Create your own “masterpeeps”! Stay tuned for information on the 2026 Peeps Diorama contest! Guidelines: Entries can be handed in at the Main Circulation Desk or the Children’s Room Desk. You will fill out a submission sheet at the desk. The dioramas are put on display in the library throughout the submission and judging periods. Peep these dioramas from 2025!

Join us in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, a national observance that runs from September 15th through October 15th. You may start to see our displays popping up around the library of various books, movies, and music to celebrate this month, but if you are looking for a little bit more information and a few more title recommendations, please read below. ♦◊♦◊♦◊♦ A Brief History of the Month As entered and recently updated in the Encyclopedia Britannica, National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15) is a time “in which the people of the United States honour the achievements of Hispanics. The celebration was first authorized in 1968, when the U.S. Congress adopted a resolution asking the president of the United States annually to issue a proclamation designating a week in September including September 15 and 16 as “National Hispanic Heritage Week.” In 1988 Congress expanded the celebration to a 31-day period beginning September 15. The resolution calls “on the people of the United States, especially the educational community, to observe National Hispanic Heritage Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.” Hispanic Heritage Month coincides with the celebrations of Independence Day in many Latin American countries—including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (September 15), Mexico (September 16), and Chile (September 18)—as well as with Columbus Day (originally October 12 in the United States but now commemorated there on the second Monday in October).”   Looking to learn more? Use some of our amazing online resources to explore the biographies of well-known Hispanic Americans such as actor Danny Trejo, author Julia Alvarez, Senator Marco Rubio, and actress/activist Eva Longoria. Also take time and discover the history and current happenings of Hispanic countries and territories, and maybe learn a new recipe or two. See below for lists of Hispanic themed or penned books for your age group. Happy learning!   Adult Reading Suggestions: [books list=”adults-hispanic-heritage-month” display=”carousel” total_items=”40″ auto=”true”] Teen Reading Suggestions: [books list=”teen-hispanic-heritage-month” display=”carousel” total_items=”40″ auto=”true”] Kid Reading Suggestions: [books list=”cr-hispanic-heritage-month” display=”carousel” total_items=”40″ auto=”true”]

Come and meet award-winning author, Julia Glass! On Thursday, September 28, 2023, Ms. Glass will read from and discuss her books. This event will be moderated by local author Carla Panciera. Copies of the books will be available for purchase. Register for this free event by clicking HERE. Registration begins on August 17th. Schedule for the Evening Book Sales & Cash Bar | 6:30pm Author’s Presentation | 7:30pm Location: Ipswich Country Club Ballroom, 148 Country Club Way, Ipswich, MA 01938 This is an indoor event.  There is no hybrid/Zoom component to this program.  And this program will not be recorded. There is no ticket needed on the day of the event.  If you are registered to attend, your name will be on a printed list at the check-in table. And volunteers will be on hand to check your name off the registrant list. About the Author Ms. Glass is the award-winning author of seven novels. She writes literary and psychological fiction that is character driven. Her first novel, Three Junes, won the National Book Award for Fiction. Her latest novel, Vigil Harbor, has already received many starred reviews and was just named a Must Read by  the Annual Massachusetts Book Awards. Ms. Glass was born and raised in Massachusetts. She lived in New York City for 24 years. She published her first novel at age 46 and dedicated her National Book Award to late bloomer of all kinds. About the Johnson Author Lecture Series The Johnson Lecture Series is made possible by a permanent endowment by Louise & Hugh Johnson. The Johnson endowment was left to and is managed by the Friends of the Library and is intended to enrich the lives of Ipswich residents. Louise and Hugh loved life. They loved books, nature, friends, good food, and each other. They lived together in Ipswich. Louise was very involved with the Ipswich Public library, the garden club, bird watching, and poetry. Hugh had a background in publishing, loved to fly fish, and cherished Jane Austen’s novels (his favorite being Emma).

Looking to travel? “Book” your next adventure through the library, using our various collections to travel to places both real and imaginary! Let us know if you are looking for vacation guides or to visit someplace you can only access while reading indoors on a rainy day. Wherever you choose to go, our collections have you covered. Come and see our display on the main floor when you enter the library, or click HERE to take a look at some of our travel titles in the catalog. On the go? Take one of the over fifty Library of Things items with you! Metal detectors, board games, lawn games, and even snowshoes – there is an item for everyone to use and enjoy, no matter where you travel. Click HERE to look at all of our “things” and place a hold online. Here are some suggestions from our staff!   Travel the Known World: (NON-FICTION/BIOGRAPHY) [books list=”adults-travel-theme-list-nf-bio” display=”carousel” total_items=”90″ auto=”true”] Destination Movies: (FICTION) [movies list=”adult-travel-theme-list” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”] Destination Books: (FICTION) [books list=”adults-travel-themed-list-fiction” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”]

During the month of May we observe Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. You may have already seen our AAPI (AANHPI) displays around the library of various books, movies, and music to celebrate this month, but if you are looking for a little bit more information and a few more title recommendations, please read below. A Brief History of the Month According to the official U.S. government website dedicated to this observed month, “Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month is observed annually in May to celebrate the contributions that generations of AAPIs have made to American history, society, and culture. The following information has been curated by the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) to educate the public about AAPIs and celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month…FAPAC is proud to select the theme for the observance of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May 2023 is Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity. This year’s theme is the start of the new theme series for 2021-2024 highlighting FAPAC’s efforts in ‘Advancing Leaders’.”   Looking to learn more through a good book?   Adult Reading Suggestions: FICTION [books list=”adults-aanhpi-heritage-month-fiction” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”] NON-FICTION/BIOGRAPHY [books list=”adults-aanhpi-heritage-month-nf-bio” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”] Teen Reading Suggestions: FICTION [books list=”teens-aanhpi-heritage-month-fiction” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”] NON-FICTION/BIOGRAPHY [books list=”teens-aanhpi-heritage-month-nf-bio” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”] Kid Reading Suggestions: FICTION [books list=”cr-aanhpi-heritage-month-fiction” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”] NON-FICTION/BIOGRAPHY [books list=”cr-aanhpi-heritage-month-nf-bio” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”]

Get ready to use visit us during our new hours! Starting April 25th, we will be open Tuesday nights until 8pm! We will also be staying open on Saturdays in the summer this year! Our new hours for the full year are below! Mondays: 9am-8pm Tuesdays: 9am-8pm Wednesdays: 9am-8pm Thursdays: 9am-5pm Fridays: 9am-5pm Saturdays: 9am-4pm Sundays: Closed

Living in New England means living and exploring in a location that several authors of the past and present also roamed and often reflected upon in their works. Check out our display near the main floor circulation desk to see what titles by locals might be the ones you read on the beach this summer! Below is a list of just some of the forty-three New England authors (alphabetical by last name) whose works we see circulate a lot in this area. Feel free to use the links under each name to learn more about each author and which of their titles we have in our consortium. Author’s Name (Last, First) & New England Location Famous Works & Link to Titles in Catalog Alcott, Louisa May (Concord, MA) Works include: Little Women, Little Men, The Inheritance Titles in Catalog Barry, Brunonia (Salem, MA) Works include: The Lace Reader Titles in Catalog Barry, Quan (Danvers, MA) Works include: She Weeps Each Time You’re Born, They Fly on Sticks Titles in Catalog Black, Holly (Concord, MA) Works include: The Black Cat, The Darkest Part of the Forest, The Cruel Prince Titles in Catalog Bradstreet, Anne (Salem & Ipswich, MA) Works include: To My Husband and Other Poems, The Tenth Muse Titles in Catalog Braun, Lilian Jackson (Chicopee, MA) Works include: The Cat Who… (Series) Titles in Catalog Dickinson, Emily (Amherst, MA) Works include: Little Women, Little Men Titles in Catalog Emberley, Ed (Ipswich, MA) Works include: A Birthday Wish, Chicken Little, Go Away Big Green Monster, Nighty Night Little Green Monster, The Wizard of Op Titles in Catalog Glass, Julia (Marblehead, MA) Works include: And the Dark Sacred Night, Vigil Harbor, The Widower’s Tale Titles in Catalog Lehane, Dennis (Dorchester, MA) Works include: Coronado, A Drink Before the War, The Drop, Shutter Island, Mystic River Titles in Catalog Merullo, Roland (Revere, MA) Works include: Dinner with Buddha, Golfing with God, The Talk Funny Girl Titles in Catalog Parker, Robert B. (Springfield, MA) Works include: Appaloosa, Jessie Stone (Series), Painted Ladies Titles in Catalog Russo, Richard (Portland, ME & Boston, MA) Works include: Chances Are…, Everybody’s Fool, Empire Falls, Nobody’s Fool Titles in Catalog Shreve, Anita (Marblehead, MA & Newfields, NH) Works include: All He Ever Wanted, The Pilot’s Wife, Sea Glass, Testimony Titles in Catalog Stowe, Harriet Beecher (Litchfield, CT & Brunswick, ME) Works include: Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Dred: A Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp (vol. […]

Come and meet Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Tracy Kidder! On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, Mr. Kidder will read from and discuss his books. Copies of the books will be available for purchase. Register for this free event by clicking HERE. Registration begins on April 1st.   Schedule for the Evening Book Sales & Cash Bar | 6:30pm Author’s Presentation | 7:30pm **NEW Location: Ipswich Country Club Ballroom, 148 Country Club Way, Ipswich, MA 01938**   This is an indoor event.  There is no hybrid/Zoom component to this program.  And this program will not be recorded. There is no ticket needed on the day of the event.  If you are registered to attend, your name will be on a printed list at the check-in table. And volunteers will be on hand to check your name off the registrant list.   About the Author Born in New York City in 1945, Kidder spent his childhood in Oyster Bay, Long Island, where his father was a lawyer and his mother a teacher. He attended Harvard, where he earned a BA in 1967. From June 1968 until June 1969, he served as a lieutenant in Vietnam, for which he was awarded a Bronze Star, an experience chronicled in his memoir My Detachment. After the war, Kidder obtained his MA from the University of Iowa, where he attended the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. It was there that Kidder met Atlantic contributing editor Dan Wakefield, who helped him get his first assignment as a freelance writer. Over the years, Kidder’s articles have covered a broad array of topics, including railroads, energy, architecture, and the environment. His writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Granta, The New York Times Book Review, and The New York Times. Kidder lives with his wife in western Massachusetts.   About the Johnson Author Lecture Series The Johnson Lecture Series is made possible by a permanent endowment by Louise & Hugh Johnson. The Johnson endowment was left to and is managed by the Friends of the Library and is intended to enrich the lives of Ipswich residents. Louise and Hugh loved life. They loved books, nature, friends, good food, and each other. They lived together in Ipswich. Louise was very involved with the Ipswich Public library, the garden club, bird watching, and poetry. Hugh had a background in publishing, loved to fly fish, and cherished Jane Austen’s novels (his favorite being Emma).  

April is National Poetry Month!    Join us in celebrating poetry this month by stopping to read our poetry bookmarks that will feature a new poem for every day of the month! They will be located with our other bookmarks by the main circulation desk on the first floor of the library. Feel free to take a bookmark home! There are a variety of authors and styles in the thirty poems we’ve selected, and we hope you enjoy. Also, do not forget to check out one of our poetry books to take with you to read in the April Sunshine (or to read indoors when April Showers come to call). Below are some of our titles for you to consider! Children’s Poetry Titles [books list=”cr-poetry-month-titles” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”] Teen Poetry Titles [books list=”teens-poetry-month-titles” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”] Adult Poetry Titles [books list=”adult-poetry-month-titles” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”]

Grab your yoga mat (and a book if you like), put on some comfortable clothing and join us at the library for four evening yoga sessions starting April 12th! Melanie Simard will be our instructor. Residing in Ipswich, MA, Melanie teaches weekly Gentle Yoga classes at the Greater Beverly YMCA, where she strives to offer the benefits of yoga in a fun and approachable way making it accessible for every body regardless of experience or flexibility. Her fun and laid back teaching style focuses on grounding, enhancing body awareness and connecting gentle movements with breath, creating balance in the mind and body. Melanie encourages her students to honor themselves exactly as they are, offering plenty of modifications and variations, making her classes suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. To register, click HERE to find each of the four sessions listed on our event calendar. If you are interested in attending more than one session, you will need to sign up for each session individually. Signing up for one session does not mean you are signed up for all of them.

Welcome back to the Ipswich Public Library’s 3rd annual celebration of the Oscars! After a two-year break, this February we are celebrating this year’s 95th Academy Awards Ceremony (airing Sunday, March 12th). Check out our “Night at the Oscars!” display table on the main floor to see what is available to checkout and to learn more about the list of nominees. This year, there will be a ballot to fill out and enter into the ballot box on the display table. Feel free to take the ballot with you first and use it as a checklist to figure out which movies you might want to start watching first! Some movies will be playing at the library. See schedule below. Feeling lucky? Grab a ballot, return it completed with contact information to the box, and you might win our “Night at the Oscars!” Giveaway basket full of movie night goodies. Ballots must be submitted by Saturday, March 11th (4pm). Winner to be announced on Monday, March 13th. Nominated Films are playing in the Collins Room up until the big night! Click on the title to register online: **Please note: For all movies beginning after normal library hours, the registration will close 5pm the night prior to the showing. If no registrations have been made by that deadline, the movie will be cancelled.** Monday, February 27th: Elvis (6:30-9:15pm, PG-13, 159min, Eight Nominations) Thursday, March 2nd: The Banshees of Inisherin (6:30-8:30pm, R, 114min, Nine Nominations)** Saturday, March 4th: Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (10-12pm, PG, 115min, One Nomination) Wednesday, March 8th: Empire of Light (6:30-8:30pm, R, 115min, One Nomination) Friday, March 10th: Top Gun: Maverick (6:30-8:45pm, PG-13, 130min, Six Nominations)** All listed events are free and light refreshment will be provided. To learn more about the movies and to register for an event, you can also visit: ipswichlibrary.org/events. Questions? Please contact Teen Librarian Katy Wuerker at kwuerker@ipswichlibrary.org or (978) 356-6648.    

During the month of February we observe Black History Month. You may have already seen our displays around the library of various books, movies, and music to celebrate this month, but if you are looking for a little bit more information and a few more title recommendations, please read below. A Brief History of the Month According to the official U.S. government website dedicated to this observed month, “As a Harvard-trained historian, Carter G. Woodson, like W. E. B. Du Bois before him, believed that truth could not be denied and that reason would prevail over prejudice. His hopes to raise awareness of African American’s contributions to civilization was realized when he and the organization he founded, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), conceived and announced Negro History Week in 1925. The event was first celebrated during a week in February 1926 that encompassed the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The response was overwhelming: Black history clubs sprang up; teachers demanded materials to instruct their pupils; and progressive whites, not simply white scholars and philanthropists, stepped forward to endorse the effort. […] The celebration was expanded to a month in 1976, the nation’s bicentennial. President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” That year, fifty years after the first celebration, the association held the first Black History Month. By this time, the entire nation had come to recognize the importance of Black history in the drama of the American story. Since then each American president has issued Black History Month proclamations. And the association—now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)—continues to promote the study of Black history all year.”   Looking to learn more through a good book?   Adult Reading Suggestions: FICTION [books list=”adult-black-history-month-fiction” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”] NON-FICTION/BIOGRAPHY [books list=”adult-black-history-month-nf-bio” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”] Teen Reading Suggestions: FICTION [books list=”teens-black-history-month” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”] NON-FICTION/BIOGRAPHY [books list=”teens-black-history-month-nf-bio” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”] Kid Reading Suggestions: FICTION [books list=”cr-black-history-month-fiction” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”] NON-FICTION/BIOGRAPHY [books list=”cr-black-history-month-nf-bio” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”]

Looking to help out your community this fall with a simple act of kindness? Look no further! This year the Ipswich Public Library is proud to be a donation location for The Open Door annual food drive. Please read below to learn a little bit more about The Open Door and what items they are looking for this season.   The Open Door The Open Door serves people in Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester, Essex, Ipswich, Topsfield, Rowley, Boxford, Hamilton, and Wenham, who rely on their programs to help make ends meet. The mission of The Open Door is to alleviate the impact of hunger in our community. They use practical strategies to connect people to good food, to advocate on behalf of those in need, and to engage others in the work of building food security. This holiday season, all can help The Open Door serve neighbors in need by sending a bag of food to one of their collection sites. To find out more about what they do and the many wrap-around nutrition programs they provide, visit: foodpantry.org.   Donate at the Ipswich Public Library The library is hosting a food drive with The Open Door from Thursday, October 13th until Monday, December 19th, during regular library hours. There is a basket set up underneath the round table in the main circulation room as you come through the library’s main entrance. Please see the items listed below to know what can be items can be brought in to donate. If you have any questions about the food drive and what you can donate, please don’t hesitate to call library staff at (978) 356-6648 or reach out to us through our online chat on the website. Please note that only food donations can be accepted at this site, and they cannot be glass items. Most Needed Items at The Open Door: Peanut Butter Canned Chicken & Tuna Healthy Snack Items 100% Juice/Juice Boxes Breakfast Cereal Hearty Soups Canned Vegetables & Fruits Spaghetti Sauce Macaroni & Cheese Rice, Noodles, & Pasta Cake, Muffin, & Pancake Mix

The Friends of the Ipswich Public Library are having a book sale on Sat. December 10th in the library’s Rogers Room from 9am-1pm! The sale will offer a well-rounded collection of materials for all ages, all available at bargain prices. Cash and PayPal accepted! Book sales and donations help make our programming/events, Museum Pass offerings, and so much more possible. Learn more about the Friends of the Ipswich Public Library at https://www.ipswichlibrary.org/friends/

MassHire is coming to the Ipswich Public Library with their Career Center on the Go! Jobseekers can get access to career resources such as jobhunting tips, application assistance, interview help, and training opportunities. Don’t miss this chance to get one-on-one assistance with MassHire representatives. Tues. November 15, 2022 from 11:30am-3:30pm. No registration required. This is a drop-in event. Open to the general public. Here are more details about what kind of services you can get at the Career Center on the Go: Career Coach Advising: Get access to advice and FREE training opportunities to help you get better pay or become more marketable. Job Search Assistance: Get your resume reviewed, ask questions about the labor market, and more. Veterans Services: A dedicated Veterans Employment Representative will be available to assist veterans with employment, training, and other veteran-specific resources. Youth Career Services (Ages 16-24) Business Engagements: Meet a Business Engagement Professional who will assist business with job openings or referrals to state resources.

For caregivers with children ages 2 to 5.  This creative movement program will explore concepts of space, time, and energy, while developing self-awareness, flexibility and coordination.  One Fun Friday each month we will share special programming for our youngest library friends and their caregivers!   Register here: https://ipswichlibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/movement-for-the-little-ones/

We want to know how we can make the Ipswich Public Library better for our patrons! Take our 2022 Community Survey to let us know what you already love about your library, what kind of services or collections that you’d like to see more of, and more. It takes just a few minutes to complete at the link below and is open through November 15, 2022. As always, we appreciate your support, so help us better serve our wonderful community!   >> CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE 2022 COMMUNITY SURVEY <<   >>CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE 2022 TEEN (6th-12th Graders) COMMUNITY SURVEY<<  

You may have noticed that we are closed on Monday, October 10th to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Although a non-Federal holiday, this day is considered a national holiday and often is observed in conjunction with Columbus Day. To learn more about this day that is recognized every second Monday of October, click HERE. If you are looking for a few title recommendations from the our collections, please see below. Looking to learn more through a good book?   Adult Reading Suggestions: [books list=”adult-native-american-heritage-month” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”] Teen Reading Suggestions: [books list=”teens-native-american-month-titles” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”] Kid Reading Suggestions: [books list=”indian-heritage” display=”carousel” total_items=”50″ auto=”true”]

Saturday, September 24th (10am-1pm) @ The Ipswich Public Library Join us at the Ipswich Public Library for the first Local Author Showcase since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Meet local writers throughout the Library and learn about their work, ask them questions about their writing process, network, and learn more about Essex County’s local writer community. No registration required. This year we have partnered with Trails & Sails to promote this event and embrace the diverse and beautiful cultural heritage of Essex County, Massachusetts. Check out their online calendar to learn more about other free events in the area this summer.

children’s book clubs

Click Here to Register Now The Louise & Hugh Johnson Lecture series hosts well-known regional and national authors. The library is pleased to announce that the next author for this lecture series will be Lily King. Lily King is the author of five award-winning novels. Her most recent novel, Writers & Lovers, was published in March 2020. Her 2014 novel Euphoria won the Kirkus Award, The New England Book Award, The Maine Fiction Award, and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Award. Euphoria was named one of the 10 Best Books of 2014 by The New York Times Book Review. It was included in TIME’s Top 10 Fiction Books of 2014, as well as on Amazon, NPR, Entertainment Weekly, Publishers Weekly, and Salon’s Best Books of 2014. Her first collection of short stories, Five Tuesdays in Winter, was released November 2021.  She grew up in Massachusetts and now lives in Portland, Maine. On Tuesday, September 27, 2022, Ms. King will read from and discuss her books. Copies of the books will be available for purchase. Free. Registration required.  This event begins at 7:30 p.m.  Book sales and cash bar start at 6:30 p.m. The Johnson Lecture Series is made possible by a permanent endowment by Louise & Hugh Johnson. The Johnson endowment was left to and is managed by the Friends of the Library and is intended to enrich the lives of Ipswich residents. Louise and Hugh loved life. They loved books, nature, friends, good food, and each other. They lived together in Ipswich. Louise was very involved with the Ipswich Public library, the garden club, bird watching, and poetry. Hugh had a background in publishing, loved to fly fish, and cherished Jane Austen’s novels (his favorite being Emma).

Join Mary Ellen Lepionka at the Ipswich Public Library on Wednesday, August 24th from 6:00pm-7:30pm to learn about Indigenous uses of land and resources in the Essex County area. Click here to register for the in person program or Zoom option. About the Speaker: Mary Ellen Lepionka is an independent scholar researching the indigenous history of Essex County. Mary Ellen lives on Cape Ann as a retired college instructor, textbook developer, and author with a Master’s degree in anthropology from Boston University and post-graduate work at the University of British Columbia. Her articles and essays on local Indigenous history appear in the Bulletin of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society, the New England Antiquities Research Association Journal, historicipswich.org, capeannhistory.org, enduringgloucester.com, and capeannslavery.org.

Vehicle Day and Hot Dog Picnic on the library grounds and in the parking lot of the Ascension Church. See police cars, fire engines, ambulances, a school bus, bucket loaders bucket loaders and other construction equipment and meet the public safety officials and drivers! Hot dog picnic provided by the Trustees of the Ipswich Public Library. Bo registration is required and the program is free.Friday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Save the date! The Friends of the Ipswich Public Library are having a book sale on Saturday, June 18, 2022. The sale will be located at the library in the Rogers Room at 9:30am-3:00pm. The Friends of the Ipswich Public Library is an organization dedicated to the enhancement of our Library. The Friends of the Library is governed by a board which meets monthly and has one annual meeting open to all its members. Our non-profit organization raises funds – through dues collection and book sales – which are allocated to fund needs that fall outside the regular budget of the Library, such as: Children’s, teen, and adult programs Museum passes and booking system Books and other library materials Amenities within the library, such as furniture and electronic equipment Maintenance of the Children’s Room freshwater aquarium In addition, the Friends sponsor the Louise & Hugh Johnson Author Series, which brings well-known authors to Ipswich 2-3 times each year. Click here if you would like to join or donate to the Friends!  

Join us on Saturday, June 4th at 10:00am-1:00pm on the library lawn for the first annual Sustainable Summer Showcase. Try out battery powered gardening tools, get cooking with an induction cooktop, and learn how to make your yard and home less dependent on fossil fuels. No registration required. This event is the result of a partnership between the Ipswich Utilities Department’s ReSource Ipswich program and the Ipswich Public Library. Learn more about ReSource Ipswich at https://www.ipswichma.gov/811/Incentives. ReSource Ipswich is the first in-state utility decarbonization program and offers services such as no-cost home efficiency audits and information about rebates to make your home and community more sustainable AND cost-effective.

Join us on March 21st from 6 to 7pm as Ipswich Town Historian Gordon Harris takes us through a timeline of events on the national and local scale that culminated in the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation. “In 1765, Jenny Slew, who had been enslaved in Ipswich, was the first person to successfully sue for her freedom. In the 19th Century, divisions arose in Ipswich between ardent abolitionists and those who avoided the discussion, dividing families, churches and the Town. Men’s and Women’s Anti-Slavery Societies were formed, and the Meeting House Green neighborhood became a hotbed of anti-slavery sentiment. A network of the Underground Railroad ran north along the coast from Boston to Salem, where it split into three trails, one continuing through Ipswich and Newburyport into New Hampshire.”   Registration Required: To register to attend in person, please click HERE. To register to attend via Zoom (online), please click HERE. Once you register via Zoom, the link to join the program will be emailed to you.   If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at refdesk@ipswichlibrary.org or call us at (978) 356-6648.

Are you thinking of self-publishing your novel, memoir, or story collection, but don’t know where to start? This workshop on Zoom will provide an overview of the process from manuscript preparation to marketing. Topics will include eBook distribution, print-on-demand options, hiring editors and/or artists vs. doing it all yourself, and creating a marketing platform.   Interested in attending? Register for this event by clicking HERE.   About the Presenter: Diane V. Mulligan is the author of three novels, most recently What She Inherits, which was named an Honorable Mention in the Writer’s Digest 25th Annual Self-Published Book Awards. Her second novel, The Latecomers Fan Club, was an IndieReader Discovery Award Winner for Chick Lit. Diane teaches English at St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury, MA.

Masks are required in the library until further notice. Thank you for your understanding while we try our best to keep both staff and our community safe right now.   How might COVID-19 affect your day-to-day life? Please check out the resources below for up-to-date information on COVID-19 and related topics. COVID-19 Resources:   Center for Disease Control (CDC) The CDC has a site with all of the latest information you need about the current state of the situation on the national and global level.   Massachusetts Department of Public Health The Mass Department of Public Health offers state-specific information and guidance on COVID-19. Daily and cumulative data updates on COVID-19 cases and testing in Massachusetts are available HERE.   Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency The MEMA offers state-specific information and answers a variety of questions regarding COVID-19 in Massachusetts and the responses by FEMA during this health emergency.   Town of Ipswich COVID-19 Updates Follow the Town’s COVID-specific page to learn more about how Ipswich related changes and updates. This page contains a variety of helpful links, including ones on local case documentation and resources for small businesses.

A quick and convenient way to pick-up your library holds in-between your other errands. Whether you are in a rush or simply don’t want to come into the library, these items may be picked-up in our main entry way during the hour we are open.   To Schedule Rapid Pick-Up: Call the library at (978) 356-6648 (Press 0 for Main Desk) OR Email us at circdesk@ipswichlibrary.org Let us know when you would like to pick up, and we’ll check your items out to you and put them in a bag with your name on it. Please make sure to call or email at least one hour ahead. When you arrive to pick up, grab your bag on the Rapid Pickup shelf in the library entryway. You’re all set!   Need some reading suggestions before you place your holds? Click HERE.

New Year! New Book Clubs! Starting in February 2022, we have two new book clubs for our adult patrons. Read more below to find out more about each one and where to go to register.   Booker Bookies Book Club It’s not just a fun club name to say; it’s also a great club to join! The Booker Bookies book club at the Ipswich Public Library welcomes those with a love (whether blossoming or cultivated) for English literature, especially recognizable works of “literary fiction” published in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The selections for Booker Bookies are fiction titles that have either won the Booker Prize or were shortlisted entries. Click HERE to learn more about Booker Bookies and upcoming titles. The first meeting is Wednesday, February 16th at 6:30pm, where we will discuss Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart, the 2020 Booker Prize winner. Register HERE.   Graphic Novel Book Club Join fellow graphic novel lovers and discuss a graphic novel every second Monday of the month. Title choices will vary between fiction, non-fiction, and biographies. This book club is intended for patrons 18 years old and older. Click HERE to learn more about the Graphic Novel Book Club and upcoming titles. The first meeting is Monday, February 14th at 6:30pm, where will be discussing the story, style, and legacy of Watchmen by Alan Moore. Register HERE. A Zoom option is available upon request after you register.

Between this coming Thanksgiving week and the last weeks of 2021, we want to make sure everyone is able to plan ahead and visit the library to get those last minute audiobooks, DVDs, and FOL bookshop gifts before we take time off to be with friends and family.   Looking for an interactive list of all of the national holidays that are celebrated across the globe in these fall and winter months? Click HERE to learn more! Below is a listing of all of the early release and fully closed days from now going into January 2022. We will make sure to post on our social media outlets and within our library closer to each closing as a reminder. Wednesday, November 24th Open 9am to 1pm Thursday, November 25th (Thanksgiving) Closed Friday, November 26th Closed Friday, December 24th (Christmas Eve) Closed Saturday, December 25th (Christmas Day) Closed Monday, December 27th Closed Friday, December 31st (New Year’s Eve) Closed Saturday, January 1st (New Year’s Day) Closed

Starting on Monday, October 18th, we will be launching our “automatic item renewal” feature for all library patrons, joining other libraries within MVLC who use this service. All eligible items in your account will automatically be renewed, so you have one less thing to add to your to-do list.   What does this mean for you? This feature will be turned on automatically for every patron, so there is nothing you need to do anything in order for the “auto-renewals” to work. If the item is eligible to be renewed, it will be automatically renewed for you three days prior to its due date. Three days before an item is due, the item will be automatically renewed if: The item was checked out at a library participating in the automatic renewals service, and There are remaining loan periods available for the item.   Is every item included? Most physical items borrowed (books, DVDs, audiobooks, music CDs) are eligible for up to two automatic renewals. Exceptions may vary based on each lending library’s policies. Common reasons why an item cannot be renewed include: There is a waiting list The item has reached its renewal limit Your account is blocked due to overdue items and/or bills owed The item belongs to a collection that does not allow auto renewals (such as non- renewable “Hot Titles,” digital content, and items lent by libraries outside MVLC) The item was checked out at a non-participating library.   What if you do not want the item renewed? Auto-renewals will occur automatically for any eligible items as long as the library account is in good standing. You cannot opt out of auto-renewals, but of course, you can return items as soon as you are finished with them, regardless of due date.   What if you have more questions? All commonly asked questions have been answered in our FAQs section of our website. Access this page to learn more HERE. If you have further questions, please contact Laura Hoffmann at lhoffmann@ipswichlibrary.org or call any staff member at (978) 356-6648.

The Best Little Book Sale Ever! FICTION – NONFICTION – TEEN – CHILDREN’S – AUDIOVISUAL DATE: Saturday, October 2nd TIME: 10am-2pm WHERE: Ipswich Public Library (under the Event Tent)* *The Friends will be hosting this sale rain or shine (within reason). Refresh your personal library and plan for winter. Find great books for busy young minds, all while supporting our wonderful library. Cash and PayPal will be accepted. Proceeds benefit the Friends of the Ipswich Public Library.  

Wednesday, June 7th, 7pm – 8:30pm Join Reference Librarian Jeff Klapes, ‘The Traveling Librarian,’ for another of his popular armchair travel presentations via Zoom. This series highlights travel photography and stories and travel tips about destinations around the world. This month we’ll be going to the next great up-and-coming destination in Eastern Europe, Bosnia! Inexpensive, full of history, and splendidly scenic, we’ll focus on the historic town of Mostar with its famous stone bridge and see some of the lovely mountain scenery and traditional villages in this sunny Mediterranean part of the country. Click HERE to register. Jeff Klapes is the Head of Reference Services at the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library in Wakefield, Massachusetts. ***This is an online presentation. Registered participants will be sent a link to the Zoom meeting prior to the program..*** This program is made possible by a grant from the Coburn Charitable Society.

Come see some history! Ipswich’s copy of the Declaration of Independence Broadside is on view at the Library through September 2021. We are excited to present this unique object in an intimate exhibition. Learn more about the July 4th holiday and the complexity of Independence Day in the US and right here in Ipswich. The Ipswich town clerk has served as steward for 245 years of a nationally significant object of American history, the town’s original copy of the Declaration of Independence Broadside. To celebrate the July 4th holiday and share this document with the community and beyond, we have mounted a special exhibition highlighting this object and its history in the context of the foundation of the United States government. The show highlights Ipswich’s role in the fight for independence from Great Britain and the experience of indigenous and enslaved people during this time of great turmoil. Both original documents and reproductions from the Library’s local history and special collections are included. “We often think of the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War as national history removed from our local experience in small towns and cities.  These documents reconnect us to the individuals living during this tumultuous time in the history of this continent.  Ipswich residents learned of the declaration from this very document printed in Salem and read aloud to the community. Alongside the broadside we are presenting contemporaneous documents to help contextualize this time in Ipswich for viewers.  A bill of sale for an enslaved teenage boy helps us to understand the range of experience during a time we have historically referred to as our fight for independence.  It is critical for us to consider who was and was not gaining independence. This is a unique opportunity to see these objects in person.” – Meghan Fahey Petersen, Library Archivist.

The Art of the Scandal: Thefts, Vandals and Forgeries Wednesday, April 21st – 2pm – 3pm This program explores some of the most brazen criminal acts in the art world and features works by artists including da Vinci, Michelangelo and Rembrandt. Learn more about works that were targeted and how they were recovered and restored for our enjoyment today. This program will be held live on Zoom. Registered participants will be emailed a Zoom link prior to the event. Click HERE to register! About the presenter: Jane Oneail curates and delivers art appreciation programs to audiences throughout New England. Jane holds a master’s in Art History from Boston University and a master’s in Education from Harvard University. A New Hampshire native, she has worked at some of the state’s most esteemed cultural institutions, including the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, where she served as Executive Director, and the Currier Museum of Art, where she held the role of Senior Educator. Jane has also taught at the college level for more than a decade, most recently at Southern New Hampshire

If you’ve been by the Library recently, you’ve probably noticed an exciting addition to our beautiful grounds – we’ve recently erected a large tent! The library staff is already planning an exciting menu of outdoor programs for the coming months, but we are happy to announce that our tent is also available to the community to reserve. Click HERE to view our guidelines, check availability, and make a reservation request right online! You can also simply call the library or ask a staff member to help you with a reservation. When the tent is not reserved, it will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.    

The Ipswich Public Library is pleased to announce the launch of our new Library of Things collection! A “Library of Things” is a collection of non-traditional items that provides library cardholders access to a variety of items, many of which might be used infrequently.  Beyond being a fun collection of interesting items, the Library of Things movement reinforces a shared community vision of reducing consumption and the potential for wasted resources. The Library’s new collection includes over forty kits that library users can check out and take home. Some highlights include: A sewing machine with introductory books Night vision goggles Outdoor games such as bocce and corn hole Household tool kits Electronic equipment such as a mini projector, cassette to mp3 converter, and Roku stick (pre-loaded with content) Too many more Things to mention here! For additional information and a complete list of items, please visit www.ipswichlibrary.org/library-of-things/ or call 978-356-6648 x3015.   This collection was generously funded in part by the Ipswich Public Works Department through a grant from MassDEP!

Wingmasters Birds of Prey

Are your furry friends all dressed up with nowhere to go this year?! Share a photo of your pet in their Halloween best for a chance to win a prize! Here’s how it works: Send a photo of your pet in their Halloween costume to the library through Facebook Messenger, Instagram DM, or by email to lsthomas@ipswichlibrary.org Only clear, high resolution images will be accepted and only one pet per person, please! We will post all photos in the comment section of our costume contest Facebook post and also in our Instagram stories Vote for your favorite photo by liking the image on Facebook or responding to our Instagram story with a thumbs up The photo with the most votes by 5pm on October 31st will be the winner! People and pets from neighboring communities are welcome to participate but the prize must be picked up at the library

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21st, 10am – 12pm Armchair travel is going virtual! Join Reference Librarian Jeff Klapes, ‘The Traveling Librarian,’ for another of his popular armchair travel presentations. This series highlights travel photography and stories and travel tips about destinations around the world. This month we’ll journey to Transylvania. Known for its connection to Vlad Dracul, the real life Dracula, this mountainous region of Romania has so much more to offer than creepy history. Castles, fortified churches, deep forests, and beautiful baroque towns await the visitor who’s willing to explore off the beaten path. Jeff Klapes is the Head of Reference Services at the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library in Wakefield, Massachusetts. This program is made possible by a grant from the Coburn Charitable Society. Registration is required. Please click here to register.  ***This is an online presentation. Registered participants will be sent a link to the Zoom meeting prior to the program*** Please share widely with your friends and family afar! Our virtual programs are open to all! 

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 7pm – 8:30pm Armchair travel is going virtual! Join Reference Librarian Jeff Klapes, ‘The Traveling Librarian,’ for another of his popular armchair travel presentations. This series highlights travel photography and stories and travel tips about destinations around the world. This month we’ll be going to Malta, the tiny island nation in the Mediterranean off the south coast of Sicily, along with its smaller companion island Gozo. Malta has a long and fascinating history with influences from many different occupiers, and is a mix of African, Italian, British, and other cultures. In addition to historic villages and ancient neolithic temples, Malta has beautiful scenery, especially its craggy coastline and clear blue water. Jeff Klapes is the Head of Reference Services at the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library in Wakefield, Massachusetts. Registration is required. Please click here to register.  ***This is an online presentation. Registered participants will be sent a link to the Zoom meeting prior to the program*** Please share widely with your friends and family afar! Our virtual programs are open to all! 

The changing season marks several new beginnings we are excited to tell you about! Beginning Monday, September 21, you can browse parts of the collection and use our public computers by appointment. Online booking is live now! These appointment-based services will allow us to safely manage capacity limits and protocols for cleaning and disinfecting. Click HERE to read about how the new system works, and book right online, or call us to reserve a time to visit. We will keep offering our Library Takeout service for those who prefer to “grab and go!” For a refresher on how this service works, click HERE. Another way you can get help from home is through our new Online Chat Service! When you visit our website you will see a new “Ask Us” button that you can click to chat live with one of our librarians (more information available HERE). We know that families have a long list of issues to navigate and skills to learn this fall as plans and expectations shift constantly. To help you keep track of it all, we’ve been working on this Family Resource Guide – an extensive compilation of library materials, educational guides, and other resources as your family manages both this school year and the years ahead. It contains tools and tutorials for remote learning technology that we’ve compiled with input from the Ipswich Public Schools, and a wealth of information about other services and issues your family may be juggling right now. Last, but most certainly not least, we’re expanding our program menu in a variety of ways! For families, we have on-demand versions of our storytimes, updated every week! School-age book groups are resuming outdoors and online, and many of your long-time favorite events will return this fall in online form (keep an eye on our calendar)! Also make sure to ask us about take-home crafts next time you’re in. For adults, many book groups are moving their discussions online, and Cookbook Club has resumed with an outdoor meet-up. The ever-popular Armchair Traveler will be back (in Zoom form!), and we’re introducing a new monthly wine webinar you won’t want to miss. Many more exciting offerings will be coming your way, so definitely check our event calendar often and follow us on social media for updates. And don’t forget about these great ongoing services that are still available: Printing Services and Tax Forms You can […]

It’s been a challenging year in so many ways. Here at the library, we cherish the relationships we have developed with each one of you, and cannot thank you enough for the outpouring of support we’ve received. As we forge ahead to keep serving the community, another great way to help us is by joining the Friends of the Ipswich Public Library. The Friends are a non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to the support of our library. Without the hard work and generosity of our Friends, the library would not be able to offer half the services our community has come to love. Did you know that the library has NO line item in its municipal budget for programs? Over 11,000 people attend library programs at the library each year, and most are funded by this amazing group! In addition, the Friends assist in many other areas that are above and beyond the municipal budget, sponsoring projects including: New furnishings Technology enhancements Discount museum passes for over 20 area attractions (saving our patrons over $30,000 every year!) Scholarships (presented annually to graduating high school seniors) While our Friends have always provided the bedrock on which we build our services, they’ve especially been there for us during the pandemic. They’ve continued to fund new online programs, take-home crafts, and other needed services. In order to have two very successful book sales this fall, they navigated the complicated requirements of setting up for social distancing and quarantining inventory. We don’t know what the future brings, but we know the Library will rise to challenge, because of the partnership and support we can count on from the Friends. CLICK HERE to learn how you can make a donation and/or become a member of the Friends today (you can now donate or join right online!).      

This has been a challenging year for everyone, but it’s been a particularly difficult time for families. Here at the Ipswich Public Library, we know that parents and children have long lists of issues to navigate and skills to learn this fall, and that plans and expectations are shifting constantly. To help you keep track of it all, we’ve been working on an extensive Family Resource Guide. This new resource is a compilation of library materials, educational guides, and many other resources to help your family manage this school year and the years ahead. Inside, you will find tools and tutorials for remote learning technology that we’ve compiled with input from the Ipswich Public Schools. Our staff has also been familiarizing themselves with this technology, in order to be able to help answer your questions as you get up to speed with new platforms and environments. In addition to school-specific information, the Resource Guide also contains a wealth of information about other services and support for issues your family may be juggling right now. We’ve included information about health and wellness, mental health resources, and other support organizations. We hope you find it helpful to bookmark, and we will continue to update it as needs and resources evolve. We’d like to be your partners in gathering this information in one place and keeping it up to date. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to anyone on our staff. Even if we don’t directly provide the service you need, we will find a way to connect you to someone who can help. Click here to connect to the Family Resource Guide.

We hope to keep expanding and adding new features to our Takeout Service until the day we are able to open up the whole building and offer the full range of library services and programs we all miss! Check out our additional offerings below or click here to learn more about out placing and picking up holds. Reference Services   You can now request tax forms and printing through our website. Fill out a printing request or tax form request and we will let you know when your materials are ready to be picked up. Each person may request up to ten pages of free printing per day. Questions? Call the Reference Desk at 978-356-6648 x3015 or email Katy at kwuerker@ipswichlibrary.org. Let Us Help You Find Your Next Great Read  We are excited to announce two new services to help you find your next great read! BookMatch is a personalized reading list service. Just fill out a quick form on our website and we will send you a list of books we think you’ll like. If you miss browsing our “staff picks” display, you’ll enjoy staff picks to-go! When you come in to pick up a hold, simply ask for an extra book by genre or topic. We’ll have a list of our “daily special” topics at the Library! Both of these services are available for readers of all ages.   Summer Reading!  Our summer reading program has gone virtual this year! Imagine your story with the library this summer, from June 15th through August 28th! Register now on our Beanstack site or download the Beanstack tracker app from the Google Play store or Apple App store. For more information about registration click here. Statewide Delivery is Back  Statewide delivery among libraries — also known as Inter-library Loan — has restarted and you can now place requests from other libraries (choose from over five million items in our 36-member network alone)! Please keep in mind that transit time might take a little longer at first, as we work to return the backlog of items to their owning libraries. Search the catalog HERE! Online Resources Our website has tons of resources that are available to you any time of day or night! Click here for an overview! Mother Goose Storytimes   The Children’s Room has been creating online offerings for you, including our popular Mother Goose Storytimes!

Join Colin Budzyna (WSET II) on a virtual tour of the most famous wine regions in Italy. Pick up a glass of Italian wine and Zoom in to learn about the grapes, the wines, and the regions. This online course will be divided into three monthly sessions, where we will explore a different regions of Italy each month (Northern, Central, and Southern). Italy is defined by its iconic wines, including Pinot Grigio, Chianti (Sangiovese), and Nero d’Avola. In each Zoom class, we will explore a region, then taste and discuss a wine that is prominent there. Participants may choose to attend one or all of the sessions – please click on the dates below to register for each session. Sunday, October 4th at 7pm: Northern Italy Sunday, November 8th at 7pm: Central Italy Sunday, December 6th at 7pm: Southern Italy Registered participants will be sent the link for the Zoom meeting prior to the event.   About the presenter: Colin Budzyna began his wine studies as a server at Eataly Boston, where he first fell in love with Italian wines. As his knowledge and interest grew, he enrolled in Boston University’s Elizabeth Bishop School of Wine. Colin completed Levels 1 and 2 of their wine studies program, before receiving his WSET Level 2 Award in Wines (with distinction). He is originally from Newburyport, Massachusetts, and currently resides in New York City.

Are you using this time to discover (or rediscover) eBooks and downloadable audiobooks? We’re here to help with that! Many of you have asked us about wait lists and availability (we’re working on adding a lot more titles as we speak!) but you also may need help with navigating all the different apps, devices and tools! We’ve gathered some of the most commonly asked questions we receive all in one place, for your convenience! Still not sure about something? Feel free to contact Reference Librarian Katy Wuerker directly at kwuerker@ipswichlibrary.org!

Until we can all venture further from home, we hope Library Takeout at the Ipswich Public Library will keep you reading, watching, listening, and smiling during this time. You need to “place an order” ahead of time. To learn more about our additional services such as printing and librarian reading recommendations, click here. Easy as 1, 2, 3! 1) Place items on hold online in the library catalog, or by calling us at 978-356-6648 2) We’ll notify you when your items are ready for pickup 3) Come to the library during our open hours and follow the signs to pick up your order How do I place an order? If you know what you’d like, you can simply login to the library’s catalog online and make a request! When your items are available, we will notify you to come pick them up. Statewide delivery service (ILL) among libraries has been restored. Please keep in mind that transit and fulfillment time might take a little longer than usual, as we work to return the large backlog of items to their owning libraries. If you need help placing holds, or would prefer to have a staff member assist you – no problem! We have staff ready to help over the phone. Call us at 978-356-6648 or 978-412-8713 (Children’s Room). Please be patient! We may be busy as we roll out this service. You can also email anyone on our staff with your questions. What are your hours for the Library Takeout Service? Monday: 9am – 8pm Tuesday: 9am – 5pm Wednesday: 9am – 8pm Thursday: 9am – 5pm Friday: 9am – 5pm Saturday: 9am – 4pm How You’ll Be Notified When your items are ready we’ll send a notice by the method you indicated (email, text, or phone). Unsure what this is? Call us and we can check and/or change it for you. How Will Pickup Work? You do not need to make a reservation to pick up items, simply come to the library during our regular open hours. When you arrive at the library to pick up your items, please use the front entrance at 25 North Main Street. After entering the building, follow the and markers on the floor until you reach the holds station. A staff member will be at the holds station to retrieve and check out your item.  MASKS are required. At this time, we do not have […]

A lot has happened in the past few months, both at home and across the nation. With the arrival of fall comes the opportunity to vote in both the local primary and the November election. Please use the links below to make sure you are informed of all the ways you can vote this year and explore which option is best for you.   Massachusetts Election and Voting Registration Information This site contains information for all residents of Massachusetts and addresses: who can vote, when to vote, and how to vote in the upcoming state primaries and the November election.     Special Commonwealth Update: COVID and the 2020 Elections Through this site, find information on how COVID-19 is affecting elections and what changes you may expect in the coming weeks and months leading up to the state primaries and the November election.     2020 Vote by Mail Application (PDF) Click the link to find a fillable, print-ready application for you to vote by mail.     Ipswich Election Information The Ipswich “Elections; Town Meetings & Voter Registration” page provides Ipswich specific dates, times, and locations for ballot drop off, voter registration, ballot status, and much more.

TEEN NEWSLETTER August 2020   Dear Teens,   August is almost upon us already! Looking ahead, there will be more game times, a book club meeting, and the end of the Beanstack Summer Reading Challenge.   Update on Teen Summer Reading:   After our new fiscal year started, I have good news! I am able to give everyone (well, up to thirty teens) a prize for just participating in the Beanstack Summer Reading Challenge. I will still be doing the Random Book Raffle for those of you who have completed certain activities in the challenge, but I thought you all needed a little something as this is a weird summer and you’ve still decided to take on the challenge. It will be a “Welcome Back to School” care package with a few nerdy and fun items thrown in. Currently I have 14 readers signed up, meaning there are still 16 care packages up for grabs if you sign up and do a little reading this month (which you probably have to do anyway for School Summer Reading). The challenge ends on August 28th, and prizes will be distributed after that time. Register and log your pages read using the link found HERE.   Oh, and don’t forget about your school summer reading! Click HERE to view middle and high school lists.   List of Teen August Events:   Teen D&D: Delve into the Dungeon of the Dwarfs (8/7 @ 1-5pm) Beginners Welcome. Limited Spaces. – Register HERE. Teen Games! (Chutes & Ladders/Candyland) (8/11 @ 3:30-5pm) – Register HERE. Teen Games! (Code Names) (8/18 @ 3:30-5pm) – Register HERE. Teen Book Club: Grimm’s Fairy Tales (selections) (8/20 @ 3-3:45pm) – Register HERE.   Stay safe and have fun! Best, Katy Teen Librarian

The Ipswich Library is holding a Pop Up Children’s Library and Story Walk® on Friday, July 31 from 10 a.m. to noon at the community space in front of the Winthrop School! Local educators will share different pages of the Story Walk®, an outdoor reading experience created from the book, Whose Vehicles Is This?We will also be setting up a special pop-up Children’s Library during this event. From chapter books to board books, there will be plenty of items for attendees to browse and checkout! Finally, children can take home a STEAM crafting kit. All parts are included to make a wind-powered car from recycled materials. Please note, masks will be required during this event. We ask that attendees use hand sanitizer, which will be provided by the library, before participating and practice safe social distancing from library staff and each other. Library staff will be on hand to help organize families as they enter the book area.

May, 8, 2020   Dear Patrons,   The staff and I look forward to the day we can reopen our doors and welcome you back into our beautiful library, but we’re still unsure when that will be. Although the Town Hall is reopening to the public soon, the Library and the Council on Aging will take a little longer, as our services and uses of our spaces are a little more varied.   At the library, we are working on a phased reopening plan that allows for an incremental restoration of services. In each phase, we will adapt our services in order to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of our staff members and our patrons. We will coordinate our reopening plans/tasks with the Town of Ipswich, the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Please check our website’s News page, and follow us on social media for the latest updates.   In the meantime, the staff is all still hard at work finding new ways to deliver services to you, and learning new skills to make our library the best it can be. Do not hesitate to reach out to any member of our staff for assistance!   Stay safe and well, Patty DiTullio, Library Director pditullio@ipswichlibrary.org   Some quick reminders! All due dates have been extended, and we have no overdue fines, so you are welcome to keep any books you have as long as you like. Our website has tons of resources that are available to you any time of day or night! Click here for an overview. Need us to look up your card number, reset your PIN, or apply for a new card? Get help here! Since the closure, the 36 libraries in our network have contributed over $200,000 toward new ebooks and audiobooks, and you can also borrow form every other network in the state. Learn more about Overdrive here. The children’s room has been creating online offerings for you, including our popular Mother Goose Storytimes! Explore over 200,000 digitized pages of Ipswich newspapers dating to as early as 1872 (a recently completed grant project).

How might COVID-19 affect your day-to-day life? Please check out the resources below for up-to-date information on COVID-19 and related topics (taxes, student loans, etc.). COVID-19 Resources:   Center for Disease Control (CDC) The CDC has a site with all of the latest information you need about the current state of the situation on the national and global level.   Massachusetts Department of Public Health The Mass Department of Public Health offers state-specific information and guidance on COVID-19. Daily and cumulative data updates on COVID-19 cases and testing in Massachusetts are available HERE.   Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency The MEMA offers state-specific information and answers a variety of questions regarding COVID-19 in Massachusetts and the responses by FEMA during this health emergency.   Town of Ipswich COVID-19 Updates Follow the Town’s COVID-specific page to learn more about how Ipswich related changes and updates. This page contains a variety of helpful links, including ones on local case documentation and resources for small businesses.   COVID-19 Related Resources:   Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments (IRS) Through this page, the IRS offers updated tax help and information for taxpayers, businesses, tax-exempt organizations and others – including health plans – affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).   Federal Student Aid and Loan Repayment During COVID-19 The U.S. Department of Education (ED) Office of Federal Student Aid is actively monitoring the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak. They have answered questions about several provisions of the CARES Act and your student/parent loans. Questions that have been added or updated are identified with “NEW” or “UPDATED” before each question, so please check back frequently.   Pandemic Unemployment Assistance This page offers help on how to apply for pandemic specific unemployment and addresses various changes concerning unemployment in the time of COVID-19.  

Friday, March 16, 2020: Dear Patrons, As of today, all town offices, including the library, are closed to the public. We do not charge late fees, but due dates have been extended and all requests have been suspended until we reopen. We encourage you to check this page and follow us on social media for the latest updates. Sincerely, Patty DiTullio, Library Director Questions? Please do not hesitate to contact me at pditullio@ipswichlibrary.org or 978-356-6649.   Friday, March 13, 2020: Dear Patrons, After consultation with town administration and under guidance from public health officials, the Ipswich Library has made the difficult, but necessary, decision to close the library to the public beginning Friday, March 13, 2020 at 5pm, until further notice. Please visit our website frequently and follow us on social media for updates about reopening dates, and services available by phone/email during the closure. We understand, and deeply regret, the inconvenience this will cause our loyal patrons. Our entire community’s health and wellness are our top priority. Ipswich Public Library offers many amazing resources that are available 24/7 available through our website. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we face this health emergency together.   Thursday, March 12, 2020: Dear Patrons, We know the current health emergency is causing anxiety across our community. The Town and the Library are sensitive to that, and want to apprise you of the steps we are taking to address the situation. The Ipswich Public Library is working closely with the Ipswich Public Health Department and other Town Departments to monitor the latest information and guidelines provided by the by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Library’s highest priority is the health and well-being of library users, staff and volunteers. To help ensure that our library is safe and welcoming to all, we have implemented a strategy that aims to prevent and slow the spread of the virus. At present, there is no change in our hours. However, we are taking the following precautions: In response to the latest recommendations by emergency management and health professionals, we are canceling all library programs until further notice. We are also closing our public meeting rooms to outside use until further notice, and will be in touch with those scheduled to use these spaces. Out of an […]

Dear Library Patrons, The library staff misses you terribly and sends you wishes for good health and safety. We wanted to let you know that we are currently hard at work behind the scenes, working to put new services into place during this unprecedented time! Like many other organizations, libraries are scrambling to adapt in order to move forward. Under normal circumstances, we base our decisions and plans on fairly extensive needs assessment and usage data. In this strange time, our community has an ever-shifting menu of needs and we want to make sure we hear from you what they are so we can respond. As the library plans for an extended closure, what services would be most valuable to you and your family? Please take this 30-second survey to weigh in!

Welcome to our series of recommended things to do online! Bookmark this page and check back often… #1 – Discover Kanopy Kids: educational and engaging videos for children of all ages—as well as the young at heart! Their collection encourages social and emotional development, promotes respect for community diversity, and inspires creativity. Simply get a Boston Public Library ecard (it’s easy and free, just click here!) and then visit the BPL Kanopy page to login and start watching! #2 – Museums are closed but that can’t stop you from appreciating art! Did you know that you can take virtual tours, and view high-resolution images of renowned museum collections all over the world at Google Arts & Culture? You could spend hours roaming this site! #3 -The Cleveland Inner City Ballet is launching a FREE Virtual Online Ballet Instruction Program during the next 3 weeks while kids are off from school! Act now, classes start 3/18 at noon! #4 – While you are missing story time with our own amazing children’s room staff, try Storyline Online, videos of acclaimed actors reading children’s books along with animations and music! #5 – Join Discovery Education on a mission to inspire the world through aerospace innovation with an exclusive virtual field trip to historic Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas! #6 – Experience the National Aquarium from home! You can stream live feeds of Blacktip Reef, Pacific Coral Reef and Jellies Invasion exhibits every day by checking out the link below. 🖥️🐠 #7 – Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura and his family have started a “Kitchen Quarantine” Cooking Show, giving live cooking lessons daily. #8 – The Cincinnati Zoo is doing a daily HOME SAFARI – complete with related activities. You can see their past Home Safaris and projects here on their website. #9 – Ready to explore Yellowstone National Park? You don’t have to wait for a future trip – You can start exploring now by virtually touring some of the main attractions around the park. Learn more about geysers, paint pots and canyons at this link! #10 – The Metropolitan Opera is hosting “Nightly Met Opera Streams” on its website to audiences worldwide. The presentations will begin at 7:30 p.m. EST each night on the company’s website and will then be available for an additional 20 hours thereafter. #11 – The great children’s musician Laurie Berkner is performing live every day at 10am on her […]

Back by Popular demand.. the “Traveling Librarian” will be here every month through June to take you on a virtual journey around the world! Click for more details and times… February 11th at the Senior Center: Cornwall March 14th at the Library: France (The Dordogne) April 14th at the Senior Center: Thailand May 9th at the Library: Laos June 9th at the Senior Center: Greece (Macedonia) Jeff Klapes has been Head of Reference Services at Wakefield’s Beebe Library for over 20 years, where he is also known as the “Traveling Librarian.” Having visited more than 50 countries and five continents over the years, he does frequent armchair travel presentations showcasing the history and culture of various places, using photography to capture people, scenery, and local details. From Iceland to Namibia, Laos to Oman, Jeff has visited many off-the-beaten path places, as well as more popular ports of call. And of course, as a librarian, he also reads voraciously about his destinations to learn about their culture, history, politics, literature, nature, and cuisine. This series is funded by a grant from the Coburn Charitable Trust.

You can now sign up for author alerts so you never miss a book by your favorite author! Get notified by email or text message when we order new titles by your favorite authors or performers (sometimes well in advance of publication date). When you’re notified, you can place a hold for the new title! Simply visit THIS LINK and put in the author(s) name that you want to be alerted about. Depending on how you want to be notified you will either receive a text or an email.

Teens – exam week is coming up fast! This year, we are working with the Ipswich YMCA to give you some options of where you can find a quiet place to crack open the books or where to go when you need to escape the pressures of studying. Below is a break down of where and when you can find alternative places to study and take a break. *Please note: Did you know the YMCA has a Teen Lounge? That’s where some quiet work and board game play can happen during the YMCA game times if you need another place to study but live closer to the YMCA. For this week you DO NOT need to be a member to use the YMCA for these study/game programs. GOOD PLACES TO STUDY… Date Ipswich Public Library Ipswich YMCA Monday, January 20th (Closed for Holiday) Tuesday, January 21st Quiet Study Time (Teen Room @ 9-12pm) Wednesday, January 22nd Quiet Study Time (Teen Room @ 3-6pm) Thursday, January 23rd Quiet Study Time (Teen Room @ 9-12pm) Friday, January 24th Quiet Study Time (Teen Room @ 9-12pm)   GOOD PLACES TO ESCAPE… Date Ipswich Public Library Ipswich YMCA Monday, January 20th (Closed for Holiday) Tuesday, January 21st B.Y.O.G. – Bring Your Own Games (and we’ll bring some games and snacks, too!) (Teen Room @ 12-3pm) Structured Gym Games (YMCA Gym @ 3-6pm) Wednesday, January 22nd B.Y.O.G. – Bring Your Own Games (and we’ll bring some games and snacks, too!) (Teen Room @ 12-3pm) Open Gym Time (YMCA Gym @ 9-12pm) Thursday, January 23rd B.Y.O.G. – Bring Your Own Games (and we’ll bring some games and snacks, too!) (Teen Room @ 12-3pm) Open Gym Time (YMCA Gym @ 3-6pm) Friday, January 24th Pizza Party! (YMCA Teen Lounge @ 3-4pm) B.Y.O.G./Giant Games (YMCA Teen Lounge @ 3-6pm)

Celebrate the Ipswich Public Library’s 150th anniversary with this necklace designed by Ipswich jewelry designer Betsy Frost!⁣ ⁣ The Ipswich Public Library has stood atop Town Hill since 1869, serving the town’s citizens as a place of learning and as a nexus for the community, where everyone is welcome. The Library’s now-familiar logo was inspired by the intricate wrought-iron railing that circumscribes the Gallery, the topmost floor of the building and created as part of the Library’s original structure. Both elegant and workmanlike, this logo has come to quintessentially represent the Library’s past, present, and future.⁣ ⁣ 50% of the sales of this necklace will be donated to the Friends of the Ipswich Library, who support the overwhelming majority of Library programs! The necklace also comes with a bookmark that highlights the Library’s logo design history. For more information, visit www.betsyfrostdesign.com, call 978-356-4040 or visit the shop at 4 Market Street, Ipswich.

Come join us at 25 North Main Street… Wednesday, December 4, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Managing your Mail, Contacts, and Calendars is fundamental to using your Apple products (iPad, iPhone, and Computer) to their full potential. This class will cover the many features of these Apps, as well as handy tips and tricks that will allow you to use their full capacity to keep you better organized and efficient. Marjorie Wein and Carol Wein are the owners of WizeGuides – a company that helps people to get comfortable with all types of technology. They work with people in their homes, businesses, or in seminars. They also teach technology in numerous places such as adult education and library programs. Their extensive teaching and business backgrounds give them the edge in showing people that technology can be simple and unintimidating.

Jim Parks of Wingmasters brings live birds to Native American Artifacts and Birds of Prey.

The Ipswich Public Library has launched a mobile hotspot lending program, and it is free! There are no fees for the device or service. A mobile hotspot is portable, which makes it quick and convenient to access the Internet anytime, in locations where T-Mobile wireless network is available. Currently, the Library offers four hotspots to patrons. With a library card in good standing, borrowing one is easy. You may place a hold on it through the online catalog just like a book. You may also call 978.356.6648 for device availability or inquire in person at the Main Desk. The device is intended for a seven day loan period, with no renewals. Be sure to read the Library’s Hotspot Lending Policy before borrowing a hotspot device. This lending initiative extends the Internet connectivity beyond the library walls. The Ipswich Public Library is dedicated to providing access to the digital world without hindrance, to ensure that everyone in the community can take advantage of the ever expanding resources and services available on the Internet.

The Ipswich Reads…One Book program encourages the community to read the same book and come together to explore its themes and issues at a variety of community events each fall. This year’s title is Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey through His Son’s Addiction, by David Sheff. We are pleased to announce that Mr. Sheff will visit Ipswich as our keynote speaker for this series. About the Book: David Sheff chronicles his son’s downward spiral into addiction and tentative steps toward recovery. Beautiful Boy is a fiercely candid memoir that brings immediacy to the emotional roller coaster of loving a child who seems beyond help, as only a parent can. Copies of the book are available to borrow now at the library! About the Series: Addiction impacts every community, with devastating consequences. But as a town, Ipswich is not standing idle. This initiative was born of the shared response to this crisis in our community. Countless individuals and groups are working diligently to create awareness, reduce stigma and foster conversations, as we seek answers to difficult questions. In its 15th year, Ipswich Reads One Book is an ideal platform for those conversations. Perhaps more than any other activity, reading has the power to bring people together around difficult issues. The power of storytelling to share experiences and create empathy paves the way for common ground, and for working together to solve problems. This fall, we hope that you will join us in reading, listening, learning, and continuing to discuss this complicated topic. With the combined effort of many hands and voices, we can support every individual and family impacted in our community. No matter who you are or how you connect with this issue, we can all be part of the solution. Ipswich Reads One Book 2019 is sponsored by the Ipswich Public Library, Ipswich Police Department, Ipswich Public Schools, Ipswich Family YMCA, and Ipswich Aware. Events at a Glance (click on dates below for detailed descriptions and registration requirements) Event Date and Time Location Keynote Speaker Author David Sheff Thursday, November 7th at 7pm Ipswich Performing Arts Center Open Book Discussions: Beautiful Boy ·   Friday, October 11th at 10am ·   Thursday, October 17th at  2pm ·   Monday, October 21st at 6:30pm Ipswich Public Library Panel Discussion: Substance Abuse and Community Policing Wednesday, October 9th at 7pm Ipswich Town Hall Talking with Children about Substance Use and Addiction: Strategies for Communicating […]

Getting Around Town Using … Uber, Lyft, and GPS Apps Saturday, November 16, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM DO YOU: Sit around waiting for someone to give you a ride? Do you CALL your children and/or grandchildren to take you where you want to go? Do you call your local taxi company only to find out the wait is longer than you thought….OR THEY ARE OUT OF BUSINESS! Do you have a ride to dinner or the theatre, but not a ride home after? Do you want to go out at the last minute to just have an unplanned fun day, but feel stuck at home? Maybe it’s time to change and learn NEW WAYS! ABOUT THE TRAINERS Technology classes this fall will be presented by Marjorie Wein and Carol Wein. Marjorie and Carol are the owners of WizeGuides – a company that helps people get comfortable with all types of technology. They work with people in their homes, businesses, or in seminars. They also teach technology in numerous settings such as adult education and library programs. Their extensive teaching and business backgrounds give them the edge in showing people that technology can be simple and unintimidating.

Our Library Opened its Doors in 1869! “Always Bring Your Library Card” Special Exhibition: Opening October 1, 2019 Explore 150 years of public service, reading, and culture in our community through the lens of the Ipswich Public Library. The exhibition presents a history of the IPL including library cards, do’s and don’ts of library behavior through the years, and rarely seen highlights from the archives! Cosponsored by the Ipswich Public Library and the Ipswich Museum. Artwork: Darcy Scanlon Moulton, courtesy of the Friends of the Ipswich Library

From the streets of Harvard Square to the halls of symphony orchestras they have entertained audiences of all ages! Young teen Fiddlin’ Quinn Eastburn and His Big Folks Band includes Banjo Master Ken Clarkson, a Virginia native and on guitar Quinn’s Dad Chris Eastburn, who is a professional arranger and choral director. Come join us for an evening of lively music on Friday, September 27 from 6:30-7:30 PM at 25 North Main Street. Free and open to the general public. Registration required.  Sponsored by the Ipswich Public Library Arts Committee with funding from the Board of Trustees.

Windows 10 Basics Part 1: Saturday, October 5, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Windows 10 is the newest operating system from Microsoft. We will go over all the basic features of the operating system, including how to manage files and folders.  Whether you are new to PCs or new to Windows 10, this class is for you. Windows 10 Basics Part 2: Wednesday, October 23, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Review of the basic features of Windows 10 Operating System. However, the focus of this class will be the key applications including how to work with email and attachments, photo management, and keeping your computer secure and healthy. Whether you are new to PCs or new to Windows 10, this class is for you.  ABOUT THE TRAINERS Marjorie Wein and Carol Wein are the owners of WizeGuides – a company that helps people to get comfortable with all types of technology. They work with people in their homes, businesses, or in seminars. They also teach technology in numerous settings such as adult education and library programs. Their extensive teaching and business background help them make technology simple and unintimidating.

On August 21st at 6:30pm, meet our two newest members of the library… TELESCOPES! They don’t have names (yet) but they cannot wait to be checked out and go home with you. Our friends from the Aldrich Astronomical Society will come in to tell us all about our telescopes and what you can discover with them from your own back yard. If the weather is nice, we’ll all go outside to see what we can see outside of the library! We will be drawing the winner of of the “Win a Date with a Telescope” Raffle (including prize basket with goodies you’ll want while watching the night sky)! Starting the day after the dedication, use your library card to discover the Universe from your own backyard! Your library telescope is powerful enough to resolve the Rings of Saturn, the Galilean moons or nearby star clusters! For more information on our telescopes, click HERE. To put a telescope on hold (starting 8/22/19), click HERE.

This summer is a big one, full of reasons to come to the library and celebrate! This summer is the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landing, the 60th anniversary of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), and it’s the Ipswich Public Library’s 150th anniversary. To celebrate these events and embrace our summer reading theme – “A Universe of Stories” – we’ll kick off the summer by hosting a… SPACE MOVIE SERIES. This program welcomes patrons of ALL AGES! Parents, please note that children under 8 years old do need to be accompanied by an adult. Notable Space Themed Films are playing in the Collins Room throughout the beginning of summer! Click on the title to find out more/register online: Friday, June 28th: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 1 (5:30-7:15pm, PG-13, 121 min, Registration Required) Monday, July 1st: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (5:30-7:45pm, PG, 135 min) Monday, July 8th: Passengers (5:30-7:30pm, PG-13, 116 min) Thursday, July 11th: Space Jam (1-2:30pm, PG, 87 min) Monday, July 15th: Spaceballs (5:30-7:15pm, PG, 96 min) Thursday, July 18th: WALL-E (1-2:45pm, G, 98 min) Friday, July 19th: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (5-7pm, PG, 115 min, Registration Required) Friday, July 19th: Treasure Planet (1-2:45pm, PG, 96 min) Friday, July 19th: Apollo 13 (5-7:30pm, PG-13, 140 min, Registration Required) All listed events are free and light refreshment will be provided. To learn more about the movies and to register for an event, you can also visit: ipswichlibrary.org/events. Questions? Please contact Teen Librarian Katy Wuerker at kwuerker@ipswichlibrary.org or (978) 356-6648.

Please join us for this lecture by special guest, Robert Shetterly! Thursday, July 11th at 7pm. Space is limited! Register at this link. Americans Who Tell the Truth, a collection of portraits painted by nationally acclaimed cultural and educational artist Robert Shetterly, will be on public display throughout the town of Ipswich during the month of July. The portraits and accompanying narratives in the “Americans Who Tell the Truth” series highlight citizens who courageously address issues of social, environmental and economic fairness. In this presentation, Shetterly will share the origin story of the Americans Who Tell the Truth portrait series, how its mission has transformed over time, and what it means now. He will also discuss how he chose the portrait subjects, talk about art & activism,  and tell stories of several of the portrait subjects. To learn more about this series and other related events happening in Ipswich, please visit this link.

The library is pleased to announce that the next author for this lecture series will be Gregory Maguire on Thursday, May 9, 2019. Space is limited – Click HERE to save your seat! Mr. Maguire is the author of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, and several dozen other novels for adults and children. Many of Maguire’s adult novels are inspired by classic children’s stories; Wicked transforms the Wicked Witch of the West from L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its 1939 film adaptation into the misunderstood green-skinned Elphaba Thropp. The blockbuster Broadway musical Wicked, at its height running nine companies simultaneously around the world, was inspired by Maguire’s first grown-up novel. Borned and raised in Albany, New York, he now lives in Massachusetts. To learn more about this special author series, please follow this link.