By Matthew Bachtold, Library Director and Lee Ann Murphy, Children’s Librarian

Friends of the Upton Town Library News:

Spring Book Sale on May 17 at the Upton Community Center (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.). This is one of the Friends’ major fundraisers and proceeds go to Museum Passes and other great community benefits. If you are able to give volunteer help, please join the Friends for a Set-Up Party on Friday, May 16, at 7 p.m. in the Community Center. All are welcome!

The June Friends Celebration concludes another successful year of fundraising and events.  Come join the Friends and hear about upcoming plans as well as ways you can be a Friend. All are welcome and new ideas encouraged. At the Upton Community Center on Thursday, June 12, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Adult Events

Saturday Board Game Terraforming Mars – Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. For ages 16 - Adult

Join us in learning how to play Terraforming Mars. Compete for the most victory points as you take actions to convert the planet Mars. Registration required. Register online at uptonlibrary.org.

Plant Swap – Saturday, May 31, 9:30 - 11 a.m.

Calling all plant enthusiasts! Bring your plants, cuttings, and seeds to the library for a plant swap! Exchange your old plants for new ones and chat with other plant parents and gardeners. Please only bring healthy plants with no pests, mold, or disease. Plants can be potted in soil or cuttings in water, and preferably labeled if possible. Please only bring pots that you are willing to part with. Indoor and outdoor plants are welcome.  Registration is encouraged, but not required.

Drum Circle with Dave Curry - Saturday, June 7, 7 - 9 p.m. Ages 8 - Adult

Join facilitator Dave Curry for an evening of freestyle drumming. Instruction and extra drums are provided, but you can also bring your own drums and percussion instruments. No prior experience is necessary, so the circle is suitable for beginners on up to experienced drummers. Registration is requested. *Now a monthly program, sponsored by Friends of the Upton Library

An Afternoon of Acoustic Fun with Singer-Songwriter P.E. James – Friday, June 13, 2 - 3 p.m.

Join us as P.E. James performs sing-along songs mixed in with folk tunes, standards, show tunes, early rock and roll, and favorites of the 1920s through the 1960s and 70s. For more information about P.E. James or to listen to his recordings, check out his website www.pejamesmusic.com.

Virtual Chat with YA and Adult Author Edward Underhill: A "Together with Pride" Event – Monday, June 9, 7 - 8 p.m.  

Please note this is a virtual program that will take place via Zoom. Registration is required to receive the link to access the Zoom Webinar via email. 

Transgender author Edward Underhill will be joining the Boyden Library as part of the "Together With Pride" initiative, in partnership with other local Foxborough organizations to celebrate and support the community. He will discuss his two newest books; The In Between Bookstore (Adult debut released in January 2025) and In Case You Read This (YA released in May 2025) with Teen Librarian Jennifir Huston. This program is hosted by the Boyden Library, Foxborough, is brought to you in collaboration with a multitude of MA & NH libraries, and is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library.

Virtual Author Talk Series

View free online author talks, either live or recorded. Register and get more information at the library website, or at https://libraryc.org/uptontownlibrary

Author Talk with Liann Zhang: On Writing a Brilliant, Dark, and Diabolical Thriller  - Wednesday, May 14 at 7 p.m.

Author Talk with Lisa Jewell: Explore Unexpected Twists and Turns - Tuesday, June 10, at 2 p.m.

Children’s & Young Adult Events

Spring StoryWalk Begins! – Thursday, May 1 at VFW Playground

Stop by the VFW Playground anytime dawn to dusk, to enjoy the library's Spring StoryWalk, Bird Builds a Nest by Martin Jenkins. A StoryWalk is a self-guided picture book activity, put together with separate story page panels that families can enjoy one at a time with their children. No staff is involved with this event, so enjoy it any time that fits your schedule! Our spring StoryWalk will run May 1 through June 14. For ages 3+. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier Vermont. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

Oreo Cookie Taste Test – Friday, May 9 at 1 p.m.

Tweens and teens can join us to sample popular Oreo flavors and determine a winner for the best flavor! Participants will compare six different flavors and rank their favorites. Please contact Lee Ann Murphy at [email protected] with any food allergy questions. Donations made by Price Chopper and Wegman's! For ages 8 to 12. Please register. This event coincides with an early release day for the Mendon-Upton Regional School District.

Monthly Library Events – Register now!

All programs and events require pre-registration at uptonlibrary.org or call 508-529-6272.  Registrations open the month prior to events.

Baby Storytime – Fridays at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Baby Storytime is for ages birth to 3 and is held on Fridays. This is a 20-30-minute lapsit program featuring stories, songs, and nursery rhymes. Pre-registration required.  

Preschool Storytime –Thursdays at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Preschool Storytime is for ages 3 to 5 and is held on Thursdays. This is a 45-minute program featuring stories, songs, rhymes, and a craft. Pre-registration required.

Saturday Storytime – Saturday, May 17 at 9:30 a.m.

Once a month we offer a 30-45-minute Saturday Storytime, blending Baby and Preschool storytimes featuring stories, songs, rhymes, and a craft. Can’t join us for our weekday programs? This event is just for you! For ages 0-5. Pre-registration required.

Drop-In Storytime – Monday, May 19 at 9:30 a.m.

Our Children’s Department offers a Drop-In Storytime session, once a month. No registration required! This is a blend of our Baby and Preschool Storytimes; however, no craft will be provided. We will feature stories, songs, rhymes, and fun! This will be held in the Greatroom and will be a larger group size. For ages 0 to 5.

Music & Movement – Monday, May 12 and Monday, June 2 at 9:30 a.m.

This program features Deb Hudgins and is an interactive program, perfect for children and their caregivers to enjoy together. Deb plays guitar and sings, and is sure to incorporate stories, dancing, fingerplays, games and more at each of her fun, themed performances. This program is partially funded through a grant with Beginning Bridges CFCE in Uxbridge. For ages 1 to 5. Pre-registration is required.

Storybook Art Club – Tuesday, May 20 at 10 a.m. 

This program meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Children will enjoy a picture book and create a craft inspired by the story!

This month will feature books by Antoinette Portis and recycled art materials. Pre-registration required. For ages 3 to 5.

LEGO Club –Wednesday,  May 21 at 4 p.m.

This group meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 4 - 5 p.m. This group is led by Library Director, Matthew Bachtold.

We provide the LEGOs while you have fun building and making new friends.This program is for ages 3 to 12. Pre-registration is required. 

Tween Book Club – Thursday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m.

This club is especially for our middle grade patrons, ages 10 to 14. This group reads popular middle grade titles selected by our members. This month, we will be discussing the title Louder than Hunger by John Schu. We welcome new members all year round! Pre-registration required.

Crafternoon – Thursday, May 22 at 3 p.m. 

This is a new drop-in program that will meet the 4th Thursday of each month. Children can make a simple craft using materials such as crayons, scissors, paint, and glue. This month, we are making cupcake liner spring flowers! For ages 3+. No registration required.

Kids’ Book Club – Wednesday, June 4 at 4 p.m.

Our book club members explore popular juvenile chapter books on the first Wednesday of each month from 4 - 4:45 p.m. We will be discussing Kwame’s Magic Quest: Rise of the Green Flame by Bernard Mensah. This group is now for ages 7 to 10. We welcome new members all year round! Pre-registration required.

Chess Club – 1st Tuesday/Thursday each month, 2 - 5 p.m. 

Learn to play chess or just play with new players. We will have a student from BVT to help teach those new to the game. For ages 8 to 16. No registration required.

Crafting Club – 2nd Tuesday/Thursday each month, 2 - 5 p.m. 

Feeling crafty? Join us as we create new projects each month. Beading, crochet, painting – the possibilities are endless! For ages 8 to 16. No registration required.

Gaming Club – 3rd Tuesday/Thursday each month, 2 - 5 p.m. 

We’ve got a Play Station 5 and tons of board games and we’d love to have tweens and teens join us! New games each session! For ages 8 to 16. No registration required.

Magic the Gathering: Commander – 4th Tuesday each month, 4 - 6 p.m.

Join us for an introduction to the popular card game, Magic the Gathering - Commander format. We will be joined by local patron, Josef Vargas, as he shares his knowledge with those wanting to learn and play! If you have a Commander deck, please bring it to play. For ages 8+. Please register.

Upton Reads Book Group

An eclectic mix of contemporary literary fiction with meetings on the second Tuesday afternoon and Thursday evening of each month in the Community Center classroom, with a Zoom remote option.

Tuesday, June 10 at 12:45 p.m., and Thursday, June 12 at 6:45 p.m.: Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray.

Fic or No Fic Book Group

An adult book group led by Librarian Micaela that alternates fiction and non-fiction selections. Meets on the last Wednesday of each month at 6:45 p.m. 

Wednesday, May 28 at 6:45 p.m.: The Gardener of Lashkar Gah: A True Story of the Afghans Who Risked Everything to Fight the Taliban by Larisa Brown.

For more information or assistance with any library services, call 508-529-6272 or email [email protected]