Beverly Public Library

On Monday, July 12, the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex Street, from 1 – 6 PM. Free Friendly’s ice cream will be available. According to the Red Cross, there is currently a critical need for type O negative blood. Type O negative is always in high demand because it can be transfused to patients with any blood type, especially in emergencies. You can learn more about donating blood, including how to prepare, on the Red Cross’s website at www.redcrossblood.org.

On Monday, June 28, Beverly’s own John Archer and Dan Murphy will present “A Patriotic Review”, a concert of patriotic songs with piano accompaniment in honor of the Fourth of July. The fun begins at 9:30 AM in the Sohier Room at the main library, 32 Essex Street. The concert will last approximately one hour. Light refreshments will be served. This family-friendly program is free and open to the public. No registration is necessary, and the library is wheelchair accessible.

Dan Murphy’s seven-member jazz band, “Civil Disturbance,” will kick off the Beverly Recreation Department’s summer “Concert on the Common” series on Thursday, June 24. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and the kids to the Beverly Common (across from the Beverly Library) to enjoy swing in the New Orleans Dixieland tradition as well as some favorites from the past. The concert runs from 6 – 8 PM and is sponsored by the Friends of the Beverly Public Library.

Many thanks to all the children of Beverly who participated in the Let’s Hold Hands paper doll event held at the Library in February. The Let’s Hold Hands program was founded by author and illustrator Susan Roth as an outgrowth of her award-winning picture book Listen to the Wind. The program aims to foster world understanding in the coming generations.

The beautiful dolls made at the library have been part of a traveling exhibit and have visited museums such as the Children’s Museum of Manhattan and the Peace Study Center in Baltimore. Special congratulations to Angelina (age 5) of St. Mary’s School, and Grace (age 7) of Centerville Elementary School. Their dolls will be displayed at the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt!

The Beverly Public Library will host a special exhibit of quilts by the Garden City Quilters, a North Shore quilting group. Come see the amazing handiwork on display in this beautiful collection of quilts in the Sohier Room of the main library from June 2 – June 20. In addition to the exhibit, the colorful “Oh My Starz” quilt will be raffled on August 8, the last day of homecoming. This lovely quilt will be on display at the library during the exhibit and later, at other local spots. Raffle tickets will be available at the Arts Fest, Homecoming, and several other downtown locations, but not at the library. Proceeds will go to local charities.