9 Milford Street, Upton   •   508-529-6272   •   www.UptonLibrary.org  

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

Summer Reading Program – Read, Renew, Repeat

Our Annual Summer Reading Program has begun. A paper form is available at the circulation desk, or visit our website for a Google Form link and more information. Participants can then pick up a packet of materials including a calendar of events, a reading log, and more. Our theme this summer is Read, Renew, Repeat. Keep reading all summer to learn more about ways to help our environment and support conservation efforts.

Summer StoryWalk® - July 1 through August 31

All summer, the VFW Memorial Playground will feature our next StoryWalk® installation. Families can stroll through the playground and enjoy the story, And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner, featuring all the fun things that take place during this season. Participants may then enter our raffle to win a free copy of the book by completing our QR code at the end of the walk. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier Vermont. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

Special Events

Beekeeping 101 - Saturday, July 20 at 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Join beekeeper and Worcester County Beekeepers Association member John Hedly for a presentation on beekeeping. Topics will include starting a beehive, the bee colony, collecting honey, the importance of pollination, and more. Register at uptonlibrary.com.

Family Game Night - Thursday, July 25 from 6  - 7:30 p.m.

Families are invited to enjoy a game night at the library. Board games, card games, and more will be available to play. We will have games that are appropriate for children ages 6 and up. Please note, is not a drop-off event. Caregiver participation is required. Registration is requested so that enough games will be available, but not required. 

How Money Works for Teens & Their Parents - Thursday, August 8 from 6:45 - 7:45 p.m.

Teens and parents are invited to How Money Works, a program on money basics by financial advisor Mike Ford. The talk will include topics such as how to approach the management of money and developing good habits that will last a lifetime. Registration is required for this event.

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 Max Brallier: Surviving the Summer with the Last Kids on Earth  - Tuesday, July 16, 2 - 2:30 p.m.

Author Talk with Elizabeth Acevedo: Learning the Power of Poetry  - Tuesday, July 23, 2 - 3 p.m.

Author Talk with Dan Santat: Graphic Novels are Life! Telling Your Own Story in a Graphic Novel - Tuesday, July 30 from 2 - 2:45 p.m.

Children’s & Young Adult Events

4-H Babysitting Course – July 15 & 16 or August 19 & 20 from 1 - 5 p.m.

Back by popular demand is our 4-H Babysitting Course. Participants will learn the responsibilities of babysitting, as well as the skills needed to become good babysitters. The course will help develop confidence in handling situations that may occur when babysitting, along with basic first aid instruction. Upon completion of this course, youth will receive a Babysitters' ID card and a Certificate of Completion. For ages 11-16. This is an 8-hour course taught over two days, and participants must attend both days to earn their certificate. Tuition fee of $35 must be paid by check made out to Massachusetts 4-H Foundation on the day of the class. Pre-registration is required. 

Forest Trek – July 20 from 10 - 11 a.m.

Join Children's Librarian Mrs. Murphy and Park Ranger Viola Bramel as they hike through the Upton State Forest. Viola will share her expertise on all things flora and fauna during this hour-long exploration. Please dress accordingly for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. In case of rain, the hike will take place July 27. Check our website for any cancellations. We will meet at the CCC Building (the big brown building). For ages 5 to 12. Pre-registration required.

Popsicle Stick Catapults – July 24 from 6 -7 p.m.

Ready, aim, fire! We'll be launching marshmallows as we create our own popsicle stick catapults. Materials will include popsicle sticks, rubber bands, plastic spoons, and marshmallows. For ages 5 to 12. Pre-registration required.

Virtual Authors

In July, the library will offer “watch parties” for all our upcoming virtual author visits. Authors include Kate DiCamillo, Max Brallier, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Dan Santat. Check our Event Calendar for details on how to watch from home or watch with us! 

Monthly Library Events – Register now!

All programs and events require pre-registration at uptonlibrary.org or call 508-529-6272.  Registrations open the month prior to events.

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. Waitlisted patrons will receive priority for the following month.

Read around the Town –Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.

During the summer, our Preschool Storytime program is replaced by our Read around the Town series, where we visit municipal locations in Upton for storytime. Register for each location separately on our Event Calendar. These events all take place Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. Questions? Contact Lee Ann Murphy at [email protected].

Saturday Storytime  – July 13 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 – July 22 at 9:30 a.m.

Our Children’s Department offers a Drop-In Storytime session, once a month. No registration required. This is 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.

LEGO Club – July 17 at 4 p.m.

This group meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 4 - 5 p.m. This group is led by Library Director, Matthew Bachtold, and is for ages 5 to 12. We provide the LEGOs while you have fun building and making new friends. Pre-registration is required. 

Kids’ Book Club – August 7 at 4 p.m.

Our book club members explore popular juvenile fiction titles on the first Wednesday of each month from 4 - 4:45 p.m. For July, we will be discussing Who Was? biographies. Our August title will be the mystery title, Word Travelers – Case of the Missing Mexican Mole by Raj Haldar. This group is for ages 8-12. We welcome new members all year round. Pre-registration required.

Tween Book Club – June 20 at 6:30 p.m.

This club is especially for our middle grade patrons, ages 10 to 14. This group reads popular middle grade titles selected by our members. For July, we will be discussing the realistic fiction title Thirst by Varsha Bajaj. Our August title is the mystery title, The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie. We welcome new members all year round! Pre-registration required.

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. This group is for tweens and teens ages 10-16. This is always a drop-in program led by Adult Librarian Micaela. 

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, August 13 at 12:45 p.m., and Thursday, August 15 at 6:45 p.m.: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon.

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. July 31 at 6:45 p.m.: fiction title, Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy.

For more information or assistance with any library services, call 508-529-6272 or email [email protected]