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

Spring Bulb Sale – Order by Oct. 15

Friends of the Upton Library are holding a spring bulb fundraiser. Order bulbs for colorful spring flowers and plant them this fall! Bulbs are shipped directly to your house. Orders end Oct. 15. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit the Friends of the Upton Library. Get a flyer with a link at the library, or visit flowerpowerfundraising.com and search for Friends of Upton Library.

Pumpkin StoryWalk™ – Oct. 1 through Nov. 15

Stop by the VFW Memorial Playground to enjoy the library's Pumpkin StoryWalk, From Seed to Pumpkin by Wendy Pfeffer. A StoryWalk™ is a self-guided picture book activity 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! Enter our QR code at the end of the story and enter for a chance to win a copy of the book. For ages 3+

Puzzle Swap Weds, Nov. 5, 3 - 7 p.m.

Ages 16-Adult

Need to swap an old puzzle out for a new one? Bring in a gently used puzzle with no missing pieces to participate in our puzzle swap (either 500 or 1,000 pieces). You will walk away with a new-to-you puzzle of your own! This is a casual drop-in event. For more details go to uptonlibrary.org.

Adult Events

Drum Circle with Dave Curry - Sat, Nov. 1, 7 - 9:30 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 – Thurs, Nov. 20, 5:15 - 7:30 p.m.

Join our tabletop game series for adults! Meets every third Thursday of the month. 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 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai: Finding My Way - Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.

Author Talk with Philippa Gregory: Courtly Intrigue and Whispers as Weapons - Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m.

Author Talk with Award-Winning Journalist Joseph Lee: Community, Power, and the Search for Indigenous Identity - Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m.

Author Talk with Amanda Peters: The Search for Truth and the Persistence of Love Across Time -Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.

Children’s & Young Adult Events

Paper Strip Pumpkins  - Oct. 11 at 11 a.m.

Drop in the Classroom anytime from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. us as we use scrapbook paper, glue,  and pumpkin cutouts to make a colorful fall craft! For ages 3 to 12. Drop-in craft, 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 – 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 – Oct. 27 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 – Oct. 20 and Nov. 3 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 – Oct. 21 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 picture books to help celebrate National Pasta Month! We will use all sorts of fun pasta shapes in our crafting. Pre-registration required. For ages 3 to 5.

LEGO Club – Oct. 15, Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 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 – Oct. 23 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. For October, we will create beautiful fall-themed pumpkins using coffee filters, markers, water, and eyedroppers! For ages 3+. No registration required.

Tween Book Club – Oct. 16 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 Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone. We welcome new members all year round! Pre-registration required.

Kids’ Book Club – Nov. 5 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 Life According to Og the Frog by Betty G. Birney. This group is for ages 7 to 10. We welcome new members all year round! Pre-registration required.

Chess Club – 1st Tuesday each month, 4 - 6 p.m. 

Learn to play chess or just play with new players. Chess boards are provided. For ages 5 to 14. No registration required.

Crafting Club – 2nd Tuesday each month, 4 - 6 p.m.

Feeling crafty? Join us as we create new projects each month. Beading, crochet, painting – the possibilities are endless! For ages 5 to 14. No registration required.

Gaming Club – 3rd Tuesday each month, 4 - 6 p.m.

We’ve got a Play Station 5 and tons of board games! New games each session! For ages 5 to 14. No registration required.

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

Join us for an introduction to the popular card game, Magic the Gathering. We will be joined by local patron, Josef Vargas, as he shares his knowledge with those wanting to learn and play! Try out both Commander and Standard formats. If you have a Commander deck, please bring it to play. Extra decks will be available to borrow if you've never played before, or don't have a deck ready. For ages 8-16. 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, Nov. 4 at 12:45 p.m., and Thursday, Nov. 6 at 6:45 p.m.: Three Days in June by Anne Tyler.

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, Oct. 29 at 6:45 p.m: The Lioness of Boston by Emily Franklin. 

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