What is Medfield Reads?

medfield reads logoand thinks, learns, creates, converses, & comes together We are excited to announce Medfield’s very first ‘Community Reading’ venture. Medfield Reads will bring the town together to read the same book at the same time, starting a community-wide conversation. Residents will be invited to attend events and create responses to the work and its themes. The aim is to build community in a meaningful and fun way. A diverse group of Medfield residents helped select the perfect book.  Outwitting History by Massachusetts resident Aaron Lansky is a hilarious, heartfelt, and down to earth memoir. The story begins in Amherst as Lansky, a college student, decides to study Yiddish literature but discovers that Yiddish books, like the language and its speakers, are rapidly disappearing.  What starts as a youthful interest becomes Lansky’s lifework as he enlists the help of other young volunteers to gather and preserve Yiddish books all around the country and eventually the world.  In their mission the volunteers hear the stories of elderly immigrants, including many Holocaust survivors, who are delighted to pass what is left of their culture on to the next generation.  This memoir should appeal to young and old alike, those that love books, linguistics, lost causes with happy endings, and a good story. Medfield Public Library, together with many town partners, will facilitate a series of events running from fall through spring revolving around Outwitting History’s many themes. We will explore language, literature, immigration, genealogy, and intergenerational communication.  More importantly, we will come together to share in a common intellectual and social experience. Here is a sampling of what is in the works for our town this year:

  • Medfield T.V., the Center on Aging, & the high school will be sharing stories with an oral history project.
  • The Zullo Gallery will jury an art show exploring the idea of cultural identity.
  • Medfield Writes, our local writing circle, will create pieces based on the question of where do you come from?
  • Programs for children will include storytelling, folktales, & language play.
  • Park Street books will sell copies of the book.
  • The Medfield Historical Society will offer a talk relating to the immigrant experience & genealogy.
  • Local book groups are invited to host a “librarian on loan” to come discuss the work.
  • Aaron Lansky will visit Medfield to give a presentation!
  • Pack your lunchbox for a field trip to the National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst!
This is your inclusive invitation to be a part of a very exciting year for Medfield, stay tuned for details. If you want to get involved in any of the above programs or have questions contact Adult Services Librarian Andrea Fiorillo: In person: on the Lower Level of the library By phone: 508-359-4544 ext.8002 Email: afiorillo@minlib.net Federally funded with LSTA funds through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.