Adult and Teen Programs

Upcoming Events:

Sheryl Faye Presents Abigail Adams

In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, The Taft Public Library is thrilled to have Sheryl Faye return on Tuesday, April 7 at 7 p.m. to present Abigail Adams. Blending live performance, immersive multimedia, original music, and visual design, Faye’s program Liberty and Legacy reintroduces Abigail Adams not simply as a founder’s wife, but as a fearless political thinker, advocate for women’s rights, and moral compass during the American Revolution and the birth of a nation. To reserve your seat click on the Calendar & Events link on our webpage: www.taftpubliclibrary.org. 

Diane Edgecomb Presents Channeling Rachel Carson: A Love Story for Our Time

On Tuesday, April 28 at 7 p.m. join us for a program with storyteller Diane Edgecomb. Channeling Rachel Carson is an inspiring and inviting performance with an accompanying workshop that rekindles our love and commitment to the natural world. From the true north of Rachel Carson’s life work and the remote beauty of the Maine cottage where she wrote Silent Spring to channeling powerful memories of our own key nature experiences, this performance brings to life the childlike sense of wonder Rachel wrote so movingly about at the end of her life. Registration is required as space is limited. Visit www.taftpubliclibrary.org and click on the Calendar & Events link.  This performance is paid for in part by the Mendon Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Adult Handcrafting Group

Let’s get crafty! Join the Adult Handcrafting Group on Wednesday, April 15 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 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.  The group typically meets the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

Upcoming book club discussions are as follows:

Red Notice by Bill Browder, discussion on Monday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m.

How to Fly in Ten Thousand Easy Lessons and other poetry by Barbara Kingsolver in May.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides in June.

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.  

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 The True True Story of Raja the Gullible by Rabih Alameddine, winner of the 2025 National Book Award for fiction.  Copies of the book can be picked up at the downstairs circulation desk.  Discussion is on Tuesday, May 19 at 7 p.m. Contact the library at 508-473-3259 for further information.

Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club

Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club is back with a whole new slate of books to discuss in 2026! Led by Library Director Andrew Jenrich, the club will be tackling the following upcoming books:

There is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America by Brian Goldstone (Discussion on Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m.).

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

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

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. The group will meet on Monday the April, 27 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 next few months of the club are as follows:

April: A book from a different time period

May: A book that made you smile

June: A book set in the summer

July: A book under 200 pages

The group typically meets on the last Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. 

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 Monday, May 18 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 web site.

Taft Children’s News

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 at the Blissful 

6x Boston Parent Paper Family Favorite and National Touring Musician, Music at the Blissful (Evan Haller) from Boston, Massachusetts comes to the Taft for a high energy, fun-filled, interactive, movement-packed music experience for the whole family. Come join the fun as we sing, jump, shake, laugh and go slow and fast with Music at The Blissful. 

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

Join Deb Hudgins on Wednesday, April 29 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, April 14 at 4:30 p.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 and dancing along! The BaNannies will visit Taft on Monday, May 4 at 10:30 a.m. 

Through Me to You Puppetry!  

Miss Leigh, Sam, Newton & friends are back for what might be the only time this year on Tuesday, April 28.

4:30 p.m. Puppet Show

Join Newton & Friends of Through Me to You Puppetry for songs and stories. At the end of the 30-minute show, children can greet the puppets. Geared for children 2 to 5 years, but all are welcome!

5:30 p.m. Puppet Making Workshop 

Join Leigh to learn how to make your own puppet. You may not finish your creation, but you will be well on your way to having your own puppet. For ages 7 and up. Younger children welcome with a care-giver’s assistance.

Book Clubs

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

8-12 Book Club: We will be reading: Alice with a Why by Anna James. Join us for our discussion on Tuesday, May 5 at 5 p.m. 

Graphic Novel Book Club: Join us on Tuesday, May 12 at 5 p.m. for our next book club meeting. We will be discussing Super Pancake by Megan Wagner Lloyd & Abhi Alwar.

6-9 Book Club: The Chicken Squad by Doreen Cronin will be our next book! Hope you can join us on Tuesday, May 26 at 5 p.m.