Featured: Don't forget to send us your minutes! Adult Winter Reading Challenge | |
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Adult Winter Reading Challenge:
Monday January 1 - Wednesday January 31, 2024
Fill out the form daily, weekly, as you read, or at the end of the month!
All the details in the form.
And, then, join us for a celebration:
Hot Chocolate Bar and Winter Reading Discussion
Wednesday, January 31 @ 6:00pm
Whether you've spent January participating in our Adult Winter Reading Challenge or you just love books and hot chocolate, join us for this special evening of relaxing, discussion, and hot cocoa! This program is for adults 18+ and does require registration (so we have plenty of HC to go around :).
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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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Virtual: Fierce Females: Women in Art with Jane Oneail
Wednesday, January 17 @ 7pm
This program examines the history of women in art in brief and then explores the lives, careers and works of several major women artists from the Renaissance to the twentieth century, including Artemisia Gentileschi and Mary Cassatt.
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Virtual - Haunted Happenings with Jeff DePaoli: Alterian, Inc. with Founder Tony Gardner
Thursday, January 18 @ 6:30pm
Join Alterian Inc. Founder Tony Gardner, an American makeup designer, special effects designer and puppeteer, and Jeff DePaoli, Host of "That Halloween Podcast", as they discuss Tony's work. The primary focus of this discussion will be the work done to bring the killer doll Chucky to life. Tony and his team have built and puppeteered Chucky for numerous films and the current television series "Chucky."
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This Week:
Virtual - Let's Get Cozy with Mystery Authors Allison Brook and Mia P. Manansala
Tuesday, January 16 @ 7pm
Marilyn Levinson is the author of the Haunted Libraries series and Mia P. Manansala is the author of the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series. Bring your questions and cuddle up for a fun evening.
Bio/Memoir Book Club
Wednesday, January 17 @ 11am
Read "Fly Girl" by Ann Hood
Half-Past Crafts: Pom Pom Cardinals
Wednesday, January 17 @ 6:30pm
This month we are making pom pom cardinals that look great in a window or on a tree branch!
Virtual: Ashland Adult Book Club
Wednesday, January 17 @ 6:30pm
Read "The Littlest Library" by Poppy Alexander
Virtual - La Serenissima - A Sojourn in Venice with Bruce Magnuson
Wednesday, January 17 @ 7pm
Local photographer and art and history enthusiast, Bruce Magnuson, will explore the many facets of Venetian, history, art and architecture. Weaving local references to Venice with photographs from a recent trip, you'll come away with a greater appreciation for this complicated, captivating city.
Virtual - Future Solar Eclipses
Thursday, January 18 @ 7pm
This presentation will provide an overview of the nature of solar eclipses, helpful advice for seeing the April 8, 2024 event successfully, and a preview of solar eclipses worth seeing through 2028.
Virtual: Demystify your Finances with Ariel Nathanson
Thursday, January 18 @ 7pm
January is Financial Wellness month and we're ready for it! It is the perfect time to focus on the future and lay the foundation for financial success. Ariel Nathanson, the founder of Finance for Feminists, will be helping program participants expand their understanding of personal finance with practical advice and useful tools.
Saturday Knit and Crochet Club and Workshop: Knit an Adult-Sized Hat
*Ages 14 & Up
Saturday, January 20 @ 2pm
Come join us this week at the Saturday Knit and Crochet Club to learn how to knit a cozy adult-sized hat!
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Next Week:
Card Crafting Makerspace
Monday, January 22 @ 6:30pm
We’ll supply the materials, you supply the creativity! Come create your own greeting cards using the library’s extensive collection of stamps, inks, papers, punches, dies, embellishments, and embossing materials. Note: An experienced card crafter will be on hand to offer some tips for beginners but this is not an instructional class.
Virtual - Author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong discusses "So Fetch The Making of Mean Girls (And Why We're Still So Obsessed with It)"
Monday, January 22 @ 7pm
We are celebrating a book birthday! Jennifer's book, "So Fetch" just came out on Jan 16th and we can't wait to ask her all of the nitty gritty details of this totally fetch story of one of the most iconic teen comedies of all time, Mean Girls, in which she reveals how it happened, how it defined a generation, “like, invented” meme culture, and why it just won’t go away. The book is filled with exclusive interviews from the director, cast, and crew - Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams & Tina Fey (oh my!).
Virtual - LGBTQ+ Book Club
*For 15-100
Monday, January 22 @ 7pm
Read "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous" by Ocean Vuong
Virtual - Celebrating a Book Birthday with Author Gabe Cole Novoa
Tuesday, January 23 @ 7pm
We are celebrating the release of Gabe's book, "Most Ardently" with cake and conversation! This is a "Pride and Prejudice" Remix like you've never seen! We hope you can join us for what will be a fascinating and fun evening. It's BYOC (bring your own cake), though.
Virtual - Hedy Lamarr: The Beauty and The Inventor with Bill Thierfelder
Tuesday, January 23 @ 7pm
Hedy Lamarr: “Bombshell” actress. Inventor who created technology that is still used today in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi systems. Eccentric shoplifter. Come discover one of the more fascinating life stories of the 20th century.
Virtual - Another Look Inside the Hammond Castle Museum with Curatorial Director, John Leysath
Wednesday, January 24 @ 1pm
We learned so much from John Leysath, curator at Hammond Castle Museum, back in October, we just had to have him back! This time he'll be digging even deeper into the life and inventions of the original owner, creator of the castle, and noted scientist John Hays Hammond Jr.
Virtual - Friday Night Film Discussion: "Seven Samurai" Part 2
Friday, January 26 @ 7pm
Join in the discussion of Part 2 of “Seven Samurai", one of the most thrilling movie epics of all time by famed director Akira Kurosawa.
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Saturday Knit & Crochet Club
Saturdays at 2pm
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Monday Knit & Crochet Club
Mondays at 6pm
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ESL Conversation Group with Theresa Cerullo
Mondays @ 6:30pm
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Unless otherwise specified, all programs are in-person walk-in. There may be room capacity limits for some, though, so come early! | |
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You're Invited! Retirement Party for Miss Lois
Saturday, January 27 @ 10-2pm
Miss Lois, our longtime Director of Children's Services, is retiring on January 31st and we would like to give her a great send-off! Join us for cake and cookies as we remember all of the fun times we've had with Miss Lois. We'll be raising a glass (of cider :) to wish her well on her next adventure.
We'll have a drop in cookie decorating program and card making for kids so bring the whole family!
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Animal Adventures
Saturday, January 20 @ 10:30am
Come see and touch a variety of live animals. Admission to the program is free, but space is limited and this will be a popular program. Tickets will be available near the Children's Room beginning at 10:00 a.m. the day of the show.
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Stem Thursdays
*For Ages 5-9
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Engineering Exploration
Thursday, January 18 @ 4pm
Cardboard Builder Set - Each participant will make their own cardboard construction set, with endless possibilities for creation!
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Lego Club
Thursday, January 25 @ 4pm
Each child will be given a box filled with an assortment of Lego blocks to build a creation using only what's inside the box within the 45 minute time limit.
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Project ABC Play, Learn, and Grow Group
*Ages 0 to 5
Tuesdays at 11am
A structured program to help prepare children for socialization and a school experience.
Registration *IS* required for each session of this program
Lapsit
*Infants, Toddlers & Caregivers
Wednesdays @ 10:30am
Join Miss Lois for a story time full of songs and fingerplays. Check out the songs performed by Miss Lois here
Friday Afternoon Story and Craft
*For Ages 4-7
Fridays @ 4:15pm
Stop into the children's room as we read a story and do a related craft project
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Saturday Story Time
*For Ages 3 and up
Saturday, January 20 @ 10:30am
Come listen to Ryan read some of his favorite stories aloud
Crafty Saturdays
Saturdays 10am-3pm
Drop in on Saturdays in the Children's Room and find a different craft to do every week!
Visit our website calendar for all of the details!
Sign up for our Monthly Children's Room Newsletter
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Laura, our Teen Librarian, wants to hear from YOU about what Teens want to see at the APL! | |
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!
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Friends of the Ashland Public Library
SAVE THE DATES!
The Friends are hosting their 2nd Mini Golf Tournament on Saturday, April 27th and Sunday, April 28th. We'll have more details soon but here's a heads up so you can join the fun!
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Next Donation Day & Mini Book Sale
Saturday, February 3 @ 10-1pm
Donation Days are held every 1st Saturday of every month from 10am-1pm. To keep the shelves stocked with fresh selections, the Friends accept donations in the library parking lot of gently used books, audio books and DVDs. Friends volunteers will be available to assist donors during this time. There is also a cart in the mezzanine lobby for donations at any time during library hours.
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
“The Spirit of Nature"
Paintings by Dustin Neece
Jan 17 - Feb 26, 2024
Dustin Neece is one of the few classically trained living artists that paints almost entirely from life and imagination. Over decades he has cultivated his visual and emotional sensitivity as well as his craft as an artist to capture the spirit of nature on canvas.
In Dustin’s words:
"Oil paintings hold the frequency of the energy that is put into them. By returning to paint my subjects on location over and over again until a work is complete I am able to tune my paintings to the peaceful feelings and powerful beauty of nature."
There will be an Artist’s reception on Thursday, Feb 22, 5-7PM
in the Downstairs Gallery of the APL.
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Upstairs Display Case
“Childhood Treasures”
Handcrafted Wooden Toy Puzzles
by Patricia Romeo Jammalo
January 16 – March 2, 2024
Patricia Romeo Jammalo is an Ashland artist and resident. She studied studio art at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University. She has created art in all media such as watercolor, oil, printmaking, and multi-media work such as collage, assemblage and sculpture. Currently, Patricia works with wood and designs, hand-cuts and paints unique puzzles in the shape of various animals.
What Patricia says about her work:
“What I create is autobiographical. At an early age I learned to draw and use power tools. Over the years I dabbled in various wood projects such as picture frames, boxes and shelves; and then one day I decided I wanted to make things for children. Toys can be tricky to make by hand, but puzzles were a possibility, but not just the garden variety puzzle. I wanted to create something unique, something special, a puzzle a child would cherish for a lifetime. Today, I create art puzzles from wood, more specifically, I design and create puzzles from my collection of stuffed animals that I treasured as a child!”
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New(ish) Catalog!
We have a new Minuteman Catalog! Try our new(ish) catalog that has some wonderful features (including our staff picks - my personal favorite ~Meena) and all of the formats of a book in one place. Play around with it, you will love it! Log in with your current card and PIN, make sure to go to your account to transfer your reading history.
The old one is still live for several more months if you'd like to give it a going away party 🙂
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Questions?
Contact us at [email protected] 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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