October 14, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM @ Community RoomNeedham Free Public Library
How should you think about artificial intelligence? The answer to that question depends on your point of view. If you are interested in thought and consciousness and the likelihood of displacing human beings, you will find yourself involved in a debate that is speculative, open ended and a little disconcerting. If you are concerned about your job or the jobs of your children, you will be involved in a discussion that is more concrete and based in economics. This talk will look at some of the recent successes of artificial intelligence, discuss their impact upon jobs and work, and suggest how you might think about the longer term issues. David Alan Grier is a writer, author and speaker on issues of technology, society, & organizations. He is the author of When Computers Were Human, the story of how we organized computation before we had machines do it. The first of three lectures, sponsored by the Trustees of the Needham Public Library in memory of former director Vivian D. McIver.
October 15, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
October 15, 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM @ Story Time RoomNeedham Free Public Library
Pre-School Palooza for children ages 3-6 years old will promote Kindergarten readiness and set a foundation for a future of strong reading while developing fine motor skills. Children who are ready to do so may attend independently. Caregivers are still welcome to attend. Adults who choose not to attend the program, must remain inside the library building during the storytime. Each session will feature a different theme using picture books, music and movement and a craft activity.
October 15, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM @ Craft Room-Children's Dept. Needham Free Public Library
Children will learn logical thinking skills and engage in coding activities using games, robots, online puzzles and Scratch Jr. Children need to bring their own laptop or notebook computer. Unfortunately, Scratch Jr. does not work on tablets—but will run the other programs and activities. **Registration is required. Space is limited and attendees are expected to attend all sessions.
October 15, 7:30 PM
October 16, 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
October 16, 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM @ Story Time RoomNeedham Free Public Library
Terrific Toddlers, for children 1-2 years old and their caregivers uses stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays, rhythm and sensory activities to help young walkers learn vocabulary and develop gross motor skills.
October 16, 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM @ Story Time RoomNeedham Free Public Library
Babies and their adult caregivers explore the rhythms and paterns of speech with songs, lap games and a story or two.
October 16, 5:30 PM
October 16, 7:00 PM
October 16, 7:10 PM
October 17, 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
October 17, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM @ Story Time RoomNeedham Free Public Library
Child’s Play is a drop-in program for children 0-2 years and their caregivers. The songs, rhymes, lap games and books in this program will promote rhythm, coordination and verbal skills in young children as well as bonding between child and caregiver.
October 17, 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM @ Craft Room-Children's Dept. Needham Free Public Library
Join Bedtime Math’s Crazy 8s Club, where you’ll build stuff, run and jump, make music, make a mess...it’s a totally new kind of math club. This series will run through November 28th, and attendees are expected to be at all sessions. Space is limited and **Registration is required**.
October 17, 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM @ Craft Room-Children's Dept. Needham Free Public Library
October 17, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM @ Community RoomNeedham Free Public Library
A cautionary tale about the fragility of democracy, it is an alarming, eerily timeless look at how fascism could take hold in America. Written during the Great Depression, when the country was largely oblivious to Hitler’s aggression, it juxtaposes sharp political satire with the chillingly realistic rise of a president who becomes a dictator to save the nation from welfare cheats, sex, crime, and a liberal press. Called “a message to thinking Americans” by the Springfield Republican when it was published in 1935, It Can’t Happen Here is a shockingly prescient novel that remains as fresh and contemporary as today’s news.
October 17, 7:00 PM
October 18, All Day
October 18, 8:30 AM
October 18, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM @ Community RoomNeedham Free Public Library
Gaming Hour is back! Teens and ‘Tweens are once again welcome to come to the Needham Free Public Library’s Community Room for a monthly Gaming Hour Program! There will be games and puzzles of all sorts including a few to get you moving on the XBox One. If there is a game that you have and want to bring with you, feel free. No registration is needed for this monthly event. If you have questions, contact Erin at the Adult Reference Desk (781-455-7559 x2). Sponsored by the Needham Free Public Library.
October 18, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM @ Craft Room-Children's Dept. Needham Free Public Library
Children will learn coding through online games and puzzles and create projects using Scratch. Children need to bring their own laptop or notebook computer. Scratch does not work on tablets. **Registration is required. Space is limited and attendees are expected to attend all sessions.
October 18, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM @ Craft Room-Children's Dept. Needham Free Public Library
Girls Who Code Club for Grades 5 and Up Thursdays from 6-8 PM—September 27, 2018 through April 11, 2019 Calling all girls grades 5 and Up! Bring your own computer and we will provide the rest. Join the club and the fun. Learn to code, and collaborate on joint projects. Registration is required. Space is limited and attendees are expected to attend all sessions.
October 18, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
October 18, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM @ Community RoomNeedham Free Public Library
Continuing the theme of the “Beanpot Connection,” Needham’s Own Vic Gatto, Captain of the 1968 Harvard Football Team, will talk about this battle of the undefeated's in 1968. This is the fourth and final lecture of the 2018 Series, and is sponsored by the Trustees of the Needham Free Public Library in memory of former director Vivian D. McIver.
October 18, 7:30 PM
October 19, 8:15 AM - 9:30 AM
October 20, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM @ Craft RoomChildren's Room
Families are invited to the Children’s Room where together they can explore an arts/crafts project, work on a construction assignment and play games that enhance literacy, logic or math skills. All ages are welcome. This will be an ongoing event on the third Saturday of every month from 10-11:30 AM, during the school year.
October 20, 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM @ Community Room Needham Free Public Library
Something mysterious is leaving a path of destruction in the streets of 1926 New York, threatening to expose the wizarding community. Newt Scamander arrives in the city nearing the end of a global excursion to research and rescue magical creatures. When unsuspecting No-Maj Jacob Kowalski inadvertently lets some of Newt’s beasts loose, a band of unlikely heroes must recover the missing beasts before they come to harm, but their mission puts them on a collision course with Dark forces.**Registration is required. To register call 781-455-7559, option 2. Please ask for Erin (Reference) for more information about this exciting event.
October 20, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM @ Story Time Room, Children's Department
This Month's Books: Loved Reptiles by Patricia Valdez, and The Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating. This month’s theme is Dragons & Sharks! The participants will be reading these picture book biographies and will do a lizard project! Books available at the Children’s Desk. Please attend and participate with your child.**Registration is requested. Sponsored by the Needham Free Public Library.