First Look | Open House
THURSDAY, July 17
Insiders view of treasures from the vault, storytelling, art and history as we welcome you behind the stacks.
PROGRAMS & EVENTS
DANCE PARTY IN THE GARDEN
9:45am – 10:30am
Get ready to move, groove, and giggle at our Dance Party in the Garden! Cory Morgan leads an energetic, joy-filled dance time at the Nantucket Atheneum Garden with songs, silly dance moves, and fun challenges like Freeze Dance and the Cha-Cha Slide, this is the perfect way for kids to kick off a summer day with smiles and movement!
CRAFT IN THE COURTYARD: SUMMER BUTTERFLY
10:30am – 11:30am
Today, we’re making a gorgeous butterfly using tissue paper as a coloring tool. We’ll dampen the butterfly templates, embellish them with bits of tissue, spray them again, and let the water and color from the paper run to make beautiful watercolor wings.
WEEZIE’S 29TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
10:30am – 11:30am
The Weezie Library is turning 29 this summer! Join us in the garden after the Dance Party for refreshments, a butterfly craft, and more!
HOW TO USE LIBRARY APPS: TIPS FROM THE CIRCULATION TEAM
11:00am – 12:00pm
Join the Circulation Team for an introduction to all the amazing free digital resources your library card unlocks! Learn how to access eBooks, audiobooks, movies, language courses, and more using apps like Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, Mango Languages, and others.
Whether you’re a book lover, movie buff, or lifelong learner, there’s something for everyone. Bring your device and your library card — we’ll help you get set up and started!
READ TO A BUDDY
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D) are certified therapy dogs trained to be good listeners. This program is a fun, relaxed, and nonjudgmental way to become more confident and simply enjoy reading. Our furry friends want to listen and make you feel great about your reading!
Bring a book from home or choose a book from our display. Children ages 6-12 are welcome to register.
Registration is required. Sign up to read for 15-20 minutes by phoning the Weezie Desk at (508) 228-1110 x 103 We begin taking registrations one week prior to each session.
TREASURES FROM THE VAULT
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Meet under the big white columns to start a tour in which you will learn more about the Atheneum’s special history and collections via a slide show presentation. Next view a selection of, often not seen, photographs of Nantucketers from the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s taken by Louis S. Davidson. Finally, take a leisurely self-guided tour of the Atheneum’s art works that interest you most.
CHILDREN’S CHESS CLUB
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Come enjoy the royal game of chess at your library!
Young chess players of all abilities are encouraged to come check out the Nantucket Atheneum’s new Chess Club! Volunteers of the Teen Advisory Board will be hosting, so come learn the basics or challenge your friends to a game!
Bring your own board or play with one of ours.
For grades 2-6. No registration required.
DISCERNING THE TRUTH WITH MARIE LU
4:00pm – 5:00pm | ONLINE
Explore the intricate world of Legend with Marie Lu as she encourages readers to look beyond the surface and reveal hidden secrets. Explore the depths of deceit, battle for power, and the lengths characters will go to unmask the Truth.
Legend is a dystopian novel where two unlikely characters, June and Day, cross paths in search for the Truth. Can they set aside their differences and preconceptions for the greater good? Readers will devour Marie Lu’s words as they are challenged to think critically about the world around them and reminded to never judge a book by its cover.
Register now for an event you don’t want to miss!
About the Author: Marie Lu is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Legend trilogy and The Young Elites trilogy. She graduated from the University of Southern California and jumped into the video game industry, working for Disney Interactive Studios as a Flash artist. Now a full-time writer, she spends her spare time reading, drawing, playing Assassin’s Creed, and getting stuck in traffic. She lives in Los Angeles, California (see above: traffic), with one husband, one Chihuahua mix, and two Pembroke Welsh corgis.
ESCAPE ROOM: WEEKEND AT THE LIBRARY EDITION
4:00pm – 6:00pm
Join us for an exciting escape room adventure at the Nantucket Atheneum’s Learning Lab! Gather your friends, put your problem-solving skills to the test, and see if you can unravel the clues and escape in time. Designed for fun and challenge, this interactive experience is perfect for teens and adults looking for a unique and engaging activity. Whether you’re a seasoned escape room enthusiast or trying it for the first time, you’re in for a thrilling time!
Free but space is limited, be sure to register early!
CONCERT: CURTIS INSTITUTE OF MUSIC
7:00pm – 8:30pm
Curtis in Nantucket, the island’s highly anticipated annual week of classical music, returns to the Atheneum for an exciting performance featuring voice, strings, and piano performed by extraordinary alumni and faculty from the world-renowned Curtis Institute of Music.
The program includes delightful and soulful Spanish folk songs set by Manuel de Falla, virtuosic selections for solo violin and solo piano, and gems from the opera and song repertoire – from Mozart to Samuel Barber. Don’t miss these thrilling performances by current and future leading artists – mezzo-soprano Katie Trigg, violinist Elissa Lee Koljonen, pianist Hanchien Lee, and Curtis President and violist Roberto Díaz.
