1958 Wakefield High School grad; Author of “Affliction”
When novelist Russell Banks speaks at Beebe Library tonight at 7 p.m., it will be more than just a homecoming.
A 1958 Wakefield High School graduate, Russell Banks grew up in a working-class world that played a major role in informing and shaping his writing. Since leaving Wakefield, Banks has become one of America’s most prolific and acclaimed novelists. Two of his books, Affliction and The Sweet Hereafter were adapted into major Hollywood motion pictures.
Russell Banks’ appearance at Beebe Library is part of “Stories for a Safer Wakefield,” a month-long community inquiry during March intended to provoke thought and discussion about violence and its deterrence. His novel, “Affliction” explores the connection between alcohol and domestic violence. Continue »
Category : novelist
Author Russell Banks to Speak Tonight
Local Author Gail Lowe Speaks Monday
Local author and Wakefield Daily Item reporter Gail Lowe will be at Beebe Library on Monday September 20 at 6:30 p.m. to read from her new book, Former Things. The event is free and the public is invited. Refreshments will be served and the author will have signed copies of her book available.
Online Research Databases Make Homework Easier
It seems hard to believe that summer’s already over and many of us, kids and adults alike, are going back to school. Beebe Library can make research easier because of its many online databases provided free to you as a library cardholder. These resources are available on the 26 computers in the library, and also at your home, school or office if you have access to the Internet.
The databases include magazine and newspaper articles, including scholarly journals, encyclopedias, and even book recommendations. Many of them are provided by state funding from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. You can easily access all of our online resources 24/7 by visiting at wakefieldlibrary.org/databases.
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Online Databases Make Research Easier
Available 24/7 from home or office
It seems hard to believe that summer’s already over and many of us, kids and adults alike, are going back to school. Beebe Library can make research easier because of its many online databases provided free to you as a library cardholder. These resources are available on the computers in the library and 24 hours a day from your home, school, or office if you have Internet access. The databases include magazine and newspaper articles, encyclopedias, and even book recommendations. Most of them are provided by state or regional funding from the Northeast Massachusetts Regional Library System, of which Wakefield is a member.
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John Updike 1932-2009
Author Jennifer Haigh to Speak at Beebe Library
Thursday, December 4, at 7 p.m.
(Photo by Asia Kepka)
Novelist and short story writer Jennifer Haigh will speak at Beebe Library on Thursday, December 4, at 7 p.m. Her first book, Mrs. Kimble, won the 2004 PEN/Hemingway Award for debut fiction. Her second, Baker Towers, was a New York Times bestseller and won the PEN/L.L. Winship Award for outstanding book by a New England author. Her latest novel is The Condition.
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Author Margot Livesey to Speak at Library

Wrote The House on Fortune Street
Margot Livesey, author of six novels including her latest, “The House on Fortune Street” (May 2008), will speak at Beebe Library on Wednesday, June 4, at 7 p.m. in the Lecture Hall.
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