Take a visual journey into the life and times of America’s 16th president as we celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday this month. Author Martin Sandler will give a talk on his book, Lincoln Through the Lens: How Photography Revealed and Shaped an Extraordinary Life, on Monday, February 9 at 7:00 pm. As Lincoln rose in politics he was savvy enough to embrace photography, the new technology of his time, to propel him all the way to the White House. Sandler’s book includes over one hundred photographs of Lincoln’s life and the events that defined him. All patrons are welcome to this author talk which is also appropriate for children ages 10 and up.

Martin Sandler has written over sixty books, two of which were Pulitzer Prize nominees. His, The Story of American Photography, was named a Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Honor Book.

The poetry series continues on Tuesday, February 10 at 7:00 pm with three readings. The readings will be followed by an open mike with a limit of one poem per person. Come early to sign up; limited slots are available, time permitting. For more information visit http://www.newtonfreelibrarypoetryseries.blogspot.com/.

Richard Hoffman is the author of Half the House: a Memoir, the poetry collections, Without Paradise and Gold Star Road and won the Barrow Street Press Poetry Prize. He has been awarded several fellowships and prizes, most recently a Massachusetts Cultural Council Fellowship in fiction, and The Literary Review's Charles Angoff Prize for the essay.

A fisherman and cook, Bob Clawson’s writing has great range and has been published in, among others, the Southern Review and the Christian Science Monitor. His chapbook, Nightbreak, was published in 1997. He currently offers a collection of 15 poems on a professionally produced CD.

Marguerite Bouvard has received many fellowships and residencies in writing. She was a founding editor of the All Sides of Ourselves publication series and organizes panels for Women’s History Month. Ms. Bouvard’s activities as a Resident Scholar include organizing the first Tillie K. Lubin Symposium, as well as sponsoring a lecture series on women and human rights and on environmental racism. She has published 15 books and numerous articles in the fields of political science, psychology, literature and poetry.

The Newton Free Library and the Newton History Museum at the Jackson Homestead present Our Imprint on the Land, the three-part 2009 History Series which will focus on Newton’s changing landscape. The series will open on Thursday, February 12, at 7:00 pm at the library with a program called, Two Lakes, Two Fates: Popular Crystal Lake and Lost Silver Lake and will be presented by Newton historian Lucy Caldwell-Stair. She is an active member of the Newton History Museum, the Newton Conservators and the Newton Angino Community Farm.

In the 19th century, two Newton lakes of similar size were both used for ice harvesting and places to swim, yet their fates ultimately differed sharply. In an illustrated talk featuring old photos, maps and oral history, Ms. Caldwell-Stair will tell the tale of how topography, citizen activism and environmental neglect contributed to the contrasting stories of these two Newton landmarks.

In her second memoir Winging It: Dispatches from an (Almost) Empty Nest, Catherine Goldhammer finds herself at the crossroads where she must face her sixteen year old daughter’s increasing independence as she prepares to leave home. Goldhammer deals with what is one of life’s most universal transitions with wit, charm and rare honesty. The book is sure to speak to many who hesitantly send their children off into the world and, with both fear and excitement wonder, what’s next? Ms. Goldhammer will give a talk and book signing on Thursday, February 19 at 7:30 pm.

Catherine Goldhammer was a Poetry Fellow in the Master of Fine Arts Program at the University of Massachusetts. She has been published in the Georgia and Ohio Reviews.

In If They Could Only Speak: Understanding the Powerful Bond Between Dogs and Their Owners, Dr. Nicholas Dodman, founder of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts Veterinary School, reveals that the emotional problems of animals are treatable. Arguing that animal psychopharmacology and behavior modification can yield results, Dodman gives hope to distraught pet owners showing that the lives of even the most profoundly troubled dogs and cats can be saved. Dr. Dodman will give an author talk on Tuesday, February 24 at 7:30 pm. The talk will be followed by a book signing with books provided by New England Mobile Book Fair.

Massachusetts has world leadership potential in a number of clean technologies including materials reuse and recycling, safer alternatives to toxic chemicals, green building, clean energy, and advanced bio and nano-materials. What are clean technologies and how can the state capitalize on its expertise in research, innovation and manufacturing to reorient its economy around the development and adoption of clean technologies? Join Amy Perlmutter, Principal at Perlmutter Associates and Fellow at the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at UMass Lowell, for the second in this year’s Green Decade Coalition Environmental Speaker Series to learn more. The talk entitled, Clean Tech: An Agenda for a Healthy Economy, will be given on Monday, February 23 at 7:00 pm and promises to help us begin to understand what can we all do to help with this economic transition.

In August 2006 Pluto was voted out of planet hood by the International Astronomical Union. Despite its de-classification, what was once America’s favorite planet, (the year it was discovered Disney created an irresistible pup by the same name) Pluto, remains entrenched in our cultural and patriotic view of the cosmos. Author Neil deGrasse Tyson is on a quest to discover why and his new book, The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America’s Favorite Planet, chronicles America’s irrational love affair with Pluto. Join him for an author talk on Thursday, February 26 at 7:30 pm. The talk will be followed by a book signing with books provided by New England Mobile Book Fair.

During the debate over Pluto’s status, Americans rallied behind the extraterrestrial underdog. Since Tyson was involved in the first exhibits to demote the planet, Pluto lovers freely shared their opinions with him; including third graders who wrote endless hate mail. In his typically witty way, Tyson explores the history of planet classification and America’s obsession with the “planet” that was recently judged a dwarf. Neil deGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist with the American Museum of Natural History, the Director of the world-famous Hayden Planetarium, a monthly columnist in Natural History and an award-winning author. He has twice been appointed by President Bush to serve on commissions, one of which made recommendations for Congress and the major agencies of the government that would promote a thriving future of transportation, space exploration and national security.

Every Saturday, from February 21 through April 11, volunteers from the AARP® Tax-Aide™ Foundation will be at the library in Rooms A and B from 1:30 to 3:30 pm to answer questions related to regular (non-business) taxes. In addition, the volunteers will prepare tax returns for people age 60 or over with moderate or low income (less than $40,000 if single and less than $60,000 if filing a joint return.) Tax returns will be prepared for people under age 60 with low or moderate income as time permits. All of the volunteers are IRS certified.

The library's annual Spring Fling gala will be held on Saturday, March 28, at 7:00 pm. This library lovers’ evening will honor regional authors including Andre Dubus III (House of Sand and Fog), Mitali Perkins (Monsoon Summer), Frank Shirley (New Rooms for Old Houses) and Dr. Jake Tedaldi (What’s Wrong with My Dog?). Meet the authors, enjoy excellent food, good music and bid at our literary-themed silent auction. Visit www.newtonfreelibrary.net for more information or contact the Development Office at 617-796-1407.