Friends of the Library Fall Booksale, Sat., Sept. 26, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The event will take place in the Community Center great room. Come enjoy the book sale 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 and Summer Reading Programs. Hardcovers $2, paperback $1 and children’s books 50 cents. Bring your Friends tote bag and fill it for $20 or purchase a new tote for an additional $5. There is a 50% discount for teachers (please show your teacher ID). Donations to the book sale are being accepted during the month of September, and the Friends of the Library are always looking for new members and volunteers.

Adult Events

Summer Reading Bingo ends Sept. 30. Don’t forget to return your bingo sheet at the library front desk for the chance to enter a raffle to win summer reading prizes. 

Ask a Food Scientist with Danielle Anderson – Sat. Sept. 19, 2-3:30 p.m. Join us at the library where local expert Danielle Anderson will talk about current food topics and issues, share her professional knowledge, and answer your burning food science questions. Save your seat and submit your questions at uptonlibrary.org .

Poetry 101 Workshop – Tues. Sept. 29, 6-7 p.m. Have you ever wanted to learn to write poetry? Do you want to let loose your inner Dickinson, or heat up your latent Frost? This is your moment. We will be having an introductory poetry writing course at the Upton Town Library. Space is limited so be sure to reserve your seat.

Opera, War, and the Human Spirit: Finding Beauty in Enemy Territory – Thurs. Oct. 1, 6-7 p.m. Join us for an engaging talk with award-winning historical fiction author Janis Robinson Daly, as she shares her inspiration and research for her latest novel Under Two Flags. Drawing upon the memoir of eighteen-year-old Josephine Therese Marzynski, a Boston opera student trapped in Berlin during World War I, Daly explores how Josephine's passion for music drives her strength to endure even in humanity’s darkest hours. Copies of her book will be available for purchase at the talk. Reserve your seat now at uptonlibrary.org

Fall Plant Swap – Sat. Oct. 3, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Calling all plant enthusiasts. Bring your plants, cuttings, and seeds to the library for a plant swap. Exchange your old plants for new ones and chat with other plant parents and gardeners. Find more details and RSVP at uptonlibrary.org

Virtual Cooking Demo with Heidi McIndoo: One Pot BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese – Mon. Oct. 5, 7-8 p.m. Join our favorite chef, Heidi McIndoo, as she shows us how to make one pot BBQ chicken mac and cheese. Recipes will be sent out prior to the program so you can cook along if you'd like. Registration required to receive Zoom link for program. Please register at uptonlibrary.org . Program is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library and brought to you in collaboration with a multitude of MA & NH libraries. 

DIY Yarn Pumpkin Craft – Wed. Oct. 7, 6-7 p.m. For ages 16 and over. Ready to get into the fall mood? Searching for cute and cozy fall decorations? Look no further. Join us at the library for an evening craft making DIY yarn pumpkins. Register online at uptonlibrary.org

Tabletop Game Night for Adults – Thurs. Sept. 24, 5:15-7:30 p.m. Join our tabletop game series for adults. Meets every fourth Thursday of the month Beginners and experienced players welcome.

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. Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.: Author Talk with Veronica Roth: Courage, Choice, and What Comes Next. Oct. 8 at 2 p.m.: Author Talk with Smithsonian Curator Carolyn Russo: Art in Flight. 

Children’s & Young Adult Events

Bobbers on the Blackstone - Sept. 19 at 10 a.m., ages 6 to 12. New to fishing? Learn basic casting, equipment, ethics, and fishing techniques with Park Ranger Sherine Hamade in this beginner-friendly introduction to this popular outdoor activity. No equipment needed. This event takes place at Riverbend Farm in Uxbridge (Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park). Registration required.

Sensory Fun - Sept. 21 at 1:30 p.m. & Oct. 14 at 4:30 p.m., ages 1 and over. Our new Sensory Fun program features activities that are important for childhood development. This program allows your child as much or as little time as needed to explore our toys. Drop in and enjoy the sensory materials we have to offer, including kinetic sand, building blocks, small instruments, a light table, balance beams, and more. No registration required. Children must be supervised by an adult. This program is generously funded by The Friends of the Upton Town Library.

Autumn StoryWalk - beginning Sept. 22, all ages. Stop by the VFW playground to enjoy "Hello Autumn." by Shelley Rotner. A StoryWalk is a self-guided picture book activity, put together with separate story page panels that families can enjoy one at a time with their children. Enter our QR code at the end of the story and enter for a chance to win a copy of the book. Our Autumn StoryWalk runs through Nov. 24.

Parody Playhouse – Oct. 10 at 10 a.m., ages birth to 6. Join us as we welcome Erica Leigh from Parody Playhouse for a morning of musical fun. Ideal for kids up to age 6, Parody Playhouse's performance will include kid-friendly versions of popular songs that help teach kids important social-emotional skills. Put on your dancing shoes and get ready for a show that combines music, education, and hands-on fun. Registration required.

Button Pumpkins – Oct. 10 at 1 p.m., ages 5 to 12. We will be creating beautiful cardboard pumpkins decorated with buttons. Create these with us for the perfect pop of autumn color for your home.  

Pajama Storytime - Oct. 28 at 6 p.m., ages 3 to 8. Join us for a special evening storytime with Children’s Librarian, Mrs. Murphy. Feel free to wear your most comfy pjs as we share stories, songs, rhymes, and fun.

Book Groups

Monthly book groups are facilitated by Upton Library staff. We also reserve book copies for local private book groups, contact us for more information.

Upton Reads Book Group. An eclectic mix of contemporary literary fiction with meetings on the second Tuesday afternoon and Thursday evening of each month, with a remote call-in option. Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 12:45 p.m., and Thursday, Oct. 15 at 6:45 p.m.: How to Read a Book by Monica Wood.

Fic or No Fic Book Group. An adult book group that alternates between fiction and non-fiction selections. This group meets on the last Wednesday of each month at 6:45 p.m. This month is The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett on Wed., Sept. 30, at 6:45 p.m. 

Rainbow Readers Book Club – Sept. 16 at 6 p.m., ages 10 to 14. Join us for a conversation on the 3rd Wednesday each month to discuss books featuring an LGBTQ+ main character. This book club will feature age-appropriate titles and foster community, curiosity, and conversation, all in a comfortable and respectable atmosphere. This group is for anyone wishing to read such literature. For October, we will discuss the title, Hazel’s Theory of Evolution by Lisa Jenn Bigelow. Registration appreciated.

Read with Copper - Sept. 17 at 4:30 p.m., ages 5 to 12. 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. This program encourages reluctant readers to practice their reading skills in a judgment-free session. Copper is a large English Chocolate Lab. He is certified through Animal-Assisted Therapy Services (AATS) of Massachusetts and will be guided by his owner and handler, Wendy Hodge.

Kids’ Book Club – Oct .7 at 4 p.m., ages 6 to 9. Our book club members explore popular juvenile chapter books on the first Wednesday of each month from 4-4:45 p.m. For our October meeting, we will be discussing the title The Great Puptective by Alina Tysoe. At each meeting, we discuss the book of the month, our love of other books, and always make a bookmark craft. Registration required.

Monthly Library Events – Register Now.

Most programs and events require pre-registration at uptonlibrary.org or call 508-529-6272. Program details can be found on our website on our Event Calendar.  

Baby Storytime – Fridays at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m., ages birth to 3.

Preschool Storytime –Thursdays at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m., ages 3 to 5.

Saturday Storytime – 1st Saturday at 9:30 a.m., ages birth to 5.

Drop-In Storytime - 4th Monday at 9:30 a.m., ages 1 to 5.

Family Music & Movement - 1st Monday at 9:15 a.m., ages birth to 5.

Storybook Art Club – 3rd Tuesday each month at 10 a.m., ages 3 to 5.

LEGO Club – 1st & 3rd Wednesdays each month at 4 p.m., ages 3 to 12.

Crafternoon – 3rd Thursday each month, 3-5 p.m., ages 3+.

Tween Book Club – 3rd Thursday each month at 6:30 p.m., ages 10 to 14.

Kids’ Book Club – 1st Wednesday each month at 4 p.m., ages 6 to 9.

Chess Club – 1st Tuesday each month, 4-6 p.m., ages 5 to 14.

Crafting Club – 2nd Tuesday each month, 4-6 p.m., ages 5 to 14.

Gaming Club – 3rd Tuesday each month, 4-6 p.m., ages 5 to 14.

FreeDrum Circle – 1st Saturday each month, 7-9:30 p.m., ages 8+.

Tabletop Game Night for Adults – 3rd Thursday each month, ages 16+.

Upton Reads Book Group – 2nd Tuesday and 3rd Thursday each month.

Fic or No Fic Book Group – last Wednesday each month.

Virtual Author Talks – varies, see our website.

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