Adult & Teen Programs SEPTEMBER 2026

Upcoming Events:

Library Closed Dates

The library will be closed on Saturday, Sept. 5 and Monday, Sept. 7 for the Labor Day weekend. We will reopen again on Tuesday, Sept. 8 with our regular hours.

Poetry Reading: Crimson Courageous

Join local author Christine Omodi-Engola in a reading and discussion of her book Crimson Courageous, a heartwarming and uplifting look at life around us and the people we meet who help us appreciate our world.  Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m.  Register via the Calendar & Events link on our website (www.taftpubliclibrary.org). 

The Family Letters of Abby Kelley and Stephen Foster

The Family Letters of Abby Kelley and Stephen Foster will be presented at Bancroft memorial Library in a special joint program hosted by the Taft Public Library and the Friends of the Hopedale Library. Reenactors Lynne McKenney Lydick and Thomas Lydick bring the Fosters to life through their personal letters, offering an intimate glimpse into their family life and their work as passionate abolitionists and advocates for women’s rights. As radical lecturers for the American Ant-Slavery Society, Kelley and Foster often spent long periods apart as they traveled throughout the country speaking against slavery. Their letters provide a fascinating look at the personal sacrifices behind their public activism, as well as the love and commitment that sustained their family during their years of separation.

The performance is a unique opportunity to experience the history of Mendon, Hopedale, and the surrounding Blackstone Valley through the voices of two remarkable 19th-century reformers. Q & A session following the performance. To register for the program visit the Taft Calendar & Events link on our website, stop in, or call us at 508-473-3259. Space is limited.  Funded in part by a grant from the Hopedale Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, and the Taft Public Library.

Adult Handcrafting Group

Let’s get crafty! Join the Adult Handcrafting Group on Wednesday, Sept. 16 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. 

Adult Book Club

The Adult Book Club typically meets the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Upcoming book club discussions are as follows:

The Measure by Nikki Erlick and The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys on Sept. 14. 

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill on Oct. 12. 

West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge on Nov. 9. 

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni on Dec. 14.

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 request the latest Awards book for discussion.  

The current book in the Awards Book Club discussion series is The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride, winner of the 2024 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction. Discussion will be on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. Contact the library at 508-473-3259 for further information.

Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club

Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club is led by Library Director Andrew Jenrich. The next book in the Footnotes discussion series is Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization by Ed Conway. The group will meet on Thursday, Dec. 3 to discuss the book.

Dates of discussion for 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.  The new slate of nonfiction titles for 2026 into 2027 will be decided following the group’s August book discussion.

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 next on Monday, Sept. 28 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 has begun 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:

September: A book about school, learning, or growth.

October: A mystery, thriller, or spooky book.

November: A book that made you think.

The group typically meets on the last Wednesday of each month at 12 p.m. 

Friends of the Taft Public Library Meeting

The Friends of the Taft Public 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! The next meeting of the Friends is Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. 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 and the Friends of the Taft Public Library Facebook page.

Taft Children’s News September 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 Storytime 

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. Please note there will not be Itty Bitty Storytime on Sept. 22. 

Story & Craft Time 

Join us for Story and Craft Time! Perfect for the preschool-aged child! 10:30 a.m. each Tuesday unless otherwise noted. Please note there is no Story & Craft on Sept. 22.

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 on Sept. 30.  

Coffee & Conversation and Music at the Blissful with Beginning Bridges, CFCE

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!

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. Join us on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 9:30 a.m. for Coffee & Conversations and 10:30 a.m. for Music at the Blissful.  

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 you don't eat the Legos! Tuesday, Sept. 8 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, Sept. 9 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 and dancing along! The BaNannies will visit Taft on Monday, Sept. 14 at 10:30 a.m. 

Tutors with Tails 

Meet Sprite! Sprite is a therapy dog who loves children and love books. Sprite & her owner Janet will visit Taft on the last Tuesday of each month. Register today for the opportunity to read to Sprite! Spots are limited.