Manchester City Library

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Winter MCL Notes Newsletter

November 28th, 2023 · Books, Children, City Library, Events, Main Branch, News, Newsletter, Teens, West Branch

The winter issue of MCL Notes is now online! Check out what’s going on at the libraries this winter season and get the scoop on the programs we have planned from now through February.

We welcome you to sign up to receive this quarterly newsletter by email.

Happy holidays!

MCL Notes – Winter 2023-2024

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Spilling the Tea Since 1773

November 24th, 2023 · Children, City Library, Events, Main Branch, West Branch

Believe it or not the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party is upon us. The exact date is December 16th and commemorates the day that colonist’s had had enough of British tea tariffs. The Sons of Liberty, led by Samuel Adams and John Hancock, dressed as Mohawk warriors met at Griffins Wharf, near what is now Pearl Street, boarded a ship loaded with East India Company tea and dumped more than 300 crates of East India Company tea into Boston Harbor. John Adams thought it was pretty nifty, writing in his diary, “The sublimity of it, charms me!”. However, King George III was not amused, and the event was one of the first that sparked the American Revolution. Boston has been celebrating all year with exhibits, artwork, community and school events, reenactment performances, virtual presentations and webinars, genealogical programs, and historical festivals. You can get involved by contributing tea to the December 16th reenactment.  The deadline to send tea is December 1st

See below for more information on how to enjoy this uniquely American event. Don’t forget to check out the display in the Rotunda for all things Boston Tea Party.

The December 16 Reenactment Schedule

Other Upcoming Events

History of the Boston Tea Party

Other Resources

Boston Tea Party Related Community Programs

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

Don’t forget to check out the display in the Rotunda on this exciting time in American history.

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60 Years Later 11/22/63

November 22nd, 2023 · Uncategorized

November 22, 1963

60 years ago today, president John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas Texas, beside his wife, Jackie, while campaigning for reelection. He was rushed to nearby Parkland Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead within 30 minutes of the shooting. The country and world reeled at his death in the days that followed. Newspapers covered nothing but news of his death and the Kennedy family for days.

The New Hampshire Sunday News headline on November 24 read “Hero’s Funeral For JFK” above the president’s portrait. Above the headline are several photographs of the Kennedy family: Ted and Eunice leaving the funeral, Bobby and Jackie – still in her blood-stained dress – returning from Dallas, Kennedy matriarch Rose at St. Francis Xavier Church in Hyannis, and the American flag-laden casket of the young president. The tragedy of his murder is felt throughout the rest of the paper with articles, notes of condolences, announcements of business closures out of respect, and other news, including now president Lyndon B. Johnson’s announcement for a day of sorrow preceding Kennedy’s funeral.

Visit the library rotunda to view some of the front pages covers from the Union Leader and the New York Times. To see the whole articles, stop by the NH Room on the second floor to view them on microfilm. The NH Room is usually open 1-4 Monday – Thursday, and Saturday 9-2. We also have a selection of books on the JFK assassination on display in the rotunda for further reading. A list of books on Kennedy and his presidency can be viewed here. The Kennedy family remains an object of fascination to this day, so there are many books and movies on the entire family available in the library as well. View a list of titles here to learn about America’s ‘Royal Family.’

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Just Bead It!

November 22nd, 2023 · Adult Take & Make Crafts, Art Room, Books, City Library, Events, Library Displays, Main Branch, West Branch

Beading is a hobby that has been enjoyed by many for generations. The art of creating and utilizing beads is ancient. For example, ostrich shell beads discovered in Africa can be carbon-dated to 10,000 BC.  Faience beads, a type of ceramic bead created by mixing powdered clays, lime, soda, and silica sand with water until a paste forms, then molding it around a stick or straw and firing until hard, were notably used in ancient Egyptian jewelry from the First Dynasty (beginning in the early Bronze Age) onward. Faience and other ceramic beads with quartz coatings predate pure glass beads.

Beads and works created with them have been found all across the ancient world, most often made of locally available materials. For example, the Athabaskan peoples of Alaska used tusk shells from scaphopod mollusks, which are naturally hollow, as beads and incorporated them into elaborate jewelry. Beadwork has historically been used for religious purposes, as good luck talismans, for barter and trade, for ritual and religious purposes and decorations of all sorts.

Our December Adult Take & Make Craft Kit will feature a small and easy beading project whereby we will be making a Christmas Spider to add to our holiday decorating fun. Plus, we get to learn about the interesting legend of the Christmas Spider.

For more information and inspiration about beading and beadwork, be sure to check out our beading display on the second floor near the Art & Music Room. We hope that you will join us in discovering the joy of beading! Happy crafting!

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Thanksgiving!

November 17th, 2023 · Children, City Library, Events, Holidays, Library Closings, Main Branch, West Branch

The Manchester City Library Main Branch will close early at 12:00 PM and the West Branch will be closed on Wednesday, November 22nd.

Both branches of the Manchester City Library will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd in observance of Thanksgiving. We will re-open on Friday at our normal times. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of you for your support throughout the year. We wish you and yours a peaceful and joyful holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Veterans Resources

November 16th, 2023 · Books, City Library, Main Branch, West Branch

No matter how you served or what you experienced in military or civilian life, you may be facing challenges that affect your health, relationships, and life, but you don’t have to face them alone. Every day, Veterans from all military service branches and eras connect with proven resources and effective treatments through VA. Whether this is your first time considering mental health support or you’ve had treatment before, let VA help make sure your next step is the right step for you.

Make The Connections offer different self-assessment quizzes you can take at home. Try taking a self-assessment to find out if your feelings and behaviors may be related to treatable conditions. There are self-assessments for depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol abuse, and substance abuse. These tests are useful tools for identifying specific conditions and they may indicate when it is a good time to see a professional.

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or wish you were dead, you should talk to someone right away. Your family and friends may already know that you’re having a tough time. You may want to turn to them and let them know what you’re feeling and thinking. To reach the Veterans Crisis Line, Dial 988 and Press 1, use the Veterans Crisis Line online chat, or send a text message to the Veterans Crisis Line at 838255. The Veterans Crisis Line offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

It is never too late to reach out for help. Treatment can make a difference in your health and well-being. Connecting with care has far-reaching benefits — support can help you strengthen your relationships, reignite a sense of purpose, enjoy a brighter outlook, and more.

Resources for Veterans

National Call Center for Homeless Veterans

If you are or know a Veteran who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, you may contact the National VA Call Center for Homeless Veterans. These resources are also available to Veterans’ family members and friends, VA medical centers, VA partners, community agencies, and service providers.

Quit VET

Tobacco quit lines can double your chance of quitting, compared with getting no support at all. Any Veteran receiving health care through VA is eligible to use the Quit VET quit line. Call the quit line to speak with a tobacco cessation counselor.

Veterans Crisis Line

The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans and Service members in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring VA responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.

War Vet Call Center

Call 1-877-927-8387, 24/7 to reach the Vet Center Call Center and talk about your military experience or other concerns during your transition from military to civilian life. The team is composed of Veterans from several eras as well as family members of Veterans.

Women Veterans Call Center

The Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC) provides VA services and resources to women Veterans, their families, and caregivers. You can also chat online anonymously with a WVCC representative.

  • Call 1-855-VA-Women (1-855-829-6636) 8 a.m.–10 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday;8 a.m.–6:30 p.m. ET, Saturday.
  • Chat 8 a.m.–10 p.m. ET Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m. ET, Saturday.

Real Warriors

Real Warriors, a program through the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE), provides information and resources about psychological health, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and traumatic brain injury.

Make The Connection

Connect with stories of help and hope as veterans talk about their experiences, challenges, and recovery.

Resources for Family Members or Friends of Veterans

Caregiver Support

If you are caring for a Veteran, the VA Caregiver Support Program offers training, educational resources, and a variety of tools to help you succeed.

Coaching Into Care

This VA program provides guidance to Veterans’ family members and friends for encouraging a reluctant Veteran they care about to reach out for support with a mental health challenge.

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The Christmas Spider

November 12th, 2023 · Adult Take & Make Crafts, Art Room, City Library, Events, Library Displays, Main Branch, News

Have you ever heard about the legend of the Christmas Spider? Grab one of December’s adult craft kits and read all about it!

These colorful, beady little spiders are about as cute as a spider can be. If you want, you can give them a spooky Halloween vibe that looks a little like “Nightmare Before Christmas” by switching out your colored bead selections later on. This popular holiday project is festive, fun and easy. All you need are a few beads, craft wire, some basic tools and that good old holiday spirit.

These kits are for adults only and will be available on Tuesday, December 12th in the Library Rotunda while supplies last. For more information about this fun little project please contact Yvonne L. at 603-624-6550 ext. 7620 or e-mail [email protected].

Happy crafting!

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Keep your mind sharp: games that challenge your brain

November 11th, 2023 · Books, Children, City Library, Library Displays, Main Branch, West Branch

Challenge your mind this November by playing games! People have been playing games for thousands of years. Did you know that chess was invented in 6th century A.D.? Some of the original pieces included elephants and chariots! The crossword puzzle turns 110 this December. The New York Times, which has featured a daily crossword since 1942, once described them in a critical editorial from 1924 as “a sinful waste…[Solvers] get nothing out of it except a primitive sort of mental exercise.” Wordle, a web-based game in which players have six chances to guess a five-letter word, took off in December of 2021. Many have borrowed on Wordle’s success, creating spinoffs, such as Quordle, Blossom, Waffle, Squardle, Globle, Worldle, and many more. Stop by the library this month, and check out the games display by the elevator on the first floor. Pick up some fun game trivia, or books on improving your strategy and technique. Also, stop by the Reading Room and grab a copy of the New York Times crossword puzzle (answers are provided) throughout the week.  

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November Adult DIY: Perler Bead Art

November 9th, 2023 · Adult Take & Make Crafts, City Library, Events, Main Branch

Not just for kids! Follow along with a Creativebug online class with Courtney Cerruti to explore this bright, colorful, and graphic medium. Perler beads can be fused together with an iron to create keychains, coasters, and other fun projects! Or you can have fun creating different fun designs over and over!

Kits will be available for pickup at the Information Desk starting November 14, 2023, while supplies last. These kits are for Adults only. Pick up at the Main Branch library in the Rotunda. For more information, call Sue Harmon at 603-624-6550 x 7620 or email [email protected].

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Check out this month’s Romance Display: Sweet as Pie

November 8th, 2023 · Books, City Library, Events, Main Branch, West Branch

This romance display is here to get you into the Thanksgiving holiday spirit. These novels feature chefs, bakery owners, cooking competitions… and of course lots of romance! Check out the covers which feature all kinds of bakery items: pies, cakes, donuts, you name it! If you are inspired by these books to try your hand at baking, there is a cherry pie recipe on display with these sweet stories.

See the books online at this link: https://discover.manchesterlibrary.org/MyAccount/MyList/1182

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