Category: Community

Two Authors, Two New Books, and their Writing Group

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

Join us at the Falmouth Public Library on Thursday, June 6th at 1pm in the Hermann Room as we present Two Authors, Two New Books, and their Writing Group!

Did you ever wonder about starting or joining a writing group? Barbara E. Struna and Iris G. Leigh have been writing together since 2008. Come hear how they progressed from first pages to published books, and how as a writing group they support each other through the writing and publishing process.  Barbara, the author of six books, including The Old Cape House and her newest, The Old Cape Map, will discuss her books. Iris will talk about her debut novel, Liza’s Secrets.  Copies of their books will be available for purchase at the event.

Barbara Eppich Struna, international best-selling author and storyteller at heart, bases her tales on the history, myth, and legends of Cape Cod and her own personal experiences. Barbara is President of Cape Cod Writers Center; a member of International Thriller Writers and a member of Sisters In Crime, National and New England.

With the support of a long-standing writing group, Cape Cod resident Iris G. Leigh wrote, and edited her stories, eventually leading to the publication of her debut novel, Liza’s Secrets by Black Rose Writing.  She is a member of the Cape Cod Writer’s Center and actively takes part in book groups, supporting other writers.

This event is free to the public and registration is required as seating is limited. Register online by clicking here or visit/call the adult services desk at 508-457-2555 x7.

Welcome Hiveclass to FPL’s Online Resources

Posted on by Clint Johnson

Hiveclass is an e-learning platform that features bite-sized, engaging videos that teach skills in various sports, physical activities and wellness exercises. The content is led and created by professionals and gives patrons access to practice in their own comfort zone.

Hiveclass is available via FPL’s online resources. Hiveclass provides fun, easy, and high-quality educational videos that walk patrons through improving their skills at field hockey, soccer, and other athletic activities. Along with physical education Hiveclass provides access to video walkthroughs on mindfulness and yoga.

The classes are available in both English and Spanish. It can be accessed on tablets, phones and computers! All you need is your library card number to start your adventure with Hiveclass!

 

 

Upcoming Falmouth Reads Together Events

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

The Finest Hours Author Talk with Casey Sherman
Tuesday, May 14th
6:30pm-8pm
Hermann Meeting Room
……. Register Here

Join us for an author talk with Casey Sherman as he discusses our Falmouth Reads 2024 book pick The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S Coast Guard’s Most Daring Sea Rescue by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman.
 
“A breathtaking story . . . defies the imagination.” – The Cape Cod Chronicle
 
“A blockbuster account of tragedy at sea.” – The Providence Journal
 
“Captures the wit, grit, and sacrifice of Coasties and their boats.” – Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
Casey Sherman is an acclaimed journalist and author of ten books, including 12: The Inside Story of Tom Brady’s Fight for Redemption, a New York Times bestseller and CBS Films’s Patriots Day. A graduate of Boston University, he is also a contributing writer for Esquire, Time, The Washington Post, and Boston Magazine.


Friday Films – The Finest Hours
Friday, May 31st 3pm-5pm
Hermann Meeting Room ……. Register Here

“In February of 1952, one of the worst storms to ever hit the East Coast struck New England, damaging an oil tanker off the coast of Cape Cod and literally ripping it in half.  On a small lifeboat faced with frigid temperatures and 70-foot high waves, four members of the Coast Guard set out to rescue the more than 30 stranded sailors trapped aboard the rapidly-sinking vessel.”
Rated: PG-13; Running Time: 1hr 57mins

 


Historic Storms of Cape Cod with Don Wilding
Saturday, June 1st 3pm-4pm
Hermann Meeting Room ……. Register Here

Join us for an author talk with Don Wilding who will be discussing his latest book, Historic Storms of Cape Cod.

“Cape Cod has always been in the path of deadly hurricanes and ferocious storms. Unwelcome summer visitors include the “Long Island Express” Hurricane of 1938, the Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944, the twin Hurricanes Carol and Edna in 1954, and Hurricane Bob in 1991. These storms destroyed countless homes and left several coastal communities under several feet of water. Surging tides carried away houses with residents inside who didn’t survive. Fall and winter brought the infamous “Portland Gale,” the benchmark “Blizzard of 1978,” the nor’easter of January 1987, and the infamous “Perfect Storm” of October 1991 which delivered some of the highest tides ever seen on the Outer Cape. Join local author and Harwich Conservation Trust walk leader Don Wilding as he revisits the Cape’s most severe weather events and their devastating impact.”

Don Wilding is the author of five books on Cape Cod history, a Cape tour guide and a regular speaker on Cape Cod lore in Massachusetts and across New England. He was an award-winning newspaper editor, writer, and designer in Massachusetts for 36 years, including a recent stint as a contributing history columnist and photographer for Cape newspapers.

Henry Herbert Smythe Trust Scholarship

Posted on by Clint Johnson

Applications are now available for scholarship aid from the Henry Herbert Smythe Trust Scholarship.

Money is available both to students currently graduating from high school and to those already started in a post-secondary degree or training program. Only applicants who are voting residents (or if parents/guardians are) are eligible for this award. The application deadline is FRIDAY, May 24, 2024 by 12:00 P.M.  All supporting documents must be submitted by that date in order for the application to be considered. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS will not be CONSIDERED.  The 2024 Smythe Scholarship Application for the Henry Herbert Smythe Trust Scholarships are available by visiting the Falmouth Public Library website or emailing jcarrara@falmouth.k12.ma.us.

CapeCon at Falmouth Public Library

Posted on by Clint Johnson

On Saturday, June 29th from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Falmouth Public Library brings CapeCon to Falmouth! All ages are welcome and encouraged! Free admission for all, and please cosplay or dress up if you like! The event will take place on the library lawn and inside the library. 

Some of the events include:

  • Voice acting with live-reads and Q&A
  • A cosplay presentation, creation station, AND a cosplay contest. Any age is welcome to participate and there will be prizes! The contest will be separated into beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
  • Comic strip making and other arts and crafts
  • Polaroid Photoshoots in front of your favorite backdrops
  • Presentation on smart collecting. This will include purchasing on a budget and keeping your comics safe! Or in Clint’s mind, his action figures and all those boxes full of boxes!
  • Presentation on how much graphic novels and manga can help someone who struggles with mental health.
  • History of Manga Presentation and Origami (prior registration suggested. Register here!)
  • Dungeons and Dragons Drop-Ins
  • Magic the Gathering Standard and Commander Drop-Ins
  • All day Nintendo Switch with a few guest retro systems!
  • A Super Smash Bros. Tournament (make sure to sign up at the gaming table the day of the event!)

Please contact Clint Johnson, the FPL Young Adult Librarian with any questions! He can be reached at cjohnson@falmouthpubliclibrary.org

If you are interested in getting involved, we would love to have you!

Registration is helpful but by no means required! 

You can register here!

Asuka

 

 

Check out these great Zoom talks in May!

Posted on by Sue

We have some great Zoom talks in May, some from the Library Speakers Consortium (funded by the Library Support Fund)! Click the links after for details and registration. These are virtual only, and do not take place at the library.

Wednesday, May 1st at 3 pm: Genius, Power and Deception on the Eve of World War I. Join a chat with Douglas Brunt, author of The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel: Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I. This book reveals the hidden history of Rudolf Diesel, one of the world’s greatest inventors, and his mysterious disappearance on the eve of World War I. Click here for more details, and to register! 

Wednesday, May 8th at 7 pm-two different Zooms! (If you are interested in both, register-at least one of them will probably be recorded, and you can listen later)

Mother-Daughter Murder Night: You’re invited to join Nina Simon online as she chats about her lighthearted whodunnit about a grandmother-mother-daughter trio of amateur sleuths, Mother-Daughter Murder Night. Click here to register.

Romance Book Recs and Conversation: Welcome to Romance Book Recs and Conversation with Lorelai of Lorelai’s Lit Lair! If you know romance, you probably know Lorelei! Affectionately referred to as a passionate Romance Ambassador, Lorelei has been offering book recommendations, author spotlights, giveaways and connecting authors with readers through social media since 2010. Click here to register.

Tuesday, May 21st at 7 pm: Author of Yellowface, Rebecca F. Kuang! We welcome you to register for a thrilling conversation  as she chats with us about her New York Times bestselling novel. Yellowface grapples with questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation, as well as the terrifying alienation of social media. Click here to register! 

Thursday, May 23rd at 5:30 pm: Avoiding Election Misinformation. Join this virtual Cape-wide community discussion with the News Literacy Project and WCAI’s The Point host Mindy Todd to learn how to access trustworthy news and avoid election misinformation traps. Learn tried and true news literacy techniques that anyone can learn to find credible information about candidates, issues, and electoral processes. Click here to register.

Thursday, May 23rd at 7 pm: The Environmental and Health Benefits of a Plant-based Diet.

With Sara Sezun,Chair of the Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter Plant-based Planet Team. Animal food production, which encompasses raising livestock for meat, dairy products and eggs, as well as commercial fishing, has serious environmental impacts. You will learn how animal food production results in greenhouse gases and pollution, while using lots of land and water. Eating a healthy plant-based diet can lower your environmental footprint, while improving your health.  Click here to register. 

 

 

 

 

World Language Materials in the Young Adult Room

Posted on by Clint Johnson

A diverse library for a diverse community.

Falmouth is a much more diverse area than meets the eye. Different economic situations, learning and mental differences, ethnic differences, and much more are often overlooked. Unfortunately, many of the overlooked persons of the community are the ones that also face economic problems. Some of these groups do not know what services the library brings to the community and providing a welcoming and safe environment

Literature and other activities bring people together. Places like the library strives to provide ALL their patrons with the materials they need. In the Young Adult room we have begun to expand a world language collection. These additions can improve mental health, social acceptance, quality of education, and communication.

So far we have books in Brazilian Portuguese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Ukrainian. This collection will expand as our community expands! We will be purchasing more materials in the languages we have already begun to touch on and more like Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Japanese, and French. Some will include both English and the world language for immediate and reviewed translations (like the Shakespeare plenty of us read to make sense of his use of the English language!)

Spanish

Now two people who seem so different have read the same book and a connection is made. Also, literature is not the only way to bridge the gap. Video games, table top games, watching anime with subtitles, and arts and crafts.

The similarities start to trump the differences and show the kiddos how beautiful they each are. The library is an excellent safe place for these connections to begin and grow. We very much look forward to our growing collection and reaching every patron we can in the community.

 

Some titles just in:

-Harry Potter in both Brazilian Portuguese and Ukrainian

-I Survived Series (both graphic and text)

-Dogman Series

-The Alchemist

 

 

 

Postcards from Falmouth: Falmouth Schools

Posted on by Clint Johnson

Rites of passage, secret passages, iconic teachers. Let Jim Kalperis and Otis Porter take you on a tour through the history of Falmouth’s schools, from tiny Lawrence Academy to the much newer facilities of Falmouth High School. In conversation with Barbara Kanellopoulos, they recount staff and student stories, and the many transitions that shaped Falmouth’s public school system.

Former faculty member Jim Kalperis remembers that one of those transitions, from the old Lawrence High School to its successor on Lakeview Avenue, was accomplished with a bit of student legwork. “The students all assembled in the old high school,” he says, “and whatever they could bring and carry by hand, they all marched from that school over to the new Lawrence School.” Library staff and visitors now park where the old building stood, and the high school has moved on again – not once but twice.

Watch the oral history recording here.

Explore the postcard collection here.

Solar Eclipse Viewing Party

Posted on by Clint Johnson

On Monday, April 8th bring a chair or blanket and join us on the library lawn from 2pm-4:30pm for games, music and solar eclipse viewing!

In Falmouth, the solar eclipse starts around 2:16pm with a 89.3% max coverage around 3:30pm and ends around 4:39pm.  A free pair of solar eclipse glasses (provided by Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries) will be available to attendees while supplies last.  

This event is weather permitting.  

Solar Eclipse Viewing Party Flyer

 

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us at (508) 457-2555 x7 or by email at info@falmouthpubliclibrary.org

 

Postcards from Falmouth: Falmouth Heights

Posted on by Clint Johnson

Before it hosted iconic hotels and streams of summer visitors, Falmouth Heights was the remote edge of town. Join Valerie Harding to learn about its deliberate transformation into a summer resort at the hands of the Falmouth Heights Land and Wharf Company – and of her own memories of off season life in the Heights, which might not have been picture-perfect, but provided its own kind of fun.


“In the winter when those hotels were closed up, as kids you’d run across the veranda and it looked very ghostly inside,” she said in conversation with interviewer Troy Clarkson. “With the table still set up, you know, with salt and pepper still on the table […] there was not a light on in any house down there.”

Watch the oral history recording here.

Explore the postcard collection here.

Postcards from Falmouth is a local history project of Falmouth Public Library, funded by a LSTA grant and administered by the MBLC.

YT link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2pv64p5EnA