Music Through the Decades with David Polansky

Music Through the Decades with David Polansky Music Through the Decades is a one man show commissioned by the Norman Rockwell Museum which highlights American hit songs, all of which were inspired by major events in our history (e.g. Advent of the Automobile, WWI,......More

Music Through the Decades with David Polansky Music Through the Decades is a one man show commissioned by the Norman Rockwell Museum which highlights American hit songs, all of which were inspired by major events in our history (e.g. Advent of the Automobile, WWI, the Big Band Era, the Great Depression, WWII, and the Atomic Age.) All the songs are performed “live” on trumpet, keyboard, and vocals by David Polansky. Don’t miss this winner.  It usually ends with a standing ovation! This event is sponsored by the Library Foundation of Needham.  https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/music-through-the-decades-with-david-polansky/

Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Preschool Palooza

Join librarian Elise for 45 minutes of songs, stories, and movement!   For children ages 3 through 6. https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/preschool-palooza-241/

Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Teen Group Takeover with Tony! (for Middle School and High Schoolers)

Come join one of Needham's Community Outreach Clinicians, Tony Serio and our Young Adult Librarian, Erin Bassett as we meet for 2 different back-to back sessions of snacks and facts. We'll be meeting most Mondays after school in the Needham Community Room for Common ......More

Come join one of Needham's Community Outreach Clinicians, Tony Serio and our Young Adult Librarian, Erin Bassett as we meet for 2 different back-to back sessions of snacks and facts. We'll be meeting most Mondays after school in the Needham Community Room for Common Ground Conversations and Brain Break Activities (and yes, the snacks will be coming back too). To be able to facilitate more meaningful conversations, we've decided to mix it up this year with 2 different sessions! High Schoolers will meet first from 2:45 - 3:30 pm and Middle Schoolers are welcome to join in from 3:30 - 4:15 pm We'll also have some tables set up at the back of the room in case teens would like to come down and do their homework inside the Community Room. If you have any questions about these drop-in sessions, feel free to reach out to either Tony at [email protected] or Erin at [email protected] and they'll be happy to help out. https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/teen-group-takeover-with-tony-for-middle-school-and-high-schoolers-16/

Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

CinemaKidz Taylor Swifties

Step into the spotlight with CinemaKidz Taylor Swift Experience, a  6 session series where kids experiment with music production software, create original tracks and explore the storytelling elements that make Taylor Swift's music so relatable and powerful. Children w......More

Step into the spotlight with CinemaKidz Taylor Swift Experience, a  6 session series where kids experiment with music production software, create original tracks and explore the storytelling elements that make Taylor Swift's music so relatable and powerful. Children will select a song, to film and star in, experiment with graphic design tools to make an original album cover, poster and T shirt.  For Grades 2 to 5. Children are expected to attend all 6 sessions. https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/cinemakidz-taylor-swifties-3/

Inside, Children's Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Friends of the Needham Public Library Board Meeting

Board Meeting of the Friends of the Needham Public Library. https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/friends-of-the-needham-public-library-board-meeting-23/

Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Budding Bookworms

A storytime just for infants from newborn to not-yet walking and their caregivers.  Rhymes, stories, fingerplays, and bounces in the storytime room.  Size is limited, registration required.  https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/budding-bookworms-129/...More

A storytime just for infants from newborn to not-yet walking and their caregivers.  Rhymes, stories, fingerplays, and bounces in the storytime room.  Size is limited, registration required.  https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/budding-bookworms-129/

Inside, Children's Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Monthly Memory Café

The Needham Community Council, in partnership with the Needham Free Public Library, the Council on Aging, Needham Youth & Family Services, and the Needham Public Health Division, is pleased to announce the launch of monthly Memory Cafés that are open to the public (pr......More

The Needham Community Council, in partnership with the Needham Free Public Library, the Council on Aging, Needham Youth & Family Services, and the Needham Public Health Division, is pleased to announce the launch of monthly Memory Cafés that are open to the public (pre-registration requested but not required).  Memory Cafés will be welcoming, stigma-free social gatherings where individuals living with dementia and their care partners can relax, connect, and enjoy time together in a supportive environment.  Memory Cafés will be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month beginning at 10:30am in the Community Room of the Needham Free Public Library, except for the months of January and May when they will take place at a location TBA. Questions or to register for the program: Please contact Stephanie Knoch, program manager, at 781-444-2415 x2030 or [email protected]. https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/monthly-memory-caf-7/

Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Kids Coding Club - Fiero Code

Calling all coders! Come join our introductory Block Coding Club for 7-12 year olds. We will be using Fiero Club gamified lessons to explore block coding (think Scratch!) as a group. All levels of experience are welcome.  The Club meets on Tuesdays at 4 PM. Snacks ......More

Calling all coders! Come join our introductory Block Coding Club for 7-12 year olds. We will be using Fiero Club gamified lessons to explore block coding (think Scratch!) as a group. All levels of experience are welcome.  The Club meets on Tuesdays at 4 PM. Snacks will be provided. https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/kids-coding-club-fiero-code-15/

Inside, Children's Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Author Paul Clerici - "BOSTON MARATHON AT 130"

Author Paul Clerici - "BOSTON MARATHON AT 130" Award-winning writer Paul Clerici takes you through the colorful and historic 130 years of the Boston Marathon - mile by mile, town by town, story by story. With his unique vast array of experience and knowledge as on......More

Author Paul Clerici - "BOSTON MARATHON AT 130" Award-winning writer Paul Clerici takes you through the colorful and historic 130 years of the Boston Marathon - mile by mile, town by town, story by story. With his unique vast array of experience and knowledge as one who has run Boston 23 times and has been covering it for nearly 40 years now, he brings the great race to life through informative, humorous, and enlightening detail of the many stories from the very beginnings of the race in 1897 to the various moments along the way. A freelance journalist, photographer, and former newspaper editor, Paul regularly delivers talks and lectures; appears at expos, book signings, group meetings, on television (NECN, cable stations, etc.) and radio (NPR, local and city stations, etc.), and media outlets including The Boston Globe and Cape Cod Times. He has also competed in nearly every distance from the mile to the marathon – including two triathlons and 43 marathons – and has won numerous age-group and Clydesdale running awards. Books will be available for purchase and autographing at the conclusion of this event. This event is sponsored by the Library Foundation of Needham.  https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/author-paul-clerici-boston-marathon-at-130/

Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Terrific Toddlers Storytime

Storytime with songs, rhymes, and movement for children aged 2 and 3 with their caregiver.   https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/terrific-toddlers-storytime-104/

Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Owls Up Close

Meet 6 owls up close and practice your hooting skills! For ages 5 and up. https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/owls-up-close/

Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Dance Me a Story

A story and dancing for children ages 1 and up. With Joanne Langione Dance Center https://jldancecenter.com/specialevents/   https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/dance-me-a-story-39/

Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Lego Time

Drop-in Lego Time Thursday afternoons in the Storybook Room.  Come build creations with the Library's large Lego supply. For children ages 5 to 11.  Younger children will not be allowed in the room because of small pieces. https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/......More

Drop-in Lego Time Thursday afternoons in the Storybook Room.  Come build creations with the Library's large Lego supply. For children ages 5 to 11.  Younger children will not be allowed in the room because of small pieces. https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/lego-time-185/

Inside, Children's Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Learning, Life and Values, a four part series

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Learning, Life and Values, a four part series AI is all around and used by us everyday. In this four part series, many facets of AI will be explained, explored and questioned. This series is co-sponsored by the Lane Lyceum of First Pari......More

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Learning, Life and Values, a four part series AI is all around and used by us everyday. In this four part series, many facets of AI will be explained, explored and questioned. This series is co-sponsored by the Lane Lyceum of First Parish in Needham and the Needham Free Public Library, and will be held in the Community Room as well as online. We encourage people to join us as this topic is so relevant to not only our lives, but those of future generations. Part 1: AI in Learning — Why Keep Thinking?  Nick Zufelt is an Instructor in Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science at Phillips Academy in Andover, MA. Primarily teaching computer science, Nick regularly experiments with new techniques in the classroom, seeking to iteratively find effective new ways of teaching. This includes extensive re-envisioning of the Computer Science (CS) curriculum, co-directing the ethi{CS} project in the Tang Institute, and most recently efforts to understand and leverage generative AI in the classroom. Nick leads professional development efforts both on-campus and beyond, helping teachers and students to best incorporate ethical inquiry and utilize AI in their work. This includes co-founding the AI Co-Lab, a professional community of hundreds of educators from schools across the country who, each month, come together to explore new use cases of AI for students and teachers. https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/artificial-intelligence-ai-learning-life-and-values-a-four-part-series-2/

Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Creative Dance with Needham Dance Theatre

Come twirl, gallop, jump and wiggle as we dance with spirited music and imaginative movement.  Let’s get creative dancing with ribbons, scarves, hula-hoops and more! Designed for young movers and shakers, this lively class is fun and joyful. Wear comfortable clothes......More

Come twirl, gallop, jump and wiggle as we dance with spirited music and imaginative movement.  Let’s get creative dancing with ribbons, scarves, hula-hoops and more! Designed for young movers and shakers, this lively class is fun and joyful. Wear comfortable clothes, socks. For children ages 2 to 6 with their caregiver. For more information on Needham Dance Theatre visit https://www.needhamdancetheatre.com/ https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/creative-dance-with-needham-dance-theatre-12/

Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Family Craft Morning

Drop in the Snack Center in the Children's Room for a Family Craft. Ages 0 to 12. Ages 0 to 5 with an adult. https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/family-craft-morning-20/

Inside, Children's Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Chinese Storytime

A storytime in Chinese to promote reading, speaking and learning about Chinese culture. For ages 2 to 5 with an adult.   https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/chinese-storytime-31/

Inside, Children's Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

McIver Series 2025: Professor Judith A. Steen - Protecting Your Brain as You Age

McIver Series 2025: Professor Judith A. Steen - Protecting Your Brain as You Age: What We’ve Learned from Studying How the Brain Changes Over Time We all want to keep our minds sharp as we age—but what works? In this talk, I will share insights from our laboratory ......More

McIver Series 2025: Professor Judith A. Steen - Protecting Your Brain as You Age: What We’ve Learned from Studying How the Brain Changes Over Time We all want to keep our minds sharp as we age—but what works? In this talk, I will share insights from our laboratory research at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, where our team studies how brain proteins change with age and neurodegenerative disease. More than 95% of Alzheimer’s disease cases are sporadic, meaning they are not caused by a single gene mutation, but instead develop over many years in response to the stresses we place on our bodies throughout life. Our research shows that brain health depends on a delicate balance among multiple interconnected systems, particularly the close interplay among the immune system, inflammation, blood vessels, and the brain. Instead of being a problem that starts solely in the brain, many of the earliest causes of brain aging originate elsewhere in the body. Chronic inflammation, infections, and metabolic health play significant roles. Cardiovascular function, sleep, physical activity, stress, and nutrition all play powerful roles in shaping how the brain ages over time. Drawing on studies of hundreds of patients, I will explain why maintaining low systemic inflammation is critical for maintaining brain health, and how everyday lifestyle choices influence the proteins that enable brain cells to function, communicate, and remain resilient. I will also discuss why neurodegenerative diseases develop over decades, why symptoms typically emerge late, and why this long timeline creates significant opportunities for prevention and protection. About the Speaker Dr. Judith Steen is a Professor of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School, a member of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, and the Director of the Neuroproteomics Laboratory in the F. M. Kirby Neuroscience Center at Boston Children’s Hospital. Her laboratory works to understand neuro-regeneration and neurodegenerative diseases using systems biology approaches. The laboratory develops novel qualitative and quantitative methodologies at the interface of proteomics and transcriptomics with special emphasis on computational proteomics approaches. These novel quantitative methods and bioinformatics tools developed by the Steen Laboratory are being applied to understand the biology of regeneration and neurodegeneration in both mouse models, stem cells, and human tissues, to find molecular targets for therapeutics, and to identify biomarkers of the neurodegenerative process. Further functional studies using biochemical, molecular, and cell biology approaches are used to verify and understand the role of the targets and biomarkers in the context of injury and disease. The goal of this research is to use molecular information provided by our quantitative proteomics measurements in order to ameliorate neurodegeneration and promote regeneration. All are welcome. This program is part of the 2025 McIver series. The Series is named in honor of Vivian McIver, longtime director of the library. All presentations are free and accessible to the public. This is sponsored by the Trustees of the Needham Free Public Library. https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/mciver-series-2025-professor-judith-a-steen-protecting-your-brain-as-you-age/

Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Preschool Palooza

Join librarian Elise for 45 minutes of songs, stories, and movement!   For children ages 3 through 6. https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/preschool-palooza-242/

Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Teen Group Takeover with Tony! (for Middle School and High Schoolers)

Come join one of Needham's Community Outreach Clinicians, Tony Serio and our Young Adult Librarian, Erin Bassett as we meet for 2 different back-to back sessions of snacks and facts. We'll be meeting most Mondays after school in the Needham Community Room for Common ......More

Come join one of Needham's Community Outreach Clinicians, Tony Serio and our Young Adult Librarian, Erin Bassett as we meet for 2 different back-to back sessions of snacks and facts. We'll be meeting most Mondays after school in the Needham Community Room for Common Ground Conversations and Brain Break Activities (and yes, the snacks will be coming back too). To be able to facilitate more meaningful conversations, we've decided to mix it up this year with 2 different sessions! High Schoolers will meet first from 2:45 - 3:30 pm and Middle Schoolers are welcome to join in from 3:30 - 4:15 pm We'll also have some tables set up at the back of the room in case teens would like to come down and do their homework inside the Community Room. If you have any questions about these drop-in sessions, feel free to reach out to either Tony at [email protected] or Erin at [email protected] and they'll be happy to help out. https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/teen-group-takeover-with-tony-for-middle-school-and-high-schoolers-17/

Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

CinemaKidz Taylor Swifties

Step into the spotlight with CinemaKidz Taylor Swift Experience, a  6 session series where kids experiment with music production software, create original tracks and explore the storytelling elements that make Taylor Swift's music so relatable and powerful. Children w......More

Step into the spotlight with CinemaKidz Taylor Swift Experience, a  6 session series where kids experiment with music production software, create original tracks and explore the storytelling elements that make Taylor Swift's music so relatable and powerful. Children will select a song, to film and star in, experiment with graphic design tools to make an original album cover, poster and T shirt.  For Grades 2 to 5. Children are expected to attend all 6 sessions. https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/cinemakidz-taylor-swifties-4/

Inside, Children's Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Society for Financial Awareness - Workshop 1

Society for Financial Awareness Workshop 1 - Not a library sponsored event https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/society-for-financial-awareness-workshop-1-2/

Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Budding Bookworms

A storytime just for infants from newborn to not-yet walking and their caregivers.  Rhymes, stories, fingerplays, and bounces in the storytime room.  Size is limited, registration required.  https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/budding-bookworms-130/...More

A storytime just for infants from newborn to not-yet walking and their caregivers.  Rhymes, stories, fingerplays, and bounces in the storytime room.  Size is limited, registration required.  https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/budding-bookworms-130/

Inside, Children's Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Kids Coding Club - Fiero Code

Calling all coders! Come join our introductory Block Coding Club for 7-12 year olds. We will be using Fiero Club gamified lessons to explore block coding (think Scratch!) as a group. All levels of experience are welcome.  The Club meets on Tuesdays at 4 PM. Snacks ......More

Calling all coders! Come join our introductory Block Coding Club for 7-12 year olds. We will be using Fiero Club gamified lessons to explore block coding (think Scratch!) as a group. All levels of experience are welcome.  The Club meets on Tuesdays at 4 PM. Snacks will be provided. https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/kids-coding-club-fiero-code-16/

Inside, Children's Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494

Society for Financial Awareness - Workshop 2

Society for Financial Awareness Workshop 2 - Not a library sponsored event https://needhamma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/society-for-financial-awareness-workshop-2-2/

Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494