Library News

Thoreau and the Language of Trees

Sat, June 10, 2017

Author Richard Higgins will give an illustrated talk about his book Thoreau and the Language of Trees on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Library Rotunda.  Pairing Thoreau’s words with his own photographs, as well as photos of historic Concord trees, Higgins will explore Thoreau's deep connections to trees.  He will also discuss Thoreau’s response to particular trees—an iconic Concord elm, a stand of old-growth oaks in Boxborough, his beloved white pines and trees transformed by snow.  The event is free and open to all.  A book signing will follow the reading.

Explore Your Family Tree

Mon, June 05, 2017

Interested in exploring your family tree? Stop by the Main Library Lobby to learn about the genealogy databases Ancestry.com and HeritageQuest Online from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 5, 2017.  A reference librarian will demonstrate the two databases and answer questions. Open to all.

Annual Book Sale

Sat, June 03, 2017

The Annual Book Sale will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on the Main Library front lawn.  The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.  Proceeds of the Book Sale will fund the Library programming, museum passes, print and non-print materials.  Rain date: 6/10.  [Sign up to volunteer at the Book Sale]

Author Series: Amy Hassinger

Thu, June 01, 2017

Thursday Author Series will present Amy Hassinger, author of After the Dam on June 1, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Library's Periodical Room.  Ms. Hassinger is the author of  two previous novels: Nina: Adolescence and The Priest’s Madonna.  The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library and open to the public. [Register]

The Journey of a Bird’s Tale

Wed, May 31, 2017

Children's author Pamela Wight will present a talk titled The Journey of a Bird's Tale on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 from 1:00 -2:00 p.m. at the Fowler Branch as she shares her unique story about writing a children’s book, discovering the perfect illustrator, and choosing a unique path to publishing. Q & A will be included in the hour. Wight has an M.A. in literature, teaches creative writing classes in the Boston area, and is also a published author of women’s fiction.  [Sign Up]

Picturing Emerson: A Selection of Lifetime Portraits of Ralph Waldo Emerson Exhibition

Tue, May 30, 2017

In her 2006 article in Nineteenth-Century Prose, "The Tenant is More Than the House": Selected Emerson Portraits in the Concord Free Public Library, our Special Collections' Curator Leslie Perrin Wilson wrote: Although the basic work of identifying and describing images begs to be done, Emerson iconography is about a good deal more than creator, date, medium, and circumstances of portrait. Ten years later, that work has been done. The result is a forthcoming book, Picturing Emerson: An Iconography (Harvard, summer 2017), co-written by Wilson and Joel Myerson, and an accompanying exhibit, Picturing Emerson: A Selection of Lifetime Portraits of Ralph Waldo Emerson, to be on display at the Main Library's Art Gallery from March 7 to May 30, 2017.

• Special Collections

A Night of Chinese Music and Dance

Sat, May 20, 2017

The Concord Free Public Library and Concord- Carlisle Chinese Club (C-4) present A Night of Chinese Music and Dance performed by the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association Music Ensembles and Angel Performing Arts on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the Umbrella Community Arts Center (40 Stow Street, Concord, MA).  Generously sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.  In-kind donation by the Umbrella Community Arts Center.  Free admission. Open to all.  [View Poster]

Concord Stone Walls & Barns:  An Illustrated Talk by Pierce Browne

Fri, May 19, 2017

Join us for Concord Stone Walls & Barns: An Illustrated Talk by Pierce Browne on Friday, May 19, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Library Lobby to learn more about the history and beauty that lie at the intersection of  Concord’s built and natural landscapes.  The event is free and open to the public.

Author Series: Robin Hazard Ray

Thu, May 18, 2017

Thursday Author Series will present Robin Hazard Ray, author of The Strangers’ Tomb on May 18, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Library's Periodical Room.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library, the event is free and open to all. 

Mother’s Day Tea with Poet and Chinese Translator Eleanor Goodman

Sun, May 14, 2017

The Poetry at the Library Series hosts Eleanor Goodman, poet and translator of contemporary Chinese poetry on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14, 2017 at 3:00 p.m – 4:15 p.m. at the Main Library.  Goodman will read from both her own poems and the award-winning translation of Wang Xiaoni’s poetry and talk about her approach to the art of translation.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.  Open to all. [View Poster]