Jonathan Bourne Public Library

Weather vane in the shape of a sailing ship against a blue background.

Newsletter | June 2026

Welcome to the June newsletter from the Jonathan Bourne Public Library! We hope to see you in person in the JBPL this month. Here's a list of what we have going on.

Link to subscribe to the JBPL email newsletter

For the full JBPL June calendar, click here.

The Library is on Summer Hours.

Summer Hours for the JBPL M 9-6, T 9-8, W 9-8, H 9-8, F 9-5 Closed Sat and Sun

June Events at the Jonathan Bourne Public Library

From Africa to Jazz
Early Influences on Hip Hop Music

Presented by the Mass Cultural Council and Bourne Arts Council

Wednesday June 17

4:30 pm

This lecture will explore the development of African American music, including the influence of African traditions, the drum, Jazz music and popular hip hop music. The blend of traditional African drumming with modern sampling has been seen in the work of Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar. Lee (2023) reported that without the African blueprint, many aspects of rap and hip hop culture would cease to exist. What are the social and historical contexts that shaped the development of early hip hop? How does hip hop compare to other forms of Black music like jazz, spirituals, the blues? Join Professor Rondae Drafts, Ph.D.abd as we explore the answers to these questions and more.

From Africa to Jazz Early influences on hip hop music Professor Rondae Drafts 4:30-5:30pm Wednesday June 17 Funded by a grant from the Bourne Arts Council and the Mass Cultural Council

Calligraphy that inspired a nation lear to write like Ameridca's Founders. Registration required. 3-4:30 PM Tuesday June 30th Funded by the Friends of the Bourne Public Library 19 Sandwich Rd Bourne

Who was the calligrapher that wrote the Declaration of Independence? How did they write during the American Revolution? What tools did they use? What lettering style? We will explore these questions and more in this hands-on 90-minute program with calligrapher, Debby Reelitz. Participants will get the opportunity to write in script, use a dip nib and ink and scribe a line from the Declaration of Independence.

Summer Eats Mon-Thurs at JBPL, Friday at aptuxet. Children and teens under 18 eat free from 12-1.

School's Out. Fun is on. Free Meals are In.

Coming in July. We've got your summer eats. At the library, Monday through Thursday noon to 1pm. At the Museums at Aptucxet Friday 11a-1p. July Sixth through August 14th. All meals to be consumed on site. All kids and teens eat for free this summer.

June Book Club Selections

Book cover for Lisa Ridzen's When the Cranes Fly South

Wednesday Afternoon Readers

Reading Lisa Ridzén's When the Cranes Fly South

June 17th

2:00 PM-3:30 PM

Book cover of Marie Benedicts The Queens of Crime

Mystery Book Club

Reading The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict

June 25th

6:30 PM

On Zoom

Book cover to Angela Flournoy's The Wilderness

Award Winning Fiction

Book Club

The Wilderness: A Novel by Angela Flournoy

June 16th at 6:00 pm

Regular Events in the JBPL

balls of yarn in the colors of the spectrum

Fiber

Friends

Open to all - knit, crochet or work on any type of stitching!

Bring your on project or work on a beginner project

Yarn and needles are supplied

Wednesdays

10AM—12PM

Thursday Night Knitters

All abilities are welcome to join us! Bring your own project and enjoy each other's company ~ or try our beginner project (we will supply all of the materials for the beginner project).

Led by local knitter Maryann McGerigle

Thursdays

6:30PM - 7:30PM

508-759-0600, ext. 6302 bournelibrary.org