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Tag Archives: Needham Free Public Library

16th annual Needham Art in Bloom

By Julia Beauregard Hometown Weekly Editor 2025 is the 16th year of Needham’s Art in Bloom. This exhibit was molded after the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston’s annual spring Art in Bloom presentation. Inspired by garden club members Sue Kaplan and Allison Shapiro, the Beth Shalom Garden Club aimed to create a community event that brought together...
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Dr. Landsmark’s role in race relations in Boston

By Audrey Anderson Hometown Weekly Reporter A large crowd assembled as Dr. Theordore Landsmark visited the Needham Free Public Library to talk about his lifetime of experience in public policy and urban affairs in Boston working to uplift the lives of minorities. Dr. Landsmark’s visit was intended to take place earlier in Black History Month, but, because...
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Discussions on spirituality at NFPL

By Alana DiPlacido Hometown Weekly Reporter A group of interested audience members gathered in Needham Free Public Library’s (NFPL) Community Room to hear author Paul Fisher speak. Fisher, a Wellesley College professor of American Studies and an author of multiple books, had come to speak about the James’ family and their relationship with the popular movement of...
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Needham’s First Poet Laureate previews new book

By Audrey Anderson Hometown Weekly Reporter Needham’s first Poet Laureate, Anne E. G. Nydam, discussed the goals of her town position and previewed her new book, “Bitter-Sweetness and Light: A Collection of Stories, Poems, and Art,” at the Needham Free Public Library. Nydam was appointed in December 2024 as Poet Laureate of the Town of Needham, after submitting...
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Celebrating writers at NFPL

by Audrey Anderson Hometown Weekly Reporter The Needham Free Public Library and the Needham Public School Library hosted the 3rd Annual K-12 Needham Community Writing Contest reception and awards ceremony on Thursday, February 27, at NFPL. Student writers, their parents, and their siblings packed into the Community Room to celebrate the winners and recognize everyone who had...
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The Real Bonnie and Clyde

By Audrey Anderson Hometown Weekly Reporter Since the movie “Bonnie and Clyde” was released in 1967 with Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty in the lead roles, the public has been fascinated by the story of the two young outlaws and their exploits. The movie painted a glamorized and simplified version of their story; however, their real lives...
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A family’s guide to February break

By Julia Beauregard Hometown Weekly Editor While some families are going away for vacation next week, others are having a staycation during February break. Rather than sitting at home, fill your week with a variety of free and fun local activities. From Dover to Walpole, there are many exciting activities happening next week to keep children of...
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NHS students present TRI-M Concert

By Audrey Anderson Hometown Weekly Reporter A talented and friendly group of Needham High School students performed an intimate evening concert of eclectic music in the Needham Public Library’s Community Room. The enthusiasm of the musicians was infectious, as they set up decorations and a snack table in the room, warmed up their instruments, and introduced and...
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Pulitzer Prize-Winning author visits NFPL

By Audrey Anderson Hometown Weekly Reporter Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Sebastian Smee was warmly welcomed at the Needham Free Public Library (NFPL) by a large crowd in the Community Room. Registration for this event filled up quickly, as eager fans of art criticism and journalism looked forward to hearing from the celebrated Smee, who is known as a...
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Dr. Caplan discusses recent book at NFPL

By Madison Butkus

Hometown Weekly Reporter

With the fall season coming to an end, the Needham Free Public Library (NFPL), in sponsorship with the Library Foundation of Needham (LFN), hosted their final event that is part of the LFN Fall Author Series. For this discussion, Dr. Benjamin...

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Dr. Nugent discusses asteroids at NFPL

By Madison Butkus

Hometown Weekly Reporter

The Needham Free Public Library (NFPL) welcomed Dr. Carrie Nugent to discuss Near-Earth Asteroids. This program was a part of the 2024/25 McIver series that is named in honor of Vivian McIver, longtime director of the library.

According...

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Westwood resident discusses book at NFPL

By Madison Butkus
Hometown Weekly Reporter

Westwood resident and author Mimi Baird was welcomed to the Needham Free Public Library (NFPL) this past Sunday, October 3rd to discuss her first book “He Wanted the Moon: The Madness and Medical Genius of Dr. Perry Baird.” This program was sponsored by the Friends...

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Peterson discusses changing of bird species 

By Audrey Anderson

Hometown Weekly Report

Wayne R. Peterson, the former Director of the Massachusetts Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program at Mass Audubon, spoke at the Needham Free Public Library about how the bird species resident in Massachusetts have changed over time. The changes he described were...

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Crafting Indian dishes at NFPL

By Audrey Anderson

Hometown Weekly Reporter

Indian cook Sandhya demonstrated how to make both channa masala and sandesh at the Needham Free Public Library (NFPL). With detailed explanations of the steps and descriptions of the ingredients, Sandhya, of Cooking with Sandhya, brought attendees along to her homeland...

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Locals enjoy take-home library craft

By Riley Fontana

Hometown Weekly Reporter

The Needham Free Public Library loves to fill the afternoons of half-days with fun crafts and activities for children of all ages. Unfortunately with fall being cold and flu season, sometimes they have to adapt at the last minute. The most...

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LFN hosts free DIY beauty product workshop 

By Madison Butkus

Hometown Weekly Reporter

The Needham Free Public Library (NFPL) hosted a body balm event to teach attendees to make their very own all natural body balms.

This free event was sponsored by the Library Foundation of Needham (LFN) and hosted Kulina...

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LFN author series returns for the fall

By Madison Butkus

Hometown Weekly Reporter

With the fall season upon us, the Needham Free Public Library (NFPL), in sponsorship with the Library Foundation of Needham (LFN), hosted their first event that is part of the LFN Fall Author Series. For this discussion, Babson Professor Jennifer Tosti-Kharas...

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Home canning workshop at the NFPL

By Madison Butkus

Hometown Weekly Reporter

Sponsored by the Cary Library Foundation and in partnership with the Lexington Community Farm (LexFarm), the Needham Free Public Library (NFPL) shared an online home canning event. This event, which was led by Chef Afton Cyrus of Jam Sessions, was in...

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Sharon Kitchens discusses King’s Maine

By Madison Butkus

Hometown Weekly Reporter

Sponsored by the Friends of the Tewksbury Library, the Needham Free Public Library (NFPL) shared an online event with Maine Author Sharon Kitchens. During this time, Kitchens discussed her new book “Stephen King’s Maine: A History & Guide.” 

NFPL celebrates summer reading success

By Madison Butkus

Hometown Weekly Reporter

Throughout the summer, the Needham Free Public Library (NFPL) conducted a Summer Reading Program for all ages. Pre-registration began on May 20, logging started on June 25, and logging ended on August 18.

The program featured three categories:...

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