2023 LOWELL READS

Legends of Little Canada by Charlie Gargiulo

From the back cover:

On the cusp of becoming a teenager, Charlie Gargiulo lived through the planned destruction of the Little Canada neighborhood of Lowell, Mass., in the 1960s. This is his story. He went on to become a legendary community organizer who led efforts to ensure people would have decent housing and a fair chance to earn a living and make a happy life for themselves.

Suggested for ages 12+

Lowell Reads – Building Community Book by Book

Lowell Reads is an annual celebration spearheaded by Lowell’s public library surrounding the questions, themes and ideas of one particular book. Our goals are to promote literacy, and to build and strengthen the bonds of our community. This year’s theme is Remembering. We’ll be offering activities which look at ways people remember and preserve the past while taking lessons from the events that happened. Lowell Reads activities will begin October 2nd and run through November 4th and will be held in person unless otherwise noted. Books are available for patrons to borrow at the First Floor display starting October 2nd.

EVENTS

Register for all events at LowellLibrary.org/events

Writers Workshop with Judith Bessette
Monday, October 2nd at 6pm
Ground Floor Meeting Room, Pollard Memorial Library
Join Judith Bessette and explore ways to preserve the past with the written word. Registration required.

Coalition for a Better Acre: Author Event
Wednesday, October 4th at 5:30 pm
Coalition for a Better Acre, 517 Moody Street, 3rd Floor
Come hear author Charlie Gargiulo discuss his new book and have your copy signed!

Lowell Celebrates Kerouac: Personal Memoir Writers Workshop
Thursday, October 5th at 2 pm
Lowell Telemedia Center, 246 Market Street
Judith Bessette will guide beginning writers and those interested in creating a framework for documenting their family history, with a nod to Jack Kerouac.

Lowell Reads Book Discussion
Wednesday, October 11th at 6:30 pm OR
Saturday, October 21st at 2:30 pm
First Floor Alcove (closest to Merrimack Street), Pollard Memorial Library
Meet with other Lowell Reads patrons to review the book, share your thoughts about the book, leadership, your own experiences and more! Registration required.

Preserving Family Recipes with Valerie Frey (VIRTUAL)
Wednesday, October 18 at 6:30 pm
From Uncle’s barbecue sauce to Grandma’s cobbler, family recipes fill us with nostalgia and draw us closer to family – if they have been saved and if they actually work right, that is. So what can you do if a beloved recipe is sketchy, horribly outdated, impossible to read, or unwritten? Valerie Frey will explore various aspects of your family’s heirloom recipes. Register to receive Zoom credentials for virtual participation. 

Little Canada Walking Tour with Bill Walsh Saturday, October 28th at 10 am
RAIN DATE: Sunday, October 29th at 10 am
Ground Floor Entrance (Colburn Street), Pollard Memorial Library
Walk with Bill Walsh and enjoy a deep dive into the history of Lowell while exploring the area formerly known as Little Canada.

Local History Research and Resources with Bridget Cooley
Wednesday, November 1st at 6:30 pm
Second Floor Reading Room, Pollard Memorial Library
Join Bridget Cooley and learn how to research genealogy using library resources and more!

lala books: Author Event
Saturday, November 4th at 1:30 pm
lala books, 189 Market Street
Come hear author Charlie Gargiulo discuss his new book and have your copy signed!

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