Thursday, February 3 at 7:00 pm: Lotus Flower Craft (VIRTUAL). Join the Newburyport Public Library and make a traditional Korean lotus lantern. All materials will be provided and the craft is suitable for ages 10 and up. The lantern craft will be run virtually by a member of the Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project (KSCPP). Following the lantern craft, a short documentary (about 12 minutes) called “Korea Today” will be shown.
Tuesday, February 8 at 7:00 pm: Poor Houses and Town Farms: The Hard Row for Paupers (VIRTUAL). From its earliest settlements New England has struggled with issues surrounding the treatment of its poor. The early colonies imposed compulsory taxes for maintenance of the poor but made little distinction between poor people and criminals. In this program, scholar Steve Taylor examines how paupers were treated in local poorhouses and other county institutions and how reformers eventually succeeded in closing them down.
Wednesday, February 9 at 7:00 pm: The Great British Baking Tour (VIRTUAL).
A culinary tour of the UK inspired by “The Great British Baking Show” television series. Learn about making a proper cup of tea, regional specialties, and their origins. Pick up useful travel tips as well. Led by Claire Evans, a UK travel/relocation consultant and former UK resident. This program is a collaboration with many other area libraries.
Thursday, February 10 at 10:30 am: Utilizing Library Resources to Jump Start Your Family Tree (IN PERSON). Local genealogist and educator Lisa Powis will present, describe, and demonstrate the online resources available to patrons at the library to assist them in conducting genealogy research. Resources discussed will include Ancestry, American Ancestors, and Heritage Quest databases. Online newspaper databases and hard copy resources will also be discussed. Attendees are welcome to take notes, but do not need to bring a computer.
Tuesday, February 15 at 7:00 pm: Native Plants for Bird Friendly Communities (VIRTUAL). Join Audubon CT-NY’s Jillian Bell for a presentation focused on bird-friendly plants for your home landscape. With the right plants, any space can become more bird-friendly. Add beauty to your outdoor spaces, while helping birds and wildlife too! Bird-friendly gardens are a treat to anyone who appreciates gardening, wildlife, and the motion and song of birds.
Thursday, February 24 at 7:00 pm: Looking Things Over with Zora Neale Hurston (VIRTUAL). A one woman play by actress historian Gwendolyn Quezaire-Presutti. Zora Neale Hurston was one of the central figures of the Harlem Renaissance. She was an outstanding novelist, journalist, folklorist, and anthropologist. Hurston believed in the beauty of black expressions and traditions. This program is a collaboration with many other area libraries.
VIRTUAL programs require registration to get the Zoom link. Register online via the library website events calendar or by calling 978-465-4428 x242.
IN PERSON programs require masks. No registration is necessary for in person programs.
Ongoing Discussion Groups:
Wednesday, February 2 at 2:00 pm: Next Chapter Book Group (IN PERSON at the Senior Center). Next Chapter Book Group (formerly Retired Readers) meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the Senior Center. This month the discussion will be “The Lions of Fifth Avenue” by Fiona Davis. No registration necessary.
Tuesday, February 8 at 3:00 pm: Art History Group (IN PERSON). This group meets in-person on the 2nd Tuesday of the month to review the life and works of a different artist each month, and discuss the movements that they contributed to. February features the works of the Belgian post-impressionist painter, Anna Boch (1848 – 1936). No prior knowledge of art history or the artist is necessary. No registration necessary.
Thursday, February 10 at 6:30 pm: Fiction Book Group (VIRTUAL). February’s discussion will be “Malibu Rising” by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Register by calling 978-465-4428 x242.
Tuesday, February 22 at 5:00 pm: Just the Facts: Nonfiction Book Group (VIRTUAL*). The discussion will be “Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators” by Ronan Farrow. Register online via the library website events calendar or by calling 978-465-4428 x242.
Other ongoing programs:
Tuesdays 8:00 am: Yoga and Mindfulness (VIRTUAL). Improve your physical and mental well-being by joining Registered Yoga Teachers Jessalynn Hudgins and Ree Coleman for yoga and mindfulness practice. Classes will be held online for the rest of the winter. No registration is necessary. The Zoom link and meeting ID can be found on the library website by visiting https://www.newburyportpl.org/
Wednesdays at 2:30 pm: Movie Matinee (IN PERSON). Titles are posted on the library website. Masks are required.
Ongoing until March 30th: Winter reading bingo challenge. Read a book from our bingo challenge and be entered to win a Jabberwocky gift card. For information visit https://www.newburyportpl.org/ and check under the events tab.
