ADULT PROGRAMS

Please note: The library will be closed on Saturday, May 27 for the Memorial Day weekend.

Upcoming Events:

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

Handcrafting Group

Let’s get crafty! Join us Wednesday, May 17 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. Crafts are NOT supplied.

Learn Contract Bridge with Val Fay

Join Val Fay, a contract bridge instructor for over twenty years, as he guides you through the game of contract bridge.  Designed for ages 16 and up, the classes Val offers will include upgraded instructions at the beginning of every class, starting with the basics. Those interested should contact him at 508-478-3049 to sign up. All bridge players are forever students of the game, no matter what level they feel they’ve achieved. Whether you play or have always wanted to learn, join us on Tuesdays in May from 12 - 4 p.m. at the Taft.

Adult Book Club

Adult Book Clubs are held on the second Monday of the month.  

For upcoming book clubs contact the library at 508-473-3259 to request copies of the books or log in to your account from our website to request them through interlibrary loan.  The next Adult Book Club book is as follows:

June: The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

September: Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert and The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

German Conversation Club

Are you looking for a place to practice what German you remember or to improve your vocabulary?  German Conversation Club is no pressure, just fun!  Lead by Library Assistant (and Mendon resident) Monika Schmid, the group typically meets the last Monday of each month. Due to the Memorial Day holiday, however, the next German Conversation Club will be on Monday, May 22 at 6 p.m. Registration is required.  To register, visit our website. 

Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club

The Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club meets downstairs in the library on a quarterly basis. Those interested are asked to stop at the downstairs desk to sign the Footnotes registration sheet and pick up a copy of the latest book. Next discussion session:

Thursday, June 15 at 7 p.m.: Discussion of Nathaniel Philbrick’s In the Heart of the Sea.

Upcoming books in the Footnotes series:

Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo

The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre

The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams by Stacy Schiff

Cooking with Chef Rob Scott

Chef Rob Scott returns with a whole new set of cooking demonstrations on Zoom. Rob joins us virtually from his kitchen in Long Island. All ages are welcome to participate.  The recipes will be sent out before each class if you want to cook alongside Chef Rob. Sessions are at 7 p.m. The next session is:

Tuesday, May 23: Grilled Zucchini Rolls filled with Spinach and Goat Cheese and a Basil Mustard Dressing, Beefsteak Tomato Feta Fusilli Salad

Tuesday, June 20: Fiesta Lime Chicken Salad with Mango and Avocado Salsa, Buttery Farmstand Blueberry Muffins

Please visit our website to register for the session.

We’re Collecting for the Friends of the Taft Public Library Spring Used Book Sale

Donate your gently used books, audiobooks, CDs, and DVDs in the month of May to the Taft Public Library.  No VHS or older textbooks or encyclopedia sets, please. Drop-offs can be made downstairs in the library during open hours. Donations will be accepted until May 27. The Friends Book Sale will be held on Saturday, June 10 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Friends of the Taft Public Library Meeting

The Friends of the Library will meet on Tuesday, May 30 at 7 p.m. downstairs in the library’s Art Holmes Community Room for their monthly board meeting. Board meetings are typically held on the last Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m., 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.

View our Recently Completed 5-Year Strategic Plan

The Taft Public Library Strategic Planning Committee has finished its work on the Taft Strategic Plan for 2023-2028 and it can now be viewed on our website (www.taftpubliclibrary.org). It’s the culmination of a year-long effort to meet with staff, patrons, and local organizations to find out what they like about the library and what they see as the unique challenges and opportunities for growth at the library over the next five years. The library and the committee would like to thank everyone who provided feedback. The committee was comprised of Library Director Andrew Jenrich, Children’s Librarian Tara Windsor, Library Trustee Leesa Michael, Library Trustee Alison Chu, Charles Noel, Sue Ruggiero, Savannah Histen, Naomi Vogt, Mary Anne Moran, and Lauren Scott.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 Story time is designed for our youngest patrons birth to 3 years old. Join us for a lot of fun on Tuesdays 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 Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.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. 

Music & Movement with Deb Hudgins  

Miss Deb will join us on Tuesday, May 30 at 10:30 a.m. for a fun-filled, musical morning. Registration is required and limited.

Tutors with Tails  

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

This program is designed to help increase reading fluency and build a child’s confidence in their reading ability. The dog provides a non-judgmental safe environment for children to practice their reading. 

Book Clubs 

Registration is required for all book clubs. Books are available for pickup at the Children’s Circulation desk. Pizza and refreshments will be served. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions.

6-9 Book Club - We will be reading: The Chicken Squad by Doreen Cronin. The book club discussion will be held on Tuesday, May 23 at 5 p.m. 

8-12 Book Club - We will be reading: I Survived: The Great Molasses Flood, 1919 by Lauren Tarshis. The book club will be held on Tuesday, May 30 at 5 p.m. 

Graphic Novel Book Club - This month we will be reading: Waffles & Pancake: Planetary-Yum and Sunny Side Up. Join us on Tuesday, June 6 at 5 p.m. to discuss this month's book picks.