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Nature Stories and Exploration (Grades 1-3)
*This week we'll explore the Town Forest. Meet at the entrance on the Wood End elementary school field, 85 Sunset Rock Ln.*
There is so much nature to explore right here in Reading! We'll meet at a local conservation land site, read a science story, then take a hike and use our observation skills to find fascinating things. Flowers, insects, animal tracks, rocks... who knows what treasures we'll find! This program is for kids in grades 1-3 with a caregiver.
Come prepared for a hike: wear closed-toe shoes, bug spray and sun screen. The terrain will be uneven, and may be rocky and sloped. If accessibility is an issue, please contact us in advance so we can choose an appropriate location.
Thank you to the Friends of the Reading Public Library for supporting this program!
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Job Search Series: Why Should We Hire You? (Virtual)
Join presenter Gary Gekow as he discusses what is possibly the most imporant question prospective job candidates will be asked during an interview: Why should we hire you? This is a chance to make yourself stand out among competing job seekers. The best answer is multi-faceted and includes more than the delivery of one's elevator pitch. During this program, we will dissect the question into tangible parts and discuss what exactly to include in an ideal response, including, but not limited to, specific skills, transferable experiences, education, accomplishments, and organizational fit.
This workshop is part of our Job Search Essentials Series lead by Mr.Gekow. Registering for one in the series will register you for each session, if you can't make each session let us know at rdgref@noblenet.org.
About Gary Gekow
Gary Gekow is a Senior Employment Specialist/Career Coach with 30 years of recruiting and employment services experience in the New England staffing industry. He partners with job seekers across a wide range of specialties and assists with a variety of employment search strategies including resume creation, interview coaching, LinkedIn profile branding and career counseling. He also works with client companies in various industries.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library.
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Toddler Time
Join us for a fun half hour of stories, songs and other learning activities! This weekly class is designed to jump-start early literacy skills for walkers and "wobblers." No registration is necessary, but space is strictly limited so please pick up tickets from a Children's Librarian up to 30 minutes before the program begins.
This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Reading Public Library.
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Seed StartSwapShare
It's time to plan your gardens at our seed start, swap, and share event. Stop by the library anytime this afternoon to select, trade, share, or find out about great things to grow this spring. This program is for families but look for the start of the RPL's Seed Library soon!
This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library--thank you, Friends!
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Terrific Tuesdays
Early childhood specialists from the North Suburban Family Resource Network lead this playgroup for children ages 18 months and older. Registration with the Family Resource Network is required. You can sign up for any of their programs including this one exclusively through their newsletter, which you can sign up here (scroll to the bottom of the page).
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Writers' Group -- Virtual
Join this drop-in community of writers every first Wednesday of the month to share ideas, drafts, and cheer each other on.
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WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS: Town of Reading Public Safety Clinician Office Hours - Lobby
Taunya L. Jarzyniecki, LCMHC MLADC, Public Safety Clinician for the Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support will be available to meet with residents at the Reading Public Library.
As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Ms. Jarzyniecki can assist residents with brief therapeutic support and accessing resources. There is no fee or health insurance needed to meet with Ms.Jarzyniecki and all services are confidential.
Stop by and say hello on Wednesdays from 2:00-4:00pm in the Library Lobby or the Children's Room.
Please note: If you do not see Taunya sitting in the lobby, please check our signage designating where in the library she will be located.
To schedule an appointment during or in between office hours with Ms. Jarzyniecki, email: tjarzyniecki@ci.reading.ma.us
(Photo by Audrey Gentile)
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Coding Club
Kids in grades 3-5 can join a 6-week coding class to learn and practice coding skills with children's librarian Theresa Boulrice. Your child must commit to the full 6-week session in order to participate.
This program is on Zoom and requires a computer and Internet access. Please contact the Children's Room if you need assistance with the technology requirements for this program. The Zoom link will be sent via email before the first class.
This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library--thank you, Friends!
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Genealogy One-on-One: Private Research Appointment
Just starting your research into your family history and need some help? Looking to learn more about your house or starting the process of applying for a historic house marker? Book an appointment with our Local History and Genealogy Reference Librarian today!
Together, we will sort through your research and make a plan for next steps and how the local history room can help. These meetings will be held in the Local History Room on the 2nd floor of the library.
Jocelyn Gould recently joined the RPL staff after spending the last 16 years as an Interpretive Ranger at the National Parks of Boston where she gave tours of the Freedom Trail and Black Heritage Trail and presented talks at various historic sites throughout the city. Her genealogy areas of research include: Acadians in Nova Scotia and New England, North End Italians, veterans of the American Revolution, and the Black community of 19th century Massachusetts.
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Preschool Storytime Fun: Ages 3-5
Designed for ages 3-5, this series is filled with rollicking stories, songs, felt boards and other visual methods of storytelling! The goal of this series is to increase both your child's enjoyment of reading and attention span. Come enjoy longer stories and take home thematic/book related activites to extend the storytime experience!
Tickets will be given out 30 minutes prior to storytime.
This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Reading Public Library.
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Writing Boxes: Workshop for Grades 4-6
We know writing can be stressful for school-age kids. You have so many ideas; getting them down on paper (without getting in your own way) is hard! At our Writing Boxes workshops, kids in Grades 4-6 will have fun writing and creating in a nonjudgmental setting. We'll take off our editor hats and allow ourselves a time and place to create freely. The sessions will include a brief lesson, lots of mentor texts for inspiration, and time for thinking, writing, and sharing.
Each week, we'll explore a different kind of writing:
1) Maps
2) Cartoons & Comics
3) Menus & Recipes
4) Hieroglyphics
5) Postcards & Letters
6) Poetry
7) Handmade Books
Registration is required for the 7 week program; sign up below.
Generously sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library. Thank you, Friends!
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Mindfulness Meditation Series
Interested in Mindfulness Meditation?
Christine Rose, a nurse in Reading, is completing a 2-year Mindfulness Teacher Training course and would like to share some of the practices with you. In this 4-week, 1-hour class, we will learn the basics of the meditation practice and explore increasing awareness in our day to day lives.
The dates for this series are: Thursdays, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6 & 4/13. Registration is required and enrolls you in all 4 sessions. Please note: If you cancel your registration, it will cancel all remaining sessions.
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Babytime: Storytime for Babies 0-18 months
Join your children's librarians for stories, songs, play, and Very Important Fun with other babies and caregivers. This storytime is designed for babies ages birth through 18 months.
No registration is necessary, but space is strictly limited so please pick up tickets from a Children's Librarian before the program begins.
This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Reading Public Library. Thank you, Friends!
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Babytime: Storytime for Babies 0-18 months
Join your children's librarians for stories, songs, play, and Very Important Fun with other babies and caregivers. This storytime is designed for babies ages birth through 18 months.
No registration is necessary, but space is strictly limited so please pick up tickets from a Children's Librarian before the program begins.
This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Reading Public Library. Thank you, Friends!
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Jumping Beans: Family Storytime Drop-in
Join us for an active story and song time especially designed for the under 5s and their caregivers. Stories, fingerplays, and plenty of music and motion to get the wiggles out.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Reading Public Library--thank you, Friends!
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Seed StartSwapShare
It's time to plan your gardens at our seed start, swap, and share event. Stop by the library anytime this afternoon to select, trade, share, or find out about great things to grow this spring. This program is for families but look for the start of the RPL's Seed Library soon!
This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library--thank you, Friends!
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Easter Library Closed
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Genealogy One-on-One: Private Research Appointment
Just starting your research into your family history and need some help? Looking to learn more about your house or starting the process of applying for a historic house marker? Book an appointment with our Local History and Genealogy Reference Librarian today!
Together, we will sort through your research and make a plan for next steps and how the local history room can help. These meetings will be held in the Local History Room on the 2nd floor of the library.
Jocelyn Gould recently joined the RPL staff after spending the last 16 years as an Interpretive Ranger at the National Parks of Boston where she gave tours of the Freedom Trail and Black Heritage Trail and presented talks at various historic sites throughout the city. Her genealogy areas of research include: Acadians in Nova Scotia and New England, North End Italians, veterans of the American Revolution, and the Black community of 19th century Massachusetts.
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Branching Out: Be a Tween Advisor!
Kids ages 10-13 join us to help build our new Tween Room! We are in the process of building a tweens-only space in the Children's Room. Join this bi-weekly advisory committee to discuss furniture, rules and expectations, the book collection, and future programs. Kids like you can influence the library's choices, so be sure to sign up or drop in to attend and make your voice heard! Snacks will be provided.
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Board of Library Trustees meeting
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VIRTUAL: The ABCs of Immigration: An Introductory Series
The Reading Public Library is excited to partner with the MIRA Coaltion to offer a 3-part series to present relevant, up-to-date, and accurate information on immigration topics, open to all individuals who would like to increase their knowledge of immigration-related topics and learn about helpful resources for practice with immigrant populations. You may register for all three sessions, or choose individual sessions. Zoom information will be shared with registration.
The first session, ABCs of Immigration, provides an overview of common immigration statuses, the privileges and restrictions associated with each, and common pathways to obtain legal immigration status — including through family and humanitarian protections.
Future sessions will cover the following topics:
Rights and Benefits for Immigrants, April 24 @7pm: https://libcal.readingpl.org/event/10315839
Immigration Policy Updates and the Work Ahead, May 8 @7pm: https://libcal.readingpl.org/event/10315849
MIRA was founded in 1987 in response to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which allowed 3–5 million undocumented immigrants to become permanent residents. The goal was to not only advocate for the rights and integration of those immigrants, but also build a diverse, member-driven coalition to advance the interests of all foreign-born people.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library.
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Toddler Time
Join us for a fun half hour of stories, songs and other learning activities! This weekly class is designed to jump-start early literacy skills for walkers and "wobblers." No registration is necessary, but space is strictly limited so please pick up tickets from a Children's Librarian up to 30 minutes before the program begins.
This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Reading Public Library.
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Citizen Kids
Hey, kids! Maybe you are the next compassionate leader that the world needs!
Young leaders in grades 3-5 can join a six-week program to create a service project for our community. We will be using the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots format “to help you create meaningful projects that solve real-life issues with big impact”. Participants must commit to all six weeks in order to design and execute their campaign. Some "homework" may be required between sessions; please see longer program description below for all the details.
“Roots creep underground everywhere and make a firm foundation. Shoots seem very weak, but to reach the light they can break open brick walls. Hundreds and thousands of roots and shoots, hundreds and thousands of young people around the world can break through these walls.” Jane Goodall, Ph.D., DBE
This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library--thank you, Friends!
Our Citizen Kids project is a four step process
Get Engaged: Learning about compassionate leadership and getting to know the group's strengths and skills.
Community Mapping: Talking about the physical area around us and making a map of local assets and areas of need for people, animals and the environment.
Taking Action: This step will take multiple sessions. First the group members choose a campaign by reflecting on the community map and drawing on their skills, interests and strengths. Next the members make a plan and take whatever action steps they need to complete the project.
Celebrating: We will reflect on personal growth and how far the group has come. Let's measure our success and celebrate the positive impact on the community to wrap up the campaign.
Because time is limited for this project, group members need to be committed to attending all the meetings and staying focused while we’re together. We will try to keep the scope of the campaign reasonable for the time we have, but members may also have work to do between sessions. “Homework” may include things like finding examples of other service campaigns and projects that have been successful, researching local organizations, drafting letters/emails or making phone calls to those community organizations. Parents and guardians may need to be present to supervise or offer advice for this work, but should be careful to let group members be responsible for their campaign.
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Terrific Tuesdays
Early childhood specialists from the North Suburban Family Resource Network lead this playgroup for children ages 18 months and older. Registration with the Family Resource Network is required. You can sign up for any of their programs including this one exclusively through their newsletter, which you can sign up here (scroll to the bottom of the page).
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WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS: Town of Reading Public Safety Clinician Office Hours - Lobby
Taunya L. Jarzyniecki, LCMHC MLADC, Public Safety Clinician for the Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support will be available to meet with residents at the Reading Public Library.
As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Ms. Jarzyniecki can assist residents with brief therapeutic support and accessing resources. There is no fee or health insurance needed to meet with Ms.Jarzyniecki and all services are confidential.
Stop by and say hello on Wednesdays from 2:00-4:00pm in the Library Lobby or the Children's Room.
Please note: If you do not see Taunya sitting in the lobby, please check our signage designating where in the library she will be located.
To schedule an appointment during or in between office hours with Ms. Jarzyniecki, email: tjarzyniecki@ci.reading.ma.us
(Photo by Audrey Gentile)
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Therapeutic Program for Adults with McFarlane Arts
We all seek meaningful relationships and opportunities for growth and progress in our lives. Adults with developmental disabilities including ASD and I/DD also benefit from the opportunity to express themselves and be heard and understood. This series of programs is designed for adults ages 22 with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). They are not respite programs; caregivers are required to attend.
Come join us in exploring your inner artist in fun and creative ways with local artist Susan McFarlane of McFarlane Arts. You can register for one session or all 6 sessions.
Register using the form below. Indicate how many people will be in your party (participant and caregiver), and include the contact information for one member of your party, so we can contact you in case of program cancellation.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library.
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Coding Club
Kids in grades 3-5 can join a 6-week coding class to learn and practice coding skills with children's librarian Theresa Boulrice. Your child must commit to the full 6-week session in order to participate.
This program is on Zoom and requires a computer and Internet access. Please contact the Children's Room if you need assistance with the technology requirements for this program. The Zoom link will be sent via email before the first class.
This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library--thank you, Friends!
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RPL Book Group
Featured Book: The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Discussion Leader: Lisa Goldsmith
The RPL Book Group is a participant-run adult book discussion group that meets to discuss a broad range of book selections, both fiction and nonfiction. Copies of each months selection are available at the Borrower Services Desk.
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Preschool Storytime Fun: Ages 3-5
Designed for ages 3-5, this series is filled with rollicking stories, songs, felt boards and other visual methods of storytelling! The goal of this series is to increase both your child's enjoyment of reading and attention span. Come enjoy longer stories and take home thematic/book related activites to extend the storytime experience!
Tickets will be given out 30 minutes prior to storytime.
This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Reading Public Library.
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Writing Boxes: Workshop for Grades 4-6
We know writing can be stressful for school-age kids. You have so many ideas; getting them down on paper (without getting in your own way) is hard! At our Writing Boxes workshops, kids in Grades 4-6 will have fun writing and creating in a nonjudgmental setting. We'll take off our editor hats and allow ourselves a time and place to create freely. The sessions will include a brief lesson, lots of mentor texts for inspiration, and time for thinking, writing, and sharing.
Each week, we'll explore a different kind of writing:
1) Maps
2) Cartoons & Comics
3) Menus & Recipes
4) Hieroglyphics
5) Postcards & Letters
6) Poetry
7) Handmade Books
Registration is required for the 7 week program; sign up below.
Generously sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library. Thank you, Friends!
-
Mindfulness Meditation Series
Interested in Mindfulness Meditation?
Christine Rose, a nurse in Reading, is completing a 2-year Mindfulness Teacher Training course and would like to share some of the practices with you. In this 4-week, 1-hour class, we will learn the basics of the meditation practice and explore increasing awareness in our day to day lives.
The dates for this series are: Thursdays, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6 & 4/13. Registration is required and enrolls you in all 4 sessions.
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Reading Public Library Foundation Meeting
Monthly meeting of the Reading Public Library Foundation.
The Reading Public Library Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization committed to raising funds to support the Reading Public Library. The Foundation has established, and is focused on expanding, an endowment that will provide a long term, sustained source of supplemental funds for the Library.
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Spring StoryWalk--Hello, Neighbor edition
Get outside and read! Take a walk around the library and discover our spring Storywalk© featuring Now by Antoinette Portis. This special StoryWalk© is supported by the Reading Lions Club and is designed for children with low or no vision to enjoy.
Library visitors start at the front door of the library and follow the Braille-enhanced StoryWalk© signs to experience this adorable picture book. The StoryWalk© will be on display during vacation week from April 14th through April 23rd.
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Babytime: Storytime for Babies 0-18 months
Join your children's librarians for stories, songs, play, and Very Important Fun with other babies and caregivers. This storytime is designed for babies ages birth through 18 months.
No registration is necessary, but space is strictly limited so please pick up tickets from a Children's Librarian before the program begins.
This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Reading Public Library. Thank you, Friends!
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Babytime: Storytime for Babies 0-18 months
Join your children's librarians for stories, songs, play, and Very Important Fun with other babies and caregivers. This storytime is designed for babies ages birth through 18 months.
No registration is necessary, but space is strictly limited so please pick up tickets from a Children's Librarian before the program begins.
This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Reading Public Library. Thank you, Friends!
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Plant Lab: Cool Weather Crops
It's time to open the Plant Lab for the season! Kids in grades 3-5 can plan the patio garden and plant greens, radishes, potatoes, onions and peas. Plant Lab team members can then drop in anytime to check on the garden and care for the crops.
This program and the Plant Lab are generously supported by the Friends of the Reading Public Library--thank you, Friends!
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Spring StoryWalk--Hello, Neighbor edition
Get outside and read! Take a walk around the library and discover our spring Storywalk© featuring Now by Antoinette Portis. This special StoryWalk© is supported by the Reading Lions Club and is designed for children with low or no vision to enjoy.
Library visitors start at the front door of the library and follow the Braille-enhanced StoryWalk© signs to experience this adorable picture book. The StoryWalk© will be on display during vacation week from April 14th through April 23rd.
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Hello, Neighbor! Multilingual storytime for families
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and activities! This storytime for families will be led by a librarian as well as community members who will share languages they know. Let's have fun and get to know our neighbors!
Thank you to the Friends of the Reading Public Library for sponsoring our Hello, Neighbor series of events.
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Spring StoryWalk--Hello, Neighbor edition
Get outside and read! Take a walk around the library and discover our spring Storywalk© featuring Now by Antoinette Portis. This special StoryWalk© is supported by the Reading Lions Club and is designed for children with low or no vision to enjoy.
Library visitors start at the front door of the library and follow the Braille-enhanced StoryWalk© signs to experience this adorable picture book. The StoryWalk© will be on display during vacation week from April 14th through April 23rd.
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Patriots' Day Library Closed
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Spring StoryWalk--Hello, Neighbor edition
Get outside and read! Take a walk around the library and discover our spring Storywalk© featuring Now by Antoinette Portis. This special StoryWalk© is supported by the Reading Lions Club and is designed for children with low or no vision to enjoy.
Library visitors start at the front door of the library and follow the Braille-enhanced StoryWalk© signs to experience this adorable picture book. The StoryWalk© will be on display during vacation week from April 14th through April 23rd.
-
Spring StoryWalk--Hello, Neighbor edition
Get outside and read! Take a walk around the library and discover our spring Storywalk© featuring Now by Antoinette Portis. This special StoryWalk© is supported by the Reading Lions Club and is designed for children with low or no vision to enjoy.
Library visitors start at the front door of the library and follow the Braille-enhanced StoryWalk© signs to experience this adorable picture book. The StoryWalk© will be on display during vacation week from April 14th through April 23rd.
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Teen Crafternoon: Collages!
What's a collage? How do I make one? What’s the Teen Art Showcase?
Stop by the Teen Room to learn about collages, the Teen Art Showcase, and create some of your own masterpieces!
Supplies will be available for teens during April vacation on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2-4pm.
This program is generously funded by The Friends of the Reading Public Library. Thank you!
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Citizen Kids
Hey, kids! Maybe you are the next compassionate leader that the world needs!
Young leaders in grades 3-5 can join a six-week program to create a service project for our community. We will be using the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots format “to help you create meaningful projects that solve real-life issues with big impact”. Participants must commit to all six weeks in order to design and execute their campaign. Some "homework" may be required between sessions; please see longer program description below for all the details.
“Roots creep underground everywhere and make a firm foundation. Shoots seem very weak, but to reach the light they can break open brick walls. Hundreds and thousands of roots and shoots, hundreds and thousands of young people around the world can break through these walls.” Jane Goodall, Ph.D., DBE
This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library--thank you, Friends!
Our Citizen Kids project is a four step process
Get Engaged: Learning about compassionate leadership and getting to know the group's strengths and skills.
Community Mapping: Talking about the physical area around us and making a map of local assets and areas of need for people, animals and the environment.
Taking Action: This step will take multiple sessions. First the group members choose a campaign by reflecting on the community map and drawing on their skills, interests and strengths. Next the members make a plan and take whatever action steps they need to complete the project.
Celebrating: We will reflect on personal growth and how far the group has come. Let's measure our success and celebrate the positive impact on the community to wrap up the campaign.
Because time is limited for this project, group members need to be committed to attending all the meetings and staying focused while we’re together. We will try to keep the scope of the campaign reasonable for the time we have, but members may also have work to do between sessions. “Homework” may include things like finding examples of other service campaigns and projects that have been successful, researching local organizations, drafting letters/emails or making phone calls to those community organizations. Parents and guardians may need to be present to supervise or offer advice for this work, but should be careful to let group members be responsible for their campaign.
-
Spring StoryWalk--Hello, Neighbor edition
Get outside and read! Take a walk around the library and discover our spring Storywalk© featuring Now by Antoinette Portis. This special StoryWalk© is supported by the Reading Lions Club and is designed for children with low or no vision to enjoy.
Library visitors start at the front door of the library and follow the Braille-enhanced StoryWalk© signs to experience this adorable picture book. The StoryWalk© will be on display during vacation week from April 14th through April 23rd.
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Pleasant Street Center Book Group
Looking for a casual book group where you can discuss, engage and laugh with other like-minded readers?
This month’s discussion features Songbirds by Christy Lefteri.
Meetings take place in the Great Room of the Pleasant Street Center.
Copies are available at the Library and at the Pleasant Street Center. Most are available in both regular and large print. For more information, call the Reading Public Library at 781-944-0840.
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Teen Crafternoon: Collages!
What's a collage? How do I make one? What’s the Teen Art Showcase?
Stop by the Teen Room to learn about collages, the Teen Art Showcase, and create some of your own masterpieces!
Supplies will be available for teens during April vacation on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2-4pm.
This program is generously funded by The Friends of the Reading Public Library. Thank you!
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WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS: Town of Reading Public Safety Clinician Office Hours - CHILDREN'S ROOM
Taunya L. Jarzyniecki, LCMHC MLADC, Public Safety Clinician for the Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support will be available to meet with residents at the Reading Public Library.
As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Ms. Jarzyniecki can assist residents with brief therapeutic support and accessing resources. There is no fee or health insurance needed to meet with Ms.Jarzyniecki and all services are confidential.
Stop by and say hello on Wednesdays from 2:00-4:00pm in the Library Lobby or the Children's Room.
Please note: If you do not see Taunya sitting in the lobby, please check our signage designating where in the library she will be located.
To schedule an appointment during or in between office hours with Ms. Jarzyniecki, email: tjarzyniecki@ci.reading.ma.us
(Photo by Audrey Gentile)
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Genealogy One-on-One: Private Research Appointment
Just starting your research into your family history and need some help? Looking to learn more about your house or starting the process of applying for a historic house marker? Book an appointment with our Local History and Genealogy Reference Librarian today!
Together, we will sort through your research and make a plan for next steps and how the local history room can help. These meetings will be held in the Local History Room on the 2nd floor of the library.
Jocelyn Gould recently joined the RPL staff after spending the last 16 years as an Interpretive Ranger at the National Parks of Boston where she gave tours of the Freedom Trail and Black Heritage Trail and presented talks at various historic sites throughout the city. Her genealogy areas of research include: Acadians in Nova Scotia and New England, North End Italians, veterans of the American Revolution, and the Black community of 19th century Massachusetts.
-
Spring StoryWalk--Hello, Neighbor edition
Get outside and read! Take a walk around the library and discover our spring Storywalk© featuring Now by Antoinette Portis. This special StoryWalk© is supported by the Reading Lions Club and is designed for children with low or no vision to enjoy.
Library visitors start at the front door of the library and follow the Braille-enhanced StoryWalk© signs to experience this adorable picture book. The StoryWalk© will be on display during vacation week from April 14th through April 23rd.
-
Teen Crafternoon: Collages!
What's a collage? How do I make one? What’s the Teen Art Showcase?
Stop by the Teen Room to learn about collages, the Teen Art Showcase, and create some of your own masterpieces!
Supplies will be available for teens during April vacation on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2-4pm.
This program is generously funded by The Friends of the Reading Public Library. Thank you!
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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Poison Ivy
Got Poison Ivy? Pesky Pete to the Rescue!
Pete Barron, otherwise known as Pesky Pete, will show us how to identify poison ivy, how and where it grows, and most importantly, how to get rid of it organically.
Pesky Pete Tip: If you have been exposed to poison ivy, always wash up with dish detergent (like Dawn) and cold water. Warm water just spreads the poison ivy oils. Come join us for more great tips!
Registration is suggested but NOT REQUIRED.
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Library Landscape Committee
This sub-committee of the Board of Library Trustees was created to discuss and recommend ways to develop the Reading Public Library's exterior grounds responsibly. The Library Landscape Committee (LLC) meets monthly and has a sunset date of 24 months after the first meeting (2/16/2023).
The LLC includes voting members from the Board of Library Trustees, staff members, and a minimum of three other volunteers. All voting members are residents. Ex Officio (non-voting) members include the Library Director and town employees with zoning, land use, and community development expertise.
All meetings are posted and open to the public.
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Spring StoryWalk--Hello, Neighbor edition
Get outside and read! Take a walk around the library and discover our spring Storywalk© featuring Now by Antoinette Portis. This special StoryWalk© is supported by the Reading Lions Club and is designed for children with low or no vision to enjoy.
Library visitors start at the front door of the library and follow the Braille-enhanced StoryWalk© signs to experience this adorable picture book. The StoryWalk© will be on display during vacation week from April 14th through April 23rd.
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Kids Greet: Hello, Neighbor! Edition
Help us make a Hello, Neighbor! video to welcome Reading's new neighbors at this Kids Can program for kids in grades 1-4.
This event is part of the Hello, Neighbor! program series and is generously supported by the Friends of the Reading Public Library.
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Spring StoryWalk--Hello, Neighbor edition
Get outside and read! Take a walk around the library and discover our spring Storywalk© featuring Now by Antoinette Portis. This special StoryWalk© is supported by the Reading Lions Club and is designed for children with low or no vision to enjoy.
Library visitors start at the front door of the library and follow the Braille-enhanced StoryWalk© signs to experience this adorable picture book. The StoryWalk© will be on display during vacation week from April 14th through April 23rd.
-
Hello, Neighbor! Multilingual storytime for families
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and activities! This storytime for families will be led by a librarian as well as community members who will share languages they know. Let's have fun and get to know our neighbors!
Thank you to the Friends of the Reading Public Library for sponsoring our Hello, Neighbor series of events.
-
Spring StoryWalk--Hello, Neighbor edition
Get outside and read! Take a walk around the library and discover our spring Storywalk© featuring Now by Antoinette Portis. This special StoryWalk© is supported by the Reading Lions Club and is designed for children with low or no vision to enjoy.
Library visitors start at the front door of the library and follow the Braille-enhanced StoryWalk© signs to experience this adorable picture book. The StoryWalk© will be on display during vacation week from April 14th through April 23rd.
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Branching Out: Be a Tween Advisor!
Kids ages 10-13 join us to help build our new Tween Room! We are in the process of building a tweens-only space in the Children's Room. Join this bi-weekly advisory committee to discuss furniture, rules and expectations, the book collection, and future programs. Kids like you can influence the library's choices, so be sure to sign up or drop in to attend and make your voice heard! Snacks will be provided.
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Friends of the Reading Public Library Meeting
The Friends of the Reading Library is a non-profit charitable organization that enhances the library’s programs and services. The Friends’ mission is to hold annual fundraisers in order to sponsor events and programs not funded by the town. Our monthly meetings are held at the library, the 4th Monday of the month from 7-9. We meet from September through May with the exception of December. Please join us if you are interested in supporting our wonderful library and meeting new people.
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VIRTUAL: Rights and Benefits for Immigrants: An Introductory Series
The Reading Public Library is excited to partner with the MIRA Coaltion to offer a 3-part series to present relevant, up-to-date, and accurate information on immigration topics, open to all individuals who would like to increase their knowledge of immigration-related topics and learn about helpful resources for practice with immigrant populations. You may register for all three sessions, or choose individual sessions. Zoom information will be shared with registration.
The second session, Rights and Benefits for Immigrants, will cover the basic rights of all individuals — regardless of immigration status. Attendees will receive a broad overview of immigrant eligibility for health and safety net programs. This training also discusses best practices for interactions with law enforcement and preparation for worst-case scenarios.
Other sessions in this series cover the following topics:
ABCs of Immigration, April 10 @7pm: https://libcal.readingpl.org/event/10315681
Immigration Policy Updates and the Work Ahead, May 8 @7pm: https://libcal.readingpl.org/event/10315849
MIRA was founded in 1987 in response to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which allowed 3–5 million undocumented immigrants to become permanent residents. The goal was to not only advocate for the rights and integration of those immigrants, but also build a diverse, member-driven coalition to advance the interests of all foreign-born people.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library.
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KidLit Fan Club! A Book Group for Adults
Adult fans of children's and young adult books sign up for a book discussion about all things KidLit! This month, we are reading The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander.
Copies of the titles will be put on hold for registrants.
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Toddler Time
Join us for a fun half hour of stories, songs and other learning activities! This weekly class is designed to jump-start early literacy skills for walkers and "wobblers." No registration is necessary, but space is strictly limited so please pick up tickets from a Children's Librarian up to 30 minutes before the program begins.
This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Reading Public Library.
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Word of Mouth Book Discussion
Have you read any good books lately? Stop by and share! Join us for an informal monthly discussion of what people are currently reading. It's a great way to learn about new books and authors. Our motto is the Andre Maurois quote- "In literature, as in love, we are astonished at what is chosen by others."
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Middlesex Town Clerks Association Meeting
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Citizen Kids
Hey, kids! Maybe you are the next compassionate leader that the world needs!
Young leaders in grades 3-5 can join a six-week program to create a service project for our community. We will be using the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots format “to help you create meaningful projects that solve real-life issues with big impact”. Participants must commit to all six weeks in order to design and execute their campaign. Some "homework" may be required between sessions; please see longer program description below for all the details.
“Roots creep underground everywhere and make a firm foundation. Shoots seem very weak, but to reach the light they can break open brick walls. Hundreds and thousands of roots and shoots, hundreds and thousands of young people around the world can break through these walls.” Jane Goodall, Ph.D., DBE
This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Public Library--thank you, Friends!
Our Citizen Kids project is a four step process
Get Engaged: Learning about compassionate leadership and getting to know the group's strengths and skills.
Community Mapping: Talking about the physical area around us and making a map of local assets and areas of need for people, animals and the environment.
Taking Action: This step will take multiple sessions. First the group members choose a campaign by reflecting on the community map and drawing on their skills, interests and strengths. Next the members make a plan and take whatever action steps they need to complete the project.
Celebrating: We will reflect on personal growth and how far the group has come. Let's measure our success and celebrate the positive impact on the community to wrap up the campaign.
Because time is limited for this project, group members need to be committed to attending all the meetings and staying focused while we’re together. We will try to keep the scope of the campaign reasonable for the time we have, but members may also have work to do between sessions. “Homework” may include things like finding examples of other service campaigns and projects that have been successful, researching local organizations, drafting letters/emails or making phone calls to those community organizations. Parents and guardians may need to be present to supervise or offer advice for this work, but should be careful to let group members be responsible for their campaign.
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Lessons from the Holocaust: An Informational Session with Laura Hatosy
Join the Reading Public Library for an evening to recognize Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Ninety-Nine percent of Danish Jews survived the Holocaust despite Nazi occupation. Other nations lost 50-80% of their Jewish populations. In this hour-long learning session, Laura Hatosy will give a historical overview of various psychological, cultural, and historical reasons for how and why the Danes were able to protect people in their community. Her discussion will explore the historical context in Denmark and how we can apply these principles to our lives today.
Registration is not required.
Laura earned her Masters degree at Harvard University and taught high school history for several years. It was while teaching the Holocaust curriculum, Facing History and Ourselves, that she learned about the story of Terezin, the camp on which her young adult novel, Drawn from Memory, is based.
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WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS: Town of Reading Public Safety Clinician Office Hours - CHILDREN'S ROOM
Taunya L. Jarzyniecki, LCMHC MLADC, Public Safety Clinician for the Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support will be available to meet with residents at the Reading Public Library.
As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Ms. Jarzyniecki can assist residents with brief therapeutic support and accessing resources. There is no fee or health insurance needed to meet with Ms.Jarzyniecki and all services are confidential.
Stop by and say hello on Wednesdays from 2:00-4:00pm in the Library Lobby or the Children's Room.
Please note: If you do not see Taunya sitting in the lobby, please check our signage designating where in the library she will be located.
To schedule an appointment during or in between office hours with Ms. Jarzyniecki, email: tjarzyniecki@ci.reading.ma.us
(Photo by Audrey Gentile)
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Bouncing Broomsticks Book Club: Grades 3-5
Calling all fantasy readers in grades 3-5! Join Miss Olivia as we soar through the clouds and read and discuss all things fantasy. We'll delve into favorite series, try new books, and do some fantasy-related activities. Each month we will discuss different books or series. This month, we will be discussing all things new fantasy!
Please check out this list on our catalog and choose a title from here. Friends who came to last month's meeting will have chosen one of these books to check out. New members can place holds with their library cards from this list.
If you have any questions or need help placing a hold, email us at rdgchild@noblenet.org
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Preschool Storytime Fun: Ages 3-5
Designed for ages 3-5, this series is filled with rollicking stories, songs, felt boards and other visual methods of storytelling! The goal of this series is to increase both your child's enjoyment of reading and attention span. Come enjoy longer stories and take home thematic/book related activites to extend the storytime experience!
Tickets will be given out 30 minutes prior to storytime.
This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Reading Public Library.
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Postpartum Depression and Perinatal Mental Health ... What is it and how do we identify it?
In light of recent events, we all have questions about postpartum depression and perinatal mental health. Join us to learn what to look for and how to help if you believe someone is experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression.
Taunya L. Jarzyniecki, LMHC, LADAC, the Reading Public Safety Clinician, will lead the discussion about this often overlooked diagnosis. She is an experienced Clinical Mental Health Leader with a strong foundation in crisis intervention, mental health treatment, substance misuse support and care coordination for the past 19 years. She is a Crisis Intervention Team Coordinator, certified by CIT International.
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Babytime: Storytime for Babies 0-18 months
Join your children's librarians for stories, songs, play, and Very Important Fun with other babies and caregivers. This storytime is designed for babies ages birth through 18 months.
No registration is necessary, but space is strictly limited so please pick up tickets from a Children's Librarian before the program begins.
This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Reading Public Library. Thank you, Friends!
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Genealogy One-on-One: Private Research Appointment
Just starting your research into your family history and need some help? Looking to learn more about your house or starting the process of applying for a historic house marker? Book an appointment with our Local History and Genealogy Reference Librarian today!
Together, we will sort through your research and make a plan for next steps and how the local history room can help. These meetings will be held in the Local History Room on the 2nd floor of the library.
Jocelyn Gould recently joined the RPL staff after spending the last 16 years as an Interpretive Ranger at the National Parks of Boston where she gave tours of the Freedom Trail and Black Heritage Trail and presented talks at various historic sites throughout the city. Her genealogy areas of research include: Acadians in Nova Scotia and New England, North End Italians, veterans of the American Revolution, and the Black community of 19th century Massachusetts.
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Babytime: Storytime for Babies 0-18 months
Join your children's librarians for stories, songs, play, and Very Important Fun with other babies and caregivers. This storytime is designed for babies ages birth through 18 months.
No registration is necessary, but space is strictly limited so please pick up tickets from a Children's Librarian before the program begins.
This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Reading Public Library. Thank you, Friends!
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Día Celebration: Interactive Family Movie
Join us for an interactive showing of a popular animated musical about a magial home and the special family who lives there. We'll provide fun props so everyone can dance, act, and sing along during the show! Come dressed up if you'd like! We can't reveal the name of the movie here, so please contact the Children's Room if you have questions.
Thank you to the Friends of the Reading Public Library for sponsoring our Hello, Neighbor series of events, culminating in our Día celebration. Día (Children's Day/Book Day) is a celebration of children, families, culture, and stories.
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Día Celebration: Family Story Recording Studio
Stop by our program room to record a family story or greeting! We will have all the tech you need: green screen, lighting, ipad, etc. as well as story & conversation prompts. Our goal is to combine the footage into a video that captures the diversity of our town, the warmth of our community, and the stories that unite us.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- What is a favorite birthday or holiday story from your family?
- What are some of your favorite activities to do in town as a family?
- If you met someone new to town, how would you greet them?
- What are three words that describe your family?
The program room will be open from Noon - 3:00 pm. No registration is necessary. Staff or volunteers will be available to assist you if you need. Please contact the Children's Room with any questions.
Thank you to the Friends of the Reading Public Library for sponsoring our our Hello, Neighbor series of events, culminating in our Día celebration. Día (Children's Day/Book Day) is a celebration of children, families, culture, and stories.
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Día Celebration: Indigenous Stories for Families
Join Thomas Green, member of the Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag, for an indigenous storytelling session. This event is best for families with children in elementary school. No registration necessary.
Thank you to the Friends of the Reading Public Library for sponsoring our our Hello, Neighbor series of events, culminating in our Día celebration. Día (Children's Day/Book Day) is a celebration of children, families, culture, and stories.