Five women around a table make a craft with yarn.

brick building with wreaths in the windows.

Note From the Director

As we head full swing into the holiday season, the library should be a frequent stop to pick up books to read and movies to watch, but also to take part in the many, merry offerings we have for you this month! The first week alone includes a free concert featuring folk duo Hungrytown at Crowell Chapel, Ugly Sweater Cookie-decorating for tweens and teens on an early release day and ends on Friday with Cookies and Crafts at the Library and the Friends of the Library Booksale at the FP Community Hall, which this year is part of Mistletoe Madness! Come get your card stamped while doing some local holiday shopping for that just-right book!

Beginning this month get cozy, on Tuesdays at 2pm at our Knit Together program in front of the fireplace. Enjoy some tea, cookies and company while you take care of those needlework projects you’ve been meaning to get to. And I will begin leading a new monthly Create/Make for Adults program on Saturday the 21st when we will make felt flowers to make a wreath, a garland or gift toppers.

December Events

A man and woman sit on a rock in a forest holding guitars.

Crowell Chapel Concert Series Featuring: Folk Band Hungrytown

Tuesday | Dec 3 | 6-7PM

Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson, through their years of worldwide touring and tireless devotion to many classic genres of music, have crafted Hungrytown into a true artistic hybrid, able to hold Celtic and Americana, ballads and psychedelia. This program is made possible by funding from the Friends of the Manchester-by-the-Sea Library.

Ugly Sweater Cookies!

Thursday | Dec 5| 12:00—1:30PM

'Tis the season, middle schoolers! Get your flair on by decorating -- and eating -- some tacky-licious holiday sweater cookies. Happy early release day.

A gingerbread house and a male and female gingerbread cookie person in snow.

Graham Cracker Gingerbread House

Saturday | Dec 14| 2:00—3:30PM

Come to the library to make your own graham cracker gingerbread house. This festive, all ages program is on Saturday, December 14th from 2-3:30. Registration is required.

Knit Together

Tuesdays | 2:00-3:00PM

Hoping to make some gifts for the holidays? Begin a new project or finish one you’ve already started. Enjoy tea, cookies and company.

New to knitting? Start a simple project with needles and yarn provided by the library.

Join us by the fireplace and let's knit together!

cildren holdup oversizes books as leaves and snowflakes fall

Fall and Winter Storytime

Wednesdays | 10:30-11:15PM

Join Miss Audrey for Fall and Winter Storytime every Wednesday at 10:30! This program is for ages 0-3.

TAB (Teen Advisory Board)

Tuesday | Dec 10 | 5:30—6:30 PM

Meeting the second Tuesday of every month at 5:30-6:30. Earn community service hours while having fun planning events for your friends and the community!

Will It Cookie??

Wednesday | Dec 11 | 12:00-1:30PM

Holiday cookies with icing? Yawn. How about taking Cheez Whiz on chocolate chip for a spin? Or hummus on Oreo? The library's Teen Loft invites you to throw together our random assortment of fixins and decide for yourself -- will it cookie??? Happy early release day.

*Disclaimer: edibility not guaranteed. But laughs are!

Read to Winston

Wednesday | Dec 11 | 3:30-4:45PM

Susan Durkin and Winston, a Certified Therapy Dog, are looking forward to hearing stories read by YOU! Reading with a certified reading dog helps to build confidence with a safe, nonjudgmental partner. Sign up for a 15-minute appointment and make sure to bring a favorite book or allow time to pick out your just right book at the Library. Perfect for kids in grades K-5.

This program is especially for those starting to read and that want to little extra practice with our special friend, Winston!

De-Stress Holiday Chair Massage

Saturday | Dec 14 | 10:00AM—1:00 PM

Take 10 minutes to de-stress and enjoy a chair message with local, licensed massage therapist, Matt Kurdt. Register for the hour when you can attend either 10AM, 11AM or 12PM. We will email you the exact time of your session with in that hour. This event is for adults only, 18 and over. We will have these sessions in a tucked away corner of the library but you will not be in a private room due to space constraints.

This program is made possible by funding from the Friends of the MBTS Library. You can connect with the Friends at FOML@manchesterpl.org.

Create/Make for Adults:

Felt Flowers

Saturday | Dec 21 | 2:00—3:30 PM

This month we will craft felt flowers to use on garlands, gifts and wreaths. We'll explore different mediums and projects each month. Please register so we can plan for adequate materials. This program is designed for adults, but no artistic experience is necessary. Come enjoy crafting and community!