Note From the Director

A mother with her feet up reads to her son on her lap

“In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes, and every sunset is different.”

– John Steinbeck, The Winter of Our Discontent

June is upon us and as the weather turns warm, and dry? (finally!) we will begin outside programming on the lovely front lawn. With days, books and films to highlight Pride, Flag Day, Juneteenth, the end of the school year and the beginning of Summer Reading, there will be lots going on. Look for booklists, movie recommendations and tons of programs this month.

Watching tech trends is part of what we do here at the library, and this month we have two informative programs that may be of interest to many of you. On June 17, we offer a virtual program, Creating a Tech-healthy Family with Andrea Davis. With more and more screen time becoming the norm, how much is too much? How can making a plan help? Then on June 24, we’ll have an in-person program on an Intro to AI. No one can ignore the Artificial Intelligence creep. This is your chance to come learn more about it, and ask your questions... Read more.

June Events

Youth Summer Reading Begins June 1

Play chutes and ladders – library style each month to win monthly prizes and a Topsfield Fair prize pack! Stop by the library after June 1st to sign up and get your gameboard.

Adult Summer Reading Also Begins June 1

Summer reading isn’t just for kids. All ages can get in on the fun. Play chutes and ladders – library style each month for a chance to win monthly prizes like Laughing Gull gift certificates in June.

More Info

Teen Summer Reading Begins with Henna and Ice Cream on June 4

Wed | Jun 4| 1:00-3:00PM

Get Henna and Ice Cream on June 4 during the MERSD Early Release and sign up for summer reading. For grades 6-12. Henna and Ice Cream is first come first served so don't wait. Play library Bingo all summer for prizes and a chance at the grand prize drawing: Canobie Lake Park Passes.

More Info

Hidden Meanings: Creative Fiction, Non-fiction, and Facts

Thursdays | July 5 - July 10 | 10:30AM-12:00PM

This 5 session series, takes a creative fiction and non-fiction approach to understanding and recognizing information, misinformation, and disinformation. You as participants will work with iconic pieces as well as with more recent fiction and non-fiction texts, technically exploring how elements of information are used, and experimenting with these elements in your own creative fiction and non-fiction responses, contributing to the identification and strengthening of the roles of mythbusters, debunkers, and individuals in countering disinformation.

Led by librarian Maddy Willwerth. Please register for the full series even if you can't make each week's session.

Edward Underhill-Transgender YA and Adult Author, Discusses New Books (Virtual)

Monday | June 9 | 7:00-8:00PM

Transgender YA and now Adult author Edward Underhill will be discussing his two newest books; The In Between Bookstore (Adult debut released in January 2025) and In Case You Read This (YA released in May 2025) with Teen Librarian Jennifir Huston.

This program will be recorded and all registrants will receive the recording via email.

This program is hosted by the Boyden Library, Foxborough, is brought to you in collaboration with a multitude of MA & NH libraries, and is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library.

Watch and Discuss “Screaming Queens” a Documentary About the History of LGBTQ Resistance

Wednesday | June 11 | 5:00-7:00PM

Join your community at the library to watch and then discuss the documentary Screaming Queens. Not Rated.

EMMY Award-winning Screaming Queens tells the little-known story of the first known act of collective, violent resistance to the social oppression of queer people in the United States - a 1966 riot in San Francisco's impoverished Tenderloin neighborhood, three years before the famous gay riot at New York's Stonewall Inn.

Registration is requested but not required as space is limited.

Creating a Tech-Healthy Family with Andrea Davis of Better Screen Time (Virtual)

Tuesday | June 17 | 7:00-8:00PM

This program will be recorded and registrants will receive the recording via email.

Are you tired of screens taking over? Are you wondering how to help their kids thrive in a digital world? Gain the confidence and tools you need to tackle tech head-on with our Tech-Healthy Family Formula. This formula provides five steps parents can take to help reduce screen time, restore family time, and finally feel peace of mind.

The One-Man Circus-in-a-Suitcase

Thursday | June 26 | 3:00-4:00PM

Join us for the One-Man Circus-in-a-Suitcase, an interactive and fun circus event that that celebrates the power of imagination. This event is fun for the whole family. Thursday, June 26th at 3 pm. See you then!

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Saturday | June 28 | 11:00AM-12:00PM

Learn more about Artificial Intelligence with Patrick Johnson. The presentation will consist of a brief summary the basic concepts of AI, Machine Learning, Generative AI, and Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT. There will be time for Q&A so bring your questions.

Check Out 42 More Programs this June

News Around Manchester-by-the-Sea

Are you an artist? Display your interpretation of Manchester's iconic rotunda during The Rotunda Exhibit this summer. The deadline for submissions is June 16. If you have questions please direct them to [email protected]

Submit Your Artwork

The Manchester By The Sea Friends of the Library next book collection date is June 7.

Bring your books to the Manchester Essex Regional Middle/High School parking lot at 36 Lincoln Street in Manchester, MA on June 7 or July 19 between 9AM-12PM. Please only donate books you would be willing to buy, no ripped pages, mold or broken spines. Please do not drop off books at any other time - they cannot be accepted. In case of heavy rain, the following Saturday will be collection day. Check here for updates.

Save the Date for the Used Book Sale during Festival By the Sea on August 2.