Note From the Director

Gather-Me-bookcover image

Hello Library Friends! Hope you’re enjoying the warmer weather that has led to a melting March; I know I am heartened by the hint of spring in the air.


Whether you enjoy this time of year for March Madness, St. Patty’s Day, or Dr. Seuss’ birthday, there are monthly highlights in the library world as well, not the least of which is National Reading Month! Not that a librarian ever needs encouragement to read (my TBR list runs several pages), but I have decided to combine some of the March holidays in my reading choices this month.


The March Mass Center for the Book Reading Challenge is a book about someone with a marginalized identity. I’ll be combining that challenge with Women’s History Month when I typically read a book to honor strong women in the world. I could not pass up the chance to read Gather Me: A Memoir in Praise of the Books that Saved Me by Glory Edim, founder of the Well-Read Black Girl Book Club. It’s hard to select just one book, so others I hope to get to are Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo, Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine by Uche Blackstock, M.D., 

... Readmore.

March Events

Changing Perspectives: 5 Women Writers of Speculative Fiction (Virtual)

Tue | Mar 4| 7:00PM

All registrants will receive will receive a link to a recording of this program.


Over many years, high school and college literature classes and “Best Books” lists were dominated by male writers. This program looks at five remarkable women who have made deep inroads into the realm of fantasy and science fiction. We’ll explore each author’s life and then delve into the primary themes of these often mind-bending, mind-expanding books: Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN, Octavia Butler’s KINDRED, Ursula LeGuin’s THE LATHE OF HEAVEN, Margaret Atwood’s ORYX AND CRAKE, and N. K. Jemisin’s HOW LONG 'TIL BLACK FUTURE MONTH? These are books that test us, inspire us, warn us, and unsettle us in often unforeseen ways.

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Shamrock Snacks in the Teen Loft

Mon | Mar 17| 1:30PM

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day -- and the MERSD school holiday -- by stopping at the Teen Loft to make some magically delicious treats!

Rabbits and Guinea Pigs at the Library!

Sat | Mar 22| 2:00PM

Manchester's own 4-H club is visiting the library for a storytime and meet and great with their adorable furry friends! Attendees will also learn about the care and keeping of rabbits and guinea pigs. This program is for ages 5-10. Registration required.

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Behind Their Screens: What Teens Are Facing (And Adults Are Missing) - Virtual

Tue | Mar 25 | 6:30PM

Join us for an online event with Dr. Emily Weinstein and Dr. Carrie James, co-founders of the Center for Digital Thriving at Harvard Graduate School of Education and authors of the impactful book Behind Their Screens: What Teens Are Facing (And Adults Are Missing). Emily and Carrie will join us to share surprising insights from their latest research about about teens and technology (particularly social media and GenAI), as well as practical strategies for parents, educators, and other caring adults. Their research has long emphasized young people's voices and diverse experiences, and they consider themselves critical optimists who are actively working toward a future where young people can thrive as they live with ever-changing technologies.

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Crowell Concert Series Featuring: Wangari Fahari

Tuesday | March 4 | 6:00-7:00PM

Wangari Fahari i​s a Kenyan born American artist and social justice leader in North America and in Africa for over 17 years. Today Wangari Fahari is one of North America’s and Africa’s fastest-growing independent global artists in the commonwealth crowned an Eastern, MA Rising Star after receiving the Andrea C. Silbert award, May of 2023 from the Center For Women Enterprise in Boston.


This program is made possible through a partnership with Manchester Parks and Recreation and funding from the Friends of the Manchester-by-the-Sea Library and a grant from the Manchester-by-the-Sea Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

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Create/Make: Embroidery Journaling

Saturday | March 8 | 2:00-4:00PM

Join us to learn 12 basic embroidery stitches and then begin your own embroidery journal for 2025!


Create/Make for Adults: We explore different mediums and projects each month. Please register so we can plan for adequate materials. This program is designed for adults, but no artistic experience is necessary. Come enjoy crafting and community!

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Historical Fiction Authors Allison Pataki with Kerri Maher (Virtual)

Tuesday | March 11 | 7:30-8:30PM

Author Allison Pataki discusses Finding Margaret Fuller and historical fiction with fellow author Kerri Maher.


All registrants will receive the recording of the program.


Allison Pataki is a New York Times Bestselling author with a passion for telling the stories of leading ladies lost in history. Her sixth historical novel, "The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post" (2022) was an instant bestseller. In "Finding Margaret Fuller, she offers readers an epic reimagining of the life of Margaret Fuller" – America’s forgotten leading lady and the central figure of a movement that defined a nation.


Kerri Maher is the USA Today bestselling author of "All You Have To Do Is Call", "The Paris Bookseller", "The Girl in White Gloves", "The Kennedy Debutante", and, under the name Kerri Majors, "This Is Not a Writing Manual: Notes for the Young Writer in the Real World".

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Meet Thriller Author OX Devere

Thursday | March 20 | 6:00-7:00PM

Meet Parker Jamison, local author of thrillers The Devil's Eye and Rage of the Jinn in conversation with librarian Maddy Willwerth. Bring your questions. Books will be available for sale with cash check or Venmo and can be signed before the program.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ox Devere is a pseudonym for Parker Jamison. It’s an ode to the most famous pen name of all time.


She was born and raised just outside of Boston, MA, the middle of five children. Her father was raised in Egypt, so their house was always filled with artwork, relics, and stories of its ancient culture. As a kid, she lived in the pages of Brian Jacques, Madeleine L’Engle, and Roald Dahl. Her older brothers and cousins introduced her to the world of Indiana Jones and Star Wars, worlds in which imagination and adventure roared.

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Crowell Concert Series Featuring: Southern NH Ukulele Group

Tuesday | April 1 | 6:00-6:30PM

Southern New Hampshire Ukulele Group, or SNHUG’s primary purpose is to provide a forum for area ukesters of all levels to share & play songs, learn techniques and form friendships while learning more about everyone’s favorite instrument.


This program is made possible through a partnership with Manchester Parks and Recreation and funding from the Friends of the Manchester-by-the-Sea Library and a grant from the Manchester-by-the-Sea Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Check Out 52 More Programs this March Including:

Virtual Programs (Registration Required):


Author Hour: Callan Wink and Kevin Powers

Wednesday, March 5 at 7:00—8:00 PM


Dungeons and Dragons for Adults

Monday, March 10 at 7:00—9:00 PM


Historical Fiction Book Recommendations with Bestselling Author, Jane Healey

Tuesday, March 11 at 6:30—7:00 PM

This event is part of a monthly series.


Thriller/Horror Book Recs with Bookstagrammer Jody Blanchette aka @redreadreviews

Tuesday, March 11 at 7:30-8:00PM

This event is part of a monthly series.


Author Hour: Lisa Unger and Tim Ehrenberg

Wednesday, March 12 at 7:00—8:00 PM


Author Hour: Penn Cole

Thursday, March 13 at 7:00—8:00 PM


Author Hour: Gillian McAllister with Peter Swanson

Friday, March 14 at 2:00—3:00 PM


Author Hour: Alison Gaylin

Monday, March 17 at 7:00—8:00 PM


Author Hour: Lauren Willig

Tuesday, March 18 at 7:00—8:00 PM


Author Hour: Curtis Sittenfeld with Gabrielle Zevin

Wednesday, March 19 at 7:00—8:00 PM


Mystery/Thriller Book Recs with Bestselling Author, Joseph Finder

Thursday, March 20 at 6:30—7:00 PM

This event is part of a quarterly series.


Author Hour: Brianna Labuskes

Thursday, March 20 at 7:00—8:00 PM


Dungeons and Dragons for Adults

Thursday, March 20 at 7:00—9:00 PM


Inclusive and Diverse Book Recs

Thursday, March 20 at 7:30—8:00 PM


Dungeons and Dragons for Adults

Monday, March 24 at 7:00—9:00 PM


Book Groups:


Hearthside Book Group: "Prides Crossing: The Unbridled Life And Impatient Times Of Eleonora Sears"

Tuesday, March 4 at 4:00—5:00 PM


Diversity Matters:

Date and Time TBA

Email Maddy Willwerth if interested in joining.


Mystery Book Group: "The Law of Innocence"

Friday, March 28 at 10:30—11:30 AM

Weekly Events:


Digital Advice Appointments

Most Mondays 12:00—1:00PM

Registration required.


Mindfulness Meditation

Tuesdays at 11:00 AM—12:00 PM

Registration required.


Knit Together

Tuesdays at 2:00—3:30 PM


Mindfulness Meditation Evening Sessions

Select Tuesdays at 5:00—6:00 PM

Registration required.


Tai Chi: Sun Style Form

Wednesdays at 9:00—10:00 AM

Fill out the Safety Release Form.


Winter Storytime

Wednesdays at 10:30—11:15 AM

For children ages 0-3 and their caregiver.


Shut Up and Write! (Virtual)

Thursdays 10:00 AM—12:15 PM

Registration required.


Drop In Digital Advice

Fridays 3:00-4:00PM

Register For Weekly Programs
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