Star Wars Festival For All Ages @ Tewksbury Library

Library News

Star Wars Festival Next Saturday!

Calling Star Wars fans of all ages!  On Saturday, February 2, 10am to noon, come enjoy all things Star Wars at our first annual “Star Wars Symposium!”  Experience this fun event that more than 2,000 children, teens and adults in Massachusetts are already raving about!  Here are 5 Reasons To Attend: (1) You can hear Star Wars expert Peter Struzziero give his popular presentation and answer all your Star Wars-related questions! (2) You can test your Star Wars knowledge in a game of trivia for prizes! (3) You can dress up like your favorite Star Wars character and participate in our costume contest for prizes! (4) You can bring your Star Ways toys and collectibles and participate in our “Show and Tell” for prizes! (5) You can pose with members of the 501st New England Garrison, a Star Wars costuming fan club, with their authentic-looking costumes!  Register by calling 978-640-4490 x 205, emailing rhayes@mvlc.org, or visiting the library’s online calendar of events.  Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Event Registration

Please register online using our Calendar of Events at www.tewksburypl.org or by calling (978) 640-4490 (for Adult) or (978) 640-4496 (for Children).  Events that require registration are marked (RR).  Events that require tickets are marked (TK).  Drop-in programs are marked (DI).  All events are free.  

Adult & Teen Events

Thursday, January 31, 7pm -- Zentangle Basics Workshop (RR)

Zentangle Teacher Emily Classon reveals how to create artwork through repetitive patterns in this hands-on workshop.  Learn this creative, inspiring and relaxing practice that’s sweeping the country.  Limited to 25 seats.

Friday, February 1, 10:30am -- Friday Morning Lecture: Meet The Tewksbury Press (RR)

Enjoy a lively panel discussion with key members of the local media as they review 2012’s big headlines, predict 2013’s top stories, and discuss what it’s like to cover the news in town. Panelists include Jayne Miller (Tewksbury Town Crier), Bill Gilman (Tewksbury Patch), Mac McEntire (Tewksbury Advocate), and Katie Lannan (Lowell Sun).  Doors open at 10am for coffee and socializing.  Limited to 100 seats.

Saturday, February 2, 10am -- Tewksbury Celebrates Star Wars! (RR)

Star Wars fans of all ages are invited to the library’s first annual “Star Wars Symposium,” featuring all-things Star Wars, including fun lectures, trivia, show & tell, contests and photo ops with characters.  All children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday, February 2, 2pm -- Author Visit: A Murder in Wellesley with Tom Farmer & Marty Foley (RR)

Meet authors Tom Farmer and Marty Foley as they discuss their new book: A Murder in Wellesley.  Hear the inside story of an ivy-league doctor’s double life, his slain wife, and the trail that gripped a nation.  Book signing held after talk.  Limited to 100 seats.

Monday, February 4, 10:30am -- Monday Morning Matinee: How The West Was One (RR)

Enjoy a screening of a classic film that was released 50 years ago this month – “How The West Was Won,” a G-rated western starring Gregory Peck, James Stewart, Henry Fonda, John Wayne, and many more!  Popcorn and lemonade will be provided.  Limited to 100 seats.

Tuesday, February 5, 7pm -- Author Visit: Half An Hour A Day Across Massachusetts with John Galluzzo (RR)

Meet author John Galluzzo as he discusses his new book: Half An Hour A Day Across Massachusetts, documenting the author’s experience of taking a walk in each of the state’s 351 cities and towns in one year.  Book signing held after talk.  Limited to 100 seats.

Wednesday, February 6, 2pm -- Job Seekers Seminar: Self-Esteem Matters with Bob Vear (RR)

Unemployed or underemployed?  Join Bob Vear, owner of “Always Room To Grow” and an organizational consultant with 17 years of experience, for a dynamic presentation on building your self-esteem.  Leave felling much better about yourself and your prospects of finding your next job!  Limited to 25 seats.

Thursday, February 7, 10:30am-1:30pm -- Device Advice: 1-on-1 Help With Your eReader (RR)

Book a 30-minute, one-on-one session with a library staff member to learn how to download free eBooks to your eReader (e.g., Kindle, nook) from the library’s Overdrive digital collection.  Participants should bring their own e-readers.  Limited to 1 seat per 30-minute session.

Thursday, February 7, 2pm -- Technology Trainings: Twitter 101 (RR)

Learn the basics of Twitter in this hands-on workshop for beginners.  Each participant will leave the class having set-up their very own Twitter account while developing an appreciation for the ways in which this popular social network can be useful in their everyday life!  Participants should come to class with their email address written down on a piece of paper.  Limited to 10 seats.

Friday, February 8, 7pm -- Dinner & A Movie: Alex Cross (RR)

Enjoy a free dinner and a movie on Friday nights at the Tewksbury Public Library!  This week’s movie is “Alex Cross,” an R-rated police drama starring Tyler Perry, based on the blockbuster book series from James Patterson.  Limited to 75 seats.

Monday, February 11, 7pm --Author Visit: Political Suicide with Michael Palmer (RR)

Meet New York Times Bestselling Author Michael Palmer as he discusses his new book: Political Suicide, a page-turning thriller set at the crossroads of American politics, military and medical science.  Book signing held after talk.  Limited to 100 seats.

Tuesday, February 12, 7pm -- Community Conversations: Screening of “Bully” (RR)

The library addresses the topic of bullying with a screening of the new PG-13 rated documentary: “Bully.”  Parents are encouraged to bring their middle school and high school-aged children.  Limited to 100 seats.

Wednesday, February 13, 12:30pm -- Reader’s Choice Book Discussion Group (RR)

Participate in the library’s newest book club!  Come prepared to briefly discuss a book you’ve recently enjoyed reading.  After all members have shared their recommended titles, library staff will highlight some of its newest books, plus discuss useful readers’ advisory tools.  (At this meeting, staff will demonstrate “Novelist.”)  The library will provide beverages; members are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch.  Limited to 25 seats.

Thursday, Febraury 14, 10:30am -- Great Decisions Discussion Group (RR)

In this introductory meeting, learn more about Tewksbury’s new “Great Decisions Discussion Group,” America’s largest discussion program on world affairs, organized by the Foreign Policy Association.  This group will meet every-other-week over a five-month period to discuss the most thought-provoking foreign policy challenges facing American today.  At this meeting, participants will receive their free briefing book ($20 value) featuring impartial analyses on issues of concern to U.S. policymakers.  The group’s first full discussion will be held on Friday, February 28 at 10:30am to discuss Egypt.  Limited to 20 seats.

Friday, February 15, 10:30am -- Friday Morning Lecture: The History of Air Force One (RR)

Join Jerry Selissen, Hanscom Air Force Base retiree and former Tewksbury Selectman, as he explores the history of Air Force One in a slideshow just in time for Presidents Day!  Doors open at 10am for coffee and socializing.  Limited to 100 seats.

Saturday, February 16, 2pm -- Author Visit: The Pilots’ Guide to the Airports of Historic Massachusetts with John Fiske (RR)

Meet author John Fiske as he discusses his latest book: The Pilot’s Guide to the Airports of Historic Massachusetts, including some talk about Tewksbury’s very own Tew-Mac airport.  Book signing held after talk.  Limited to 100 seats.

Tuesday, February 19, 7pm -- Author Visit: The Lincoln Letter with William Martin (RR)

Meet New York Times Bestselling Author William Martin as he discusses his new book: The Lincoln Letter, a suspenseful tale of a modern-day treasure hunt for a piece of America’s history – the diary of Abraham Lincoln.  Book signing held after talk.  Limited to 100 seats.

Wednesday, Febraury 20, 2pm -- Job Seekers Seminar: Get Motivated! with Steve Gamlin (RR)

Unemployed or underemployed?  Join Steve Gamlin, award-winning motivational speaker, for his popular presentation “Attitude + Action for a Lifetime of Traction.”  Steve will help get your professional life in gear with some easy tips to remember!  Limited to 25 seats.

Thursday, February 21, 10:30am-1:30pm -- Device Advice: 1-on-1 Help With Your eReader (RR)

Book a 30-minute, one-on-one session with a library staff member to learn how to download free eBooks to your eReader (e.g., Kindle, nook) from the library’s Overdrive digital collection.  Participants should bring their own e-readers.  Limited to 1 seat per 30-minute session.

Thursday, February 21, 2pm -- Technology Trainings: Facebook 101 (RR)

Learn the basics of Facebook in this hands-on workshop for beginners.  Each participant will leave the class having set-up their very own Facebook account while developing an appreciation for the ways in which this popular social network can be useful in their everyday life!  Participants should come to class with their email address written down on a piece of paper.  Limited to 10 seats.

Friday, February 22, 7pm -- Dinner & A Movie: Argo (RR)

Enjoy a free dinner and a movie on Friday nights at the Tewksbury Public Library!  This week’s movie is “Argo,” an R-rated suspenseful CIA drama starring Ben Affleck.  Limited to 75 seats.

Children’s Events

Wednesday, January 23, 3:30pm -- Craft & Cocoa (DI)

Enjoy some hot cocoa and make a wintry craft.  Ages 5 to 12.

Thursday, January 24, 10:15am AND 11am -- Wiggle Time (DI)

Come on down to our 30 minutes session of songs, stories, instruments, dancing and more.  Get those early literacy skills working now!  For 2 years olds.  Children ages 18 to 23 months are also welcome to join us.  Older and younger siblings are also always welcome.

Friday, January 25, 11am -- Dance Party (TK)

Put on your dancing booties and come boogie with Miss Noelle.  We’ll learn the moves to dance songs by the Wiggles, then we’ll all dance together!  For ages 1 to 6.  A ticket is required for admittance to this event.  Every “body” coming into the room needs a ticket.  Free tickets are available at the Children’s Desk beginning January 14.  Limit of 6 tickets per person.

Saturday, January 26, 2pm -- Family Movie Matinee (DI)

This week’s movie is Disney’s Secret of the Wings (G).  Bring a blanket or sleeping bag and a pillow.  Stretch out on our floor with your snacks and enjoy a movie in the Meeting Room.  For all ages.  Proper movie behavior expected at all times.

Monday, January 28, 10:15am AND 11am -- Tiny Tykes (DI)

Come get your early literacy skills on!  Stories, songs, finger plays, and simple movement make this the perfect class for fostering an early love for learning and reading, as well as early socialization skills.  Plus grownups get to meet other parents in the area.  For children ages 0 to 18 months.  Older siblings are always welcome!

Tuesday, January 29, 11am -- Preschool Story Time (DI)

Join us for stories, songs, music making and movement!  Have fun while learning early literacy skills.  For ages 3 to 5.  Younger or older siblings are always welcome.

Wednesday, January 30, 3:45pm -- Read To Me Book & Craft Club (RR)

Come have fun while making a craft and eating snacks at the Read To Me Book & Craft Club!  We all read the same book before we meet and then we talk about it while snacking.  Afterwards, we make a craft based on the book.  Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the book at the Children’s Desk to read before the meeting.  Limited to 15.  Registration is required and begins on January 22.  For students in K to Grade 3. 

Thursday, January 31, 10:15am AND 11am -- Wiggle Time (DI)

Come on down to our 30 minutes session of songs, stories, instruments, dancing and more.  Get those early literacy skills working now!  For 2 years olds.  Children ages 18 to 23 months are also welcome to join us.  Older and younger siblings are also always welcome.