In this Newsletter: Expansion Update, Upcoming Programs, Features of the Month, High Demand Holds, Friends, and More!

MARCH NEWSLETTER

Expansion Update

Comparing tile samples to roof

Construction Update Construction site work paused in February while we formulated a plan for soil excavation and groundwater remediation. Behind the scenes work continue: steel began fabrication, brick was selected, requests for information were answered, a subcommittee for interiors was formed, and the Clerk of the Works and Architect met with the Historic District Commission for approval and recommendation on roof tile, window aluminum, paint, and trims. A full building permit was approved. The Capital Campaign continued work on their publicity materials. For project updates, including construction schedules, meeting minutes, and MBLC reports, please visit www.graftonlibrary.org/thetimeisnow. Upcoming Library Planning & Building Committee Meetings: Monday March 2, 2020, 6:00pm Grafton Memorial Municipal Center, Room B 30 Providence Road, Grafton MA Monday April 6, 2020, 6:00pm Grafton Memorial Municipal Center, Room B 30 Providence Road, Grafton MA

Ken Best, DRA (principal architect), presents paint samples

Tile Samples - which one complements the current slate roof, which has weathered to a mix of grey, black, purple and green? Light is better for LEED, but dark might be better for Historical purposes.

Window. For discussion - same trim inside and out? (We vote yes...)

Brick - a close match!

Long Range Plan 2021-2025

The Grafton Public Library seeks Grafton residents, business owners, and community leaders to volunteer to serve on a diverse planning committee that will assist in setting Library service priorities for the next five years (2021-2025) for the Grafton Public Library. Participants MUST attend two focus group meetings, scheduled for 6:30-9:30pm at the Library (53 N. Main Street, North Grafton MA) on Tuesday March 10 and May 12. The successful candidate has a strong working knowledge of the Grafton community, and may or may not be a current Library user. The meetings will be facilitated by Library Consultant. Meetings will include defining a vision for the community served by the Library, brainstorming, and conducting analysis of the Library’s Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations and Results. The feedback gathered will be used to develop a Long Range Plan for 2021-2025. Meeting attendance at both meetings is mandatory for planning committee members. Refreshments will be provided. A Long Range Plan, or strategic plan, is a written document that provides goals, measurable objectives and specific activities for Library staff to carry out. Strategic planning isn’t new for Grafton; it is a routine part of running a successful Library, and considered to be a standard of best practices in library management. A Long Range Plan spanning five years is required by the  MA Board of Library Commissioners  (MBLC) for any library that wishes to apply for—or keep—grant funding. The Library is currently in the middle of MA Public Library Construction Program Grant for Library renovation and expansion, and must create a plan and update an action plan (and remain eligible for  State Aid ) to keep this grant. The Long Range Plan is reviewed annually at an autumn meeting of the Grafton Public Library Board of Trustees, and the Library Director submit an updated a plan of action for the Library to the MBLC each December. As the current Long Range Plan expires in December 2020, it’s time to see where we are going, next! Anyone can review the current Long Range Plan and Activity Plan online at  www.graftonlibrary.org/lrp . Can’t commit? Bored by meetings? You can still provide valuable input! A Library Satisfaction Survey will be forthcoming on the Library website in April 2020. If you are interested in participating in the strategic planning process and joining the Long Range Plan committee, please contact Beth Gallaway, Library Director, to get an information packet, at  gallawayb@graftonlibrary.org  or 508-839-4649. A few documents of interest: MA Public Library Standards for Children MA Public Library Standards for Young Adults Project Outcome: Library Performance Measurement National Library Standards Library Standards Checklist

Community Read 2020

Winter Reading Program

This year we have a special treat for you: a Winter Reading Program with a Harry Potter theme! Harry Potter fans, book lovers, witches, wizards and muggles of all ages: children, teens, and adults - all are invited to participate. (You don't have to have read the Harry Potter books to participate and enjoy this event!) The 2020 Winter Reading Program will continue through March 31, 2020.

Learn more about the Winter Reading Program!

What's Happening in March

All Ages Events

Candle Making Workshop Saturday, March 7 Sessions at: 10 am 10:45 am 11:30 am 1 pm 1:45 pm Registration begins Feb. 22 LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location: 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Adult Events

Monthly Book Clubs for Adults

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Adult & Teen Events

Saturday Afternoon Knitters Saturday, March 14 2-4 pm LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location: 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

G.U.M. (Grafton Ukulele Musicians) Monthly Jam Thursday, March 12 6:30-8 pm LOCATION: Apple Tree Arts, One Grafton Common

Steve Adams, Suffrage Balladeer Tuesday, March 10 7:30-8:30 pm LOCATION: Grafton Historical Society, 71 Main Street

Community Read Book Discussion Monday, March 23 7-9 pm LOCATION: Grafton Historical Society, 71 Main Street, South Grafton

Remember the Ladies with Felt Roses Saturday, March 28 3 pm LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location: 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Teen Events (Grades 6-12)

Dungeons & Dragons Friday, March 27 5-9 pm Drop-in program LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location: 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Check It Out Book Group Wednesday, March 18 7-8 pm  Sign up suggested but not required. LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location: 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Children's & Tweens Events

Baby & Toddler Events

Library Babies Birth to Walking Thursdays at 10:15 am March 5 March 12 March 19 March 26 Drop-in program LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Toddler Time Walking to 3 Years Wednesdays at 9 and 10:15 am March 4 March 11 March 18 March 25  Drop-in program LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Preschool Events

Young Scientists @ Unibank Ages 3-5 Mondays at 10:15 am New session begins March 2 Registration required LOCATION: Unibank, 89 Worcester Street

Preschool Storytime Ages 3-5 Tuesdays at 9 and 10:15 am New session begins March 3 Registration required. LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Friday Fun with Mr. Kim Friday, March 20 10:30am Registration begins Mar. 6 *You must call the Children's Room at 508-839-4649 to register* LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Once Upon a Storytime Wednesday, March 4 1:30-2pm Sign up required LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

School Age (Grades K-5) Events

Read Across America Day Ooblek Exploration Wednesday, January 29 6-6:30pm LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location: 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Bookworms Book Club Kindergarten Monday, March 9 6pm Please register for this program LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Bookworms Book Club Grades 1 & 2 Monday, March 16 6 pm Registration begins Mar. 2 LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Bookworms Book Club Grades 3-5 Monday, March 24 6:45 pm Registration begins Mar. 16 LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Saturday STEM Kids Grades K-2 Saturday, March 14 10:30 am Registration begins Feb. 29 LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Saturday STEAM Kids Grades 3-5 Saturday, March 14 1:30pm Registration begins Feb. 29 LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Math Exploration Grades K & 1 Tuesday, March 3 4-4:30pm Drop-in program LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Math Exploration Grades 2 & 3 Tuesday, March 10 4-4:30 pm Drop-in program LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Math Exploration Grades 4 & 5 Tuesday, March 17 4-4:30 pm Drop-in program LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Family Game Night Thursdays from 4-8 pm March 5 March 12 March 19 March 26 Drop-in program LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Holi: Festival of Colors Friday, March 6 3:30-4:30pm Drop-in program LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

History Comes Alive! Wednesday, March 11 6-6:30pm Drop-in program LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Mixed Age Group Events

LEGO Brick Builders Preschoolers-Grade 5 Fridays from 3-4:30 pm March 13 March 20 March 27 Drop-in program LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Dr. Seuss Celebration Wednesday, March 25 Two sessions: 1-2 pm OR 3-4 pm Drop-in program LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

Saturday Storytime Wednesday, March 21 9:30 am Drop-in program LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton

See all of our upcoming events: GPL Event Calendar

See what's happening around town: Grafton Community Calendar

Closings & Delays

Features of the Month

Museum Pass: Mystic Aquarium The mission of the Mystic Aquarium is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through conservation, education and research. LIBRARY PASS : $4 off per person for up to four people. Reserve This Pass

BookFlix BookFlix is an online literacy resource that pairs interactive, fictional video storybooks with related nonfiction eBooks. BookFlix engages young students, reinforces reading skills, and introduces early readers to a world of knowledge and exploration. Great for beginning readers, struggling readers, and enthusiastic readers! Access for FREE with your library card and PIN - if you don't know your pin, please call 508-830-4640 during business hours and we can help you rest it.

Database: Overdrive FYI: You'll now need your library card number and pin/password to login to Overdrive.

Reminder! We have one delayed opening scheduled for March: Fri March 13 the Library will open to the public at 1pm, following a Long Range Planning session for Library staff.Be sure to check our website, social media, or call the Library if there is inclement weather to see if the Library has delayed opening or is closed.

High Demand Holds

BOOKS The Dutch House: A Novel by Ann Patchett American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes Dear Edward: A Novel by Ann Napolitano Such a Fun Age: A Novel by Kiley Reid Blindside by James Patterson Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout Long Bright River by Liz Moore When You See Me by Lisa Gardner The Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100 by Dan Buettner

MOVIES A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Parasite Ford V Ferrari Jojo Rabbit Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood Knives Out The Good Liar Joker Harriet Judy

Friends of the Grafton Public Library

Next Friends Board Meetings Tuesday March 3rd 7:30 pm Board Meeting Public Welcome Grafton Memorial Municipal Center Room D 30 Providence Road Grafton MA www.friendsgpl.org/join

Save the Date! The annual Friends of the Grafton Public Library will be holding their annual egg hunt on April 11. Tickets will be available starting March 28. Stay tuned for more details!

Have a recommendation on what the Library should purchase? Want to sign up for a program? Have questions? Visit Our Website Call 508-839-4649 Contact Us by Email Suggestion Form

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