Adult Programs
We have in person, hybrid or virtual programs! Please click on the link to receive the zoom information if it's online. Also, make sure the email address you submit when registering is correct otherwise you will not receive the zoom link! Check your spam folder if you don't see the confirmation in your inbox.
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This Week:
Cards for Veterans - Card Drop Off
Wednesday, April 1—Thursday, April 30
In honor of Memorial Day, the Ashland Public Library will be collecting cards for Veterans throughout the month of April. Please drop cards off at the upstairs circulation desk. Librarians must be able to proofread cards before they are sent out. Blank cards will be available in the Teen Room.
In Person - Historical Fiction Book Club
Tuesday, April 14 @ 11am
Read The Wildes by Louis Bayard
In Person - Bio/Memoir Book Club
Wednesday, April 15 @ 11am
Read The Wives by Simone Gorrindo
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Coming Up:
In Person - Cook Book Club
Tuesday, April 21 @ 5pm
Cook from Zabar's : A Family Story, With Recipes by Lori Zabar
In Person - Make Your Own Flower Crown
Thursday, April 30 @ 6:30pm
Have you heard that we are hosting a Mini Ren(aissance) Faire at the Ashland Library on Saturday, May 2nd? Well, no self respecting Medieval-ite can attend a Ren Faire without a Flower Crown! We invite you to join us making your very own to wear to the Ren Faire or just around the house. Either way, you'll be stylin'! This event is for adults only, but we'll have a similar program for kids and teens - keep a lookout for them. If you attended last year, feel free to join us again to add to your growing collection!
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This Week:
Virtual - Lighthouses of Cape Cod with Jeremy D'Entremont
Monday, April 13 @ 7:00—8:15 PM
We always have so much fun with Jeremy that we just had to have him back to discuss the amazing lighthouses of Cape Cod. From Race Point Light all the way to Nobska Point Light - learn the history and personal stories that make us want to make a trip out. And, with summer coming, maybe you can plan a lighthouse tour!
Virtual - Armchair Travel To Morocco
Tuesday, April 14 @ 2pm
Embark on a captivating journey through Morocco, where ancient traditions and breathtaking landscapes come alive. Travel from the vibrant, colorful streets of Marrakech with bustling souks, and stunning architecture – to the vast, mesmerizing expanse of the Sahara Desert. And, more!
Virtual - Historical Fiction Book Recs with Bestselling Author, Jane Healey
Tuesday, April 14 @ 6:30—7:00 PM
Love Historical Fiction but not sure what to read next? Join bestselling author, Jane Healey (and Ashland fave!), monthly for 30 minutes of pure book recommendations - the best of historical fiction out there!
Virtual - Spring Cooking Refresh with Empty Nest Kitchen
Tuesday, April 14 @ 7:00—8:15 PM
Spring is the perfect time to refresh your cooking habits. In this lively and practical online cooking class, culinary medicine educator and chef Christine Van Bloem will demonstrate how to create light, Mediterranean-inspired meals that feel satisfying, seasonal, and completely doable for one or two people.
Virtual - Thriller/Horror Book Recs with Bookstagrammer @redreadreviews
Tuesday, April 14 @ 7:30—8:00 PM
Not sure what to read next? Join Jody Blanchette (aka @redreadreviews), monthly, for 30 minutes of pure book recommendations - the best of horror and thrillers out there!
Virtual - Addison Gallery Tour: Parasol Press
Wednesday, April 15 @ 3pm
Join curator Rachel Vogel for a virtual tour of the exhibition Parasol Press: Breaking New Ground in this Zoom webinar. The first exhibition to survey Parasol Press’s remarkable publications from 1970–2014, this exhibition showcases radical innovations that pushed the boundaries of printmaking and secured Parasol’s place as one of the most important print publishers of the twentieth century. Parasol’s published editions were among the decade’s most ambitious prints, demonstrating the complex and varied ways artists explored the materiality of printed surfaces while challenging the medium’s limits.
Virtual - The Life & Career Of Diane Keaton
Wednesday, April 15 @ 7:00—8:30 PM
Diane Keaton was an American actress, director, producer, and screenwriter. Her career spanned over five decades, and she became famous in the 1970s for her roles in The Godfather films and Woody Allen's Annie Hall, which won her an Academy Award for Best Actress. Keaton's style, timing, and emotional honesty brought a mix of vulnerability, wit, and offbeat charm to her roles, making them unforgettable and deeply human.
Virtual - American Revolutionary Painters -- Benjamin West
Thursday, April 16 @ 2pm
Benjamin West, born in Pennsylvania, moved to London in 1763. Although West spent the American Revolutionary War in London, he trained and inspired three generations of American artist in London. He also became King George III’s court historical painter and eventually the second President of the London Royal Academy. Explore West’s complicated relationship with both King George III and the American Revolutionary War.
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Coming Up:
Virtual - Women's Fiction Book Recs with Bestselling Author, Kristan Higgins
Thursday, April 16 @ 6:30—7:00 PM
Love Women's Fiction but not sure what to read next? Join bestselling author, Kristan Higgins (and Ashland fave!), quarterly for 30 minutes of pure book recommendations - the best of women's fiction out there!
Virtual - Space Launch System (SLS) -- All Dressed Up With Nowhere To Go
Friday, April 17 @ 2pm
In 1972, the United States completed the 6th manned exploration of the Moon. It had taken a decade and billions of dollars to create the technology and procedures to make it a reality. In the half century since then no one has gone back. Following the completion of the Space Shuttle program, America elected to cobble together spare parts to build a spacecraft that can head back towards the Moon.
Virtual - Armchair Travel To Patagonia -- Sweeping Vistas, Remote Glaciers & Captivating Wildlife
Tuesday, April 21 @ 2:00—3:15 PM
Traveling through both Chilean and Argentine Patagonia, this illustrated journey ventures into the rugged Andes, where jagged peaks rise above glacial rivers and windswept plains. Through vivid storytelling and award-winning photography, you will be transported to a land of aquamarine lagoons, guanacos and condors, and breathtaking mountain vistas. As we traverse one of the most extraordinary landscapes on Earth, explore the region’s rich history, scientific significance and vibrant culture.
Virtual - Iconic Entertainers: Julie Andrews on Broadway with Clint Edwards
Tuesday, April 21 @ 7:00—8:15 PM
Exploring the life and music of one of the theater's most beloved performers and her work in Broadway (My Fair Lady, Camelot, Victor/Victoria etc.)
Virtual - Job Search Help -- Be The CEO Of Your Career
Wednesday, April 22 @ 9:30am
Are you ready to get clear on what you really want and determine what’s next in your career? Your career isn’t about following someone else’s map. It’s about trusting your own compass and being the C.E.O. of your career. C = Curiosity E = Be Engaged O = Take Ownership. Learn how to engage the CEO framework, a succession of 5 practices, designed to help you navigate a path to direct your career with confidence and purpose.
Virtual - Habits That Stick -- Building A Healthier You
Wednesday, April 22 @ 7pm
Join mindfulness and meditation instructor Lauren Masse, founder of Bright Heart Coaching, to create positive habits that last with proven strategies for success. This session explores the science of habit formation and how to make sustainable changes. Learn to overcome obstacles and build routines that support your well-being. Perfect for anyone looking to achieve personal growth and wellness goals.
Virtual - When a Loved One Is Dying: Care, Connection and Coping
Thursday, April 23 @ 7:00—8:30 PM
When you’re caring for a loved one with a serious or end-of-life disease, there are often more questions than answers. In her book: When a Loved One Is Dying, Groden shares true stories of families navigating these experiences and offers expert guidance and practical advice.
Virtual - Friday Night Film Discussion
Friday, April 24 @ 7pm
Watch My Happy Family
| | Weekly Adult In Person Programs | |
Yoga
Registration is Required, Space is Limited. Please plan on showing early as those coming in more than 5 minutes after the start of instruction will not be admitted. Registration begins 2 weeks before each session.
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Monday Knit & Crochet Club
Mondays at 6pm
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Starting 5/13/25, registration for children's events with limited space opens two weeks before the event date. If you can’t attend after registering, please cancel or contact the library at least 48 hours in advance. No-shows will lose registration privileges for one month. Please also arrive on time—those more than 10 minutes late may not be able to join due to missed introductions.
For programs requiring registration, signs up will begin 2 weeks prior to the event.
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Clocktown Rockers!
*For ages 2-5 with a caregiver
Tuesdays at 10:30-11am
Join Miss Katrina for this new music and movement program! We'll dance to favorite kids' tunes, have fun with instruments and other props, and read a story, all while building your child's early literacy and executive function skills.
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Baby Time
*For ages 0-3 with a caregiver
Wednesdays @ 10:30—11:00 AM
Join Miss Lindsay for Baby Time, our weekly storytime especially designed for babies and toddlers ages 0-3! This interactive storytime includes sweet stories, fun rhymes and fingerplays, bounces, and so much more.
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ABC Adventures
*For ages 3-6 with a caregiver
Fridays at 10:30-11am
Join Miss Kayla for this new literacy-focused storytime! Each week, we’ll focus on different letters of the alphabet and letter sounds as a cornerstone of building early reading skills. We’ll also read thematic stories, do fun rhymes and fingerplays, and even work on hands-on crafts!
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Saturday Stories
*for ages 2-5 with a caregiver
Most Saturdays at 10:30am
Check our calendar for dates
Join Miss Kayla for a new Saturday morning storytime! We’ll read lively stories, do fun rhymes and movement activities, and work on simple crafts. For families with children ages 2-5. No registration required.
| | | Special Programs in April | | |
LEGO Club!
Monday, April 13 @ 4:30pm
Calling all LEGO masters! Join Kim the LEGO Lady for an interactive building adventure! Afterward, your awesome creations will be displayed in the library until the next LEGO Club! For kids in grades K-3. Registration is required and space is limited.
Pokémon Club
*for grades 2-6
Tuesday, April 14 @ 6:30pm
Are you a Pokémon master? Kids in grades 2-6 are welcome to join us for our exciting Pokémon Club! This is a low-key hangout space, where kids can come together to share their card collections, watch episodes of the Pokémon anime, and participate in passive activities. Come hang out and make new Pokémon friends! Registration required.
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Juntos en la Biblioteca: Actividades en Español en Familia
*for families
para familias
Monday, April 27 @ 6:30pm
Los invitamos a disfrutar en familia de una sesión de actividades en español en la biblioteca. En “Juntos en la Biblioteca,” ofreceremos la oportunidad de creer lazos fuertes en comunidad, ¡todo en español! | Join us for family activities in Spanish at the library! Through "Juntos en la Biblioteca" (Together at the Library), we're creating a space to strengthen community ties and connect, entirely in Spanish!
Little Picassos Club
*for grades K-2
Tuesday, April 28 @ 4:30—5:15 PM
Join Miss Kayla for Little Picassos—revamped! Perfect for kids in grades K-2 who love to get their hands messy, Little Picassos is a unique art club that introduces younger elementary students to different artists, art styles, and mediums. We’ll paint, sculpt, and everything in between—just bring your creativity! Registration required.
Little Crafters
Thursday, April 30 @ 10:30am
Come join the Ashland Moms Club for this storytime, where little hands get to explore big ideas! We'll start with a sweet and lively storytime, followed by a simple craft that’s perfect for curious minds. Bring your imagination, and let’s make some colorful memories together! For families with children ages 0-5. No registration required.
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Off the Page Movie Club: Paddington
*for families
Saturday, April 18 @ 1:00—3:00 PM
All families are welcome to join us for our new Off the Page Movie Club, where we’ll be checking out different book-to-screen adaptations of favorite children’s books! You’ll have the opportunity to read the source material as a family before joining us for a fun Saturday movie showing in our large meeting room. This month, we’ll be highlighting A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond and the 2024 film Paddington in Peru.
Parody Playhouse: Family Concert
*for ages 0-6 with a caregiver
Tuesday, April 21 @ 10:30am
Put on your dancing shoes, because we’re welcoming Parody Playhouse BACK to the library for another morning of musical fun! A music and movement experience for children ages 0–6 and their caregivers, Parody Playhouse’s performance includes kid-friendly versions of popular songs that help teach important social-emotional skills. If you and your kiddos love to sing and dance, this is the program for you! Drop in, no registration required.
Craft It!: DIY Tic-Tac-Toe Boards
*for grades K-6
Tuesday, April 21 @ 2:00—2:45 PM
Tuesday, April 21 @ 3:15—4:00 PM
We love crafts and we love games—what better way is there to combine both than by making your own tic-tac-toe game? By painting your own board and crafting unique game pieces out of air-dry clay, you’ll have your own special tic-tac-toe set you can take home and play with again and again. All supplies are provided, just bring your creativity! Please only sign up for one session.
Earth Day Cupcake Decorating
*for grades K-6
Wednesday, April 22 @ 2:00—2:45 PM
Wednesday, April 22 @ 3:15—4:00 PM
Join us for a tasty Earth Day celebration where we’ll be decorating earth-inspired cupcakes! You’ll get to make two different cupcakes to enjoy. All supplies will be provided!. **Please keep in mind that cupcakes contain allergens such as gluten, eggs, dairy, etc.** Space is limited and registration is required! Please only sign up for one session.
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Buildwave ® | A Hands-On Building Game!
*for ages 5+
Thursday, April 23 @ 11:30am
Boost your child's STEAM interest with Buildwave® — a building event that feels like a gameshow! During the event, participants build with waves of diverse materials like Lego®, Plus-Plus®, and more. Each building wave is enhanced by a dynamic audiovisual experience unlike any other. As participants complete wave after wave of building, they gain creative confidence, enhance teamwork, and experience design fundamentals in a unique and memorable context. Registration required.
Gaming & Mini-Golf w/ One Up Games
*for families, kids, and teens
Friday, April 24 @ 1:00—4:00 PM
Have you ever wanted to play mini golf in the library? Thanks to our friends from One Up Games, you can! Stop on by to play through several holes of their LED mini golf course with your family and friends. Families, kids, and teens will also enjoy hours of video games galore, from MarioKart to Smash Brothers! No registration required, just come check it out!
**Please note that the Children’s Room will be closed for circulation purposes between 12:30 and 4:00 p.m. for this event. We apologize for the inconvenience!**
Music at the Blissful: Family Concert
*for families
Saturday, April 25 @ 10:30am
We can’t wait to sing and dance along with award-winning children’s musician Evan Haller, AKA Music at the Blissful! Evan’s show is high-energy, interactive, a little silly, and perfect for kids of all ages. All families are welcome to join for a toe-tapping good time! Drop in, no registration required.
Family Trivia Party
*for families
Saturday, April 25 @ 2pm
Join us for our first-ever family trivia extravaganza! Register your family as a team to participate in a game of general knowledge trivia covering a variety of topics. Put your collective skills to the test to see if you’re the most trivia-savvy family! The winning team will receive a small prize. Registration required.
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Project ABC: Play, Learn & Grow
*for ages 0-5
Mondays @ 11:00 AM—12:00 PM
Join the Metrowest YMCA in partnership with the Early Childhood Alliance of Ashland & Framingham for a fun and interactive experience designed just for little ones aged 5 and under! Their Play, Learn & Grow program is the perfect way to get your child ready for school and socializing with new friends. Packed with creative activities, playful learning, and joyful moments, this structured program will help your child build confidence and get excited about their educational journey. Registration is required. Register HERE
Tinker Together
*for ages 2-5 with a caregiver
Thursdays @ 3:00—4:00 PM
Our Tinker Playgroup is a hands-on, curiosity-driven space designed for children ages 2–5, where little learners explore through play, creativity, and discovery. Using simple STEAM-inspired activities, children build early skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration—all while having fun. Younger and older siblings are always welcome to join the tinkering adventure!
Our Tinker Group is brought to you by the Metrowest YMCA, the same people behind our fan-favorite Project ABC!
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Teen - In Person Creative Writing Club
Thursday, April 2nd 5:00-6:00 PM and Thursday, April 16th 5:00-6:00 PM
Stop by the Teen Room at the Ashland Public Library to do some creative writing. You can continue working on a project or start a new one! There will be optional prompts for inspiration and you can share your work at the end of the meeting. You do not have to share any writing to join the group.
Teen Advisory Board Meeting In Person
Monday, April 13th 4:00-5:00 PM
Share your ideas and help plan teen events! This event can be used for community service hours.
Teen - In Person Make Your Own Slime
Tuesday, April 21st 3:00-4:00 PM:
Make some slime (and a little bit of a mess) at the library.
Teen - In Person Write to a Veteran
Thursday, April 23rd 2:30-3:30 PM
Write a letter to be delivered to a Veteran for Memorial Day. Students can use this event for community service hours. Teens are welcome to write letters all month long and drop them off at the upstairs circulation desk. Librarians must be able to proof read cards before they are sent out.
Gaming & Golf w/ One Up Games
*for kids & teens
Friday, April 24 @ 1:00—4:00 PM
Have you ever wanted to play mini golf in the library? Thanks to our friends from One Up Games, you can! Stop on by to play through several holes of their LED mini golf course with your family and friends. No registration required, just come check it out!
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Program Videos
Check out the library's YouTube Channel! We are recording many of our programs so subscribe today so you don't miss out.
Please let us know what you think of our programs by filling out a quick Feedback Survey - Thanks!
| | Available until Thursday, 4/16 | | Friends of the Ashland Public Library | | |
Friends of the Ashland Public Library Full Day Book Sale: Ren Faire Edition!
Saturday, May 2 @ 9:30 AM—3:00 PM
We're participating in the Ashland Library's Mini Ren Faire! Shop for gently used books or drop your gently used books from 10-3pm, wear your Medieval garb, and check out our vendors, merchants, and performers here for the Ren Faire! Can't wait to see you!
Find more information about the 2025 Mini Ren Faire!
For this special sale, you'll find "old" books that any collector will love to own. The Friends have been collecting all year long so we're sure you'll find something to love. And, they will have all of the books, DVDs, and puzzles you can find at their regular monthly book sales! Something for everyone.
If you can't make it to the sales, the Friends have a book sale corner on the 1st floor of the library (in the beautiful original part of the building). There, you can find great books for yourself and your family any time the library is open.
Proceeds from these monthly book sales and all fundraising efforts made by the Friends fund 100% of children, teen, and adult programs, our wonderful Museum Passes, and so much more!
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Downstairs Gallery
Planned Spontaneity
Bruno Wernli
March 28-May 16
Learn more about Bruno on his website.
Artist Statement:
Ideas, Concepts and Experiences
The work investigates the coexistence of control and unpredictability. Each painting begins with a defined composition and palette, then evolves through spontaneous gestures and the organic movement of paint. This mirrors the uncertain flow of life, where structure often dissolves into the unexpected. Layered surfaces become visual metaphors for resilience, transformation, and emotional complexity.
At its core, the work seeks to create emotion—a pursuit I see as the holy grail of painting. I have long envied music and film for the way they can move audiences so directly. Abstraction, for me, is a way to reach toward that immediacy of feeling through pure color, rhythm, and texture. Ultimately, the questions beneath the work may remain unanswered: How did I get here? Who am I? Why? The paintings do not answer, but they open space for the viewer to reflect.
Inspirations and Traditions That Guide the Work
Rooted in abstract expressionism, the work is also shaped by architectural principles such as spatial balance, structural foundation, and proportion—an influence of my education and interest in architecture. Photography and my years living in the Caribbean, the United States, Europe, and Latin America also influenced my visual language, adding layers of atmosphere, rhythm, and cultural resonance.
Key inspirations include the bold chromatic experiments of Niki de Saint Phalle, the gestural urgency of K.R.H. Sonderborg, and the textural complexity of Jack Whitten, as well as Gerhard Richter’s exploration of abstraction and chance. These references converge in works that celebrate the interplay between deliberate intent and intuitive mark-making.
Methods and Techniques in This Body of Work
Each painting is developed through a multi-layered process, a private, intimate, and emotionally charged practice. Pigments and raw materials are mixed into custom paints, emphasizing a direct, hands-on engagement with color. Surfaces are built up through successive applications, creating luminous, almost three-dimensional effects that embody tension between presence and impermanence.
The use of raw, unblended, self-made pigments alongside standard, off the shelve materials, underscores the honesty and authenticity of the process—nothing hidden, only a direct dialogue between hand, surface, and color. Frames and supports are handcrafted as part of this philosophy of slow, intentional creation. The result is a body of work that does not dictate meaning but instead invites viewers to step into an open field of perception, memory, and emotion.
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Upstairs Display Case
“Mini-Books"
by Ashland Library Staff
March 2 - April 28, 2026.
The Library staff know stories come in all shapes and sizes and are happy to share some of their tiniest books for this display!
They will be available to purchase at the Friends Booksale in May.
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Questions?
Contact us at ashlandprograms@minlib.net or 508-881-0134
Sign up for the library's newsletters
(if you haven't already :)
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Physical Address
66 Front Street
Ashland, MA 01721
Phone: 508-881-0134
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