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Register 49 Seats Remaining

Great Decisions

2026-02-04 16:00:00 2026-02-04 17:30:00 America/New_York Great Decisions Weekly meeting for Great Decisions, America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room

Wednesday, February 04
4:00pm - 5:30pm

Add to Calendar 2026-02-04 16:00:00 2026-02-04 17:30:00 America/New_York Great Decisions Weekly meeting for Great Decisions, America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room

Weekly meeting for Great Decisions, America’s largest discussion program on world affairs.

Great Decisions, America’s largest discussion program on world affairs, meets in the Brooks Room weekly on Wednesdays from 4:00 - 5:30, February - March.

The Foreign Policy Association has selected eight critical issues facing the country to be the subjects of conversation. A briefing book is available for participants to read in advance so they can be informed and ready to participate. Participants are encouraged to order their briefing books on the association’s website, fpa.org. One copy of the briefing book will be available at the Service Desk for in-library reading.

Registration for this series is requested, not required.

Here are the topics for 2026:

Feb. 4: America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
Trump’s return has marked a break from 80 years of U.S. foreign policy leadership, embracing an “America First” approach. This chapter explores the risks of isolation and diminished influence in relation to Trump 2.0 foreign policy.

Feb. 11: Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
Trump’s aggressive trade and tariff policies have shaken global economic norms. What’s the rationale behind this radical shift in economic policy, and what are the implications for multilateral trade and geopolitics?

Feb. 18: U.S.-China Relations
Relations with China remain tense, with tariffs, military modernization, and pressure on Taiwan. Does Trump have a coherent China policy, and will his tariffs on Rare Earth minerals be effective? What are America’s strategic options?

Feb. 25: Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
U.S. alliance skepticism may drive countries like Japan and South Korea to reconsider nuclear options. What are the implications of the Trump administration’s rethinking of the U.S. alliance system for regional and global security? Will this new uncertainty alter the way allies and rivals in various regions make decisions about security and nuclear weapons?

March 4: Ukraine and the Future of European Security
With reduced U.S. support for NATO and Ukraine, Europe faces strategic uncertainty. The Trump administration has signaled an intention to reduce its security role in Europe. What are America’s stakes in NATO and Europe’s strategic dilemmas, and how might Europe respond?

March 11: Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order
Can multilateralism survive amid shifting global power and rising nationalism? This chapter examines the future of global cooperation across trade, health, and finance. (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

March 18: U.S. Engagement of Africa
Africa’s geopolitical role is growing. What lessons can the U.S. learn from China’s presence there, and how might it strengthen ties, especially with leading nations like Nigeria? What tools of statecraft might the U.S. bring to its engagement with Africa?

March 25: The Future of Human Rights and International Law
As democracy and human rights retreat globally—and the U.S. pulls back—how can civil society and legal norms remain effective in a divided world? What is the role and force of international law in this era of impunity?


April 1 is reserved for sessions rescheduled due to inclement weather.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Discussion group |

Wilbraham Public Library

Phone: 413-596-6141

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We're open 9:00AM to 8:00PM

Mon, Jan 05 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jan 06 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jan 07 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jan 08 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Fri, Jan 09 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jan 10 9:00AM to 2:00PM
Sun, Jan 11 Closed

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The Wilbraham Public Library provides resources and opportunities for community learning, recreation, and making connections.

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Tue, Jan 06, 9:30am - 10:30am
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Tue, Jan 06, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
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Tue, Jan 06, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
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Wed, Jan 07, 9:30am - 10:15am
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Fri, Jan 09, 10:30am - 11:30am
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Fri, Jan 09, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
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Student volunteers from WMA will assist with technology questions.

Mon, Jan 12, 10:00am - 10:45am
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A playgroup for children ages 2-5 with their families!
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Mon, Jan 12, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
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Tue, Jan 13, 9:30am - 10:30am
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Storytime curriculum and themed play activities.

Tue, Jan 13, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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Tue, Jan 13, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
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Wed, Jan 14, 9:30am - 10:15am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
A morning filled with music, dancing, and laughter!

Wed, Jan 14, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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Learn all about the science behind James Bond's exploits with Dr. Kathryn Harkup and her book, Superspy Science: Science, Death and Tech in the World of James Bond.
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Wed, Jan 14, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
New monthly program for ages 5+

Wed, Jan 14, 7:00pm - 8:15pm
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Author Sharon Udasin will discuss her new book, Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America. Learn how PFAS— a set of toxic chemicals most have never heard of— poisoned the country.
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Fri, Jan 16, 10:30am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Multi-sensory and exploration

Fri, Jan 16, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Teens will be taught an introduction to crochet, including basic stitches with a beginner-friendly pattern.

Fri, Jan 16, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library
Student volunteers from WMA will assist with technology questions.

Tue, Jan 20, 9:30am - 10:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Storytime curriculum and themed play activities.

Tue, Jan 20, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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Tue, Jan 20, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
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Wed, Jan 21, 9:30am - 10:15am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
A morning filled with music, dancing, and laughter!

Wed, Jan 21, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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Wed, Jan 21, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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A monthly book discussion facilitated by Assistant Director Mary Bell

Thu, Jan 22, 3:45pm - 4:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
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Fri, Jan 23, 10:30am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Multi-sensory and exploration

Fri, Jan 23, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
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Fri, Jan 23, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
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Student volunteers from WMA will assist with technology questions.

Sat, Jan 24, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Create Van Gogh's Sea at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer using only crayons!
Registration opens Saturday, January 10 2026 at 9:00am

Mon, Jan 26, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
A playgroup for children ages 2-5 with their families!

Mon, Jan 26, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Monthly meeting on the fourth Monday of the month. Books are available to pick up at the Service Desk; new comers are always welcome.

Mon, Jan 26, 7:00pm - 8:15pm
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Blogger and author Victoria Pruett will walk us through various aspects of homesteading and her book, Creating a Modern Homestead: Traditional Skills for Real, Everyday Life.
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Tue, Jan 27, 9:30am - 10:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Storytime curriculum and themed play activities.

Tue, Jan 27, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Teens will create Van Gogh's Starry Night using only crayons!

Wed, Jan 28, 9:30am - 10:15am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
A morning filled with music, dancing, and laughter!

Wed, Jan 28, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Led by Jessica Magill For questions, contact Jessica: jessicammagill@hotmail.com

Wed, Jan 28, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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Liz Moore discussES her latest work, The God of the Woods, an instant New York Times bestseller and one of NPR’s 2024 “Books We Love” highlights.
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Wed, Jan 28, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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Author Christina Hillsberg will discuss her new bestselling book, Agents of Change: The Women Who Transformed the CIA.
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Thu, Jan 29, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
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Learn how to use Libby to borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and more.
Registration opens Thursday, January 15 2026 at 9:00am

Fri, Jan 30, 10:30am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Multi-sensory and exploration

Fri, Jan 30, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library
Student volunteers from WMA will assist with technology questions.

Mon, Feb 02, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
A playgroup for children ages 2-5 with their families!

Tue, Feb 03, 9:30am - 10:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Storytime curriculum and themed play activities.

Tue, Feb 03, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library
The daytime monthly book discussion group facilitated by Library Director Melissa Harter. New members always welcome!

Tue, Feb 03, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
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Registration opens Tuesday, January 6 2026 at 9:00am

Wed, Feb 04, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Weekly meeting for Great Decisions, America’s largest discussion program on world affairs.

Wed, Feb 04, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Meets the first Wednesday of every other month. Participants will make and share dishes from the month’s selected cookbook.
Registration opens Wednesday, January 7 2026 at 6:30pm