By Matthew Bachtold, Library Director and Lee Ann Murphy, Children’s Librarian

Upton Library is now at 9 Milford Street

The Library has moved and is now open at our new location at 9 Milford Street, inside the Upton Community Center.

February Hours

Upton Town Library will be closed on Monday, Feb. 19.

Passport Services

Upton Town Library is now a passport acceptance agency. We can help with providing forms and answering questions about getting or renewing a US passport. Once you have all your documents, forms and photograph ready, make an appointment for your passport execution. The appointment takes 15-30 minutes and afterwards we send your packet to the State Department to issue your passport. Call us 508-529-6272 or make appointment at uptonlibrary.org

Cultural Council Events

org or call 508-529-6272. Registrations open the month prior to events.

Music & Movement – NEW DAY - Select Mondays 9:30 a.m.

Music & Movement with Deb Hudgins will take place Feb. 12 and March 4 and 18 in the Greatroom. Join us for stories, songs, and fun. Best for ages 1-5. Partial funding for this program is through a grant from Beginning Bridges CFCE in Uxbridge. Pre-registration is required.

Baby Storytime – Fridays at 9:30 a.m.

Baby Storytime is for ages birth to 3 and is held on Fridays. This is a 20-30-minute lapsit program featuring stories, songs, and nursery rhymes. Pre-registration required.

Preschool Storytime –Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.

Preschool Storytime is for ages 3 to 5 and is held on Thursdays. This is a 45-minute program, featuring longer stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts. Pre-registration required.

Saturday Storytime – Feb. 13 and March 9 at 9:30 a.m.

Once a month we offer a 30-45-minute Saturday Storytime, blending Baby and Preschool storytimes featuring stories, songs, rhymes, and a craft. Can’t join us for our weekday programs? This event is just for you. For ages 0-5. Pre-registration required.

Drop-In Storytime NEW  – March 11 at 9:30 a.m.

Beginning in March, our Children’s Department will begin offering a new Drop-In Storytime session, once a month. No registration required. This will be a blend of our Baby and Preschool Storytimes; however, no craft will be provided. We will feature stories, songs, rhymes, and fun. This will be held in the Greatroom and will be a larger group size. For ages 0 to 5.

Teen Group – Tuesdays 3 p.m.

This group meets weekly on Tuesdays from 3 - 4 p.m. and focuses on a new theme each month, sharing books, crafts, games, and more. For February, our theme will be Kindness. This group is for tweens and teens ages 10-16. This is always a drop-in program.  

Kids’ Book Club – March 6 at 4 p.m.

Our book club members explore popular juvenile and preteen titles on the first Wednesday of each month from 4 - 4:45 p.m. Our March graphic novel title is Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd. Copies are available at the circulation desk. This group is for ages 8-12 and reads mostly middle grade titles. We welcome new members all year round. Pre-registration required.

Upton Reads Book Group

An eclectic mix of contemporary literary fiction with meetings on the second Tuesday afternoon and Thursday evening of each month in the Community Center classroom, with a Zoom remote option. Tuesday, March 12 at 12:45 p.m., and Thursday, March 14 at 6:45 p.m.: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.

Fic or No Fic Book Group

An adult book group led by Librarian Micaela that alternates fiction and non-fiction selections. Meets on the last Wednesday of each month at 6:45 p.m.

Feb. 28 at 6:45 p.m.: nonfiction title, Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don't by Malcolm Gladwel.

For more information or assistance with any library services, call 508-529-6272 or email [email protected] following three events held at the Community Center in March are supported in part by a grant from the Upton Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Generations of Jazz Thursday, March 22, 7 - 8:30 p.m. An evening of music with musicians of several generations. Teachers and students coming together to share their love of music and especially Jazz and improvisation! 

“The Beat Generation” Culture of the 1950s Monday, March 25, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. A multimedia presentation that highlights the cultural nuances of the 1950s. This presentation features live acoustic music and audience sing-alongs, coupled with audio and video clips highlighting the best (and sometimes the worst) of the 1950s. This hour-long presentation is suitable for all ages and it is family-friendly. The presenter is Fran Hart, founding member of the Beatles tribute band 4EverFab.

Adult Art Workshops Each Thursday in March, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Instruction in a variety of art techniques from professional artist Lauren Scheuer. Each week will focus on a different style and medium of art.

Registration is required for each event.

Special Events

Puzzle Swap Wednesday, Feb. 14, 1 - 2 p.m.

Swap an old puzzle out for a new one! Bring in gently used puzzles with no missing pieces to exchange. A Yankee Swap will be held at 1 p.m., and then stay to freely exchange puzzles afterwards and leave with new-to-you puzzles. Registration requested at uptonlibrary.org

Virtual Author Talk Series

View free online author talks, either live or recorded. Register and get more information at the library website, or at https://libraryc.org/uptontownlibrary

Author Talk with Nina Totenberg: The Power of Friendship - Wednesday, March 5, 4 - 5 p.m.

Author Talk with Christopher Paolini: 20 Years of Dragon Riding in YA Fantasy - Thursday, March 14, 4 - 5 p.m.

Children’s & Young Adult Events

Buildwave, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 1 - 2 p.m. Buildwave is a workshop event featuring a 1-hour high energy, creative building program that encourages play and collaboration. Families are encouraged to come and build together! The program is designed for ages 5+ and features materials your kids already love, like Lego, but in a gamified format that will amaze them. Generously funded by The Friends of the Upton Town Library.

Big Backyard Bird Count, Saturday, Feb. 24, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., at West Hill Dam. Join Children's Librarian Mrs. Murphy and West Hill Dam Park Ranger Viola Bramel at West Hill Dam in Uxbridge watching birds and learning all about them. In as little as 15 minutes, identify, count and help us submit information to help scientists better understand and protect birds around the world. This event takes place offsite at West Hill Dam in Uxbridge. Please pre-register and remember to dress for the weather.

Amigurumi for Teens, Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday Feb. 20/21/22 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Over the course of 3 sessions, learn crochet basics and make an amigurumi octopus. No crochet experience needed. Program is free and all materials are provided. For ages 12+. One registration is for all 3 sessions.

Monthly Library Events – Register now!

Please note changed times for many children’s programs.  All programs and events require pre-registration at uptonlibrary.