Adult Programs at MFL
Registration is required for all programs!
Please register by either calling 610-566-7828 or email mireference@delcolibraries.org
Please register by either calling 610-566-7828 or email mireference@delcolibraries.org
American Creed: Community Conversations SeriesAmerican Creed: Community Conversations is a project of Citizen Film in partnership with the American Library Association and the National Writing Project, with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Middletown Free Library won a grant to bring the follow screenings, discussions, and workshops to you.
American Creed Documentary Viewing and Discussion w/ Dr. Mary Beth Yount Thursday, April 11 @ 6:30 PM The Middletown Free Library in partnership with Neumann University is hosting a screening of the PBS documentary AMERICAN CREED. The screening will be followed by a Community Conversation facilitated by Dr. Mary Beth Yount, of Neumann University. In the documentary film AMERICAN CREED, former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David M. Kennedy come together from different points of view to investigate the idea of a unifying American creed. Their spirited inquiry frames the stories of citizen-activists striving to realize their own visions of America’s promise across deepening divides. For example: Baseball manager Joe Maddon brings residents of his Pennsylvania hometown together after a controversial immigration ordinance threatens to tear them apart. In Seattle, civic entrepreneur Eric Liu brings community leaders together in spite of their political differences to solve problems. Mark Meckler, co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots and Joan Blades, founder of MoveOn.org, meet in her living room and form an unexpected bond. At the heart of this film, Rice and Kennedy lead a moving discussion with first generation college students about the question: what does it mean to be American today? AMERICAN CREED Community Conversations are film screenings and scholar-facilitated discussions that mirror the type of conversation Rice and Kennedy have in the film; one designed to engage Americans in reflection and dialogue about their own part in the American story, and in acting to shape that story for the better. The Middletown Free Library is hosting a community conversation because it will help engage our growing diverse community in a dialogue about our collective history and identity and discover together how the community as a whole can be improved and excel. Click Here to Sign Up! American Creed "Writing YOUR Story: Memoir Writing Workshop w/ Dr. Mary Beth Yount Thursday, April 25 @ 6:30 PM Dr. Yount will teach a two our memoir writing workshop. Whether one wants to give shape to the past, connect with future generations, or simply keep their wits sharp, this workshop will start the writing process. You will learn the “how-to” of memoir writing from an experienced author and get started with practical exercises. Click Here to Sign Up! American Creed Family History Writing Workshop w/ Laura Kuchmay Tuesday, May 7 @ 6:30 PM - This two hour workshop will help patrons to begin writing their family history. It will help them to illustrate where their family fits in to local, national and world history. They will discover that everyone is a storyteller and that we each have our own response to a situation or circumstance. Click Here to Sign Up! American Creed Book Discussion of "The Common Good" by Robert B. Reich Tuesday, May 14 @ 6:30 PM Join us as we read and discuss “The Common Good” by Robert B. Reich. Robert B. Reich makes a powerful case for the expansion of America’s moral imagination. Rooting his argument in common sense and everyday reality, he demonstrates that a common good constitutes the very essence of any society or nation. Societies, he says, undergo virtuous cycles that reinforce the common good as well as vicious cycles that undermine it, one of which America has been experiencing for the past five decades. This process can and must be reversed. But first we need to weigh the moral obligations of citizenship and carefully consider how we relate to honor, shame, patriotism, truth, and the meaning of leadership. Powerful, urgent, and utterly vital, this is a heartfelt missive from one of our foremost political thinkers. Click Here to Sign Up! Women's History Month Presentation: Clara Driscoll - The Woman Behind the Tiffany Lamps
Join us during Women's History Month to learn about different women around the world who's stories are not usually told. Today we will hear a presentation about Clara Driscoll. Clara Driscoll was the leader of the Tiffany Girls, a group of gifted artisans who made vital yet almost entirely anonymous contributions to many of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s most famous mosaics, windows and decorative objects.Clara Driscoll was more than the supervisor of this team of talented craftswomen. She was also a hidden creative force behind a legendary object in the history of American decorative arts: the Tiffany lamp. Resent conclusions have been made that it was Clara Driscoll and her “girls,” and not Louis Comfort Tiffany nor his large staff of male designers, who had designed and executed some of the studio’s most prized and valuable lamps, specifically those bearing natural motifs like insects and flowers.
During the rest of the session we will be doing a Tiffany Lamp inspired craft. Thursday, March 28 @ 10:30 AM Click Here to Sign Up! #ConfidenceWorks! Workshop
Join us as Nancy Martin of Nancy Martin Coaching and author of "Dance Your Way to An Empowered Self: 4 Elements to Achieve Shining Confidence," presents her #ConfidenceWorks! Workshop for women. Come learn how your everyday outlook can be transformed by confidence.
Nancy's #ConfidenceWorks! Workshop will surround you with the energy needed to find your confident core and use it moving forward. Through exploration, connecting, shared energy, and movement, Nancy shows how to embody your confident, authentic self. By tapping into this inner power that you already have, you will find that you are lighter, you make more powerful decisions more easily, you find beauty in places you haven't before, and you move through life with that beautiful, feminine body of yours with grace and strength. Springtime is the time for growth, blooming, beauty, exploration, and new life. This isn't true only in nature, but is true for ourselves as well. This is the time for YOU as a woman, to grow, bloom, explore, show your beauty, and begin a new life of confidence and strength in the way that only a woman can do! This is your time to shine! If there is anything more powerful than a strong, confident woman; it is a group of strong, confident women bringing their intentions and energies together in one place. You deserve this! You are worthy and deserving of this time together. You are meant to shine and this group will help you do that. You have greatness in you - let's release it! Tuesday, March 26 @ 6:30 PM Click Here to Sign Up! 
History Lectures @ MiddletownCivil War Medicine: What Went Right
A lecture and slideshow by Carole Adrienne Carole Adrienne is the Producer/Writer of "Civil War Medicine: The Documentary Series", in four one-hour episodes. It is now in production and will air on PBS. The American Civil War marked the violent birth of modern medicine. Advancements in weaponry created carnage on a scale never before seen in this country. Medicine had long been regarded as an art, not a science. In 1860, fewer than 300 physicians in America had probably witnessed surgery or gunshot wounds. One million casualties would rapidly change the learning curve. In a hideous irony, most victims died of infection or disease during the exact period when European doctors Lister and Pasteur were proving their theories of germs and sepsis. This presentation is approximately 40-45 minutes long. It is a lecture/slideshow, followed by the 5-minute trailer for "Civil War Medicine: The Documentary Series". Audiences have included the Free Library of Philadelphia, The Union League of Philadelphia, Brandywine Civil War Roundtable, the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center and the Society of Civil War Surgeons. Friday, March 22 @ 2 PM Click Here to Sign Up! Mindfulness Meditation Workshops
Presented by Gloria Shepard
Are you interested in mindfulness? It's a wonderful practice that helps us to connect with the present moment, on purpose, and with curiosity. Join us to learn the basics and try it! We will begin with a brief introduction to what it is, then try a range of practices including being aware of our senses, mindful breathing, a movement, and relaxation. Everyone can do it, not just people who are naturally calm or still. In fact, it may be most helpful for those who are struggling with stress, big feelings, and impulsivity. All (adults) are welcome! Thursday, March 7 @ 6:30 PM Click Here to Sign Up! Registration is Required!!! Documentaries @ Middletown
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Makery CraftsFebruary Crafts Quilling 101 Tuesday, March 5 @ 2 PM Click Here to Sign Up! Quilling Step 2: Projects Tuesday, March 12 @ 2 PM Click Here to Sign Up! Bullet Journals Wednesday, March 13 @ 10:30 AM Click Here to Sign Up! Wood Burning Wednesday, March 27 @ 10:30 AM Click Here to Sign Up! Registration Required for ALL crafts!! Poetry and Painting Workshop
Class led by artist Terry Collington
Art and Poetry is good for the soul! Join us for an hour of playing with poetry and then an hour of creating a small painting connected to poems or writing a poem connected to art. Friday, April 5 @ 2 PM Click Here to Sign Up! Zentangle ClubCome practice your tangles with other tanglers. Bring your own zentangle kits or borrow some of our supplies. We will put out a variety of Zentangle books to pick out some tangles to practice.
Keep up your Zentangle skills! Tuesday, April 16 @ 10:30 AM If you have questions call 610-566-7828 or email Laura at mireference@delcolibraries.org.    Genealogy @ MiddletownGenealogy Research WorkshopsBeginner and Intermediate Levels
(Come in the library to make use of the Ancestry.com Library Edition and get help with your research.) Bring your family tree questions! Get help to break down those brick walls in your research! Wednesday, April 10 @ 10:15 AM Wednesday, May 1 @ 10:15 AM Wednesday, June 5 @ 10:15 AM Please bring your own laptop if you have one!! 
Unleash Your Stories: A Writing Workshop
Do you have a story inside that want to get out?
A short story, a personal essay, a children's book, memoir or novel? Or perhaps a story you want to share with your family? Tuesday, April 30 @ 6:30 PM Click Here to Sign Up! About the Instructor: Christine Burke is a Certified Health Coach, Author and Artist. She is the owner of LiveYourCreativity.com. Christine recently published The Well-Nourished Artist: 8 Ways to Feed Your Creative Soul. She is the author and illustrator of A Dream Inside, a children’s book, and she also wrote a story for Chicken Soup for the Soul - Reboot Your Life. Night Owls Book Club
To all who burn the midnight oil whilst reading an intriguing story, how about joining us for an evening of discussion? The Night Owls Book Club spends one night a month discussing a book from diverse selection of fiction and non-fiction novels that are sure to pique your interest. Come for the novels, stay for the discussion.
When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuha Tuesday, March 26 @ 6:30 PM The Cassandra by Sharma Shields Tuesday, April 30 @ 6:30 PM The Girls at 17 Swann Street by Yara Zgheib Tuesday, May 28 @ 6:30 PM Dry by Neal & Jarrod Shusterman Tuesday, June 25 @ 6:30 PM SCORE SeminarsJoin us for a series of seminars for small business owners and entrepreneurs by the Chester and Delaware County SCORE organization.
SCORE in Chester & Delaware Counties has over 100 volunteers to assist those thinking of starting a business or those already in business who need help in growing their business. Their combined experience and knowledge matches those of most Business School faculties. Strategic Research-based Approaches to LinkedIn Monday, March 11th @ 6:30 PM https://delcolibraries.libcal.com/event/5131561 QuickBooks Session 1 - Online Version Monday, April 15th @ 6:30 PM https://delcolibraries.libcal.com/event/5131723 **Cost: $15.00 fee to cover both sessions. Payable at the door by cash or check made out to “Chester County SCORE”. QuickBooks Session 2 - Online Version Monday, April 22nd @ 6:30 PM - https://delcolibraries.libcal.com/event/5131798 Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Tips and Tricks to Grow Your Business Monday, May 13th @ 6:30 PM - https://delcolibraries.libcal.com/event/5131819 The Beauty of the Harp: Live Performance of Celtic Harp Music
Tuesday, March 26 @ 2:00 PM
Join us as Pamela Dimeler plays several Celtic tunes and will share information about her musical instrument and also talk about the history of the harp and the pieces she plays. The program close to St. Patrick’s day and Pam will have a sing a long including “When Irish Eye’s are Smiling” and “Danny Boy”. Registration Required! Click Here to Sign Up! 
Longwood Gardens Community Read Programs @ MFLRole of Seeds in Society and Culture
A Longwood In Your Library Program Presented by Mackenzie Fochs of Longwood Gardens Join us for Longwood in Your Library at Middletown Free Library! Dive deep into the concepts from The Triumph of Seeds and discover how relevant seeds are in today's world. During the facilitated lecture, examine the wide range of usages of seeds in today’s society and culture. From their inclusion in global diets to their presence in creative arts, spirituality and textiles discover how relevant seeds are in today’s world. You will also learn how to properly process and store a menagerie of beautiful seeds to be used for jewelry, cooking, and planting. The Middletown Free Library is proud to partner with Longwood Gardens Community Read, developing programs designed to “encourage reading and start a conversation.” All ages welcome! Thursday, April 4 @ 6:30 PM Click Here to Sign Up! Gardening 101: Seed Starting Join us as Joe Daniels of the Master Gardeners show us how to start our own seeds for creating your own garden. Friday, April 5 @ 10:30 AM Click Here to Sign Up! Gardening 101: Edible Gardens Join us as Joe Daniels of the Master Gardeners show us how to grow all things edible in your garden. Friday, May 3 @ 10:30 AM Click Here to Sign Up! Gardening 101: Raised Bed Gardening Join us as Joe Daniels of the Master Gardeners explains the pro and cons of raised bed gardening while showing us first hand at the Library's Raised Bed Gardens put in by Tyler Arboretum. Thursday, May 23 @ 10:30 AM Click Here to Sign Up! A limited number of family passes to Longwood Gardens will be given away during the program. Clean Green:Using Essential Oils to Help with Your Spring Cleaning
Join us as Tina Mulholland RN, BSN, teaches us
She will have recipes to use throughout the whole house. Tuesday, April 2 @ 6:30 PM Click Here to Sign Up! Spring Opera SeriesThe Middletown Free Library is proud to announce our Spring Opera Series! The wonderful Joseph Erdeljac has picked out some opera fan favorites, as well as some never before
presented at Middletown Free Library operas. We hope you will join us in listening to and learning about three beautiful operas! Thursday, April 4 @ 12 PM – La Villi & Edgar - by Puccini Thursday, April 11 @ 12 PM – La Villi & Edgar - by Puccini Thursday, April 25 @ 12 PM– L’amico Fritz ( Friend Fritz) by Pietro Mascagni Thursday, May 2 @ 12 PM– L’amico Fritz ( Friend Fritz) by Pietro Mascagni Thursday, May 16 @ 12 PM– Maria Stuarda by Donizetti Thursday, May 23 @ 12 PM– Maria Stuarda by Donizetti @ 12– 2 PM ***PLEASE feel free to bring a lunch. Drinks and light pastries served at every session. Click Here to Sign Up! 
Create a Home That Sparks JoyPresentation by Amanda Jefferson, Certified KonMari Consultant
Join us for a thought-provoking workshop on how to simplify and de-clutter your home, and your life! We will be joined by Amanda Jefferson, one of the world's first certified KonMari consultants. The KonMari Method is the revolutionary process of de-cluttering and organizing pioneered by Marie Kondo. Known internationally as an organizing guru, Kondo is the star of the hit Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo and author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Kondo's unique process focuses on surrounding yourself with only those things that "spark joy." Amanda will share the secrets of the KonMari Method and also guide us through a KonMari folding demonstration. Thursday, May 2 @ 6:30 PM Click Here to Sign Up! |
