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In 2009 the library started our “Great Presenters Series” (GPS). Presenters are typically Wayland residents who are willing to share their expertise or experience in an area that we feel might be of interest to the general public. The GPS has been a resounding success with series topics ranging widely from technology to the arts to outdoor adventure, and everything in between. We greatly appreciate the continued willingness of Wayland residents to share their knowledge and avocations with the rest of us!

2024 Program Listing2024 Series Flyer (PDF) | Archive

A selection of videos and slides from past speakers:

Dr. John Dowd – What is Your Gut Telling You?  A Conversation with Dr. John Dowd
(March 5, 2024)
Video | Slides
Prof. Matt Liebmann – Proto-American History:  Archaeological Tales of Discovery, Invasion, and Encounter
(February 6, 2024)
Video
Jim Klumpp – A 2,700-mile Hike along the Continental Divide Trail
(January 9, 2024)
Video
Win Treese – The Romantic Engineer: Poetry Meets Technology
(December 5, 2023)
Video
Richard Raiselis – Natural Witness: A Painter’s Pledge to See the World With His Own Two Eyes
(November 7, 2023)
Video
David Blais – Why Are We Still Dealing with the Challenges of Food Insecurity & Hunger?
(October 3, 2023)
Video
Craig Gruber – Evidence of Things Unseen: How National Security Influences Actions at Home and Abroad
(May 9, 2023)
Video
Yamini Ranjan and Karen Blumenfeld – Wayland’s New Human Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee 
(April 4, 2023)
Video
Janot Mendler de Suarez and Pablo Suarez – Serious Fun for Global Change: Lessons from Climate & Antiracism
(March 7, 2023)
Video
Dr. Alvaro Pascual-Leone – Addressing Dementia & Other Brain-Related Disabilities
(February 7, 2023)
Video
Steve Robb – Song Creating: Painting with Words and Music
(January 24, 2023)
Video
Prof. David Hackett Fischer – African Founders
(December 6, 2022)
Video
Sachin Sawe – You Keep Shooting!
(November 1, 2022)
Video
Richard Lee – Building a New Home from the Old:
The Immigrant Experience and the Things We Brought Over
(October 11, 2022)
Marla Greenfield – Transparency of Watercolors: Letting Layers Shine Through
(May 3, 2022)
Video
Dr. Andrew Eyre – Medical Simulation: The Present and Future of Medical Education
(April 5, 2022)
Video
Rob McCallum – Working Under Pressure: Ocean Exploration – 7 Miles Down
(March 1, 2022)
Video
Dr. Michael Van Rooyen – The World’s Emergency Room: Saving Lives a Million at a Time
(February 3, 2022)
Video
Rachel Rice – Aligning Your Energy to Your Highest Purpose
(January 11, 2022)
Video
Barbara Grad – Home Grown: Paintings by Barbara Grad
(December 7, 2021)
Video
John Landry – The Emerging Existential Threat of AI-Driven Cyberwarfare
(November 2, 2021)
Video
Rebecca Smoler – Let’s Talk about Race and Equity in the Suburbs
(June 1, 2021)
Video
Peter Curran – (Un)Blocked: Breaking Barriers to Creativity
(May 4, 2021)
Video
John Toto & Doug Ellis – The Freemasons: History, Secrets and Future
(March 2, 2021)
Video
Conrad Gees – Cuba – More than Classic American Cars & 1950s Nostalgia
(February 2, 2021)
Video
James Karlson – Sports Medicine: Not Just for the Professional Athlete
(March 3, 2020)
Video
Alan Marscher & Svetlana Jorstad – Black Hole Monsters at the Centers of Galaxies
(February 4, 2020)
Video
Brian Donahue: The History and Future of Farming and Conservation in New England
(January 7, 2020)
Video
Kathy Defina: The Magic of Silk Painting
(December 3, 2019)
Video
Ian Condry: Hearing the Future in Music in Tokyo, Boston, and Berlin
(November 5, 2019)
Video
Evan Hadingham: Adventures with Nova
(October 1, 2019)
Video
Joan Blair: From the Streets to the Galleries: Japanese Woodblock Prints at the Museum of Fine Arts
(April 9, 2019)
Video | Slides | Bibliography
Dr. Ruben Azocar: Having Surgery after 65? What to know, consider, and ask
(December 4, 2018)
Video | Slides
Ray Harlan: On Gossamer Wings
(November 6, 2018)
Video 
Neil Olmstead: Composing a Song Cycle for Voice and Piano
(10/2/2018)
Video
Hendrik Broekman: Living the Harpsichord Life
(June 6, 2018)
Video
Image result for herb kavetHerb Kravetz: Remote and Exciting Travel by Bicycle
(December 5, 2017)
Video
Stephen Winthrop & Jane Williamson: Making a Lasting Splash after the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge of 2014
(November 7, 2017)
Video
suzanne hodes Suzanne Hodes: “Studio Days – A memoir of my creative life”
(October 3, 2017)
Video