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

Booksale – Saturday, Sept. 27 at 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Friends of the Upton Library fall booksale will be held on Heritage Day, Saturday, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Come enjoy the booksale along with all the other events around the town common for Upton’s Heritage Day!

Purchase gently used fiction, non-fiction and children’s books.  All proceeds benefit the Upton Library museum pass program and summer reading program.

Hardcovers $2, paperback $1 and children’s books 50¢.

Don’t miss the Totebag deal!  Bring your Friends Totebag and fill it for $20, or purchase a new tote for an additional $5.

New - Teacher Discount – show your teacher ID for a 50% discount.

Donations to the booksale are accepted during the month of September, and the Friends of the Library are always looking for new members and volunteers!

End of Summer Reading Bingo

September is the last month to participate in our Summer Reading Bingo for adults! Turn in your bingo sheet with a completed bingo at the library front desk by the end of the day on Sept. 30 to earn raffle tickets to compete for prizes!

Virtual Program: Your Brain on ChatGPT 

Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 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.

Adult Events

Drum Circle with Dave Curry - Saturday, Oct. 4 at 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 on the first Saturday of each month, sponsored by Friends of the Upton Library

Tabletop Game Night for Adults – Thursday, Sept. 18 at 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 Gabe Henry: Our Failed Attempt to Make English Eezier to Spell - Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 2 p.m.

Author Talk with Leigh Bardugo: 10 Years of Daring Heists and Lovable Outcasts in YA Fantasy - Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.

Children’s & Young Adult Events

Financial Literacy for Teens – Sept. 11 at 6 p.m.

Join us as we welcome Stephen Venezia from Upton's UniBank branch. He will share topics such as banking terms, setting up a checking account, how to read a payroll or personal check, what are money markets and CDs, using ATM and debit cards, electronic banking, budgeting, and much more! For ages 12+. Pre-registration required. Caregivers are encouraged to attend this program with their child.

Track the Blackstone – Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. - offsite

Animal Tracking 101! Join Children's Librarian Lee Ann Murphy and Park Ranger Sherine Hamade for a hike at Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge.  Learn about the Blackstone River and about the life that it supports along the way. Please be sure to dress accordingly for the terrain and weather. There is no rain date for this event. In the event that we cancel, participants will be contacted. Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park (Riverbend Farm) is located at 287 Oak Street, Uxbridge, MA 01569. We will meet in the conference room inside of the visitor center (the big red barn on-site). For ages 5 to 12. Pre-registration is required. Not a drop-off event. Caregivers must attend with their child.

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 – Oct. 11 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 – Sept. 15 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 – Sept. 22 and Oct. 6 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 – Sept. 16 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. Pre-registration required. For ages 3 to 5.

LEGO Club – Sept. 17 & Oct. 1 at 4 p.m.

This group meets the 1st & 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 – Sept. 25 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, hoot into the fall with torn paper owls! For ages 3+. No registration required.

Tween Book Club – Sept. 18 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 Light & Air by Mindy Nichols Wendell. We welcome new members all year round! Pre-registration required.

Kids’ Book Club – Oct. 1 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 the title Secret Spy Society: Case of the Musical Mishap by Veronica Mang. This group is for ages 7 to 10. We welcome new members all year round! Pre-registration required.

Chess Club – 1st Tues/Thurs 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 Tues/Thurs 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 Tues/Thurs 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, Oct. 14 at 12:45 p.m., and Thursday, Oct. 16 at 6:45 p.m.: The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis.

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. 

Sept. 24 at 6:45 p.m.: A Map of Future Ruins: On Borders and Belonging by Lauren Markham. 

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