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

All Fun and Games!

Come to one of our gaming events in April:

Tabletop Game Night for Adults – Thursday, April 17

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.

Gaming Club – Tuesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 17, 2 - 5 p.m.

We’ve got a Play Station 5 and tons of board games and we’d love to have tweens and teens join us! New games each session! On the 3rd Tuesday/Thursday each month, 2 - 5 p.m.

For ages 8 to 16. No registration required.

Magic the Gathering introduction – Tuesday, April 22, 4 - 6 p.m.

Join us for an introduction to the popular card game, Magic the Gathering - Commander format. If you have a Commander deck, please bring it to play.  Extra decks will be available to borrow if you've never played before, or don't have a deck ready.

New Tween Programs Ages 8-16!

Chess Club – 1st Tuesday/Thursday each month, 2 - 5 p.m. - NEW!

Learn to play chess or just play with new players. We will have a student from BVT to help teach those new to the game. For ages 8 to 16. No registration required.

Crafting Club – 2nd Tuesday/Thursday each month, 2 - 5 p.m. – NEW!

Feeling crafty? Join us as we create new projects each month. Beading, crochet, painting – the possibilities are endless! For ages 8 to 16. No registration required.

Adult Events

Yarn Bird Craft - Wednesday, April 16, 6 - 7 p.m. Ages 12 - Adult

Join us in making cute decorative birds out of yarn! This program is free and all materials are provided. Register online at uptonlibrary.org.

Virtual Program: No More Curse! A History of the Red Sox with Author and Historian David Kruh.  Monday, April 28, 7 - 8 p.m.

David takes us to the roots of Boston baseball. Relive the (sometimes frustrating) saga of the Boston Red Sox and their ultimately successful struggle for a World Series championship.

Registration required to receive the Zoom link. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library and is offered in collaboration with a multitude of MA Libraries.

Drum Circle with Dave Curry - Saturday, May 3, 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. *Now a monthly program, sponsored by Friends of the Upton Library*

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 Gregg Hurwitz: The Thrill of Writing Action, Adventure, and Suspense  - Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m.

Author Talk with Dr. David H. Rosmarin: How to Use Anxiety to Thrive - Wednesday, May 7, at 2 p.m.

Children’s & Young Adult Events

Movie Event – Friday, April 18 at 1 p.m.

Check the Upton library website for details about our monthly movie events! No registration required. For ages 5+. Snacks will be available from the Friends of the Upton Town Library and monetary donations are welcomed.

Cartoon Drawing & Inking – April 23 at 5:30 p.m.

Patrons ages 8+ can join author/illustrator Jonathan Todd, creator of the preteen graphic novel Timid, for a special 2-hour workshop! He will teach how to draw cartoon figures and have participants practice using a brush, ink, and felt-tip pens to create finished comic art. For ages 8-16. Pre-registration required.

Building with Magic Nuudles – April 25 at 1 p.m.

Elementary aged students can join us for a special building event using magic Nuudles! We will share a story, learn about basic building terminology, and build with these fun packing peanut type materials. For ages 5+. Pre-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.

Baby Storytime – Fridays at 9:30 and 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 and 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 – April 28 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.

Saturday Storytime – April 26 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.

Music & Movement – May 5 and May 12 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 – April 16 and May 7 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 3 to 12. We provide the LEGOs while you have fun building and making new friends. Pre-registration is required. 

Storybook Art Club – April 15 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 the book Potato Pants! by Laurie Keller. We will then use real potatoes and tempera paint to make prints. Pre-registration required. For ages 3 to 5.

Crafternoon – April 24 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 April shower umbrellas! For ages 3+. No registration required.

Kids’ Book Club – May 7 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 I Survived the Black Death, 1348 by Lauren Tarshis. NEW AGE! This group is now for ages 7 to 10. We welcome new members all year round! Pre-registration required.

Tween Book Club – April 17 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 The Color of Sound by Emily Barth Isler. 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, May 13 at 12:45 p.m., and Thursday, May 15 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, April 30 at 6:45 p.m.: Hera by Jennifer Saint.

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

Friends of the Library Update

Friends of the Upton Town Library are busy planning future fun events. Please come to our meeting Thursday, April 10, at the library from 6:30 p.m. Bring your ideas and thoughts for upcoming events!

Our plans for the May book sale (Saturday, May 17) are “full steam ahead”. Please bring books in good condition to the donation boxes by our bookshelf at the library. Thank you so much for donations and the support!