29 North Avenue, Mendon   •   508-473-3259   •   TaftPublicLibrary.org   •   HOURS:  Tues. & Wed. 10-7   •   Thurs. 3-7   •   Fri. 12-5   •   Sat. 9-12   •   Sun. & Mon. CLOSED  

ADULT PROGRAMS

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 on Wednesday, April 5 and Wednesday, April 19 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 starting in April from 12 – 4 p.m. at the Taft.

Adult Book Club

The Adult Book Club will meet on Monday, April 10 at 7 p.m. to discuss The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. 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:

May: The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka and short stories from Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

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

College Prep 101 with Hannah Sieber

Ready to learn about SAT prep, college essays, and strategies to success? Join Hannah Sieber, owner of TriTutoring LLC, for a college prep workshop on Tuesday, April 11 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Students and parents are both welcome.  Registration is required as space is limited.

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, April 18: Avocado Salmon Salad with Lemon Herb Dressing and Spring Lemon Crumble Muffins

Please visit our website to register for the session.

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. The next German Conversation Club will be on Monday, April 24 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 book 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

Fantastical Folktales of Flowers with Diane Edgecomb

From the dramatic to the sublime to the wildly humorous, world stories about flowers are deeply entertaining.  As retold by award-winning storyteller and theatre artist, Diane Edgecomb, this evocative tapestry of story and song brings new meaning to favorite garden flowers.  Diane will be accompanied by Celtic harper Margot Chamberlain for this one-hour performance event.  Tuesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. upstairs in the library. To register, visit our website. This performance is supported in part by a grant from the Mendon Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. 

Fly Tying with James Thach

Join local resident and fly-fishing enthusiast James Thach for a hands-on introduction to fly tying on Thursday, April 27 at 7 p.m. upstairs in the library. Each participant will learn how to tie a fly they can take with them. Must be 14 years or older. Limit of five participants. Registration required.

The Orange Jellyfish Craft Pebble Art

Join us on Friday, April 28 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. to create a unique art picture using various types of stones. Kerry Consentino Vilorio, local artist and owner of The Orange Jellyfish, will demonstrate and guide participants through the project. Registration and $25 prepayment required.  Checks can be made out to the Friends of the Taft Library and dropped off at the library’s upstairs circulation desk. This program is jointly sponsored by the Taft Public Library and the Friends of the Taft Public Library.

Friends of the Taft Public Library Meeting

The Friends of the Library will meet on Tuesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. downstairs in the liRoom 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 website.

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.

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.

Coffee and Conversations & Puppet Storytime 

Dates: Wednesdays:  4/5/23 and 5/3/23 

Time: 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. 

Join us for an informal playtime where families will be able to build social connections, learn about early childhood development and family friendly resources. The library 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 and 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.

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, April 12, Preschool - 9:30 a.m. and all ages - 4:30 p.m.

Music & Movement with Deb Hudgins 

Miss Deb will join us on Tuesday, April 25 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 upstairs in the library. Pizza and refreshments will be served. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions. 

6-9 Book Club - We will be reading: Claude in the City by Alex T. Smith. The book club discussion will be held on Tuesday, April 11 at 5 p.m.

8-12 Book Club - We will be reading: Wish by Barbara O'Connor. The book club will be held on Tuesday, April 25 at 5 p.m.

Graphic Novel Book Club - This month we will be reading: Lunch Lady & the Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett J. Krosoczka & Mr. Pants: It’s Go Time by Scott McCormick. Join us on Tuesday, May 2 at 5 p.m. to discuss this month's book picks.