Category Archives: Adult Services

Cultural Perspectives in Chocolate – Virtual Program

Cultural Perspectives in Chocolate with Cocoa Beantown

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

7:00—8:00 PM via Zoom

Register online!

Why do the Swiss love their chocolate so much? Why are the Japanese obsessed with Kit Kat bars? Why isn’t American commercial chocolate as good as European? Learn about different perceptions of chocolate around the world while also picking up tips and tricks on how to learn more about a local food culture just by visiting a chocolate shop in this multi-cultural chocolate seminar. 

Made possible, in part, by the Groton Public Library Endowment Trust and various partnering libraries.

Tips on Planning a Trip to Europe – Virtual Program

Tips on Planning a Trip to Europe

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

2:00-3:00 PM via Zoom

Register Online!

Post-pandemic, Americans visiting Europe are facing massive crowds and high temperatures among other difficulties. This presentation covers time honored and new recommendations for planning a great vacation. Europe welcomes our return and hopes we can adjust to a changing world.

Led by Gene Flynn, an Illinois native, who has taught at the College of Lake County and Harper College, and serves on the board of the Institute for Continued Learning at Roosevelt University. He frequently gives travel presentations to libraries and senior centers around the country, and has traveled to more than a dozen European countries.

Sponsored by the Tewksbury Friends of the Library and additional public libraries.

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance – Virtual Program

Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance with Bill Thierfelder

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

7:00-8:00 pm via Zoom

Register online!

Explore the contributions of Langston Hughes, one of the most visible writers of the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes’ work ranged from novels to plays. He also wrote short stories, children’s books, translations, and anthologies as well. However, his most widely appreciated pieces were his poems. After dropping out of Columbia University in 1922, he began to spend every waking moment in Harlem, supporting himself on odd jobs and writing. His writing reflected the idea that black culture should be celebrated because of its value to the fabric of America and the world. He advocated these beliefs in many of his most famous poems, including “I, Too, Sing America,” “Let America be America Again,” and “Hold Fast to Dreams.” Today, Hughes is recognized as one of the towering figures of American Literature whose accessible poetry challenges us to explore the power of diversity to create unity.

About Bill Thierfelder: Dr. Bill Thierfelder holds a Ph.D. in English with minors in theater, art history, and music history. After teaching Second Grade for four years and High School seniors for six months as a replacement substitute, he spent the next 32 years teaching a variety of Arts and Humanities courses at several New York and Long Island universities and colleges, including St. John’s University, Hofstra University, and Dowling College. He is currently docent emeritus from the American Museum of Natural History where he continues to give both Zoom and in-person presentations, work on special editing projects, and give tours. He also lectures regularly for libraries and educational organizations across the country via Zoom. His classroom, library, and Museum vocations have shown him quite clearly that life is all about “making wings,” hence, the name of his website: Making Wings.

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

Made possible by the Groton Public Library Endowment Trust and a variety of public libraries.

Fun on Creativebug

January Fun on Creativebug!

Start the New Year with a fresh perspective through mindful and cozy crafting. Explore the newest Creativebug classes designed to inspire you!

Using your library card and PIN, create your own account for FREE and nurture your creative side with 1000+ video classes in painting, knitting, crafting, sewing & more!

January 1 – Yoga of Yarn: A Daily Practice in Mindfulness and Making

As creators, our bodies are essential tools that deserve careful attention. Join Liza Laird, a knitter and yogi, as she explores beautiful ways to integrate body, mind, and spirit into artmaking. You don’t need a yoga practice or prior knowledge of knitting to benefit from this distinctive daily practice. While Liza demonstrates knitting up the Mala Cowl, a luscious two-color brioche stitch project from her book Yoga of Yarn, feel free to participate with any project of your choosing. Throughout the month, she shares mindfulness techniques and simple, adaptable movements that can be done right from your seat. Whether you’re interested in taking a spiritual journey with your craft or simply aiming to keep your body limber for extended art sessions, this class provides the tools for mindful making.

January 8 – Mending with Wool Felt

There’s no need to fret if you find a hole in your clothes. Mending with natural wool felt is not only practical but also decorative, fun, and possibly easier than you might think. Fiber artist and handwork teacher Melissa of Hex House Crowns demonstrates two ways to mend clothing with needle felting. First, mend directly onto the fabric, which is a good method for lighter, more delicate fabrics – Melissa demonstrates a sweet heart shape as well as a sun. Then, learn to needle felt a patch, which is best for thicker fabrics like canvas and denim. Melissa walks you through making a rainbow patch and a mushroom, and also how to use the blanket stitch to finish the edge of a patch and sew it to a garment. You’ll soon see that you have the freedom to create any shape or design that you want, and that you’ve learned a new way to repair your clothes to make them as unique as you.

January 15 – CB Mixtape: Eyes

CbMixtapes are playlists made of specific bits taken from different classes and grouped together by a common theme. It’s a fun way to learn how one topic is approached by a variety of artists with different techniques, all rounded up in one curated mixtape.

Eyes are, of course, “the windows to the soul,” and while we love portraiture, representing just an eye can be an efficient way to represent a person. These classes are taught by different artists and use a variety of media to draw, sketch, paint, and capture eyes.

January 22 – Tetra Pak Printing

Unlock the potential of everyday materials by transforming food packaging into printmaking plates that yield beautiful, accessible results. Courtney Cerruti, artist and Creativebug Editor-In-Chief, fell in love with this technique because it is similar to etching on metal plates but has a convenient twist—the materials you’ll use are recycled, readily available, and easy to work with. This approach encourages free and spontaneous exploration, without the worry of “ruining a plate.” In this class, learn how to upcycle a TetraPak into a printing plate, create abstract images from organic shapes, etch prints by drawing directly onto the surface, and cut away spaces that will print in black. This sustainable method offers a creative and attainable way to dive into printmaking.

Mass Center for the Book 2025 Reading Challenge

How it Works:

  1. Choose a book that fits the monthly challenge. If you are stuck, please ask a library staff member for some ideas!
  2. Each month, after you read, fill out a short form to tell us about the book.
  3. That’s it!
    • Mass Center for the Book will host a year-end party to celebrate participants committed to the challenge.
    • There will be monthly drawings for free books.
    • If you read a book in each of the 12 months, you will be entered in a drawing to win a tote filled with books and other bookish goodies.

January: A book published or about the year you were born


February: A book with the name of a city in the title

March: A book about someone with a marginalized identity

April: A book about books, bookstores, or libraries


May: A book with a first sentence of eight words or less


June: A book that spans multiple generations

July: A book you were drawn to by its cover


August: A book with a protagonist who is a teenager or senior citizen


September: A book told in non-chronological order


October: A book published by a Massachusetts press


November: A cookbook or book about food


December: Another book by an author you’ve already read   

Live Virtual Tour of Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Live Virtual Tour of Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

9:30 AM via Zoom

Register online!

Explore the enchanting city of Siena, one of Tuscany’s most celebrated destinations, rich in history, art, and vibrant traditions rooted in its 17 districts, or “contrade,” and the world-famous Palio di Siena. Join a virtual walking tour and travel back in time to uncover the city’s medieval glory!

Guided by Patrizia, a local expert guide, experience the highlights of this historic gem, including the iconic Piazza del Campo and the breathtaking Siena Cathedral.

Sponsored by the Tewksbury Friends of the Library and a collaboration of public libraries.

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

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