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VIRTUAL: The Power of Connection with Dr. Marisa Franco

Creating Lasting Friendships in an Increasingly Lonely World

2026-07-28 14:00:00 2026-07-28 15:00:00 America/New_York VIRTUAL: The Power of Connection with Dr. Marisa Franco Join us in virtual conversation with bestselling author Dr. Marisa Franco, one of the world’s leading experts in human connection. Virtual -

Tuesday, July 28
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Join us in virtual conversation with bestselling author Dr. Marisa Franco, one of the world’s leading experts in human connection.

Join us in virtual conversation with bestselling author Dr. Marisa Franco, one of the world’s leading experts in human connection. Her book, Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make–And Keep–Friends, explores the science of different attachment styles and how they impact our relationships–often in ways we don’t realize!

How do we make and keep friends in an era of distraction, burnout, and chaos, especially in a society that often prizes romantic love at the expense of other relationships? In Platonic, Dr. Marisa G. Franco unpacks the latest, often counterintuitive findings about the bonds between us—for example, why your friends aren’t texting you back (it’s not because they hate you!), and the myth of “friendships happening organically” (making friends, like cultivating any relationship, requires effort!). As Dr. Franco explains, to make and keep friends you must understand your attachment style—secure, anxious, or avoidant: it is the key to unlocking what’s working (and what’s failing) in your friendships.

Making new friends, and deepening longstanding relationships, is possible at any age—in fact, it’s essential. The good news: there are specific, research-based ways to improve the number and quality of your connections using the insights of attachment theory and the latest scientific research on friendship. Platonic provides a clear and actionable blueprint for forging strong, lasting connections with others—and for becoming our happiest, most fulfilled selves in the process.

Register today to learn more about how to harness the science of human connection to create cultures of belonging. 

About the Author:

An enlightening psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, and TED speaker, Dr. Marisa G. Franco is known for digesting and communicating science in ways that resonate deeply enough with people to change their lives. 

Dr. Franco works as a professor at The University of Maryland and authored Platonic: How The Science of Attachment Can Help You Make – and Keep – Friends. She writes about friendship for Psychology Today and has been a featured connection expert for major publications like The New York Times, The Telegraph, and Vice.

Dr. Franco speaks on belonging at corporations, government agencies, non-profits, and universities across the country, including Harper Collins Publishers, Cisco, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and The Department of State.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Virtual | Lecture | Author event |

Wilbraham Public Library

Phone: 413-596-6141

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Today's hours

We're open 9:00AM to 5:00PM

Mon, Jul 13 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jul 14 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jul 15 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jul 16 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Fri, Jul 17 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jul 18 9:00AM to 2:00PM
Sun, Jul 19 Closed

About the branch

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

Upcoming Events

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Fri, Jul 17, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us to create a simple bee bath.
This event is full

Cancelled
Sat, Jul 18, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library
This event has been cancelled.

Mon, Jul 20, 9:30am - 10:15am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Multi-sensory and exploration

Cancelled
Mon, Jul 20, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library
Exploring practical lifestyle habits that support energy, connection, and overall well-being.

Mon, Jul 20, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Gracia Collins Rich will be discussing the extraordinary efforts of Black Americans whose invaluable contributions during the Revolutionary War helped bring about U.S. Independence.
Register

Tue, Jul 21, 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Get a unique henna design from Mandy of Wicked Good Henna!
This event is full

Tue, Jul 21, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library
Monthly on the third Tuesday of each month in the Brooks Room, Wilbraham Public Library

Tue, Jul 21, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us for 2 teen programs mashed into 1: henna tattoos & sticker art! Have fun socializing with friends while creating sticker art, and get your favorite henna tattoo!

Wed, Jul 22, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Teens will create their own flower blossom soaps to take home.

Wed, Jul 22, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Led by Jessica Magill For questions, contact Jessica: jessicammagill@hotmail.com

Thu, Jul 23, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
A fun and informative hands-on traveling exhibit of musical instruments!

Fri, Jul 24, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
In this hands-on workshop, teens will build their very own miniature terrarium.
This event is full

Fri, Jul 24, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Build your own miniature terrarium!
This event is full

Sat, Jul 25, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us for a special presentation by Rich Howell exploring the origins of America's founding document, the meaning behind its famous words, and the story of how it was drafted.

Mon, Jul 27, 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, Jul 27, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
The Escapes of David George reveals the untold experience of the American revolutionary period—a Black man’s quest for the freedom espoused by our Founders, but denied him and other enslaved people.
Register

Tue, Jul 28, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Virtual
Join us in virtual conversation with bestselling author Dr. Marisa Franco, one of the world’s leading experts in human connection.
Register

Tue, Jul 28, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us for a seashell sketching workshop and create your own small coastal still life!

Wed, Jul 29, 9:30am - 10:30am
Virtual
Learn how to manage your online reputation to minimize mistakes that may cost you opportunities.
Register

Wed, Jul 29, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join Brie's Balloons for a creative and fun balloon twisting experience!
This event is full

Wed, Jul 29, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Learn how to search Ancestry Library Edition to find more information about your family history in this hands-on program.

Mon, Aug 03, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Bedazzle a book!

Mon, Aug 03, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Author Lars D. H. Hedbor will discuss his book, The Convention: Tales From a Revolution which centers on the Convention Army, captured at Saratoga, and initially marched across to Cambridge.
Register

Tue, Aug 04, 10:30am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Entertaining children and family audiences for over 35 years!

Tue, Aug 04, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
The daytime monthly book discussion group facilitated by Library Director Melissa Harter. New members always welcome!

Tue, Aug 04, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Virtual
Join us for a conversation as we delve into the legacy of cooking icon Julia Child with Smithsonian curator and public historian Paula J. Johnson.
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Tue, Aug 04, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Add some sparkle to your bookshelf by bedazzling part of your favorite book cover!
Registration opens Monday, July 20 2026 at 9:00am

Wed, Aug 05, 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.

Cancelled
Thu, Aug 06, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library
A summer STEAM series for kids ages 6+ who like to create!

Cancelled
Sat, Aug 08, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library
Children 4 and under and their adult are invited! This event is geared towards the children of working parents and guardians who are unable to attend our weekday programming, but all are welcome.

Mon, Aug 10, 9:30am - 10:15am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Multi-sensory and exploration

Cancelled
Mon, Aug 10, 12:30pm - 1:15pm
Wilbraham Public Library
Storytime and a craft!

Mon, Aug 10, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Learn about the life of Paul Revere as portrayed by historical interpreter & reenactor Michael Lepage.
Registration opens Monday, July 20 2026 at 9:00am

Mon, Aug 10, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Salina B. Baker will discuss Act Worthy of Yourselves: A Novel of Dr. Joseph Warren and an American Rebellion. This biographical novel brings Bostonian Dr. Warren to life in vivid, intimate detail.
Register

Tue, Aug 11, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Teens will learn about copper and craft their very own bookmark to take home.
This event is full

Wed, Aug 12, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Monthly program for ages 5+

Thu, Aug 13, 9:00am - 10:00am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Stop by the Brooks Room on the 2nd Thursday of the month to visit a certified therapy dog!

Thu, Aug 13, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Virtual
Join us to learn how to stay sharp, stay ready, and stay safe in every aspect of your daily life with Dannah Eve’s book, Street Smarts. 
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Thu, Aug 13, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Interskate 91
Join us for an end of summer reading celebration!

Sat, Aug 15, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Bring your extra houseplants, clippings, and propagations to the library to swap with others & chat with fellow plant lovers.