Adult Programs

APRIL 2025

Upcoming Events:

To register for an event, click on the Library Event Calendar & Registration link at the top of the library’s homepage (www.taftpubliclibrary.org). 

Adult Handcrafting Group

Let’s get crafty! Join us on Wednesday, April 16 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, April 14 at 6:30 p.m. upstairs in the library to discuss Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper.  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 in May are as follows:

Monday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m.: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and the poetry of Atticus

Monday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m.: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club

The Footnotes Nonfiction Book Club typically meets downstairs in the library on a quarterly basis. This year the group will read and discuss five nonfiction titles. 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.  

Upcoming books in the Footnotes series:

June (date TBD): How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith

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 Prize and more! Stop at the downstairs circulation desk to pick up the latest Awards book for discussion. The book club will be discussing the 2025 National Book Award winner for Fiction James by Percival Everett on Tuesday, May 6 at 7 p.m.

Ellen Henry Presents The

Spring Floral Basket Workshop

Join the Friends of the Taft Public Library for a fun evening at Lucille’s Floral Designs, 146 Mendon Street, Uxbridge, MA. We will create a beautiful spring floral basket as instructed by Kate Viera, the owner of Lucille’s. Thursday, April 10 at 6 p.m. All materials will be supplied. Preregistration and payment are required. Register at taftpubliclibrary.org $30 per person (no refunds). Make checks out to the “Friends of the Taft Public Library.” Sponsored in part by the Friends of the Taft Public Library.

A Tea-tasting and Reenactment of the Fourth First Lady Dolley Madison

The Friends of the Taft Public Library present a tea-tasting followed by a visit from First Lady Dolley Madison on Wednesday, April 30 at 6 p.m. The tea-tasting will run from 6 - 6:30 p.m. and will feature three teas from the period served by HMS Tea. Then at 6:30 p.m. sit back as Dolley Madison (portrayed by reenactor Lady J/Janet Parnes) visits with program participants to discuss her life in Colonial America as an early feminist, champion for women, and First Lady to James Madison. Registration for this free program is required as space is limited.  Visit www.taftpubliclibrary.org and click on the Library Event Calendar & Registration link to register. 

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, April 21 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 website. 

CHILDREN'S Programs

APRIL 2025

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 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: 4/30, 5/14 and 6/25 Coffee & Conversations is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

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 and stories. At the end of the 30-minute show, children can greet the puppets. Geared for children 2 to 5 years old, but all ages 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: 5/13 and 6/10 at 4:30 p.m.

Puppet Storytime with Leigh Baltzer

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 old, but all ages are welcome! Register today for Newton’s visit back to the Taft on Tuesday 4/15, 5/20 and 6/17 at 4:30 p.m.  

Preschool Kidding Around Yoga with Meredith Daelhousen 

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, May 28 and 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 (infants & preschool). Join us on Tuesdays: April 29, and May 27. The 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 and 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 Wild Robot by Peter Brown. The book club discussion will be held downstairs in the library on Tuesday, April 15 at 5 p.m. The book club will include a discussion, pizza, and refreshments.

Graphic Novel Book Club: This month we will be reading Smile by Raina Telgemeler. Join us on Tuesday, April 29 at 5 p.m. to discuss this month's book pick! Pizza and refreshments will be served.

6-9 Book Club: We will be reading Hero Dog! Hilde Cracks the Case by Hilde Lysiak. The book club discussion will be held downstairs in the library on Tuesday, May 6 at 5 p.m. The 45-minute book club will include a discussion, pizza and an activity. Books are available at the upstairs circulation desk.