Eid-al Fitr, Elvis Ukulele Jam, Typewriters: Wayland Library Week

WAYLAND, MA — Here's what's happening at the Wayland library over the week of April 8, 2024.

ADULT SERVICES

Virtual Author Talk: Colum McCann and Diane Foley
Seven years after her son, journalist James Foley, was murdered by ISIS, Diane Foley spent three days in a Virginia courthouse with his killer. That encounter led to her collaboration with famed author McCann (Let the Great World Spin), who was moved to tell this tale of resilience, courage, and radical empathy. Register. Tuesday, April 9 at 2 p.m.

Music Exchange Listening Room
It’s Open Mic Night at the Library! Settle into a comfortable seat in our beautiful Round Room and enjoy the lightly amplified efforts of whichever brave souls have signed up to share their music. Or come a little early and sign up yourself to play two or three numbers. Tuesday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Elvis Ukulele Strum-Along
Bring your ukes and stands, we’ll bring Elvis! Join Marisa and Jerry of the A&W Ukulele Players for a fun, instructional jam session. We'll share 8-10 songs (beyond “Blue Hawaii”) and plenty of uku-cameraderie. Players should have basic skills, know how to tune, and be able to play 6-8 chords. BYOUke. Props and costumes are welcome, too. Registration requested but not required. Thursday, April 11 at 7 p.m.

Virtual Author Talk: Xochitl Gonzalez and Anita de Monte Laughs Last
In this propulsive, witty examination of art, love, and power, an art history student, feeling out of place in her upper-crust college, discovers eerie parallels between her life and that of a young artist who died years earlier. Gonzalez's previous novel was a New York Times bestseller. Register. Wednesday, April 17 at 8 p.m.

AI in Medicine and Biomedical Research
Profs. Wei Ding and John Quackenbush will discuss the revolutionary role of AI and machine learning in their field. Using algorithms to analyze and cluster data, they can uncover hidden patterns without human intervention. Hosted by the Cary Library, Lexington, in partnership with several MA libraries. You can attend in person in Lexington or register for a Zoom link. Tuesday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m.

The Typewriter is Back
Sit down at the table in our exhibit alcove on the main floor and revisit the past—or explore an exotic technology. Our sturdy Smith Corona portable typewriter has returned to help you share your thoughts. We’ve provided some prompts to prime the creative pump, or you can wander wherever your fingers take you. You’ll connect with a great literary tradition, and maybe have a little fun, too.

BOOK GROUPS

Noon
The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste. In person and remote. Contact amoore@minlib.net for more information. Friday, April 12.

Cookbook Club
Noon by Meike Peters. Contact dwinn@minlib.net for more information. Thursday, April 18 at 5:30 p.m.

Dystopian/Sci-Fi
Fractal Noise by Christopher Paolini. Online only. Contact ekatz@minlib.net for the Zoom link. Thursday, April 18 at 7 p.m.

YOUTH SERVICES

FOR BABIES, TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS

Music, Story, Fun! with Ms. Janet
Join Ms. Janet for a musical storytime. She’ll bring her ukulele, rainbow bells, and puppets! We will meet in the Children’s Room. For ages birth through age 4, with caregivers. Please register. Thursdays, April 11, April 18, April 25 and Saturday, April 6 at 10:30 a.m.

Baby & Toddler Storytime
This storytime encourages early literacy and caregiver-child interactions with lively songs and rhymes, bounces, books, and body-awareness. Best for babies and toddlers, with caregiver.
Please register. Tuesdays, April 9, April 16, April 23, and April 30 at 10:30 a.m.

Movement with Little Beats
Join Little Beats for 30 minutes of music, movement, and fun! For ages 1-5, with caregiver. Please register HERE. Friday, April 12, at 10:30 a.m.

Chinese Storytime
Children will listen to stories and rhymes, and sing songs in Mandarin and in English. We will also make a craft. Led by Isabelle Ren, director of Wonderwhiz Academy. For ages 2 to 5, with caregivers. Please register HERE. Saturday, April 13, at 10:30 a.m.

FOR ELEMENTARY AGE CHILDREN

Feather Your Nest
Did you know that bowerbirds are also artists? Join Ms. Wendy to learn about the bowerbird and then design and create a nest using a variety of craft, recyclables, and natural materials. For ages 4 and up. Please register HERE. Wednesday, April 10, at 3:00 p.m.

Celebrate Eid-al Fitr
Join your Wayland Muslim neighbors for a joyful celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the festival of fast breaking. Children will celebrate with stories, crafts, henna and snacks! For ages 4 and up, with caregiver. Please register HERE. Thursday, April 11, at 4:00 p.m.

SCHOOL VACATION SPECIALS

Professor Bugman’s Arthropod Petting Zoo
Professor Bugman brings his Arthropod Petting Zoo to Wayland! Kids learn all about Arthropods, the most diverse group of animal life on the planet, during this exciting show-and-tell-and touch program! For ages 3 and up, with caregiver. Please register HERE. Tuesday, April 16, at 2:00 p.m.

Celebrate Earth Day with Ms. Abby!
Join Ms. Abby in a celebration of our Earth! Children will listen to a few celebratory stories about our Earth, and then make their own sculptural masterpieces out of recycled materials. For ages 4 and up. Please register HERE. Wednesday, April 17, at 3:00 p.m.

Pet Peeves Comic Workshop
Cartoonists Dave London and Pete Chianca, creators of the comic strip Pet Peeves, will guide children through the creation process! Topics include inventing characters, drawing expressions, and devising gags & jokes. Tweens will leave with a completed comic strip to take home. For ages 9 and up. Please register HERE. Thursday, April 18, at 3:30 p.m.

3D Design Workshop - Sliding Box
Participants will design a working sliding lid box using Tinkercad.com. Objects will be printed after the workshop, and will be free. Ages 8 and up. Children younger than 8 are welcome, but parents are encouraged to stay and design with their children. Space is limited. Registration required. Please register HERE. Wednesday, April 24, at 4:00 p.m.

4th/5th Grade Book Club
This book discussion group is for 4th and 5th graders. We will be discussing Linked by Gordon Korman. We will meet in the Teen Loft. Questions or to get a copy of the book, contact Pam McCuen at pmccuen@minlib.net. Please register HERE. Wednesday, April 24, at 7:00 p.m.

Pokémon Card Trading Day
Kids are invited to a Pokémon card trading day at the library. Come with cards you are willing to trade! For ages 7 to 11. Please register HERE. Thursday, April 25, at 4:00 p.m.

Beginning Ballet Class for Kids
Come dance with us! Wayland High School student Eyssa Grillo will teach beginning ballet. Wear comfortable clothes. Registration required. Please register HERE. Saturday, April 27, at 11:00 a.m. For ages 4 to 6, with caregiver.

FOR TEENS

Magic the Gathering for Teens
Teens! Play Magic the Gathering with your friends! Bring your own Magic Cards or use ours. Experienced players and newbies welcome. For teens in grades 6 and up. Please register. Fridays, April 12 and April 26, at 4:30 p.m.

Teen Crafternoon: Miniature Goal Box
Teens! Do you have a dream or goal you want to accomplish in the next few years? Perhaps it is learning to knit, travelling to another country, or scoring a soccer goal? Create your own miniature goal box made out of a mints tin and collage supplies. Take home your creation and use it as inspiration to achieve your goal. We will meet in the Teen Loft. For teens in grades 6 and up. Please register HERE. Thursday, April 25, at 4:00 p.m.