HPL Newsletter - August 2026
Matthew Leathers
From the Director’s Desk… If you have been by the Library recently, you may have noticed that it looks like a construction zone! With the start of the new fiscal year, projects approved at Town Meeting, and other projects that have been in the planning stages have commenced all at the same time. We have recently completed the first phase of our Main Street Entrance Accessibility Project, with the handrail to the ramp going up just weeks ago. This project was completed with the help of so many community partners to include the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), Commission on Disability, Facilities Department, the Library, and others. Thank you all for your support in making the library a safer and more welcoming place for all! We look forward to more improvements to the front entrance in the coming months.
The Ellsworth Room is in the midst of a long awaited flooring renovation. The hardwood floor needed replacement due to structural and cosmetic damage. With the support of the Historical Commission, CPC, and Facilities Department, we are well underway in having it brought back to its 1895 aesthetic to match the historic room, but with 2026 structural stability. This room holds our “Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library” bookshop, and also serves as a quiet reading room and meeting space. This flooring renovation will make it so it will be able to serve the community as a lovely place to read and meet for years to come.
Finally, in early September the library carpeting on the lower floor will be replaced. This is the final part of a multiphase project that saw new carpet in the top and middle floors. We are excited for this part of the project, but understand that it will cause some disruptions to patrons and library services. Stay tuned to our website and social media for updates as September approaches.
Respectfully submitted, Jessica “Jak” Miller Assistant Director
August’s Guest Librarian:
Elise Benson, Library Volunteer
Elise Benson has spent over one hundred hours volunteering in the Children’s Room at the Hopkinton Public Library over the past two years, but has been a devoted patron ever since she learned to read. She believes libraries are crucial to equity and community, and is honored to be featured as the Guest Librarian for a library that is very personal to her. Elise curated the following list of recommendations from the books that have shaped her values and brought comfort over her many years as a life-long reader. She loves contemporary fiction that addresses unique and complex circumstances through a relatable protagonist.
As a rising senior at Hopkinton High School, Elise spends her time editing the school’s art and literary magazine, Marginal, playing percussion in band, and participating in local advocacy work. She is interested in public policy, and plans to major in sociology and political science in college next year. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, shopping, spending time at the library with her friends, and hanging out with her two cats!
Elise recommends:
Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Alvarez, Julia. How the García Girls Lost Their Accents
Angelou, Maya. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Choi, Mary H.K. Yolk
Gaarder, Jostein. Sophie’s World
Kelly, Jacqueline. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
Kingsolver, Barbara. The Poisonwood Bible
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird
L’Engle, Madeline. A Wrinkle In Time
Martel, Yaan. Life of Pi
Mass, Wendy. A Mango-Shaped Space
Pan, Emily X.R. The Astonishing Color of After
Pennypacker, Sara. The Summer of the Gypsy Moths
Pink, Randi. Girls Like Us
Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men
Adventure Pass of the Month - Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, MA, is dedicated to preserving the history of the sport of basketball and its players at all levels of the game. Located in the birthplace of basketball, the venue features over 450 inductees to the Hall of Fame, hundreds of historical artifacts, interactive exhibits, and the Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams. The Hopkinton Public Library’s Adventure Pass to this museum grants discounted admission for a party of 6 or fewer people. Place your hold requests for this pass by visiting our Adventure Pass page.
Our Adventure Passes are generously funded by The Friends of Hopkinton Public Library.
Library "Thing" of the Month - Assorted Board Game Kits
Looking for a fun way to spice up game night? Check out one of the Hopkinton Public Library’s board games! The library’s collection includes Armello, Monopoly, Forbidden Desert, MythBusters: The Game, Reverse Charades, Code Master, Dixit, and more! These games are intended for two or more players, and are generally suitable for players aged 12 to adult.
You can reserve this by visiting our Library of Things page. The Library of Things is generously supported by the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation.
Programs are hosted at the library unless otherwise noted.
Registration is required for many programs.
Programs are subject to change or cancellation. Registration is required for many programs, accessible through our website calendar. Please view our calendar for a complete list of upcoming programs.
Adult Programs
CreatorSpace: Drop-In Drawing Monday, August 3 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Monday, August 10 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Monday, August 17 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CreatorSpace (Downstairs)
Drop-in program for Adults. Registration is not required.
Children's Programs
Pokémon Club: Detective Pikachu Thursday, August 6 | 4:00 - 6:00 PM Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room)
No registration required.
Unplugged Coding for Kids Monday, August 3 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM Monday, August 10 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM Monday, August 17 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM Monday, August 24 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM Children's Programming Room (Upstairs) For grades 2, 3, and 4. Click here to register!
Teen and Preteen Programs
YA Dungeons & Dragons Wednesday, August 5 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM Wednesday, August 19 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM Ellsworth Conference Room
For grades 6 to 12. Click here to register!
YA CreatorSpace Crafternoon
Monday, August 3 | 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Monday, August 10 | 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Monday, August 17 | 3:00 - 5:00 PM
CreatorSpace (Downstairs)
This program is for ages 10 to 17. Click here to register!
Anime Movie Night (for Teens) Wednesday, August 12 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room) For grades 6 to 12. Click here to register!
Painting with Julie Thursday, August 13 | 4:00 - 5:30 PM Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room)
For ages 11 to 17. Click here to register!
Diversity Book Club
We have a passive "book club" for all ages. Patrons can check out a book related to a theme and then engage in an at-home discussion activity. This month’s theme is “Library Joy: Reading Inspired by Mychal Threets”. Patrons can stop by the library lobby anytime during the month to check out a themed title for adults, young adults and children.
The Ellsworth Room will be closed for renovations until at least August 7.
The Board of Trustees will meet on August 11.
The Library’s Summer Reading program ends on August 14.
The Library’s Study Rooms will be closed for maintenance from August 31 to September 8.
Learn more about the Friends of the Hopkinton Library. Show your support by becoming a member. Becoming a member is a great way to show your support for your local library, even if you don’t have time to get involved. You can join or renew your membership here.
The Hopkinton Public Library Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission of supporting Hopkinton Public Library by funding resources, technology, educational and special projects, and long term improvements. Their fundraising efforts seek to bridge the gap between the community’s aspirations for its Library and the usual or customary funding available from municipal budgets. Working in partnership with the Library, as well as the supporting organizations of the Trustees and Friends of the Library, the Foundation encourages continued and increased support of the Hopkinton Public Library as a valuable community resource. Meet the team and find out ways to support the library here.