to ride a camel as well as any Bedouin trader. She was a skilled archaeologist, linguist, cartographer, photographer, and diplomat.  She served as a spy for the British and, at the end of WWI, played a major role in the Arab quest for self-government.  Bob Begin recounts the story of a dauntless woman who defied the limitations of her time.  Register to attend in person or online.  Tuesday, August 15 at 7 p.m.
• Adult Craft: Seashell Fun. Decorate some sea shells!  We’ll decoupage a trinket dish and “paint” with Sharpies.  All materials provided.  If you have pretty paper napkins to spare, please bring them for decoupage.  Limit 15 people, ages 13+.  In person.  Registration required.  Tuesday, August 22 at 4 p.m.
• Zero-Waste Kids: Birthdays, Lunches, and More. Discover practical tips to make your children’s birthday parties and school lunches eco-friendly and low-waste.  Learn how kids, families, and communities can be more sustainable as communities move towards free lunches for all.  Presenter Sarah Robertson-Barnes is the founder of the Sustainable in the Suburbs blog. Online only.  Hosted by the Ashland Public Library, co-sponsored by a multitude of MA Libraries.  Rescheduled from August 26.  Tuesday, August 29 at 7 p.m.
• Exhibit: Slavery and Abolition in Wayland. On view in the Rotunda August-September, this exhibit will feature original editions of anti-slavery books by abolitionist Lydia Maria Child; images of graves of formerly enslaved persons; and a bill of sale for an enslaved person bought by John Noyes of Wayland.  Made possible by research and contributions from Jane Sciacca and the Wayland Historical Society.  Save the date for Jane’s talk, “Researching Enslavement in Colonial Sudbury,” Tuesday, September 26 at 7 p.m.
• Wayland Moments in History. Originally part of this year’s Multicultural Arts Festival, this exhibit in our foyer highlights some people and places in the town, along with the life events that shaped them.  Created by Kay Gardner-Westcott of the Wayland Museum & Historical Society.
• Calling All Artists. Starting in November, our Raytheon Room exhibit space is available for shows.  And our smaller, upstairs foyer is free starting in October.  If you have work that you want the world—or at least Wayland–to see, start by reviewing our Exhibits and Display policy.  You’ll find links to application forms on the same page.  After that, you might be getting ready to have a show!

YOUTH SERVICES 

SUMMER READING

Our 2023 Summer Reading Program Find Your Voice will be wrapping up on August 18. Kids have until then to log their reading to earn raffle tickets for prizes. All participants are invited to an ice cream social on August 10 to celebrate their reading. The Teen Summer Reading Program is also wrapping up on August 18. Teens have until then to log their reading to earn raffle tickets for prizes. For last minute joiners, kids and teens can still register for our Summer Reading programs online at WaylandLibrary.Beanstack.org    The Massachusetts Statewide Summer Library Program is funded by the Friends of the Wayland Public Library, the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

FOR BABIES, TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS

• Outdoor Baby & Toddler Storytime with Ms. Carly. This storytime encourages early literacy and caregiver-child interactions with lively songs and rhymes, bounces, books, and body-awareness. Best for babies and toddlers, with caregiver. Weather permitting, we will meet outdoors on the green lawn. Tuesdays, August 15, August 22, and August 29 at 10:30 a.m.
• Outdoor Storytime with Ms. Pam. Join Ms. Pam for stories, songs, puppets, and activities. For ages 2.5 to 5 years with an adult. Please register. We will meet in the Children’s Room. Thursday, August 10, at 10:30 a.m.
• Great Outdoors Story/Craft. Join recent WHS graduate Erica O’Donnell for a story/craft at the library. Erica will read picturebooks that feature the outdoors and will also lead children in a simple craft. We will meet outside on the lawn. For ages 3 and up, with caregiver. Please register HERE. Monday, August 7, at 10:30 am. (This event is a part of Erica’s Girl Scout gold award project.)
• Storywalk Kick Off: Lena’s Shoes are Nervous — Rescheduled to Tuesday, August 8. Join Ms. Pam and Ms. Jodi (from Family ACCESS Community Connections) at Hannah Williams Playground, to celebrate the opening of the Storywalk of Lena’s Shoes Are Nervous: A First Day of School Dilemma by Keith Calabrese and Juana Medina. Drop in any time between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., walk the storywalk, do a scavenger hunt, and make a craft! For ages 3 and up, with caregiver. Please register HERE. Tuesday, August 8. Hannah Williams Playground, 71 Main Street, Wayland
• Sing, Move, and Story! Jodi Levin from Family ACCESS Community Connections will lead children in songs and movement, and will share a story! We will meet outside on the lawn. For ages 0-3. Please register HERE. Wednesday, August 9, at 9:30 a.m.
• Storywalk Kick Off: A Perfect Day. Join recent WHS graduate Erica O’Donnell and Youth Services librarian Pam McCuen at Wayland Community Gardens to celebrate the opening of the Storywalk of A Perfect Day by Lane Smith. Drop-in any time between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., walk the storywalk, do a scavenger hunt, and make a craft! For ages 3 and up, with caregiver. Please register HERE. Friday, August 11. Wayland Community Gardens, 60 Old Sudbury Road, Wayland. (This event is a part of Erica O’Donnell’s Girl Scout Award project.)
• Movement with Little Beats. Join Little Beats for 30 minutes of music, movement, and fun! For ages 1-5, with caregiver. Please register HERE. Thursday, August 17, at 10:30 a.m.

FOR ELEMENTARY AGE CHILDREN

• Lego Sculpture. Children will make their own sculptures out of Legos to display in the library. For ages 5 and up. Please register HERE. Tuesday, August 8, at 3:30 p.m.
• Ablaze with Color: Art Workshop for Kids. Children will create art inspired by the work of artist Alma Thomas. Ms. Elise will begin this workshop by reading aloud Ablaze with Color, a picturebook biography of Alma Thomas by Jeanne Harvey. For ages 5 and up, with caregiver. We will meet outside on the lawn. For ages 5 and up, with caregiver. Please register HERE. Wednesday, August 9, at 3:30 p.m.
• Ice Cream Social. All participants in our Summer Reading Program are invited to an Ice Cream Party to celebrate their reading. Children will make their own sundaes! We will meet on the lawn behind the library. Please register HERE. Thursday, August 10, at 3:30 p.m.
• Pokemon Card Trading Day. Kids are invited to a Pokemon card trading day at the library. Come with cards you are willing to trade! For ages 7 to 11. Please register HERE. Thursday, August 23, at 4:00 p.m.

FOR TEENS

Switch Tournament for Teens

Teens are invited to compete in our Mario Kart & Smash Bros. Switch Tournament. There will be prizes! For teens in grades 6 and up. Please register HERE. Thursday, August 17, at 4:00 p.m.