In this Newsletter: Groundbreaking Announcement, Upcoming Programs, Features of the Month, High Demand Holds, Friends
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Construction Update
The public is invited to attend a groundbreaking ceremony, Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 10:30 a.m. at 35 Grafton Common to kick off the multi-million-dollar renovation and expansion of the Grafton Public Library. The event will be held rain or shine.
Architects Drummey Rosane Anderson designed the estimated $16.6 million project under the aegis of the
Library Planning and Building Committee. The project will transform the circa-1928 building into a modern 26,000 square-foot library designed to meet the current population needs and expected population growth for the next 20 years.
The town’s share of the project funding is about $9.2 million. A capital campaign has been formed to support the building project and has received pledges and donations in excess of a quarter of a million dollars.
“We are excited and proud to build this renovated and expanded library as proof of our commitment to providing enrichment to all visitors,” said Tim McInerney, Grafton Town Administrator. “Everyone will continue to enjoy a place of learning and exploration where all are welcome. We appreciate the support of our excellent library programming. This updated facility will let us preserve our past and serve all future generations.”
The building project includes preserving the front section of the circa-1928 library with an entrance on the Grafton Common. The upper level (Common entrance) will include the historic main reading room, showcasing beautiful original Palladian windows and woodwork, as well as meeting rooms, collections and services for adults. The lower level (Upton Street entrance) will house youth services space and collections, including a children’s program room, a teen-tween program and gaming rooms, several tutoring rooms, and mechanical and electrical equipment rooms.
The expansion will provide updated spaces found in modern libraries including a large community meeting room, study rooms, tutoring spaces, teen and tween areas, a children program room, local history room, Friends of the Library book sale space, expanded areas for nonfiction and fiction collection and a patio.
“We are thrilled to be able to provide new services that the community has been requesting for a long time, especially meeting space,” said Library Director Beth Gallaway. “The 117-seat community room will be available for local organizations and other groups to use. We’ll be able to hold our own programs on site, have enough shelf space to archive and display materials, and provide more public access computers.”
The project began in October 2016 when the Library received the town’s permission to apply for a grant through the MPLCP and hire an architect to create a schematic design for the grant application. Ms. Gallaway applied for the grant in January 2017. In May 2017, town meeting voters approved the preliminary design, voted to accept the grant and also approved raising matching funds for the project. The measure was passed at a town-wide election a few weeks later.
This past May, the town received $460,000 from the MBLC that may be used for partial payment of eligible costs. The Library qualified for the early reimbursement because the MBLC designated the library under construction due to the Grafton Select Board’s decision to borrow the full amount of the project. This money was funded from undistributed MPLCP grants.
The Library has relocated to a temporary site at 53 N. Main St., North Grafton, at the former St. Andrews Church. The Library continues to offer the same services, and operating hours remain the same – Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The project is expected to be completed by late spring of 2021 and is partially funded by as state grant administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Construction updates will be posted at
www.graftonlibrary.org/thetimeisnow.
Next Building Committee Meetings
Nov 4, 6pm Municipal Center
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What's Happening in November
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Monthly Book Clubs for Adults
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Saturday Afternoon Knitters
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Saturday, November 9
2-4 pm
LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location: 53 North Main Street, North Grafton
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G.U.M.
(Grafton Ukulele Musicians) Monthly Jam
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Thursday, November 14
6:30-8pm
LOCATION: Apple Tree Arts,
One Grafton Common
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Teen Events (Grades 6-12)
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Friday, November 22
5-9pm
Drop-in program.
LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location: 53 North Main Street, North Grafton
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Saturday, November 30
1-3pm
Drop-in program.
LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location: 53 North Main Street, North Grafton
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Teen Crafternoon: DIY Erasers
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Saturday, November 10
1-3pm
Registration begins Nov. 2
LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location: 53 North Main Street, North Grafton
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Children's & Tweens Events
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Wednesday, November 6
5-9pm
Drop in event
LOCATION: GPL Temporary Location: 53 North Main Street, North Grafton
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Silly Science @ Unibank
Ages 3-5
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Mondays at 10:15 am
November 18
November 25
Registration for this session begins Nov. 4
LOCATION:
Unibank, 89 Worcester Street
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Preschool Storytime
Ages 3-5
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Tuesdays at 9 and 10:15 am
November 12
November 19
November 26
Registration for this session begins Oct. 29
LOCATION:
GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton
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Toddler Time
Walking to 3 Years
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Wednesdays at 9 and 10:15 am
November 13
November 20
November 27
Drop-in program
LOCATION:
GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton
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Library Babies
Birth to Walking
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Thursdays at 10:15 am
November 14
November 21
Drop-in program
LOCATION:
GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton
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Once Upon a Storytime
Ages 3-5
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Wednesday, November 6
1:30pm
Registration begins Oct. 23
LOCATION:
Willard
House & Clock Museum, 11 Willard Street
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Thursday, November 14
6:15pm
Drop-in program
LOCATION:
GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton
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Bookworms Book Club
Kindergarten
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Monday, November 4
6pm
Registration begins Oct. 21
LOCATION:
GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton
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Bookworms Book Club
Grades 1 & 2
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Monday, November 18
6pm
Registration begins Nov. 4
LOCATION:
GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton
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Bookworms Book Club
Grades 3-5
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Monday, November 25
6:30pm
Registration begins Nov. 11
LOCATION:
GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton
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Friday, November 8
10:30am
Registration begins Oct. 25
LOCATION:
GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton
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Saturday STEM Kids
Grades K-2
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Saturday, November 9
10:30am
Registration begins Oct. 26
LOCATION:
GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton
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Saturday STEAM Kids
Grades 3-5
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Saturday, November 9
1:30pm
Registration begins Oct. 26
LOCATION:
GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton
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Storytime at the Grafton Historical Society
Ages 3-5
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Wednesday, November 20
1:30pm
Registration begins Nov. 6
LOCATION:
Grafton Historical Society, 71 Main St, South Grafton
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LEGO Brick Builders
Preschoolers-Grade 5
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Tuesdays from 4-6pm
November 12
November 19
November 26
Drop-in program.
LOCATION:
GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton
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Robots at the Library
Ages 5-10
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Friday, November 15
3-4:30pm
Registration begins Nov. 1
LOCATION:
GPL Temporary Location 53 North Main Street, North Grafton
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See all of our upcoming events:
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See what's happening around town:
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Museum Pass:
Museum of Fine Arts
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The museum offers not only outstanding art, but innovative and exciting ways for you to interact with these masterpieces and with fellow art lovers.
LIBRARY PASS
: We have a limited number of coupons that admit 2 persons for $10 each. Children 6 and under are free. (Reg. Adults $25, Seniors $23, Students $23, Children $10)
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Do you want to stay up-to-date with everything the Library has to off?
Sign up for Wowbrary - a new feature we offer - that sends you one email every Wednesday with the newest books, movies, music, and more that have been added to our collection.
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Tutor.com is not just for students. If you are on the hunt for a job, Tutor.com can help you! Job searchers have access to resume/cover letter review, job search help, and interview prep - all FREE with your Library card. Connect with a Career Coach online daily from 2-9pm.
Stop by the Library to use this database or
access it from home with your Library card.
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Stay organized this summer with
Burbio! Find calendars for local schools, libraries, community events and businesses - all in one place.
You can event sync events with your personal calendar like Google or iCal.
Try it today and add the Grafton Library's events to your feed.
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Friends of the Grafton Public Library
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Books Make Great Gifts!
The Friends of the Grafton Public Library will host an "Usborne Books & More Book Fair" with educational and award-winning books for children of all ages. The book far will have both in Library shopping hours and an E-book fair for
online ordering.
In Library Shopping
In Library shopping hours are Saturday, November 2nd from 10am-5pm and on Wednesday, November 6th from 5-9pm. In Library purchases may be made with cash, check, and credit cards. Please also check out the Library's Wish List as well if you would like to donate a new book directly to the Grafton Library.
E-Book Fair
You can support the Friends of the Grafton Public Library online as well with the E-Book Fair. Ordering will be available Saturday, November 2nd through Sunday, November 10th, closing at midnight. To order online and view the entire Usborne catalog visit:
https://u6487.myubam.com/1418921 All online orders will be shipped directly to your home well before the holidays.
Many books will be on display all week long in the Library's programming room, if you would like to view books in person.
Please not that every order placed will help the Friends of the Grafton Public Library earn FREE books for our Library, so please consider giving the gift of reading and supporting the Friends of the Grafton Public Library. Thank you!
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Next Friends Board Meetings
Tuesday November 12th 7:30 pm Board Meeting
Grafton Memorial Municipal Center Room D 30 Providence Road Grafton MA
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Have a recommendation on what the Library should purchase?
Want to sign up for a program?
Have questions?
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