Library News

Leslie Riedel Memorial Lecture for Young People: Katherine Paterson

Sat, October 21, 2017

The annual Leslie Riedel Memorial Lecture for Young People will present children's author Katherine Paterson on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Library Rotunda.  The event is free and open to all.  Registration is strongly recommended.  Past speakers of the series include children's authors/illustrators David Macaulay, Chris Van Allsburg, Jerry Pinkney, Lois Lowry, Tomie dePaola and Grace Lin.  [Sign Up] [View Poster]

“Concord, which is my Rome”: Henry Thoreau and His Home Town Lecture Series: Robert Hudspeth

Sun, October 15, 2017

Robert N. Hudspeth, Research Professor of English at the Claremont Graduate University and Emeritus Professor of English at the University of Redlands, will present the lecture "Thoreau's Concord in His Correspondence" on Saturday, October 14th from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Concord Free Public Library Rotunda. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Library Featured on C-SPAN

Tue, October 10, 2017

The Library's Special Collections Curator Leslie Perrin Wilson was interviewed by C-SPAN recently, in which she explained how the Library acquires its Special Collections items and showcased some of the rare finds, including a portion of the manuscript for the book Little Women.  [Watch the Interview]

“Concord, which is my Rome”: Henry Thoreau and His Home Town Lecture Series: Robert A. Gross

Sun, October 08, 2017

Robert A. Gross, Draper Professor of Early American History Emeritus, University of Connecticut will present the lecture, “The Nick of Time”: Coming of Age in Thoreau’s Concord on Saturday, October 7th from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Concord Free Public Library Rotunda. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

“Concord, which is my Rome”: Henry Thoreau and His Home Town Exhibition:  Lecture Series

Sat, October 07, 2017

The next lecture is Saturday, October 7 at 5:00 p.m. in the Main Library Rotunda.  It is titled “The Nick of Time”: Coming of Age in Thoreau’s Concord and to be presented by Robert A. Gross, Draper Professor of Early American History Emeritus, University of Connecticut.  Free and open to the public.  [ [Watch Exhibit Opening Night]

• Special Collections

All Aboard To Fitchburg!

Sat, September 23, 2017

In honor of the bicentennial anniversary of Thoreau’s birth, the Concord Free Public Library (CFPL), the Concord Museum, the Massachusetts Center for the Book and the Fitchburg Public Library have planned a fun family event for Saturday, September 23, 2017.  The event will include a free round-trip train ride from Concord to FItchburg and activities at the CFPL's Main Library and the Fitchburg Public Library.   Snacks will be provided. All are welcome.  Advance registrations are required. [Read More about the Event] [Register]

Solar Eclipse

Mon, August 21, 2017

From NASA's website - On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun's tenuous atmosphere - the corona - can be seen, will stretch from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina.  Observers outside this path will still see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun's disk.  [Read More]  Please note - The Library does not have any “eclipse glasses” unfortunately.  [Watch How to Make Your Own Eclipse Viewer]

Fake News: Media Consumption in the 21st Century

Mon, July 10, 2017

Kyle Moody, Assistant Professor of Communications Media at Fitchburg State University will talk about Fake news: Media Consumption in the 21st Century at the Fowler Branch on Monday, July 10, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.  His lecture covers history of yellow journalism, role of reporters and how news is spread and affects us all in our modern times.  The event is free and open to all. 

Book Sale Raised $23,421, Another New Record!

Thu, June 29, 2017

The Friends Book Sale on June 3, 2017 raised $23,421, setting another record! Congratulations to the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library! Thank you to the volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the Book Sale a success! Thank you to all who contributed to the Book Sale!

Author Talk: Susan Tan

Thu, June 15, 2017

Author Talk Series will present Susan Tan on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Periodical Room.  Tan will discuss the writing process for her first book, Cilla Lee-Jenkins Future Author Extraordinaire.  Tan was a Library Page of the Concord Free Public Library.  After studying at Williams College, she earned her PhD from the University of Cambridge, where she studied children's literature. The event is free and open to all.