Milton Public Library virtual programs for July and early August

The Milton Public Library continues to offer fun online programming for adults and families this summer via Zoom. On Tuesday, July 14th at 7:00 p.m., Milton author Courtney Sullivan will give a talk about her new book called Friends and Strangers which was released on June 30th. The book is described as “a gorgeous, compulsively-readable novel that tells the story of the complex relationship between two women, Elisabeth, a privileged new mother and writer attempting to find her footing after childbirth, and Sam, the idealistic, working-class college student…she hires to nanny her young son.” (Provided by publisher) As part of the author’s national tour, this event will be managed by Random House with co-sponsorship by Haley Booksellers (https://tinyurl.dom/ybuwkvlf). To sign up for the program, you need to go to the following link – not at the library website.  Once you register, a Zoom connection link will be sent to you by Random House so you can participate. You can either purchase the book in advance or call the Reference Dept. at 617-898-4964 to place a hold on it at the library.

On Tuesday, July 21st, at 7:00 p.m., author Lorenz Finison will give a talk called “Bicycling – A History of Race, Class and Gender in Sport.” The speaker will present his research into the 125 sweep of bicycling history in the Boston area. He will sum up his two books on the subject: Boston’s Cycling Craze and Boston’s 20th Century Bicycling Renaissance. Mr. Finison is an author, psychologist, and historian. Advance signup is required – see link here.

On Wednesday, July 22nd at 7:00 p.m., Library Director Will Adamczyk will hold his “Summer Reads Book Group” virtually. Sign up to join him for a casual conversation about books, what you are reading, and what you should be reading, to include beach reads and what you are looking forward to. Bring a title to share! See registration link here.

Next on Tuesday, July 28th at 7:00 p.m., travel photographer Barry Pell is back as part of our “Armchair Travel” series with a talk called “Galapagos – Enchanted Islands of the Pacific.” This isolated group of islands, located 600 miles west of Ecuador’s Pacific coast, is home to massive tortoises, scurrying iguana lizards, playful sea lions, and a menagerie of exceptional birds from blue-footed boobies to red pouched frigate birds. It is a nearly pristine showcase of biodiversity and Barry has captured photos of this splendid and fragile ecosystem. Please join us for a fascinating look at some incredible images via Zoom. Advance signup is required – see link here.

Library staff members Sally Lawler and Sara Truog will hold a meeting of the “Celebrity Book Group” on Thursday, July 30th at 7:00 p.m. Read what the celebrities are reading! In this fun, relaxed discussion of books recommended by popular celebrities, we will sadly not see them in person – but we can enjoy their book picks. This month we are reading Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid, which was chosen by Trevor Noah. Signup is open now – see link here.

Starting on Tuesday, August 4th at 7:00 p.m., employment specialist Gary Gekow will hold a 4-part career series which continues into Fall. This first workshop is called “Career Talk: Adjusting to a New Normal.” More job hunting topics which will follow are: “Changing Careers: Reinventing Oneself” on September 8th; “Tips for a Successful Virtual Interview” on October 6th; and “The Art of Networking” on November 3rd. If you have been downsized or furloughed as a result of COVID-19, we encourage you to take advantage of these free, helpful events to find a new position. Advance registration is required at our website for all workshops – see link here.

“The Cookbook Club” with Connie Spiros and Sara Truog is a group of adults who enjoy cooking and sharing food together. Their next meeting is on Wednesday, August 5th at 7:00 p.m. While everyone is at home, participants cook a dish from a specific cookbook, share what they’ve made, and trade recipes. All the details about this program are at www.miltonlibrary.org and you can also register there under “events” – see link here.

Librarian Jean Hlady offers another movie chat called “Let’s Talk About Movies with Jean: Low Tide” on Tuesday, August 11th at 7:00 p.m. In this series, we watch a good movie in advance and then chat about the characters and the plot plus more. To watch this 2019 title in advance for free, use your OCLN library card and sign up for an account at our library service called: Kanopy. To do this, go to our website: www.miltonlibrary.org and click on “E-Resources” from the main page, then “Kanopy” and either sign in or create an account (it’s easy!) to watch the film. Then search for the title which is easily accessed. “Low Tide” tells the story of Alan, Red, and Smitty who spend high summer on the Jersey Shore, roving the boardwalk and getting into trouble. But the discovery of good old-fashioned treasure sets them on an escalating course of suspicion and violence in this atmospheric thriller. It is rated R for language, some violence, and teen drug use. The San Francisco Public Library says: “Horror? No. Thriller? Barely. More like, a pretty decent coming of age film.” You must sign up for the discussion in advance and registration opens on July 11th – see link here.

And finally, there will be a second fashion talk called “The Swingin’ Sixties” held on Tuesday, August 18th at 7:00 p.m. with Karen Ren Antonowicz. This fashion expert will tell us all about the cool and fab style of the 1960s. Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton, Mary Quant, Biba, and the list goes on! Discover the fashions of the Swingin’ Sixties, beginning with the Mod clothes and more of London, traveling through the hippie era, and culminating in the bohemian styles and hot pants of the early ‘70s. Karen owned an antique store with her husband for 5 years, has taught fashion courses at the college level for 13, and now gives fashion talks via her home business called Spirits of Fashion. Registration is required and opens on July 28th – see link here.

Those who register at our website will receive a Zoom connection link on the day of the program. Questions? Email [email protected] or call the Reference Dept. at 617-898-4964.