***at Cary Memorial Hall*** 1605 Massachusetts Avenue

In this fascinating work, author Tracy Kidder takes the reader inside the everyday workings of Northampton, Massachusetts - a place that not only seems to personify the typical American hometown, but is also in many ways, strikingly similar to Lexington. In its pages, Tracy Kidder goes behind the town’s outer façade to reveal how individuals shape the social conscience of a community. Join us to meet the author, and to engage in a compelling conversation about both Home Town and our town.

Sunday, March 14 2:00 p.m.
This program is generously underwritten by the Cary Memorial Library Foundation.

How do family businesses evolve over several generations? Members of the Wilson and Michelson families (representing Wilson Farms and Michelson’s Shoes) along with Lester Savage of Lester Savage Real Estate will discuss how they have adapted their businesses to changing needs and times.

As a counterpoint to the multi-generational perspective, Peter Siy, the new owner of Lexington Venue (formerly Lexington Flick) will discuss how he is transforming an older business to meet the needs of current residents.

Whether you are a newcomer or a Lexington old-timer, Beverly Kelley’s photographic tour of Lexington history will take you on a journey that provides a look at the past as well as some clues as to why and how Lexington has changed.

Information Specialist Arthur Bakis of the U.S. Census Bureau will explore Lexington’s changing population, using data that is currently available on the Census Bureau’s website. He will also discuss what data will be collected in the 2010 decennial census, when that data will be available, and how understanding census information can help YOU to know your community, and plan for the future!

Come with us on a journey through time, where you will see, on maps, the growth and development of Lexington as its character is transformed over the centuries. Copies of these unique and fascinating maps, selected from the Edwin B. Worthen Collection, will be on display in the Piper Gallery throughout the month of March.

Last year’s Lexington Reads program focused on Telling Our Stories. As part of that program, 21 residents chose to record on video a personal story or remembrance that held special significance to them. Some are humorous, some are poignant, and all represent unique individuals who have chosen to make Lexington their "home town".

We will be showing the "Telling Our Stories" video continuously throughout the afternoon on Saturday March 27th in the Large Meeting Room. Please drop by for this special viewing of these very special stories. Refreshments will be served.

Our adult book groups will be reading and discussing “Home Town” by Tracy Kidder. All are welcome.

Tell us about the everyday people whose acts of kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity make our community such a special place in which to live. To nominate a “Hometown Hero”, pick up a blank “Hometown Heroes” postcard at the Library, fill it out, and return it to the Library. Postcards will be displayed in the Library during the month of March.

Lexingtonians come from all over the world. Help us compile a map showing where we all came from. Stop by the Library and fill out a slip with your birthplace. The map will be displayed in the Library and online and will be continuously updated throughout the month.

How well do you know your town? Our Lexington Reads poster shows several buildings and landmarks from various parts of town. Some are old, some are more modern, and all are distinctive. See if you can identify each building and landmark and then complete our contest entry form (available at the Library). Completed entries should be dropped off at the Lexington Reads display by the circulation desk. A winner will be randomly selected from those entries that correctly identify all 13 items.

Kids! - draw a map of your world! It could be your room, your house, your street, your neighborhood, or even the whole town.

Pick up a map sheet in the Children’s Room or print one out online. When you’ve finished your map, bring it back to the Children’s Room and we will hang it on the wall for everyone to admire.

What makes Lexington unusual? Submit your ideas at carylibrary.tumblr.com and read what other people think. Please limit your submissions to 140 characters.

an evening with Dr Nicholas Christakis

From health and happiness to fads and financial markets, Dr Nicholas Christakis will take us on a dazzling tour of the world of social networks. And in showing how these networks matter in our individual lives, he also makes the deeper point that "network thinking" is the key to understanding how all our lives fit together. Join us for an evening that is guaranteed to be intriguing, exciting, thought-provoking and informative!