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Monday, April 4th 2022

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Read on for what's happening at the library.

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Flight Calls: Birding in Brookline and Beyond

202204FlightCalls
Brookline Village Library

MONDAY, April 11 at 7 PM

Author and birder John Nelson presents an exploration of birds as inspirations for humans. Flight Calls: Birding in Brookline and Beyond will focus on Brookline’s significance in the history of birding, the birds and history of Mt. Auburn Cemetery, and the story of how one bird family–cranes–has inspired people around the world.

John Nelson is the author of the essay collection Flight Calls: Exploring Massachusetts through Birds. His essay “Funny Bird Sex” in the Antioch Review was awarded a 2018 Pushcart Prize, and his narrative “Coming of Old Age in Samoa” in The Missouri Review was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. A professor emeritus at North Shore Community College, John was the 2021 Visiting Writer at the college. He founded and chairs the Association of Massachusetts Bird Clubs, and he chairs the Conservation and Education Committee of the Brookline Bird Club. He lives with his wife Mary, to whom Flight Calls is dedicated, on a hilltop in the woods in Gloucester.

Copies of Flight Calls will be available for purchase and signing.

This event is generously sponsored by the Library Trustees.

Sign Up for One-on-One English Tutoring!

We are delighted to open up our English language tutoring program for student sign-ups! This program matches adult English learners with volunteer tutors for one-on-one sessions to practice English, learn about the local community, and share cultural knowledge. Students and tutors meet for one hour a week for six months. Please note that our volunteer tutors are native or fluent English speakers but are not professional teachers, and that there may be a waitlist for this program.

To sign up, fill out an application online or in person at one of the Brookline libraries. This program is limited to residents of Brookline or the Greater Boston area.

Tool Library Opens April 5!

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Have big DIY dreams but a somewhat less-big Brookline apartment? Save your space and a trip to the hardware store with this brand new collection of over 50 hand and power tools, including screwdriver sets, drills, saws, ladders, and a lot more exclusively at our Coolidge Corner location!

How does it work? Almost exactly the same as checking out a book! Just:
  1. Place a hold on the tool you’d like to borrow. If you’d like to place a hold on multiple different tools, give our staff a call at 617-730-2380. You can also swing by Coolidge Corner in person to see what we have available.
  2. Wait for an email notification letting you know your tool is ready to pick up.
  3. Fill out a safety waiver at the desk, then check out the tool with your library card!
  4. Return tools to the Coolidge Corner Library during their open hours (please don’t put tools in the book drop!). All tools may be borrowed for up to two weeks and renewed if no one is waiting for them.
Newsletter Icon Calendar

UPCOMING EVENTS

Vote & Run for GOV

FINAL Vote & Run for GOV March 2022
The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations and the Office of the Town Clerk in Brookline are launching the Vote & Run for GOV Program, partnering with organizations around town to talk to you about elections and civic engagement! The Library is delighted to host Vote & Run for GOV on the following afternoons:

Tuesday, April 5, 2-4 PM at the Putterham Library
Wednesday, April 6, 2-4 PM at the Brookline Village Library
Tuesday, April 12, 2-4 PM at the Coolidge Corner Library

Election Day in Brookline is May 3, 2022. Many seats will be up for election, including Select Board, School Committee, Library Trustee, Constable, and Town Meeting. Because of re-districting, almost every Town Meeting seat is up for election, so it is a great chance to ensure your voice is heard. Come register to vote, request an absentee ballot, learn about changes to precincts and polling locations, get information on running for office and how to engage civically, and ask any questions!

For a full list of Vote & Run for GOV programs, locations, and partners, visit the Town’s civic engagement webpage.

Virtual Okonomiyaki Cooking Class

Photograph of Okonomiyaki

TUESDAY, April 19 at 5 PM

Let’s make Okonomiyaki, A Japanese Savory Pancake! Learn about and make Okonomiyaki with Table for Two’s Wa-Shokuiku: Learn. Cook. Eat Japanese! Okonomiyaki is a delicious and healthy Japanese savory pancake that is sometimes called Japanese Pizza. The pancake is chock full of crunchy cabbage and topped with a yummy glaze.

The Otafuku Company has generously donated ingredients for 34 Okonomiyaki kits. Kit reservation starts Tuesday, April 5 at 5 PM. You will be able to reserve a kit, one per family, via our Eventbrite. There will not be a waitlist for kits, so please do not register if you do not plan to also attend the virtual class.

This is a family friendly event. Kids and adults of all ages are welcome, and we encourage families to enjoy the program together! This event is generously sponsored by the Brookline Library Foundation and Otakfuku Company.

Early Release Day Drop-In Craft

a cartoon hedgehog drawing with pencil and paper
Brookline Village Library

WEDNESDAY, April 6 at 2 PM

Break up the afternoon on early release days with a craft! Drop in anytime 2-3:30 PM to complete a fun craft set up by our Youth Services staff. For families and kids ages 5 and up.

For the safety of our program attendees and staff, masks will be required for all attendees ages 2 and older during the program.

Tween Crafternoon

Various stationery school and office supplies over wooden texture background
Brookline Village Library

THURSDAY, April 7 at 3 PM

Join us every other Thursday afternoon for a fun craft in the Tween Room! Open to tweens in grades 5-7 only. As supplies last. No registration required.

This event is generously sponsored by the Brookline Library Foundation.
Newsletter Icon Book

ONGOING PROGRAMS

Each week the Library holds many regularly occurring programs for adults and kids of all ages. Check out what's happening this week – and click on the links for more information and sign-ups!

Encore Screening of Show or Tell? Languages of Love in Asian American Families

Reading Challenges Featured Image

THURSDAY, April 7 at 7 PM

Couldn't make Professor Stephen Chen's talk last week? Catch an encore screening this Thursday?

In this talk, Professor Stephen Chen presents findings from his research on patterns of love and affection among Asian American immigrant parents. He examines how these parents navigate Asian and American norms of affection, how acculturation shapes their emotional processes, and ultimately, how they “translate” their language of affection for their children.

Sign up here for this one-time screening of the recorded talk.

This event is generously sponsored by the Library Trustees.
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