ADULT PROGRAMS

Upcoming Events:

To register for an event, click on the Library Event Calendar & Registration link at the top of the library’s homepage 

www.taftpubliclibrary.org

Dustin Pari Returns!

Motivational speaker and paranormalist with the Ghost Hunters TV series, Dustin Pari is also a lecturer on all things “holiday!” This fall he joins us for It’s a Great Lecture, Charlie Brown!, a program that looks at the history of the Peanuts gang Halloween special with notes on the characters, Halloween parties, trick or treating, and the Great Pumpkin of course! Help us welcome Dustin back on Tuesday, October 17 at 7 p.m.  Registration is required as space is limited.  Don’t miss it!

Handcrafting Group

Let’s get crafty! Join us on Wednesday, October 4 and Wednesday, October 18 at 2 p.m. downstairs in the library and get your craft on. Bring your own craft project, whatever it might be, to work on while you visit. Intended for adults.  Crafts are NOT supplied.

Learn Contract Bridge

with Val Fay

Join Val Fay, a contract bridge instructor for over twenty years, as he guides you through the game of contract bridge. Designed for ages 16 and up, the classes Val offers will include upgraded instructions at the beginning of every class, starting with the basics. Those interested should contact him at 508-478-3049 to sign up. All bridge players are forever students of the game, no matter what level they feel they’ve achieved. Whether you play or have always wanted to learn, join him on Tuesday afternoons at the library. For further details regarding specific times and schedules, call Val’s number above.

Adult Book Club

The Adult Book Club will meet on Monday, October 9 at 7 p.m. to discuss The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow.  Adult Book Clubs are typically held on the second Monday of the month.  

For upcoming book clubs contact the library at 508-473-3259 to request copies of the books or log in to your account from our website to request them through interlibrary loan.  The Adult Book Club book discussion schedule is as follows:

November: Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth

December: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

German Conversation Club

Are you looking for a place to practice what German you remember or to improve your German vocabulary? Conversations in German is no pressure, just fun! Lead by Library Assistant (and Mendon resident) Monika Schmid, the group typically meets the last Monday of each month. The group will be on hiatus in September, but mark your calendars for Monday, October 30 at 6 p.m. for the next session. Registration is required. To register, visit our website.

Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club

The Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club meets downstairs in the library on a quarterly basis. Those interested are asked to stop at the downstairs desk to sign the Footnotes registration sheet and pick up a copy of the latest book.

Upcoming books in the Footnotes series:

The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre (January discussion date TBD)

The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams by Stacy Schiff (April/May discussion date TBD)

Cooking with Chef Rob Scott

Chef Rob Scott returns with a whole new set of cooking demonstrations on Zoom. Rob joins us virtually from his kitchen in Long Island. All ages are welcome to participate. The recipes will be sent out before each class if you want to cook alongside Chef Rob. Sessions are at 7 p.m. The next sessions are:

Tuesday, October 10: Celebrate Italian Heritage Month with Shrimp & Capellini Pancakes and Baby Spinach and Italian Lemon Almond Biscuits

Tuesday, November 14: Turkey with Cranberry Hoisin Sauce, Scallion Pancakes, and Simply Creative Cranberry Fruit Relish to go with your Turkey

Tuesday, December 19: Provolone and Artichoke Cheese Ball in Toasted Pignoli Nuts and Amazing Swedish Meatballs

Please visit our website to register for each session.

Friends of the Taft Public Library Meeting

The Friends of the Library will meet on Monday, October 30 at 7 p.m. downstairs in the library’s Art Holmes Community Room for their monthly board meeting. Board meetings are typically held on the last Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m., unless it falls on a holiday or during a school vacation. All are welcome (and encouraged) to attend. If you plan on attending, it’s always a good idea to call the library at 508-473-3259 or email the Friends at [email protected] to confirm the date and time of the meeting. The group will do its best to post any meeting changes on the Taft Library web site.

TAFT CHILDREN’S NEWS- OCTOBER 2023

Registration is required for all programs. Please log onto our website: www.taftpubliclibrary.org and find the events page to register along with more information for the programs.

Itty Bitty Story Time 

Itty Bitty Story time is designed for our youngest patrons birth to 3 years old. Join us for a lot of fun on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. 

Story & Craft Time 

Join us for story and craft time! Perfect for the preschool-aged child. All sessions take place Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. 

Alphabet Storytime-Begins October 11

It’s all about the alphabet. Each week we will focus on a different letter. We will read a couple of books, sing songs, and learn about the letter of the week. Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

Coffee and Conversations & Puppet Storytime 

Dates - Wednesdays: October 4, November 1, December 6. Time: 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Location: Taft Public Library, 29 North Ave., Mendon. 

Join us for an informal playtime where families will be able to build social connections, learn about early childhood development and family friendly resources. Taft will supply Muffin House Muffins.

Please stay for the 10:30 a.m. Puppet Storytime. Join Newton & Friends of Through Me to You Puppetry for songs & stories. At the end of the 30-minute show, children can greet the puppets. Geared for children 2 to 5 years, but all are welcome.

Preschool Kidding Around Yoga 

We will learn yoga poses, dance, sing, and meditate.This class is all about fun- all abilities are welcome. Mats are available, or feel free to bring your own. Wednesday, October 11 at 9:30 a.m. 

Toddlers, Tantrums, Meltdowns, Oh My! Presented by Jill Vetstein - Thursday, October 19 at 7 p.m., Virtual program 

Designed for parents of children ages 15 months - 4 years and early childhood educators. This training session explains the many reasons why children have tantrums. It explains what to do when tantrums occur and what to do to help prevent them. Participants will have deep understanding of how emotional regulation works. 

Tutors with Tails-October 24

Meet Sprite! Sprite is a therapy dog who loves children and loves books. Sprite & her owner Janet will visit the Taft the last Tuesday of each month. Register today for the opportunity to read to Sprite! Spots are limited.

This program is designed to help increase reading fluency and build a child’s confidence in their reading ability. The dog provides a non-judgmental safe environment for children to practice their reading.

Dr. Junglestein’s Halloween Spooktacular - Tuesday, October 24 at 6:30 p.m. 

Get ready for some Autumnal fun! Jungle Jim is excited to perform his “Dr. Junglestein’s Halloween Spooktacular Balloon Madness Show” for the patrons of Taft Library. 

This program combines festive entertainment with Jungle Jim’s trademark high-energy, interactive engagement. Get ready for the Zombie Dance Challenge, Giant Spooky Creature Creation, and even Ghostbusters Training. Make sure to wear your Halloween costume! 

Music & Movement with Deb Hudgins 

Miss Deb will join us on Tuesday, October 31 at 10:30 a.m. for a fun-filled, musical morning. Feel free to wear your Halloween costume. Registration is required and limited.  

Book Clubs

Registration is required for all book clubs. Books are available for pickup at the Children’s Circulation desk. Pizza and refreshments will be served. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions. 

6-9 Book Club - We will be reading:  Monday: Into the Cave of Thieves by Ralph Lazar. The book club discussion will be held on Tuesday, October 10 at 5pm.

8-12 Book Club - We will be reading: Spy School by Stuart Gibbs. The book club will be held on Tuesday, October 3 at 5 p.m.

Graphic Novel Book Club- This month we will be reading: The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell. The book club will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 5 p.m.