Curl up outside with a good book in Natick’s new Outdoor Reading Rooms

May 23, 2023 by Deborah Brown 3 Comments

In celebration of the Morse Institute Library’s 150th anniversary, the Town of Natick, the Morse Institute Library, and local artists have partnered to install and maintain two temporary Outdoor Reading Rooms on the front lawn of the Morse Institute Library.

Outdoor Reading Rooms are open-air ‘rooms’ where anyone may sit and read—no library card needed.

Take a look at the Outdoor Reading Room installations on the front lawn of the Morse Institute Library. No need to sequester yourself inside with a good book when there are welcoming spaces outside.

Natick Library, outdoor reading room — Come in and set a spell in the Morse Institute Library’s outdoor reading room, created by local artist Paul Belenky. Rustic wood pieces used in this installation were donated by the Keough family

The Outdoor Reading Rooms will serve the community through the summer months.

This public art program is possible due to the generosity of Cognex and the New England Foundation for the Arts.

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Morse Institute Library Book Sale in Natick, May 20 & 21

May 15, 2023 by Admin Leave a Comment

Stock up on your summer reading at The Friends of the Morse Institute book sale on Saturday, May 20, 8:30am-4:30pm and Sunday, May 21, noon-3pm at 14 E. Central St. There will be thousands of books, and a selection of DVDs and CDs. Baked goods available for sale, too.

Morse Institute Library, 14 E. Central St.

What do the Friends do for you?

Sponsor passes to area museums
Sponsor the Speed Reads
Sponsor a range of library programs for all ages
Sponsor National Library Week program
Sponsor the Natick Days mini-golf event
Provide an annual gesture of appreciation to Library staff
Support the bookmobile with the purchase of large-print books
Provide Welcome Packets for new library patrons
Fund the self-checkout system
Purchase curbside materials return boxes
Help fund improvements to the Children’s and Teen rooms
Work with Library staff and Trustees on the Strategic Plan

Note: The library’s main elevator is out of service. A rear elevator is available only during regular library hours. Book sale shoppers who need an elevator should consider coming to the sale between 9am and 4:30pm on Saturday, and 1pm – 3pm on Sunday.

Outside of these hours, shoppers with mobility issues can bring their book shopping “wish list” to the Book Nook, and a volunteer will search for those titles.

EVENT: Friends of the Morse Institute Library book sale
WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 8:30am-4:30pm and Sunday, May 21, noon-3pm
LOCATION: Morse Institute Library, 14 E. Central Street, Natick

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Things to do in Natick in the spring

April 18, 2023 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

There’s always lots going on in Natick in springtime. Check out these upcoming events, and save the date for those further out.

Singing the praises of the kitchen

Walnut Hill School for the Arts will present a family concert, La Revue de Cuisine “The Story of the Kitchen Utensils,” Thursday, April 20, 10:30am at the Morse Institute Library. This program will feature live music and dance, including instruments such as the clarinet, cello, violin, trumpet, bassoon and piano. Families with children ages 4+ are invited to attend, and no registration is required.

DATE: Thursday, April 20
TIME: 10:30am
LOCATION: Morse Institute Library

Water, water, everywhere

NATya Dance will present a family-friendly interactive performance of Indian classical dance, “Water is Life, Life is Water,” in honor of Earth Day. Appropriate for families with children ages 4+, no registration required. Sponsored by Start with STEM.

DATE: Saturday, April 22
TIME: 2pm
LOCATION: Morse Institute Library

Bring home healthy food from the Farmers Market

The Natick Farmers Market takes place every Saturday, 9am-1pm. Most of the market’s 25 vendors are in indoors on two floors of the Common Street Spiritual Center, 13 Common Street, in Natick Center. Some vendors sell out of their trucks in the parking lot.

Save the date:

Saturday, April 29 & 30: Earth Day All Around Natick events (Repair Cafe; Electrical Vehicle Petting Zoo; Earth Friendly Fair, and more.

Saturday, April 29: Metrowest Rocks concert to benefit Actor’s Company of Natick

Sunday, April 30: Family Promise Walk to End Homelessness

Natick library event: Author to discuss history of Boston Marathon

March 8, 2023 by Bob Brown 2 Comments

Join author Paul Clerici, as he discusses the Boston Marathon on March 22 at 7pm at Morse Institute Library. Among his books are “Boston Marathon History by the Mile” and “Images of Modern America: The Boston Marathon.”

The writer will take you through the 26.2-mile route – mile by mile, town by town, story by story – from its start in 1897 to present day.

Program is sponsored by the Friends of the Morse Institute Library.

More: Natick’s 2023 Boston Marathon charity runners

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Mini-golfers find perfect snowy weekend activity inside Natick library

March 7, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Even before I saw the dozens of families playing mini golf among the stacks at Morse Institute Library on Saturday, I could tell this event was a success. The racks at the entrance overflowed with a rainbow of winter jackets and gear.

Further in were the golfers, weaving up or down stairs and between those who mistakenly thought they might get some studying in at the library this day.

It was clear that some of these kids were much more familiar with hockey than golf by the way they handled the golf balls like pucks as they cruised through the course, decorated with everything from stuffed wild animals to food pantry items, depending on the hole sponsor.

Moms, dads, and grandparents got into the act, too, with a least a couple of dads taking a bit more time to measure up their shots than they probably needed to. Though 1 fired his ball off the course and between my legs—he probably shouldn’t have rushed that shot, or at least called “Fore!”