Who's Art is it Anyway? Art & Commerce Panel Discussion - Thursday, April 5th, 7pm UMass O'Leary Library Auditorium

Even though it conflicts with our Non-Ficiton Book Club meeting this Thursday (I figure if you've invested the time to read Cleopatra: A Life you're already coming to the meeting, and if not, it's probably too late to start—I wouldn't say the book is uninteresting but it is formidable) I want to give a quick plug to what looks like a fascinating event happening this Thursday, April 5th at 7pm. That would be the Dickens in Lowell / Parker Lecture Series Performance and Panel discussion on Who's Art is it Anyway? this Thursday April 5th at 7pm at the O'Leary Library Auditorium, Room 222, 61 Wilder St, UMass Lowell South Campus.

A trio of UML professors (writer Andre Dubus III, photographer Arno Minkkinen, and musician Alan Williams) each will be sharing some of their work and then engaging in a panel discussion on some of the gnarly ethical dilemmas they face as producers of creative material—including what they think as creative producers about copyright, artistic influence and artistic property.

Reminds me of Lewis Hyde's book Common As Air: Revolution, Art and Ownership which I'll be advocating for at the Non-Fiction Book Group this Thursday—it all comes full circle.

Parker Lecture - R.P. Hale - The 2012 Fraud: Misreading the Maya and Their Calendars - Thursday November 17th @ 7pm

Join us for what's sure to be an illuminating Parker Lecture this Thursday, November 17th for R.P. Hale's debunking of the myth of the Mayan calendar in a lecture entitled: The 2012 Fraud: Misreading the Maya and Their Calendars. We will explore the history of the Apocalypse, mankind’s second oldest story, along with what the Mayan calendars are and how they work. R.P. Hale is of Aztec heritage, an astronomer, musician, calligrapher, and chemist. In 1999, the Smithsonian Institution recognized R.P. Hale as one of the top musical instrument makers in the United States.

Parker Lecture - Stephen Collins Shakescene - Thursday October 20th @ 7pm

Join us for this Thursday at 7pm for Stephen Collins' Shake-scene. Actor Stephen Collins will give a performance stressing the lasting effect of the bards impact on the English language. Shakespeare’s tragedies, comedies, histories, and Sonnets are all represented in this exciting show. This lecture is brought to you by the Moses Greeley Parker Lecture Series.

Parker Tonight - Literacy & Laughter Saturday

Just wanted to quickly remind you of the highly anticipated talk tonight by Chaim Roseberg on his new book The Life and Times of Francis Cabot Lowell, 1775-1815. The talk begins at 7PM in the Ground Floor Community Room and is free and open to the public thanks to the good folks at the Moses Greeley Parker Lecture Series.

We also wanted to tell you there is still time to sign up for the UFund Literacy program for kids aged 3-6 happening this Saturday at 10AM in the Ground Floor Community Room. This is a really fun program that encourages literacy and laughter by bringing in a costumed character to act out a story. Participants also receive a book to take home with them. You can stop by the Children's Desk or call 978-970-4122 to sign up. Sponsored by the UFund College Savings Plan.

Parker at the Pollard - Chaim Rosenberg "Life and Times of Francis Cabot Lowell" next Thursday, 9/22 @7PM

As part of the Moses Greeley Parker Lecture Series, the Pollard Library is pleased to welcome next Thursday, September 22nd Chaim Rosenberg to give a talk about his recently published biography, The Life and Times of Francis Cabot Lowell, 1775-1817. Though there have been many biographies written over the years of famous Lowellians, this is the first biography of Lowell's namesake. He was an instrumental character in the burgeoning industrial revolution though he died before ever seeing the town that bears his name. As local historian and blogger Richard Howe Jr. noted, this is going to be a special event for those interested in Lowell history so don't miss it if you number yourself among the ranks of Lowell's history buffs. This event is sponsored by the Moses Greeley Parker Lecture Series and is free and open to the public. For more information please contact the Community Planning Department at 978-970-4118.

Parker Lecture Brochures Now Available

It's that time of year again. Time to mark your calendars for the upcoming Parker Lecture Series. We have the attractive 2011-2012 Calendar of Events brochures available at our public desks. Some of the highlights include local authors, Jane Brox and Katherine Paterson, a panel on "Intellectual Property and the Arts" featuring Andre Dubus III, Arno Minkkinen and Alan Williams, and of course, the Pollard Library will be hosting a few events this fall:

September 22, 7PM -- Chaim Rosenberg will give a talk on his recently published biography of Francis Cabot Lowell.

October 20, 7PM -- Stephen Collins will perform his one man show "Shake-Scene" about none other than William Shakespeare.

November 17, 7PM -- RP Hale will give a talk entitled "The 2012 Fraud: Misreading the Maya and Their Calendars" just in time for the new year.

Come on down to the library and pick up your brochure today! And while your at it, enter our Adult Summer Reading drawing!

Parker at the Pollard - Mish Michaels "Storm Chasing" - Thursday, November 18th, 7PM

Mish Michaels on the summit of Mount Washington in mid winter. Wind chill values approaching 50 below.

The Pollard is pleased to welcome Mish Michaels to speak on Thursday, November 18th, 2010 at 7PM as part of the Moses Greeley Parker Lectures. Mish Michaels is an Emmy Award winning broadcast meteorologist and environmental reporter. When Mish was in kindergarten, an F2 tornado ripped through her apartment complex just outside of Baltimore, Maryland. It is her earliest childhood memory, and she's been searching the skies ever since. Mish has been affiliated with the Meteorology Department at UMass Lowell for over a decade, where she has taught a course called "Meteorological Communications." Rescheduled from last year.This event is free and open to the public. We'd love to see you there!