May Events 
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Friends Bag of Books Sale
Sunday, May 1st
1 PM
Main Library, Wakelin Room
Join us for the last day of the WFL Friends Book Sale. Cost is only $7 for a bag of books. Bags will be provided.
Sunday Knitting Group
Sundays, May 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd
2 PM
Main Library, Small Conference Room
Get together to knit, chat, share and work on your knitting projects. Just drop by; new members always welcome.
Seven Steps to Managing Your Memory: What's Normal, What's Not, and What to Do about It!
Thursday, May 12th
7 PM
Main Library, Wakelin Room
Dr. Andrew Budson will discuss seven steps to help you figure out if your memory is normal or not, and how to use physical activity, specific foods, mental exercises, and cognitive strategies to strengthen your memory. A graduate of Wellesley High, Budson holds top positions in neurology at Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Brigham and Women's Hospital. Jointly sponsored by the Wellesley Council on Aging and the Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries.
Piano Concert: Pei-yeh Tsai
Sunday, May 15th
2 PM
Main Library, Wakelin Room
Pianist Pei-yeh Tsai appears frequently as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestra musician throughout New England.
The program will include works by Beethoven and Chopin.
Generously sponsored by the Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries.
The History of the Quabbin Reservoir
Thursday, May 19th
7 PM
Main Library, Wakelin Room
Local author and historian Michael Tougias will discuss the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir in the 1930's. While the Quabbin today is a source of water for almost one-half of the people in Massachusetts, its creation involved the destruction of four towns and the displacement of 2500 residents. Jointly sponsored by the Wellesley Historical Society and Wellesley Free Library. Refreshments sponsored by Chris Mayer of Coldwell Banker.
Classic Movie Night: A Hard Day's Night (1964)
Thursday, May 26th
6:45 PM
Main Library, Wakelin Room
Capture the astonishing moment when the Beatles officially became the singular, irreverent idols of their generation and changed music forever. Directed with anything-goes verve by Richard Lester, this timelessly entertaining romp exerted an enormous influence on the music video. Generously sponsored by the Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries.
WFL Book Displays
Look throughout the library for a display that catches your interest!
- Movie Moms: Memorable Mothers in Film
- Mothers: The center of our universe
- National Hamburger Month
- National Salad Month
- National Photography Month
- Remember Victory in Europe (WWII)
May Art Exhibits
Wakelin Room and Lobby Galleries: common art
In May, WFL will host an exhibition of more than 50 works of art by members of common art, a Boston community of unhoused and indigent individuals, many of whom are accomplished artists whose professional paths were interrupted by calamity. Every Wednesday at Emmanuel Church on Newbury Street, common art provides studio space, materials and support staff to people who live in shelters, rooming houses and on Boston's streets. When a work is finished, the artist is encouraged to price it; the works are sold in multiple venues with the artist receiving all of the proceeds. Obviously the money is important; equally so is the affirmation by someone valuing and validating the artist's work. common art is operated by common cathedral, an outdoor church for people experiencing homelessness. A reception for the public will be held in the Wakelin Room on the afternoon of Saturday, May 7th, between 1 and 5 PM.
Children's Room and Exhibit Cases: Tenacre Country Day School Student Art
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May Programs for Children
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Learn to Play the Ukulele!
Four weeks, beginning Monday, May 2nd
4 PM to 4:30 PM
Main Library, Storyhour Room
It's time to get your jam on!
Children's Librarian Emma Caywood will teach four half-hour group lessons for children ages 7 and up. Registration is required.
Artist Workshop Series
Saturday, May 7th
1 PM to 2 PM
Main Library, Storyhour & Craft Rooms
In May, learn about Ren� Magritte and create a surrealistic work of art. Registration is required.
Fairy Gardens Family Craft
Sunday, May 8th
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Main Library, Children's Room Patio
Families with school age children will use small plants and decorative items to create a unique Fairy Garden. Registration is required.
Duckling Day! 
Wednesday, May 25th
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Main Library, Storyhour & Craft Rooms
Celebrate the 75th anniversary of Robert McCloskey's classic Make Way for Ducklings! We'll enjoy stories, crafts, and a duckling parade. This program is best for children ages 4-6 yrs. Registration is required.
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Join our Mailing List
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Shop Wellesley on May 11th for the WFL!
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Shop select Wellesley merchants during specific hours on Wednesday, May 11th and 10-20% of your purchase will be donated to the Wellesley Free Library Foundation. 
Isabel Harvey (Shop time:10am-3pm)
10% of purchase donated
London Harness (Shop time: 10 am-2pm)
10% of purchase donated
Talbots (Shop time: 11 am-2pm)
10% of purchase donated
Tumi Wellesley (Shop time:10am-2pm)
10% of purchase donated
Yogurtology (Shop time: 5-8pm)
20% of purchase donated
Simply let the merchants know at check out that you are a library supporter and your purchase will be registered as part of the fundraiser. Check the WFL Foundation Events page for additions and updates.
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Vote: 2016 Community Read
Each year, MassBay Community College and Wellesley Free Library join forces to invite the greater Wellesley community to read a common text, engage in discussions, and attend related programs, all with the goal of creating an interdisciplinary learning experience.
Three works by regional authors are finalists
for the 2016 title. Click here to cast a vote for your choice. Votes must be entered by noon on May 5, 2016.
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Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend:
Historic Wellesley
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Andrew Dewing becomes the first English Settler in what would become Wellesley near Grove Street.
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A display of books with connections to the town of Wellesley's past, places and people will be located on the second floor of the main library in celebration of Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend. The Wellesley Celebration Committee's annual town-wide event is scheduled for May 21st and 22nd.
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Borrow the Newest Magazines
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 At WFL, the newest issue of each magazine is displayed for use within the library only.
At the main library, a new "High Demand" collection of a few of the most popular titles is now available for borrowing right away.
These are additional copies of popular titles like Economist, New Yorker, People, and Us Weekly. Do check them out! More titles will be included over time.
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JSTOR: Now With eBooks!
 Academics, local authors, students, and interested Wellesley residents have made hundreds of searches on the arts, humanities, and social sciences in JSTOR.
This unique database of articles from over 2000 current and archival journals, books, and primary sources offers information not found in the popular periodical databases and on the Internet.
NOW this database also boasts over 40,000 e-books from 100+ academic publishers! What are you waiting for? Sign in through our list of databases and try it out; then tell your neighbors and friends!
Want to learn more? You can sign up for an Explore JSTOR class on Monday, May 23rd from 10 to 11 AM. |
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Lifelong Learning: Technology Workshops at WFL
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 Jackie's Room at the main library is your place to find diverse types of innovative computer instruction.
Open Computer Lab is a weekly session staffed by technology trainers and knowledgeable volunteers who provide one on one technology assistance. Drop in on Mondays between 1-4PM to get individual help and use the equipment: PC's with Windows 10 and Microsoft Office 2013, MacBook Pros, iPads and Windows 10 tablets.
A selection of other tech ed programs are below. Register online.
Introduction to Nextdoor.com
Thursday, May 12th, 10:30 AM
Feeling shy or reluctant about using traditional social media like Facebook or Instagram? There are alternatives! In this class, we will explore the website Nextdoor.com, which connects neighbors over the "cyber-fence" to share local recommendations and buy, sell or swap items. This workshop is generously sponsored by the Wellesley Free Library Foundation. Register Here.
Final Cut Pro X: Parts 1 & 2
Tuesdays, May 10 & 24, 6:30 PM
Learn the basics of non-linear video editing using Final Cut Pro X. Please commit to attending both sessions when you sign up for this in-depth workshop, made possible by a grant from the Wellesley Media Corporation to the Wellesley Free Library Foundation. Register Here.
File Management
Friday, May 20th, 10 AM
Learn about creating and organizing files and folders in Windows. We'll look at local and cloud-based storage options. Register Here.
Explore JSTOR
Monday, May 23rd, 10 AM
JSTOR is a collection of over 2000 publications (including both journals & books) across 40 disciplines in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Learn about the best ways to get the most out of this powerful tool. Register Here.
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At Home With the News
- The Arizona Republican-1890-1922
- Atlanta Constitution-1868-1945
- The Baltimore Sun-1837-1988
- The Boston Globe-1872-1982
- The Christian Science Monitor-1908-2000
- Cincinnati Enquirer-1841-1922
- Detroit Free Press-1831-1922
- Hartford Courant-1764-1988
- Indianapolis Star-1903-1922
- Los Angeles Times-1881-1990
- Nashville Tennessean-1812-1922
- New York Times 1851-2010; with index 1851-1993.
- New York Tribune / Herald Tribune-1841-1962
- Newsday-1940-1985
- San Francisco Chronicle-1865-1922
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch-1874-1922
- Wall Street Journal-1889-1996
- Washington Post-1877-1997
The beauty of this database is that you can search all the newspapers at the same time. What a great way to do genealogical research or to find primary historical documents for school projects! Have questions? Call a Reference librarian at 781-235-1610 x 1117.
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Book Groups for All Ages
 For Adults
Pulitzer Fiction Book Group
Thursday, May 5th
10 AM
Main Library, Arnold Room
Hills Branch Evening Book Chat
Thursday, May 5th
6:30 PM
Hills Branch Library
If you're an avid reader who loves to talk about the books you've enjoyed, try attending a Book Chat! Each participant can choose to take a turn describing recent favorites. Not feeling 'chatty?" That's fine too - simply listen, and you'll come away with a long list of suggestions from others about what to read next.
Wellesley Friday Book/Movie Group
Friday, May 20th
10 AM
Main Library, Arnold Room
This month we will discuss The Martian, the award winning debut novel by Andy Weir. Told primarily through a series of log entries by astronaut Mark Watney, it's a chronicle of survival. After a dust storm on Mars forces Watney and his crew to evacuate their spaceship, he finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to signal that he is alive.
Saturday Book Chat at the Hills
210 Washington Street
Saturday, May 21st
11:00 AM
Drop by to give a 'thumbs up' or 'thumbs down' to your recent reading and get a list of recommended titles at this lively monthly meeting.
Non-Fiction Book Group
Tuesday, May 24th
7 PM
May 24th
Main Library, Friends Reading Room
We'll discuss Strength in What Remains: A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness by Tracy Kidder. The author
tells the remarkable story of Deogratias, a refugee from the Rwandan and Burundi genocide who made his way to New York in 1994, not speaking English, knowing no one. We follow Deo from homelessness in New York to medical school at Columbia. He returns to Burundi as a physician with the hellish memories of the genocide ever present. Kidder has an extraordinary gift of finding stories worth telling.
For Children and Teens 
Middle School Graphic Novel Lunchtime Book Club
Tuesday, May 3rd
Wellesley Middle School
The Reading Club, for kids in 4th and 5th grade with an adult
Monday, May 9th
7 PM to 8:00 PM,
Main Library, Children's Room
Join us in April to discuss Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech. Both adults and children should read the book and enjoy the discussion.
Books & Bites, for kids in 6th grade and up
Monday, May 16th
7 PM to 8 PM
Main Library, Children's Room
Parents are welcome too! The May book is A Blind Guide to Stinkville by Beth Vrabel. At the end of the meeting, we'll decide on the book for the next time.
Kids Read, for kids in 2nd and 3rd grades
Friday, May 20th
4 PM to 4:45 PM
Main Library, Craft Room
This month, we discuss I Don't Believe It, Archie by Andrew Norriss. Come have some fun -- we'll also talk about what we're reading on our own.
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Memorial Day Closing
The Wellesley Free Libraries will be closed May 28th, 29th & 30th for the Memorial Day Weekend.
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Contact Us
| Wellesley Free Library
530 Washington Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
Phone: 781-235-1610
Fax: 781-235-0495
E-mail
Website
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