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

Keep Cool and Study On!

The Upton Community Center is a cooling center during our open hours, and we have three quiet study rooms. Drop by and relax in our lounge seating, or reserve a study room online!

Summer Reading Bingo for Adults!

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!

Virtual Program: Your Brain on ChatGPT 

Wednesday, Sept. 17, 7 - 8 p.m.

Does using ChatGPT and AI have a cost on our brain cognition? A new study from MIT found the answer could be yes. Hear from lead researcher and professor Dr. Nataliya Kosmyna of MIT Media Lab about this groundbreaking study and its implications. Please note this is a virtual program and it will not be recorded. Registration required to receive a link to the webinar. Register for the program at uptonlibrary.org. This program is organized and sponsored by Watertown Free Public Library.

Friends of the Upton Town Library News:

Looking for a beach read or a summer gift? The ongoing booksale has you covered with paperbacks, mystery books and gift bundles!

Booksale proceeds support the discount museum pass program, with two new additions this summer: Plimoth Patuxet Museum and Old Sturbridge Village!

Adult Events

Drum Circle with Dave Curry - Saturday, Sept. 6, 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.  This is now a monthly program on the first Saturday of each month, sponsored by Friends of the Upton Library.

Tabletop Game Night for Adults – Thursday, Aug. 21, 5:15 - 7:30 p.m.

Join our tabletop game series for adults! Meets every third Thursday of the month from 5:15 - 7:30 p.m. Beginners and experienced players both welcome. Register at uptonlibrary.org.

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 Casey McQuiston: Returning to Romance Through Food and Flirty Fun - Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.

Author Talk with Organizational Psychologist Dr. Tasha Eurich: How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos - Thursday, Aug. 28 at 2 p.m.

Author Talk with Hannah Nicole Maehrer: On Writing Darkly Charming Villainous Love - Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m.

Author Talk with Communication Expert Jefferson Fisher: Argue Less and Talk More - Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 2 p.m.

Children’s & Young Adult Events

Read with Copper – Aug. 14 at 4 p.m.

Join Copper the Therapy Dog and have him be your reading partner! This is a 1-on-1 experience for your child to read their favorite reading material to Copper, so be sure to bring a book with you. This program encourages reluctant readers to practice their reading skills in a judgment-free session. Copper is a 4-year-old large English Chocolate Lab and is certified through Animal-Assisted Therapy Services (AATS) of Massachusetts. He will be guided by his owner and handler, Wendy Hodge. For ages 5+. Pre-registration required. One time slot per family. This event is a donated service by our presenter.

Summer StoryWalk – through Aug. 31

Our Summer StoryWalk will continue through the end of August at the VFW Memorial Playground. Stop by to enjoy the panels that share the picture book for Hiking Day by Lizzy Rockwell. On the last panel, click on the QR code to be entered a chance to win a paperback copy of the book for your home library!

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 – Aug. 23 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.

Music & Movement – Aug. 18 & Sept. 8 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 – Aug. 19 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 all about shells! Pre-registration required. For ages 3 to 5.

LEGO Club – Aug. 20 & Sept. 3 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 – Aug. 28 - 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 will make paper fans that look like watermelon slices! For ages 3+. No registration required.

Tween Book Club – Aug. 21 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 Ground Zero by Alan Gratz. We welcome new members all year round! Pre-registration required.

Kids’ Book Club – Sept. 3 - 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 title EllRay Jakes Stands Tall by Sally Warner. 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. Chess boards are provided.  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, Sept. 9 at 12:45 p.m., and Thursday, Sept. 11 at 6:45 p.m.: The Measure by Nikki Erlick.

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. 

Aug. 27 at 6:45 p.m.: Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes. 

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