Join us for two great Purrington Lecture Series events in October featuring local authors. On Tuesday, October 3 at 6 pm, author Ben Shattuck will talk about his book, Six Walks: In the Footsteps of Henry David Thoreau. Shattuck, a former Teaching-Writing Fellow and graduate of the Iowa Writers Workshop, is a recipient of the PEN America Short Story Prize and a 2019 Pushcart Prize. Shattuck’s book is New Yorker magazine Best Book of 2022, a Wall Street Journal Best Book of Spring, a New York Times Best Book of Summer, and a New England Bestseller. His book of short stories, titled The History of Sound, will be published by Viking next spring.
John K. Bullard will talk about his new book, Hometown: A Memoir, on Tuesday, October 24 at 6 pm. Bullard weaves a tale of a family legacy intertwined with the pitfalls and promise of New Bedford, a storied Massachusetts seaport whose past and future can be found in every small American city struggling to survive and thrive. Bullard explores the meaning of public service, greater good, personal responsibility, and the ties that bind people to their hometowns. He grapples with immigration, economics, race, poverty, politics but also our innermost conflicts and ambitions as we make our way in the world. Copies will be available for purchase from the author.
No registration is necessary for the Purrington Lectures Series events.
The library’s grant initiative, Healthy Mattapoisett: Start Strong, Stay Strong, will feature two events of interest to caregivers in October. Yoga on the Lawn, scheduled for six sessions during the month, is a beginner-friendly yoga flow experience for all ages. Refer to our online calendar for dates and times. Sessions will be guided by Andrea DeVeau-Cabral. In the event of inclement weather, contact the library for updates.
Are you a parent, grandparent, or caretaker who wants to ensure the safety of your precious “littles”? Join us as Beth Oleson educates us on Choke Save and essential safety tips on Thursday, October 12 at 3 pm at our grant funded event, Keeping Our “Littles” Safe: Learn Choke Save and Essential Safety Tips. Littles are welcome to join us at this program and registration is required.
Celebrate the freedom to read with a read-in on Saturday, October 7 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Grab a book and a lounge chair and head to the library for Let Freedom Read, a statewide read-in to celebrate the freedom to read. Digital participation is also welcomed. Download an eBook or audiobook through Libby or Hoopla and use #LetFreedomReadMA to post pictures to social media. For a complete list of participating libraries go to libraries.state.ma.us. Let Freedom Read is supported by your local library and the Joint Task Force for Intellectual Freedom with members from the Massachusetts Library Association, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Massachusetts Library System, and the Massachusetts School Library Association.
Check the library calendar online for any updates to these events or to get details. Email mfpl@sailsinc.org with any questions. See you at the library.