Adult & Teen Program NEWS NOVEMBER 2026

Upcoming Events:

Sheryl Faye presents Helen Keller

Join us on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. when Sheryl Faye performs Helen Keller. Sheryl reenacts Helen’s story from her childhood through her discovery of language and beyond. Sheryl will show the audience how Helen spoke and read in Braille. It’s a unique program that helps us to understand and accept the different ways people accomplish similar things. Helen overcame many challenges in her life. See what inspired her to be the best she could be with the talents she possessed. Registration is required as space is limited. Visit us at www.taftpubliclibrary.org and click on the Calendar and Events link to register.

Playful Foundations Parenting Workshop

If you’ve ever wondered if you’re doing enough to support your little learner, you are not alone. Little Learners Parent Academy presents a Playful Foundations parenting workshop where caregivers can discover how purposeful, everyday play builds literacy, math, fine motor skills, and confidence-using materials they already have at home. Participants will explore simple activities then leave with practical ideas, take-home resources, and a new way of thinking about learning through play. Little learners are welcome to attend to play alongside their grown-up! Perfect for homeschool families. The workshop will be held at Taft on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. Registration is required as space is limited. The program is funded in part by a grant from the Mendon Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. 

We welcome back the Cozy Tea Cart!

The Cozy Tea Cart returns with a fall/winter tea tasting on Zoom! Experience four fall and winter teas, capturing the warm spices and cozy sweetness of the season, and learn about their origins and production methods.  Danielle Beaudette of The Cozy Tea Cart will appear via Zoom on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. Deepen your appreciation for rich seasonal flavors and the aromas of these vibrant teas. Registration is required and tea kits are limited. Visit www.taftpubliclibrary.org to register.

Medium Ellen Henry Presents Connections with Spirits

Modern-Day Mystic Ellen Henry visits Taft on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. for Connections with Spirit: Messages of Hope and Healing. Ellen delivers messages from your loved ones in the spirit world. Participants who bring a small item from their loved one may have Ellen use it to connect with them. She will also offer soul guidance to anyone with a question they wish to ask in front of the group. Note: Attendance at a demonstration does not guarantee that all participants will receive a reading. Registration is required as space is limited. This event will fill fast, so register now!

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 Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. Registration required.

Adult Handcrafting Group

Let’s get crafty! Join the Adult Handcrafting Group on Wednesday, Nov. 4 and Wednesday, Nov. 18 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. 

Mendon in the Civil War Program

On Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Mendon resident and local historian Dennis LaPlante will present Mendon’s Response to the War of Rebellion (1861-1865). Join him to learn more about Mendon’s response to the Civil War and find out about the town just prior to the war, how it responded to the call for soldiers, how it supported those soldiers and their families, and how it was able to finance the cost. Dennis will give brief biographies of some of the soldiers and will tell the story of the Civil War memorial on Route 16. This is a joint program of the Taft Public Library and the Mendon Historical Society. Register using the Calendar & Events link on the Taft library website www.taftpubliclibrary.org . 

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:

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 Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. Contact the library at 508-473-3259 for further information.

Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club

The Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club is led by Library Director Andrew Jenrich. The next book in the series is Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization by Ed Conway. The group will meet on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the book.

The Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club typically meets on a quarterly basis. Copies of the next book, Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, will be available following the Dec. 3 discussion. Those interested can pick up 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 next on Monday, Nov. 30 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 two months of the club are as follows:

November: A book that made you think.

December: A cozy or winter-themed book.

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

Assistance from Sheila Elliott and the Blackstone Valley Partnership for Public Health

Sheila Elliott will be on site at the Taft Library on Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 2:30-4 p.m. to provide assistance filling out applications for MassHealth, SNAP, WIC, fuel assistance, Social Security, Veteran’s Benefits, and more. Ms. Elliott 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 .

Shine Counseling with Jenna Gouin, MBA/MSOL

Meet with Jenna Gouin in partnership with the Blackstone Valley Partnership for Public Health for information, counseling, and advice on Medicare.  Ms. Gouin is a SHINE counselor trained and certified by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging & Independence in the various options available to Medicare beneficiaries – including Medicare Parts A & B, Medicare Advantage, Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D), Medigap, Prescription Advantage, MassHealth, and other programs that help people with limited resources pay for health care costs. Get your Medicare questions answered at one of the following upcoming sessions:

Monday, Nov. 16, 9-10 a.m. or 10-11 a.m.

Monday, Dec. 14, 9-10 a.m. or 10-11 a.m.

To register, click on the Calendar & Events link on the Taft Library website www.taftpubliclibrary.org . 

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, Nov. 24 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

November 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 Itty Bitty will not be held on Nov. 24 and Nov. 25.

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 Storytime on Nov. 24.

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 Nov. 25.  

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

Coffee & Conversations 

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 Wednesday, Dec. 16 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, Nov. 10 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, Dec. 9 at 9:30 a.m.