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

Upton Library will be closed on Thursday, June 19

Summer Reading Program Begins June 16!

It's the Annual Summer Reading Program! This year's theme is Level Up at Your Library!, a theme encouraging a love of play and games. Register online or at the circulation desk, and be sure to visit the library to pick up your packet of materials. Keep reading all summer and join us for special events all summer long. The Summer Reading Program begins June 16 and ends August 9. For all ages!

Mini Golf at the Library – June 16 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Join us for mini golf inside the library! One Up Games will be on-site to run a 9-hole indoor mini golf course as our Kickoff Event for the Annual Summer Reading Program. Please register each child and adult who will be golfing. Library services will not be available during this event, but you are welcome to come early and socialize while waiting for your start time. For ages 5+. Pre-register your group for a specific time slot. Sponsored by The Friends of the Upton Town Library.

Summer Reading Bingo June-August

Summer reading isn’t just for children! Participate by picking up a bingo sheet at the library desk. Get bingo and return your sheet to earn raffle tickets to compete for prizes!

Friends of the Upton Town Library News:

The Friends of the Upton Town Library completed another hugely successful and fun Spring Book Sale! We want to send out a big thank you to all of our many volunteers – we could not have done it without you and you are much appreciated! Please join us at our next meeting, which will be held on Thursday, June 12, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library. We will be planning for upcoming events and looking forward to ideas for our next projects. Please bring your ideas and enthusiasm. 

Adult Events

Tabletop Game Night for Adults

Join our tabletop game series for adults! The featured game in June will be Quacks of Quedlinburg. The June meeting will be Thursday, June 26, 5:15 - 7:30 p.m. Beginners and experienced players both welcome! Register at uptonlibrary.org.

Introduction to Hand Drums & Drum Circles with Dave Curry – Monday, July 14, 6 – 7:30 p.m. Ages 10-Adult

Join Dave Curry as he introduces you to a range of different types of drums from various traditional sources. He'll teach you the basic technique for getting a good sound from each of the drum types, and the common rhythms that are associated with those drums. No prior experience is necessary and instruments are provided, though you are welcome to bring a hand drum of your own if you have one. Register at uptonlibrary.org. 

Scent & Suds: Create Your Own Foam Soap – Thursday, July 24, 6 - 7:15 p.m. Costs $10 - Registration Required

Join us for a fun, hands-on workshop where you’ll craft your own natural foam soap using essential oils. Learn about their benefits and how to safely use them while creating a personalized blend. It’s a great opportunity to make something special for yourself, your family, or as a thoughtful gift! All materials are provided, and space is limited. Registration is required, and the program costs $10 to be paid 1 week before the program. See the library website for details. This program is sponsored by the Friends of Upton Town 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 Pria Anand: On the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains - Thursday, July 31 at 2 p.m.

Children’s & Young Adult Events

Game Day – June 20 1 p.m.

Join us for an intergenerational event as senior citizens and library patrons ages 3 and up join for an afternoon of fun and games! We will host giant board games, classic board games, puzzles, and more! Registrations for senior citizens should be done by calling the Senior Center at 508-529-4558. For ages 3 to 103! Pre-registration required. Not a drop off event.

Movie Events – June 21 at 1 p.m, July 9 at 5:30 p.m.

Our monthly movie events will take place throughout the summer in the Greatroom. Visit our Event Calendar online for movie titles, descriptions, and audience age suggestions. No registration required.

Tetris Pins – June 24  6 p.m.

Tweens and teens can join us as we use colored wooden beads and pin backs to make Tetris-style pins that will be the envy of any gamer! Note: hot glue guns will be used for this program. For ages 8+. Pre-registration required.

Hands on Nature: Magical Fireflies – June 25 at 6 p.m.

Learn about these special nocturnal insects, and the ways they have been used as sources of light in many cultures. Discover the habits and lifestyles of these luminous insects, and learn what makes their ‘cool light’ different from other ‘warm light.’ Bring a recycled glass jar, and make a firefly catcher to bring home and enjoy this summer! For ages 5 to 12. Pre-registration required.

Teen Trivia – July 2 at 6 p.m.

Join Mrs. Murphy for a Jeopardy-style game of trivia! Hang out and test your knowledge on all types of facts! Snacks will be served. For ages 10 to 16. Pre-registration required.

Perler Bead Art – July 11 1 p.m.

Join us as we use Perler beads to create our favorite video game characters! Don't like video games? Make a Perler bead creation of your own choosing! Note: This activity involves use of a hot iron. For ages 8+. No registration required.

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 & 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 & 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 – June 14 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 – June 23 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 – June 16 & July 7 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 – June 17 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 –June 18 & July 2 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. 

Crafternoon – June 26  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 paper ladybugs! For ages 3+. No registration required.

Tween Book Club – June 26 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 A Whale of the Wild by Rosanne Parry. We welcome new members all year round! Pre-registration required. Note: This month’s meeting is on a different Thursday due to the Juneteenth holiday this month.

Kids’ Book Club – July 2 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 the graphic novel Paws Volume 1: Gabby Gets It Together by Nathan Fairbairn. This group is 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, July 8 at 12:45 p.m., and Thursday, July 10 at 6:45 p.m.: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore.

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, June 25 at 6:45 p.m.: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. 

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