Category: Education

‘Blink’ Documentary Screening

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

Falmouth Public Library will be screening the 2024 National Geographic | Documentary Films documentary Blink on Friday, June 6th at 3:00pm in the library’s Hermann Room.  This documentary screening is free to the public and is courtesy of National Geographic | Documentary Films.  All are welcome to attend!

Blink, directed by Edmund Stenson and Daniel Roher, is a powerful documentary about a family that embarks on an epic journey to show their children the beauty of the world before it vanishes for good after three of their children are diagnosed with an incurable eye condition.

“ “Edith Lemay and Sébastien Pelletier first noticed their daughter, Mia, was having vision problems when she was 3 years old. The diagnosis took years to pinpoint but, by the time Mia was 7, they had identified it as retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic condition that causes a loss or decline in vision over time. It skipped their second child, Léo, but both their younger sons, Colin and Laurent, received the same diagnosis. “We don’t know how fast it’s going to go, but we expect them to be completely blind by mid-life,” said the parents. The school’s vision impairment advisor suggested they fill Mia’s visual memory looking at pictures in books. “I thought, ‘I’m not going to show her an elephant in a book; I’m going to take her to see a real elephant,” Edith explains. “And I’m going to fill her visual memory with the best, most beautiful images I can.”

As the Canadian-based family began making plans to spend a year traveling around the globe, they canvassed the children’s opinions on what they wanted to do. Four-year-old Laurent said he wanted to drink juice on a camel. “We never found out where this crazy idea came from, but it was very dear to him and made us all laugh,” his mother said. Nothing was off limits. That bucket list became their North Star.

From the frozen fields of Nunavik to Egypt’s haunting White Desert and beyond, the film team spent 76 days with the family and created lasting bonds. “It was as if we had known each other for a long time,” said Edith. In addition to these new ties, the Pelletiers took as many pictures as possible to ensure that even when their children have lost most of their sight, they will still have something to look back on. “Maybe they’ll be able to look at the photographs and the pictures and they will bring back those stories, those memories, of the family together.” “

Blink is rated PG and has a running time of 1 hour and 27 minutes. English subtitles will be used if available. To register to attend, CLICK HERE or visit/call the library’s adult services desk at 508-457-2555 x7.

Perkins Library Informational Session

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

Come learn about the Perkins Library from Mr. Erin Fragola and the services that they have to offer you or someone you know on Friday, May 16th at 3:30pm in the Hermann Room!  This event is free to the public and everyone is welcome.  Click here to attend.

 

Talking Book Player & Book Cartridges

The Perkins Library is a free, accessible library for Massachusetts residents who are unable to read standard print due to visual, physical, or reading disabilities. It provides audiobooks, braille, large print books, and playback devices at no cost via mail. The collection includes fiction, non-fiction, magazines, and audio-described DVDs. They also offer Tele-Fun, a remote social program with games, films, and group activities held by phone or computer. Materials and services are available to adults, teens, and children.

Mr. Erin Fragola is the Marketing and Outreach Manager at Perkins Library in Watertown, the Regional NLS Library providing accessible resources for people living in Massachusetts who have print disabilities as well as the institutions that serve them. Erin has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Worcester State University and a masters degree in Library and Information Science (LIS) from Valdosta State University in Georgia with a focus on information access and accessibility.

Do you have questions about Perkins Library and their services but can’t make it?  Call Perkins Library toll free at 1-800-852-3133 or email them at library@perkins.org.

American Civil War Exhibit & Events

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

Fire and Thunder: A Massachusetts Black Soldiers in the Civil War Exhibit
Tuesday, April 1st – Wednesday, April 30th
Adult Collections Room

For the month of April, the “Fire and Thunder” 16 panel exhibit will be on display in the Adult Collections Room for the public to view during library hours.

“The institution of slavery was a disease deeply embedded in the tissue of the new American republic.  Though abolished in Massachusetts in the 1780’s, on the national stage it survived, to be destroyed only after a long and bloody civil war.  “Fire and Thunder” tells the story of how black soldiers in Massachusetts fought – in the press, on the streets, from the pulpit, the lecture podium, and the battlefield – in defense of human dignity and freedom.”

This exhibit is free to the public and is on loan from the Commonwealth Museum.

 

Ken Burns ‘The Civil War’ Documentary Screening
Monday, April 14th – Friday, April 18th, 1pm
Hermann Meeting Room

‘The Civil War is an epic nine-episode series by the award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns.  Heralded as an unforgettable introduction to a four-year conflict fought in 10,000 places, the film vividly embraces the entire sweep of the war: the complex causes and lasting effects of America’s greatest and most moving calamity, the battles and the homefronts, the generals and the private soldiers, the anguish of death in battle and the grief of families at home.

The library will be screening this entire Civil War documentary series over the course of a week from Monday, April 14th to Friday, April 18th.  It is free to the public and is supported by the Friends of the Falmouth Public Library.  If you can’t make it to our Ken Burns Civil War screening but still would like to watch it, you can watch the entire Civil War series from the convenience of your own home using Kanopy, a free streaming service with your Falmouth Public Library card.

Monday, April 14th: 1pm-2:45pm . . . . . CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
1861: Episode 1 ‘The Cause’

Tuesday, April 15th: 1pm-3:25pm . . . . . CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
1862: Episode 2 ‘A Very Bloody Affair’ & Episode 3 ‘Forever Free’

Wednesday, April 16th: 1pm-3:35pm . . . . . CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
1863: Episode 4 ‘Simply Murder’ & Episode 5 ‘The Universe of Battle’

Thursday, April 17th: 1pm-3:20pm . . . . . CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
1864: Episode 6 ‘Valley of the Shadow of Death’ & Episode 7 ‘Most Hallowed Ground’

Friday, April 18th: 1pm-3:20pm . . . . . CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
1865: Episode 8 ‘War is Hell’ & Episode 9 ‘The Better Angels of our Nature’

 

Bravery & Honor: Falmouth Soldiers & Sailors ~ A Walking Tour at Oak Grove Cemetery
Saturday, April 26th, 1pm
Oak Grove Cemetery (46 Jones Road) . . . . . CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

“When Abraham Lincoln sent out a call to arms Falmouth men bravely responded, reporting in large numbers to the Union army and navy.  Many of these Veterans are buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.  Come hear compelling stories of a select few as this tour stops by personal grave and the renovated Grand Army of the Republic plot – one of the few examples in Massachusetts of this early type of memorial.”

This approximately 75-minutes long tour will be on Saturday, April 26th at 1pm.  It is free and open to the public and will be held rain or shine at the Oak Grove Cemetery located at 46 Jones Road in Falmouth.  We will meet inside the chapel at the cemetery, which is handicap accessible.  If the weather is inclement, we will stay inside the chapel; otherwise, plan on an easy stroll in the park-like setting.

 

Narrative Nonfiction Book Club
Saturday, May 1st, 11am
Hermann Meeting Room . . . . . . CLICK HERE TO REGISTER


The narrative nonfiction book club is back from hiatus and returns with our first book pick of the year The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson.  Come pick up a copy of the book at the adult services desk, register to attend, and then join us at our book club meeting on Saturday, May 1st at 11am in the Hermann room to share your thoughts!

“On November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln became the fluky victor in a tight race for president.  The country was bitterly at odds; Southern extremists were moving ever closer to destroying the Union, with one State after another seceding and Lincoln, powerless to stop them.  Slavery fueled the conflict, but somehow the passions of North and South came to focus on a lonely federal fortress in Charleston Harbor: Fort Sumter.  Drawing on diaries, secret communiques, slave ledgers, and plantation records, master storyteller Erik Larson offers a gripping account of the chaotic months between Lincoln’s election and the Confederacy’s shelling of Sumter, a period marked by tragic errors and miscommunications, enflamed egos and craven ambitions, personal tragedies and betrayals.”

Henry Herbert Smythe Scholarship

Posted on by Clint Johnson

FALMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
NEWS RELEASE

Apply Using Form

 

SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE REQUIREMENTS: May 23, 2025 by 12 P.M.

Applications are now available for scholarship aid from the Henry Herbert Smythe Trust. The total
amount of each scholarship award is $800. The committee awards multiple scholarships each year.
The application deadline is FRIDAY, May 23, 2025 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. Decisions will be announced by June 30, 2025. Applications for the Henry Herbert
Smythe Trust Scholarships are available by visiting the Falmouth Public Library website or emailing
jcarrara@falmouth.k12.ma.us . All applications must be received by May 23, 2025 and returned to the
Falmouth High School Guidance Office, 874 Gifford Street, Falmouth, MA 02540 or by emailing your
completed application to jcarrara@falmouth.k12.ma.us.
The Rev. Henry Herbert Smythe was the second rector for the Parish of St. Barnabas and served from
1890-1923. Rev. Smythe’s will stipulates that the money may be used for “boys or girls in Falmouth,
Massachusetts.” A maximum age of 24 years as of January 1, 2025 will apply. Only applicants who are
themselves voting residents of Falmouth (or whose parents are) are eligible for the grants.
Applications cannot be considered from families who have second homes in Falmouth.
Scholarship recipients do not have to be graduates of Falmouth High School; they may have attended a
private or parochial school in another town. Recipients may be pursuing a variety of post-high school
educational plans at any accredited college or technical school.
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. However, work beyond a bachelor’s
degree cannot be considered for scholarship aid. Post secondary applicants must submit evidence of
current educational progress (most recently completed college transcript as of May 2025). A copy of
your personal grade report for the spring semester can be accepted but an OFFICIAL transcript for the
fall must be submitted. All decisions are made by annual applications; no renewals are automatic.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS will not be CONSIDERED
The trust agreement states that “character be given equal consideration with scholarship,” and
evidence of both personal characteristics and school success is asked for on the application forms.
Financial need is a secondary factor in determining recipients.
The rector of St. Barnabas Memorial Church, Rev. Will Mebane; Superintendent of Schools in
Falmouth, Ms. Lori Duerr; and the Principal of Falmouth High School, Dr. Alan Harris are established by
the conditions of the trust as the committee which governs the granting of scholarships and which
makes the final selections. Bank of America administers the trust fund left by Henry Herbert Smythe.

Application Form

“What Happened Here: The Untold Story of Addiction on Cape Cod”

Posted on by Peter Cook

Screening and Panel

Directed by Sam Tarplin and Nate Robertson

At the Falmouth Public Library Main Branch on March 15th at 5:00 PM in the Hermann room, the library is hosting a screening of the independent documentary “What Happened Here: The Untold Story of Addiction on Cape Cod” followed by a guest panel including both directors of the documentary and others who help those with substance abuse problems on the front lines. Please register using our online calendar!

Cape Cod in the summer is filled with tourists, parties, and recreational drug use. Then it begins to get cold and everyone disappears. The party is over for the tourists and they return to their lives off Cape. What about those who do not leave? For year round residents of Cape Cod, the winter is a different story. Once the summer parties end, the locals and “washashores” face a cold reality.

Though it is often overlooked and pushed aside, many of the community members turn to drugs to sooth the sense of cold and loneliness. Opioids including prescription pills, heroin and fentanyl run rampant. Death after death of family, friends, and other community members are mourned daily. Treatment centers face challenges in delivering effective care due to the stigma surrounding addiction and the growing demand that exceeds available resources. That does not mean there is no way out…

The documentary addresses, informs and shows a light in the darkness of addiction. It is not a dramatization, but a symbol for hope and understanding that addiction is a disease and there is a way out. Asking for help. A community of recovering addicts can move mountains. “What Happened Here” brings the disease to light and there can be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Registration for the screening and panel is required. You can access the sign-up page on our Falmouth Public Library events page or give us a call at 508-457-2555 x 7. Please reach out if you have any questions or problems with registering!

Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

Join us at the Falmouth Public Library for an Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors education program presented by Jennifer Hoadley from the Alzheimer’s Association on Friday, October 25th at 3pm in the Hermann meeting room.

Behavior is a powerful form of communication and is one of the primary ways for people with dementia to communicate their needs and feelings as the the disease progresses and the ability to use language is lost. However, some behaviors can present real challenges for caregivers to manage.  Come learn how dementia can change a person’s behavior, possible triggers and person-centered care approaches to address behaviors. 

Specific topics is this Alzheimer’s Association Empowered Caregivers Series education program will include learning how dementia affects behavior, identifying and understanding possible triggers, non-medical and medial approaches to addressing behaviors and four steps for managing behaviors.

Jennifer Hoadley is the regional manager of Southeastern MA for the Alzheimer’s Association with 10+ years of experience in memory care and a personal connection to the disease.

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

Investing for Seniors Seminar

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

Every time that the stock market goes down, do you have a sense of fear?  Do you know that losses or gains are realized only when you sell stocks or funds?  Join us at the Falmouth Public Library on Thursday, October 24th at 3pm in the Hermann Meeting Room for an Investing for Seniors Seminar with John Densler.  These and other issues affecting seniors including financial fraud, unsuitable investments recommended by “advisors,” and stock market history will be discussed.

John Densler has a BSEE and MSEE from Worcester Poly Tech Institute in addition to a MBA with distinction from Babson College.  While at Babson College, he studied Investments with Bob Coleman.  Mr. Densler also taught Management at Bridgewater State University and Mount Ida College where he designed a financial management course for students.  He does not represent any firms and will not endorse any specific securities or investment companies.  

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

Edward Gorey “Sinister Cozy”

Posted on by Clint Johnson

A Talk with the Director of the Edward Gorey House, Gregory Hischak

On Tuesday, October 22nd, we welcome Gregory Hischak, the Director of the Edward Gorey House and Museum to speak on Gorey’s achievements and his wonderfully amusing oddities. The presentation will run from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM in the reading room in front of the fireplace. He will be giving a presentation of Gorey’s natural creepy and hilarious artwork in his books, theater sets, and many other mediums.

Terrible things unfold in an Edward Gorey Book—children are swept out to sea, abducted by murderous insects, fall into unsavory company, or get carried off by giant birds. Sometimes they die of boredom. Edward writes, and draws, about everyday life and, for reasons that will likely come up in this presentation, his books are a delight and extremely funny. Mostly. Gorey’s work as a book artist, an illustrator, and designer is frequently categorized as Whimsically Macabre, though we prefer the term “Sinister Cozy”. His work looks a hundred and thirty years older than it is yet he consistently remains thirty years ahead of us at all times.

Please come join us on this spooky evening with “Sinister Cozy”. Registration is required.

Register here!

Hope to see you soon!

Writings of Carson McCullers with David Webb

Posted on by Sue

David Webb has taught many Joy of Learning classes at the library; this October, he will teach a class on beloved Southern writer Carson McCullers’ novella The Ballad of the Sad Café, and several short stories! She is also the author of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and Member of the Wedding. Please note that our Joy of Learning program is being revised, and will continue in 2025!

It will meet on four Wednesday mornings from 10:30 am – noon starting on October 2nd. Please register, as space is limited. Please register once for the whole series by clicking this link. Copies of the book will be available to pick up at the reference desk. 

for October 2: read Ballad, pp. 3-37, stop at “So let the slow years pass…”
for October 9, conclude Ballad, from “So let the slow years pass” from p. 37 to the end, pp. 37-71
for October 16, read “The Jockey” (pp. 93-99) and “Madame Zilensky and the King of Finland” (pp. 103-112)
for October 23, read “The Sojourner” pp. (115-125) and “A Domestic Dilemma” (pp. 129-140)

We thank the Board of Library Trustees for sponsoring this program.

Back to School, Back to school, to Prove to Dad that I’m not a Fool

Posted on by Clint Johnson

Get geared up for success this coming year at Falmouth Public Library

                It’s that time of year again! But you aren’t alone. The library is a tool for academic success, free thinking, and somewhere to have fun! At the main branch we carry a vast collection of resources, have author talks, events of all kinds, and a great place to get that extra credit to start off the year!

                Falmouth Public Library devotes itself to serving our patrons (that’s you!) with the necessary materials that promote free thinking. We have newspapers, non-fiction, fiction (maybe more truth than non-fiction?), and reference materials ranging from local history to vehicle repair manuals. For the most part, if you need it, we will try our best to provide it. We are here to serve the community. This includes our English as a second language patrons. In the Young Adult room, we have been building up our own world language collection. We plan for the collection to expand and break down the language barrier which impedes on the inclusion we wish to provide. We also offer English as a second language classes which are available throughout the year.

                We also host author talks (usually followed by some book signing), movie viewing, Dungeons and Dragons Club, and a room full of manga and graphic novels.  Some big programs that we run are the CapeCon (ComiCon), spooky season talks and decorations, and films on Fridays!

                We are here to help everyone succeed. Inclusion is one of the corner stones. In order to achieve the goal of all inclusion, barriers must be broken down. Language, economic status, race, religion, and all that stuff you aren’t supposed to talk about, only separates the community further. Our services and programs are a breaking point of the Berlin Wall! Once we realize we are more alike than different, it’s exciting to spend time and learn with others who have the same interest. Another thing we offer is video games! Super Smash Brothers does not care what language you are yelling in. It may as well be listening to whales, filled with emotion that we can all understand.

                We warmly invite any one and any friends of the community to come and peruse our resources while you have a great time getting to know people. Many of which we very well may not have known!