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

New Children’s Programs!

Storybook Art Club – Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. This is a new program that will meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Children can enjoy a picture book and create a craft inspired by the story! This month will feature author and illustrator Rachel Isadora. Participants will use materials such as scissors, glue, paint, and coloring materials. Pre-registration required. For ages 3 to 5.

Crafternoon – Feb. 27 at 3 p.m.

This is a new drop-in program that will meet the 3rd Thursday of each month. Children can make a simple craft using materials such as crayons, scissors, paint, and glue. This month, we are making torn paper hearts! For ages 3+. No registration required.

Adult Events

Heartline Workshop: Power of Palmistry – Saturday,  Feb. 15, 1 - 2:30 p.m. Ages 14 - Adult

This workshop focuses on the heartline marking in the palm, which speaks to our emotional system—how we give and receive love and show up in the world. There are four heartline types, each with unique characteristics, likes, and dislikes. Participants will learn about the heartline types, identify their own, and learn how to engage with the people in their lives with different heartline types. 

Puzzle Swap - Wednesday, March 5, 1 - 2 p.m.

Need to swap an old puzzle out for a new one? Bring in a gently used puzzle with no missing pieces to participate in our Yankee Swap of puzzles (either 500 or 1,000 pieces). You will walk away with a new-to-you puzzle of your own! You may bring more gently used puzzles to swap with other patrons afterwards. There will be a table set up with a puzzle going, so feel free to stay and help put it together! To attend this event, please register on the library website. 

Drum Circle with Dave Curry - Saturday, March 15, 7 - 9 p.m. Ages 8 - Adult

Join facilitator Dave Curry for an evening of freestyle drumming. Instruction and extra drums are provided, but you can also bring your own drums and percussion instruments. No prior experience is necessary, so the circle is suitable for beginners on up to experienced drummers. Registration is requested.

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 Lee Hawkins: I Am Nobody’s Slave - Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m.

Author Talk with Dan Heath: Power of Reset and How to Change What’s Not Working - Wednesday, March 12 at 2 p.m.

Author Talk with Clara Bingham: How Women’s Liberation Transformed America - Thursday, March 20 at 2 p.m.

Children’s & Young Adult Events

PJ Drive – Feb. 1 through March 15

It's the Annual Boston Bruins PJ Drive to support Cradles to Crayons and our local Department of Children and Families! We are collecting brand new pajamas, with tags, in our lobby until March 15. Sizes can be for babies through adults and items will go to local families in need. This is for donations only. If you are interested in receiving a donation, please contact DCF at 508-929-1000. This event is also sponsored by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC).

Poop Museum – Feb. 19 at 6 p.m.

The Poop Museum is the place to come for those who are curious and have questions about poop! The Poop Museum covers the serious science of poop and pooping, and is delivered with the silliness that you might imagine accompanying a program about poop for young kids. It is the perfect combination of fun, fabulous, and fascinating facts, so that kids (and parents) never forget what they learned. For ages 5 to 12. Registration required. *This program is generously sponsored by a grant from the Upton Cultural Council.

Movie Event – Feb. 20

Check the Upton library website for details about our monthly movie events! 

Game Day – Feb. 21 at 1 p.m.

Join us for an intergenerational event as senior citizens and library patrons ages 3 and up join together for an afternoon of fun and games! We will host giant board games, classic board games, puzzles, and more! Registrations for seniors may be done by calling the Senior Center at 508-529-4558. Registrations for children may be done via our Event Calendar online. For ages 3+. Not a drop-off event.

CactusHead Puppets – March 8 at 10 a.m.

The town of Hamelin has a rat problem, and there's only one person who can help! Join puppeteers John and Megan Regan as they present the classic tale "The Pied Piper,” with multiple puppetry styles, and plenty of dancing rats! For ages 3+. Registration required.

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.

Tabletop Game Night for Adults

Join our tabletop game series for adults! New games are featured each month such as 7 Wonders, Mysterium, and Azul. Meets every third Thursday of the month from 5:15 - 7:30 p.m. Beginners and experienced players both welcome! Register at uptonlibrary.org.

Baby Storytime – Fridays at 9:30 & 10:30 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 & 10:30 a.m.

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

Drop-In Storytime – Feb. 24 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.

Music & Movement – March 3 at 9:30 a.m.

This program features Deb Hudgins and her Pre-K Sing and Swing. It is an interactive program, perfect for children and their caregivers to enjoy together. This program is partially funded through a grant with Beginning Bridges CFCE in Uxbridge. For ages 1 to 5. Pre-registration is required.

LEGO Club – Feb. 19 & March 5 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 – March 5 at 4 p.m.

Our book club members explore popular juvenile chapter books on the first Wednesday of each month from 4 - 4:45 p.m. We will be discussing Disaster Squad: Wildfire Rescue by Rekha S. Rajan. NEW AGE! This group is now for ages 7 to 10. We welcome new members all year round! Pre-registration required.

Tween Book Club – Feb. 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. This month, we will be discussing the title On a Wing and a Tear by Cynthia Leitich Smith. We welcome new members all year round! Pre-registration required.

Teen Hangout – Tuesdays & Thursdays 2 - 5 p.m.

Teen Hangout is a time just for tweens and teens! Every Tuesday and Thursday after school, we reserve the classroom as a space for teens to hangout, play video games and board games, make crafts, read, and more! This is a drop-in program. Stay tuned for NEW tween and teen programs beginning in March! See our Event Calendar for details.

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 11 at 12:45 p.m., and Thursday, March 13 at 6:45 p.m.: The Wedding People by Allison Espach.

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. 

Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 6:45 p.m.: The Stars Turned Inside Out by Nova Jacobs.

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