J.V. Fletcher Library Hosts Free Virtual Amelia Earhart Talk Monday Night
J.V. Fletcher Library hosts author Rachel Hartigan for a free online program tonight at 7 p.m., the headlining local event on a quiet Monday as the library simultaneously opens its 2026 summer reading season for all ages.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
Author Rachel Hartigan joins the J.V. Fletcher Library virtually tonight, Monday, June 15, from 7 to 8 p.m. for "Virtual-Lost: Amelia Earhart's Three Mysterious Deaths and One Extraordinary Life." Hartigan's talk weaves biography and detective mystery as she explores the aviation pioneer's story — the kind of learning-meets-mystery program the library says it particularly loves to offer. The event is free and accessible online.
The library has also launched its 2026 Summer Reading program under the theme "Plant a Seed, Read!" with tracks for children, teens, and adults. The program is open now, and details are available at westfordlibrary.org. J.V. Fletcher continues to operate from its temporary location at 515 Groton Road while the historic Main Street building undergoes the renovation and expansion project backed by a $7.85 million state grant and approved by voters in 2022. Residents should note the library will be closed this Friday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.
Looking slightly further ahead, the library will host a Strega Mama live storytime featuring "Strega Nona" on June 25 at Roudenbush Community Center, Room 105, and a YA Summer Reading Kickoff Party the same day at Forge Pond Beach — two in-person events that mark a busy return to community programming.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"🌱 Patch AM: Why Westford's Molly Smith is skipping this year's Lowell City tourney" — Westford athlete Molly Smith has decided to sit out this summer's Lowell City tournament, a choice that has caught the attention of local sports followers, per Westford Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).
"🌱 Patch AM: Chuck Clough and 14 more events" — Patch's Monday morning digest flags a full slate of 15 community events on the Westford calendar this week, per Westford Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/westford).
COMING UP
- Wednesday, June 17: Virtual job search strategies workshop for adults 50 and over, hosted by J.V. Fletcher Library. Also June 17: Virtual mystery/thriller book recommendations session with bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan via Zoom. - Friday, June 19: J.V. Fletcher Library closed for Juneteenth. - Monday, June 22: Westford School Committee regular meeting, in person or virtual. - Tuesday, June 23: Select Board meeting. - Wednesday, June 24: Conservation Commission meeting. - Thursday, June 25: Strega Mama Storytime, "Strega Nona," Roudenbush Community Center, Room 105, 65 Main St., 2 p.m. Also June 25: YA Summer Reading Kickoff Party at Forge Pond Beach. - Thursday, June 25: Board of Water Commissioners monthly meeting.