Adult & Teen Programs

JANUARY 2026

Upcoming Events:

To register for an event, click on the Library Event Calendar & Registration link at the top of the library’s homepage (www.taftpubliclibrary.org). 

Roger Kabler’s Robin: The Ultimate Robin Williams Experience

Join us on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. when Roger Kabler returns to the Taft Public Library to present Robin: The Ultimate Robin Williams Experience. Kabler, an accomplished actor and impersonator, joined us back in 2019 for his Robin Williams program featuring an uncanny impersonation of the beloved late comedian. Mr. Kabler has over thirty years of performance experience, appearing on VH-1’s Stand Up Spotlight and as a regular on The Carol Burnett Show in 1991. His film credits include Clueless and Not Another Celebrity Movie in which he portrayed Robert DeNiro. His tribute to Robin Williams was the subject of a biographical film in 2022 Being Robin which streams on various platforms.  Do not miss this show! Registration is required as space is limited. Register for the program by clicking on the Calendar & Events link on our website. 

Adult Handcrafting Group

Let’s get crafty! Join the Adult Handcrafting Group on Wednesday, Jan. 7 and Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. downstairs in the library and get your craft on! Bring your own craft project, whatever it might be, to work on while you visit. Intended for adults. No registration is required. Crafts are NOT supplied. 

Slow Flow Yoga for Adults and Teens

Join Katie Aissis from Sprouting Tree Yoga for Slow Flow Yoga. This Vinyasa style yoga class links breath to movement in a dynamic sequence of postures. Participants will build strength while also finding moments throughout the practice to quiet the mind and rest the body. This class is appropriate for all levels, and no previous yoga experience is necessary.  Please bring your own yoga mat.  Join us on Feb. 3, March 24, April 14 and May 12 at 7 p.m. Registration required.

Adult Book Club

The Adult Book Club is led by Library Assistant Kris Heumann. Upcoming book club discussions are as follows:

Discussion of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir on Monday, Jan. 12 at 6:30 p.m.

In February, The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

In March, The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

In April, Red Notice by Bill Browder

Copies of Adult Book Club books can be picked up at the downstairs desk. For additional information on upcoming book clubs contact the library at 508-473-3259.  

Mosaic Pendant Class with Cheryl Cohen

This online class will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Learn to make a mosaic pendant using adhesive putty. You will be instructed by Cheryl Cohen of the Cheryl Cohen Mosaics Art Center. Registration is required and supplies are limited. Mosaic kits must be picked up prior to the class at the upstairs circulation desk in the library during regular open hours. An email will be sent out to all who have registered when the kits are ready for pickup. A Zoom link will be sent out to participants one day prior to the class.

Arrayscape Gaming Presents Gingerbread Village Minecraft

Minecraft-interested teens should stop in the library on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 4:30 p.m. for a gingerbread Minecraft experience from Arrayscape Gaming. Play hide-and-seek through the whimsical halls and secret hidey-holes of the Gingerbread Mansion. Unleash your creativity by building and decorating your own gingerbread house with candy and icing. It’s all things gingerbread Minecraft-style! Registration is required as space is limited. Register on our website by clicking the Calendar & Events link.

Awards Book Club

Hosted by Taft Library Assistant Jane Blackwood, the Awards Book Club meets on a quarterly basis to discuss fiction award winners of the year. Jane selects from the books that took home the coveted Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the Booker Prize and more! Stop at the downstairs circulation desk to pick up the latest Awards book for discussion. 

The current book in the Awards Book Club discussion series is Virginia Evans’ The Correspondent, a Best Book of the Year from NPR, the Washington Post, Amazon, and the Christian Science Monitor. Discussion of The Correspondent will be on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. Copies of the book can be picked up at the downstairs circulation desk.

Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club

Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club is back with a whole new slate of books to discuss for 2025-26! Led by Library Director Andrew Jenrich, the club will tackle the following upcoming books this year:

An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong. Discussion will be on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. 

There is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America by Brian Goldstone.

Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization by Ed Conway.

A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko.

Dates of discussion for some of the upcoming books are to be determined. The Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club typically meets on a quarterly basis.  Those interested can request a copy of the next book at the downstairs circulation desk.

German Conversation Club

Are you looking for a place to practice what German you remember or to improve your German vocabulary? Conversations in German is no pressure, just fun! Lead by Library Assistant (and Mendon resident) Monika Schmid, the group typically meets the last Monday of each month. In January the group will meet on Monday the 26 at 6 p.m. Contact the library at 508-473-3259 for additional details. Registration is required. To register, visit our website! 

2026 Challenge Book Club

The library is beginning a new book talk series revolving around a monthly challenge prompt. Participants are encouraged to share the title or titles (and brief synopsis) of a book they’ve read or would like to read centered on the prompt.  Prompts for the first few months of the club are as follows:

January: A book you’ve been meaning to read.

February: A book about love or friendship.

March: A book by a woman author.

April: A book from a different time period.

The group will meet on the last Tuesday of each month.

Assistance from Jenna Gouin and the Blackstone Valley Partnership for Public Health

Jenna Gouin, MBA /MSOL will be on site at the Taft Library on Jan. 12, Feb. 9, and March 9 from 9 - 11 a.m. to provide assistance filling out applications for MassHealth, SNAP, WIC, fuel assistance, Medicare, Social Security, Veteran’s Benefits, and more. Ms. Gouin can also provide referrals to community organizations, mental health and substance abuse providers and give guidance in obtaining financial resources to address past due bills. Each session is 30-minutes long. Those interested can sign up for a 30-minute block of time by clicking on the Calendar & Events link on the Taft Library website (www.taftpubliclibrary.org).

Friends of the Taft Public Library Meeting

The Friends of the Library meetings are typically held on the last Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. downstairs in the Art Holmes Community Room, unless it falls on a holiday or during a school vacation. All are welcome (and encouraged) to attend! If you plan on attending, it’s always a good idea to call the library at 508-473-3259 or email the Friends at [email protected] to confirm the date and time of the meeting. The group will do its best to post any meeting changes on the Taft Library website.

Children’s News

January 2026

Registration is required for all programs. Please log onto our website: www.taftpubliclibrary.org and find the events page to register along with more information for the programs. 

Itty Bitty Story Time 

Itty Bitty Storytime is designed for our youngest patrons birth to 3 years old. Join us for a lot of fun on Tuesdays and select Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. 

Story & Craft Time 

Join us for Story and Craft Time! Perfect for the preschool-aged child! All sessions take place on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday afternoons at 1 p.m.   

Alphabet Storytime 

It’s all about the alphabet! Each week we will focus on a different letter. We will read a couple of books, sing songs, and learn about the letter of the week! Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Please note there is no Alphabet Storytime the last Wednesday of the month. 

Music & Movement with Deb Hudgins & Coffee and Conversations at the Taft

Join Deb Hudgins on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 9:15 a.m. for a 30-minute music and movement theme-based program which features singing and guitar music for young children (infants & preschool). Coffee & Conversations is from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. 

Join us for an informal playtime where families will be able to build social connections and learn about early childhood development and family-friendly resources. The library will supply Muffin House Muffins!

Lego Club

Back by popular demand! During this one-hour building session we will be led by the "Lego Lady" Kim Steadman! No need to bring any Legos! This program is great for all ages…as long as they don't eat the Legos! Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 4:30 p.m.

Preschool Kidding Around Yoga 

We will learn yoga poses, dance, sing, and meditate. This class is all about fun. All abilities are welcome! Mats are available, or feel free to bring your own. Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 9:30 a.m. 

The BaNannies

The BaNannies are a mother/daughter duo who bring children’s songs, both old and new to life! With their silly and interactive songs, they’ll have your littles singing, dancing along! The BaNannies will visit the Taft on Monday, Jan. 26 at 10:30 a.m. 

Music & Movement with Deb Hudgins 

Join Deb Hudgins for a 30-minute music and movement theme-based program which features singing and guitar music for young children (infants & preschool). Join us on Tuesdays, Jan. 27. The program starts promptly at 10:30 a.m.

Book Clubs

Books are available for pick up at the upstairs circulation desk.  Pizza and refreshments will be available. 

Graphic Novel Book Club: Join us on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 5 p.m. for our next book club meeting. We will be discussing El Deafo by Cece Bell.

6-9 Book Club: We will be reading The Secret Zoo: Riddles & Danger by Bryan Chick. Join us on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 5 p.m.