ADULT PROGRAMS

Open Mondays into March

Would you like to see the library open more hours?  From February 6 through March 13 the Taft Public Library will be open on Mondays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on a Trial-Only basis. Join us for a test run of open days. Then, if you’d like to see us continue to open more hours, show your support at the Mendon Town Meeting on Friday, May 5 at 7 p.m. at the Miscoe Hill Middle School Auditorium.

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. 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.

Upcoming Events:

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

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 on 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 sessions are:

March 28: Panzanella Salad with Vinaigrette Cod with San Marzano Tomatoes and Fennel with Toasted Ciabatta Bread. Please visit our website to register for any and all of these sessions.

Adult Book Club

The Adult Book Club will meet on Monday, February 13 at 7 p.m. to discuss The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards. 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 books are as follows:

March: Blind Tiger by Sandra Brown

April: The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club

The Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club will meet to discuss The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCullough on Thursday, February 23 downstairs in the library. If you’d like to join us, stop at the downstairs circulation desk or give the library a call at 508-473-3259 to request a copy of the McCullough book. 

The Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club meets quarterly.  Participants at the McCullough discussion will be discussing the reading list for the next year.

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 meets the last Monday of each month from 6 - 7 p.m. The next German Conversation Club will be on Monday, February 27 at 6 p.m. Registration is required.  To register, visit our website. 

Handcrafting Group

Let’s get crafty! Join us on the first and third Wednesday of every month 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.

Positive Parenting: Strategies for Children of All Ages with Meredith Daelhousen, LICSW

In this hybrid workshop parents will:

• Find out what really matters to children and how to reconnect

• Learn effective ways to manage difficult, oppositional, and stressful situations while maintaining your sense of calm

• Use effective communication skills

• Learn active listening skills

• Learn to implement behavioral interventions that will get results

• Plan and schedule self-care activities for the whole family.

Workshop is Wednesday, February 15 at 7 p.m. downstairs in the library or via Zom.  To register, visit our website.

Friends of the Taft Public Library Meeting

The Friends of the Library will meet on Tuesday, February 28 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. 

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 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, February 28 at 10:30 a.m. for a fun-filled, musical morning. Registration is required and limited.  

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. 

8-12 Book Club- We will be reading: Charlie & the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. The book club discussion will be held downstairs in the library on Tuesday, February 14 at 5 p.m.

Graphic Novel Book Club- This month we will be reading: Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery by Renee Treml. Join us on Tuesday, February 28 at 5 p.m to discuss this month's book picks. 

Coffee and Conversations & Puppet Storytime 

Dates: Wednesdays: 3/1, 4/5, 5/3/23 Time: 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Location: Taft Public Library, 29 North Ave., Mendon 

Join us for an informal playtime where families will be able to build social connections, learn about early childhood development and family friendly resources. Taft will supply Muffin House Muffins!

Please stay for the 10:30 a.m. Puppet Storytime. Join Newton & Friends of Through Me to You Puppetry for songs & 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.