Adult Programs JANUARY 2025

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). 

Michael Tougias to discuss King Philip’s War  

Join us on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. when we welcome local author Michael Tougias back for a talk about King Philip’s War. Mr. Tougias is the author of Until I Have No Country: A Novel of King Philip’s War and King Philips’ War: The History and Legacy of America’s Forgotten Conflict which he co-wrote with Eric Schultz. 2025 marks the 350th year since the conflict which on a per capita basis was the bloodiest conflict in our nation’s history. Mr. Tougias will discuss the Indian way of life in 17th century America, Colonial settlements, the events leading up to the war, and the battles and strategy applied by both sides. Following the talk, there will be a book signing. Michael Tougias is the author of many books including his latest Extreme Survival and The Finest Hours, Ten Hours Until Dawn, Rescue of the Bounty, A Storm to Soon, There’s a Porcupine in My Outhouse!, and The Waters Between Us. Please register in advance for this program. Space is limited.

Adult Handcrafting Group

Let’s get crafty! Join us on Wednesday, Jan. 15 and Wednesday, Feb. 5 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. No registration is required. Crafts are NOT supplied. 

Adult Book Club

The Adult Book Club will meet next on Monday, Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. upstairs in the library to discuss The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See. 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. Upcoming books for the Adult Book Club are as follows:

Monday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m.:  The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Monday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m.: The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict

Monday, April 14 at 6:30 p.m.: Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper 

Awards Book Club

New to our slate of adult book clubs is Awards Book Club! Hosted by Taft Library Assistant Jane Blackwood, the Awards Book Club meets on a quarterly basis to discuss fiction and nonfiction award winners of the year. Jane selects from the books that took home the coveted Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the Booker and more! Stop at the downstairs circulation desk to pick up the latest Awards book for discussion. The book club will be discussing the 2024 Booker Prize winner Orbital by Samantha Harvey on Monday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m.

Upcoming books:

May (date TBD): National Book Award winner for Fiction James by Percival Everett

Slow Flow Adult Yoga with Katie Aissis of Sprouting Tree Yoga

Come join Katie Aissis of Sprouting Tree Yoga for Slow Flow Adult Yoga at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14 upstairs in the library. This Vinyasa style yoga class links breath to movement in a dynamic sequence of postures. Participants will build strength while also finding moments throughout the practice to quiet the mind and rest the body. This class is appropriate for all levels and no previous yoga experience is necessary. Please bring your own yoga mat.  Please register for the program on our website.

Jill Vetstein: The Testing Child on Zoom

The Taft Public Library in conjunction with Beginning Years CFCE welcomes Developmental Specialist and Parent Educator Jill Vetstein for a virtual program for parents entitled The Testing Child. Vetstein will explore how to effectively intervene in your child’s negative behaviors so you can focus on how to respond positively and actively to your child’s needs. Registration required. A Zoom link will be emailed upon confirmation of registration. Please contact Emily at [email protected] or call 508-278-5110 with any questions.

German Conversation Club

Are you looking for a place to practice what German you remember or to improve your German vocabulary? Conversations in German is no pressure, just fun! Lead by Library Assistant (and Mendon resident) Monika Schmid, the group typically meets the last Monday of each month. Registration is required. To register, visit our website! Next club date: Monday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m.

Check out Mango Languages at Taft Library!

Visit the Taft Public Library website for access to the Mango Languages platform. If you have an interest in learning a language, Mango provides lessons in over 70 languages. Children can try their hand at language learning with Mango Little PIM, a platform designed just for them, and for those interested in learning American sign language we provide access to Mango ASL. Mango’s Intuitive Language Construction methodology helps build skills in vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, culture, comprehension, and retention. To see all of the Mango options the Taft Library offers scroll down the left-hand side of our webpage to the Databases section.

Friends of the Taft Public Library Meeting

The Friends of the Library meetings are typically held on the last Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. downstairs in the Art Holmes Community Room, 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.

Children'S Programs

JANUARY 2025

Registration is required for all programs. Please log onto our website: taftpubliclibrary.org and find the events page to register along with more information for the programs. 

Itty Bitty Story Time 

Itty Bitty Storytime is designed for our youngest patrons birth to 3 years old. Join us for a lot of fun on Tuesdays and select Wednesdays 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 on 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. Please note there is no Alphabet Storytime the last Wednesday of the month. 

Coffee and Conversations & Puppet Storytime 

Dates: Wednesday: 1/29, 2/26, 3/26, 4/30, 5/28 & 6/25

Coffee & Conversations is from: 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 and 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 & 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.

Lego Club

Back by popular demand! During this one-hour building session we will be led by the "Lego Lady" Kim Steadman. No need to bring any Legos. This program is great for all ages....as long as they don't eat the Legos. Tuesday: 1/14, 2/11, 3/11, 4/8, 5/13 & 6/10 at 4:30 p.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! Register today for Newton’s visit back to the Taft on Tuesday: 1/21, 2/4, 3/18, 4/15, 5/20 & 6/17 at 4:30 p.m.  

Preschool 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: Feb. 12, March 12, April 9, May 14 & June 11 at 9:30 a.m. 

Music & Movement with Deb Hudgins 

Join Deb Hudgins for a 30-minute music and movement theme-based program which features singing and guitar music for young children (infant & preschool). Join us on Tuesdays: Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 25, April 29, & May 27. Program starts promptly at 10:30 a.m.

Tutors with Tails

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

Book Clubs

8-12 Book Club: We will be reading: The Wish Giver by Bill Brittain. The book club discussion will be held downstairs in the library on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. The book club will include a discussion, pizza, and refreshments.

6-9 Book Club: We will be reading: Stick Dog by Tom Watson. The book club discussion will be held downstairs in the library on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 5 p.m. The 45-minute book club will include a discussion, pizza and an activity.