by Reference Department

Memorial Day

The library will be closed on Monday, May 26 in observance of Patriots’ Day. Regular hours resume on Tuesday, May 27 at 9 a.m. 

Charlot Lucien: Haitian American Storyteller & Lecturer

In honor of Haitian Heritage Month, join us for an afternoon bilingual presentation by storyteller and lecturer Charlot Lucien. Participants will discover how the 1803 Haitian revolution made Haiti the First Black Republic in the world and impacted US history & the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts. 

Learn about monuments, schools, towns named after Haiti in 10 US states to establish the little-known but definite influence of the Haitian Revolution in antebellum America and most importantly, how to connect this history to Haiti's contemporary challenges.

Scholar, storyteller, artist, poet and founder of the Haitian Artists Assembly of Massachusetts, Charlot Lucien, frequently presents on Haiti’s culture & history in various international academic and cultural venues, often examining the intersections between the US abolitionist movement and the Haitian revolution. He has won numerous awards for his cultural and humanitarian endeavors. 

Charlot will be joined by drummer Fred Hilaire. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Milford Town Library.

Nan onè Mwa Eritaj Ayisyen, vin jwenn nou pou yon apremidiprezantasyon bileng pou konprann kijan 1803 ayisyen an revolisyon te fè Ayiti Premye Repiblik Nwa nan mond lan epi li te afekte istwa Etazini ak mouvman abolisyonis nan Massachusetts.

Aprann sou moniman, lekòl, vil ki gen non Ayiti nan 10 eta ameriken pou etabli enfliyans revolisyon ayisyen an ki pa t konnen men byen klè nan anvan belèl Amerik la. E sa ki pi enpòtan, ki jan yo konekte istwa sa a ak defi kontanporen Ayiti. 

Scholar, konteur, atis, powèt ak fondatè Asanble Atis Ayisyen nan Massachusetts, Charlot Lucien, souvan prezante sou kilti ak istwa Ayiti nan divès lokal akademik ak kiltirèl entènasyonal, souvan egzamine entèseksyon ki genyen ant mouvman abolisyonis Ameriken an ak revolisyon ayisyen an. Li te genyen anpil prim pou efò kiltirèl ak imanitè li yo. 

Charlot pral rejwenn pa tanbouyè Fred Hilaire. Evènman sa a patwone pa Friends of the Milford Town Library.

May Monday Metalsmithing with Heather Beck - Copper Bookmark Workshop

Just a few spots remain for a copper bookmark metalsmithing program on Monday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m. as artisan Heather Beck leads a workshop to create hand hammered copper bookmarks.

Participants will learn about the structure of copper, and how to use stamps to create textures and words on the bookmarks including favorite quotes, names, or drawings.

This program, free of charge and open to those 16 years or older, is sponsored by the Friends of the Milford Town Library. Register online through our events calendar. 

Based in Easthampton, MA, Heather is a fine jewelry maker whose studio work ranges from hand-textured collections inspired by the natural world to custom pieces that symbolize the magic in her clients' lives. She holds beginner to advanced metals classes in her studio. Heather travels extensively around the state, teaching adult and teen metals workshops for libraries, Scout groups, and more. For more information about Heather and her work, visit heatherbeckdesigns.com.

Spring Puzzle Swap

Back by popular puzzler demand - we're hosting a Spring Swap to refresh your stash! Puzzles will be available on Saturday, May 24 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on our display table by the main entrance. Take one or more puzzles home and leave a puzzle or puzzles if you want. (These are not part of the library's collection and are FREE to take home - they do not need to be checked out.)

If you enjoy working on puzzles, please also consider participating in our Community Puzzles in the Non-Fiction area of the library! (Note that this is a quiet area - group puzzle work is welcome, but please be considerate of others who are studying/working.

English Classes

The library offers free drop-in classes for adults who want to learn and improve their English Beginner classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7 - 8 p.m. An intermediate class is held on Thursdays from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Classes are held on the lower level of the library in the ESL Classroom. Registration is not required. For more information, please call the Information Desk at 508-473-2145 ext. 2. 

Las clases gratuitas sin cita previa para adultos que quieran aprender y mejorar su inglés comienzan el martes 14 de enero de 2025. Las clases para principiantes se llevan a cabo los martes y jueves por la noche de 7 a 8 p.m. Una clase intermedia se lleva a cabo los jueves de 5:30 a 6:30 p.m. Las clases se llevan a cabo en el nivel inferior de la biblioteca en el aula de ESL. No es necesario registrarse. Para obtener más información, llame al mostrador de información al 508-473-2145 x 2.

As aulas presenciais gratuitas para adultos que desejam aprender e melhorar seu inglês começam na terça-feira, 14 de janeiro de 2025. As aulas para iniciantes são ministradas nas noites de terça e quinta, das 19h às 20h. Uma aula intermediária é ministrada às quintas-feiras, das 17h30 às 18h30. As aulas são ministradas no nível inferior da biblioteca, na sala de aula ESL. O registro não é necessário. Para obter mais informações, ligue para o balcão de informações em 508-473-2145 x 2.

Center Book Group

The Center Book Group meets next on Tuesday, May 20, at 10 a.m. at the Milford Senior Center. The May book selection is The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. 

In this relatable novel, the mundane and the fantastical meet when Nora Seed, a depressed thirty something woman has a chance to experience alternative versions of her life via book in the midnight library. With her former school librarian as a guide, Nora discovers how different her life may have been if she had made other choices. 

Novelist Jodi Picoult called The Midnight Library “a beautiful fable, an It’s a Wonderful Life for the modern age – impossibly timely when we are all stuck in a world we wish could be different.”

Haig is a British author whose previous books include Reasons to Stay Alive, Notes on a Nervous Planet, The Comfort Book, and an assortment of children’s books. 

To reserve a copy of The Midnight Library or to learn more about the Center Book Group, call 508-473-2145 ext. 2. 

Shawna Foundation Library Poetry Tour

The next stop on the Shawna Foundation Library Poetry Tour will feature New Bedford poet Jasmine Ramos. This special event, part of the Shawna Foundation’s mission to uplift diverse voices and foster creative expression in community spaces, will take place at three different libraries: the Simon Fairfield Public Library in Douglas on May 19; the Milford Town Library on May 21; and the Uxbridge Free Public Library on May 22 – all readings begin at 7 p.m. and are free of charge.

Jasmin Ramos was born and raised in New Bedford. After serving in the Army, she embraced her role as a mother of three while passionately pursuing her love for poetry. Her journey reflects a blend of strength, creativity, and dedication to her craft. 

The Shawna E. Shea Memorial Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 arts nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting independent filmmaking, youth empowerment, and the arts. Established in memory of Shawna E. Shea, the foundation provides scholarships, grants, and mentorship programs to encourage creativity, resilience, and artistic expression. 

Through film festivals, community events, art exhibits, poetry performances, and educational initiatives, the Foundation fosters a vibrant artistic community while honoring Shawna’s legacy. Learn more at www.shawnafoundation.org.

The foundation thanks the Milford Cultural Council, the Uxbridge Cultural Council the Massachusetts Cultural Council for their ongoing support.

Milford Area Wordsmiths 

Looking for a quiet, dedicated time and place where you can write? Join the Milford Area Wordsmiths writers' group! We provide a safe place for adults (18+) to write and even share your work if you desire. All levels are welcome, from first-time writers to published authors. All genres are welcome, too, from picture books to romantasy to nonfiction!

Established in November, the group meets the first and third Monday of each month (except holidays) from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Drop-ins are welcome. Carol Allen, a first-time writer of children's books, lifelong bookworm, and recently retired middle-school teacher, serves as facilitator of the Milford Area Wordsmiths. For more information, please call 508-473-2145, option 2.

Mahjong Comes to MTL

A newly formed Mahjong group meets twice a month at the Milford Town Library. This group welcomes players familiar to Mahjong to join for enjoyment of the game, not for high stakes competition! The group meets on select Tuesdays from 6 - 8 p.m. at the library in the Quarry Room. The spring meeting dates:

• May 22

• June 10 

• June 24

Those who are interested can attend any of the meetings. Mahjong sets are provided. Questions? Please call the Information Desk at 508-473-2145 ext. 2.

Coming Soon:

Level Up @ Your Library: Adult Summer Reading Program. Watch our website, www.milfordtownlibrary.org and social media for details!

Ongoing:

The Friends Book Store and book table are replenished weekly and offer great deals on gently used books for children, teens, and adults. 

Donations for the Daily Bread Food Pantry can be dropped off in the blue bin by the Friends book table.