Special Author Event with Bruce Robert Coffin

We are excited to welcome Bruce Robert Coffin for a book discussion and signing on Wednesday, May 16 at 7 PM. Bruce is a former detective sergeant and author of the best-selling Detective Byron mystery series.

Author and former detective Bruce Robert Coffin
Photo by Kelly Watters

At the time of his retirement from the Portland Police Department, Bruce oversaw all violent crime and homicide investigations for Maine's largest city. During his 27 years in law enforcement, he also spent four years working counter-terrorism with the FBI where he earned the Director's Award, which is the highest honor a non-agent can receive.

Bruce has used his extensive background to craft the Detective Byron series. He is also a regular contributor to both the Maine Crime Writers blog and Murder Books blog. Search our catalog for the first book of the Detective Byron series, Among the Shadows, or book two, Beneath the Depths. You can also look for his short story "Fool Proof," in Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Best American Mystery Stories 2016.

Please REGISTER for this event, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Library.

Barbara Cooney Literary Landmark Dedication

Photo by Amy Lordan

The Lawrence Library Board of Trustees & the Friends of the Lawrence Library invite you to attend the Barbara Cooney Literary Landmark Dedication being held on Saturday, May 5 at 2 PM. We are delighted to celebrate former Pepperell resident Barbara Cooney, the beloved children's author and illustrator.

This Literary Landmark appellation was awarded by the Literary Landmarks Association. The Lawrence Library is featured in Ms. Cooney's picture book Miss Rumphius, which won the National Book for Award for Children's Books in 1983. Our Head of Youth Services, Shannon, applied for the designation.

The ceremony will take place in the Mahony Garden behind the library. Browse our catalog for more books by Ms. Cooney.

New at the Lawrence Library: LGBTQ+ Groups

We are thrilled to announce two new groups, one for youth and one for adults, to discuss LGBTQ+ issues and topics in a safe, welcoming environment. Pepperell resident J.D. Melendez has volunteered as the facilitator. For over 20 years, J.D. has been working with LGBTQ+ people, with a focus on transgender and LGBTQ+ youth communities. 

The first LGBTQ+ Youth Group meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 2 at 6:30 PM. The inaugural LGBTQ+ Adult Group meeting is being held on Wednesday, May 30 at 6:30 PM. 

In other LGBTQ+ news, our newest staff member, Amy (That's me!), is proud to identify an LGBTQ+ ally. I previously worked at the Bentley University Library where I was a member of the university's LGBTQ Ally Network. 

We hope that you will join us for conversation and snacks. And be on the lookout for more LGBTQ+ special events in the future. 

And the Winner Is ...

Congratulations to the winners of our 2nd Annual Peeps Diorama Contest! Lucy Marro won the Children’s Category, Noelle Dykstra won the Teen/Adult Category, and Sophia Yamanishi and Mason Mathe won the Group/Family Category. Thank you to everyone who participated. We have truly enjoyed all of your talent and creativity. Check out these photos of this year's entries, which were taken by our Program Coordinator extraordinaire Donna!

Enchanted Engineering and Playdough Monsters

Looking for something to do during school vacation week? Our Youth Services staff has two fun programs in store. Both are recommended for ages preschool and up.

On Wednesday, April 18, help fairy tale characters solve their problems by using your creative thinking at Enchanted Engineering. This week, we will be building a house for the Three Little Pigs. Will your house hold up to the Big Bad Wolf? Join us in the Activity Center at 10:30 AM to find out!

On Thursday, April 19, from 10:30-11:15 AM, you can make some marvelous and mischievous monsters using playdough and other craft supplies in our Activity Center.

Earth Day is Sunday April 22nd

Spring into nature with some earthy books!

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Pepperell Green-up

Saturday, April 14th  through Sunday, April 29, 2018
The Green-Up is a town-wide volunteer clean-up of litter and trash on roadsides and public lands in Pepperell. Anyone can participate, and everyone's efforts make a difference! A map of Pepperell and a sign-up list will be posted in Lawrence Library. Stop by to sign up and pick up some garbage bags. Filled bags can be left curbside. The Pepperell Highway Department will pick them up. Thank you for participating and for taking pride in Pepperell!