NEWBURYPORT — Wednesday, July 6th at 7 pm: Northeast Native Plant Primer: 235 Plants for an Earth-Friendly Garden (VIRTUAL). Do you want a garden that makes a real difference? Choose plants native to our Northeast region. The rewards will benefit you, your yard, and the environment — from reducing maintenance tasks to attracting earth-friendly pollinators such as native birds, butterflies, and bees. Uli Lorimer of the Native Plant Trust makes adding these superstar plants easier than ever before, with proven advice that every home gardener can follow. This program is a collaboration with the Tewksbury Public Library and other area libraries.
Wednesday, July 13th at 7 pm: My Summers with a Serial Killer: A Massachusetts True Crime Story (VIRTUAL). Authors Liza Rodman and Jennifer Jordan will discuss their true crime book, The Babysitter: My Summers with a Serial Killer, about Tony Costa, who would go on to murder multiple women after being her Liza’s childhood babysitter. This program is a collaboration with the Tewksbury Public Library and other area libraries.
Tuesday, July 19th at 2 pm: A Trip To Cambodia with Travel Photographer Jack Holmes (VIRTUAL). Travel with photographer Jack Holmes to Cambodia as he investigates ancient Angkor temples and culture in modern Siem Reap, digs for origins near Battambang, and visits the massive central lake Tonlé Sap. This program is a collaboration with the Tewksbury Public Library and other area libraries.
Monday, July 25th at 7 pm: FDR Museum History Talk: Exploring the Great Depression (VIRTUAL). The Great Depression was the greatest economic downturn in world history. In this program, Jeffrey Urbin of the Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum explores the rising unemployment, financial crisis, and other hardships that threatened social and economic order throughout the industrialized world. What caused the Great Depression? What were the economic, social and emotional impacts of the Great Depression? How did the first 100 Days of the New Deal work?
Tuesday, July 26th at 7 pm: FDR Museum History Talk: Understanding the New Deal (VIRTUAL). In his first Inaugural Address, with the nation in the depths of the Great Depression, FDR promised “action, and action now.” In this program, Jeffrey Urbin of the Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum explores how Roosevelt’s New Deal touched virtually every aspect of American economic life and forever changed the role of the federal government in the lives of Americans. Jeffrey will discuss the 3 R’s (Relief, Recovery, Reform), how jobs provided money, identity and personal dignity, the help available through the New Deal for farmers, industry, youth and many others, and paychecks and other physical signs of progress.
Wednesday, July 27th at 11 am: Beachcombing for Signs of Wildlife (VIRTUAL). From the rolling dunes of Cape Cod to the rocky North Shore, the beaches of Massachusetts offer unique opportunities for life to converge. Learn how to read the landscape, search for wildlife, and understand the ecological relationships between species you may be familiar with. Led by Douglas Lowry, the Adult Education Specialist for Mass Audubon’s Southeast Region. This program is a collaboration with the Tewksbury Public Library and other area libraries.
NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY YANKEE HOMECOMING PROGRAMS- ALL IN PERSON (end of July/beginning of August)
Saturday, July 30th at 10 am: Newburyport’s Clipper Heritage Trail. Join local historian and author Ghlee Woodworth and enjoy a visual tour of over 60 images upcoming in her Newburyport’s Clipper Heritage Trail Volume II to be published later in the fall. Ghlee is the creator and author of Newburyport’s Clipper Heritage Trail, a series of self-guided history tours accessed via book, website, and smartphone.
Saturday, July 30th at 12 pm: Newburyport and the Triangle Trade. Join Susan Harvey for this presentation on the history of slavery in Newburyport and New England.
Monday, August 1st at 7 pm: Bacchanalia, Murder, and Newburyport: The Great Watt. Come to hear a story predating colonization by the Newbury first settlers, where native peoples play a large role. It’s a downtown Newburyport history mystery, with sex, drunkenness, and political power struggles, presented by Jack Santos.
Tuesday, August 2nd at 2 pm: Newburyport Miniatures. Join miniaturist David Vine for a presentation on his hand-crafted scale models of historic Newburyport buildings and popular landmarks, such as the Old South Church, Angie’s Diner, and others. Learn how David became inspired to build scale models and all of the trials, tribulations and fun that went into constructing them. An exhibit of his miniatures will be on display. Registration required.
Wednesday, August 3rd at 7 pm: Plum Island: A Vulnerable Gem. Local author-journalist Dyke Hendrickson will talk about his book, Plum Island: A Vulnerable Gem and show slides, including numerous aerial photos that have not been displayed in the past.
VIRTUAL programs require registration to get the Zoom link. People can register online via the library website events calendar or by calling 978-465-4428 x242. All in person programs in July are drop-in, except the miniatures program.
Ongoing Discussion Groups:
Wednesday, July 6th 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’s title is “The Paper Palace” by Miranda Cowley Heller. No registration necessary.
Tuesday, July 12th at 3:00 pm: Art History Group (IN PERSON). Welcome to our Art History Group! This group meets in-person on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. We will review the life and works of a different artist each month, and discuss the movements that they contributed to. This month we will be reviewing the works of Native American artist Fritz Scholder (1937-2005). No prior knowledge of art history or the artist is necessary. No registration necessary.
Thursday, July 14th at 2 pm (VIRTUAL) and 6:30 pm (IN PERSON): Fiction Book Group. This book group is offered twice in one day – once at 2:00 PM in virtual format and once at 6:30 PM in-person in the Director’s Room at the library. This month we will be discussing “Bewilderment” by Richard Powers. Register by calling 978-465-4428 x242.
Tuesday, July 19th at 3:00 pm: Círculo de Lectores (VIRTUAL). ¿Le gusta leer libros en español? ¡La biblioteca lo invita a participar en nuestro nuevo grupo de lectura para adultos! El grupo será más adecuado para aquellos con un nivel avanzado de lectura en español. El primer libro que estaremos leyendo es “El alquimista” por Paulo Coelho. Las discusiones se llevarán a cabo en Zoom. Regístrese a través del sitio web de la biblioteca https://www.newburyportpl.org/ o llamando al 978-465-4428 x242. Un enlace será enviado por correo electrónico a los participantes automáticamente.
Do you enjoy reading in Spanish? We invite you to join our new adult Spanish language book group! This is best suited for those with an advanced understanding of Spanish who are comfortable reading and discussing long texts in Spanish. This month we will be discussing “El Alquimista” by Paulo Coelho. Register through the library website https://www.newburyportpl.org/ or by calling 978-465-4428 x242. A link will be emailed to participants automatically.
Tuesday, July 26th at 5 pm: Just the Facts: Nonfiction Book Group (VIRTUAL). This month we will be discussing “Travels with George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy”, by Nathaniel Philbrick. 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 https://www.newburyportpl.org/
Wednesdays at 2:30 pm: Movie Matinee (IN PERSON). Titles are posted on the library website.
