Hopkinton Public Library Newsletter - April 2025
Matthew Leathers
From The Director's Desk
The weather is getting warmer and as the sun shines on our faces, our minds turn to Spring and gardening. Fret not, the Hopkinton Library’s Seed Library is now open! Funded in part by the Hopkinton Garden Club, our Seed Library. Seeds were purchased at Johnny's Selected Seeds.
We encourage you to come in and pick up some free seeds for your garden, but ask that you limit what you take to five packets so that everyone can share in the bounty. They are available while supplies last.
Our Seed Library consists of 26 different plant varieties. They include:
Staro Organic Chive
Sugar Baby Watermelon
Legend White (F1) Snapdragon Seed
Gold Rush (F1) Sunflower Seed
Echinacea Purpurea Organic Echinacea Seed
Bachelor’s Button
Thai Thai Prospera Active DMR Organic Basil Seed
Prospera Compact DMR (PL4) Organic Pelleted (F1) Basil Seed
Tangerine Gem Marigold Seed
Munstead-Type Organic Lavender Seed
Yellow Brandywine Organic Tomato Seed
Matt’s Wild Cherry Tomato Seed
Yellow Crookneck Organic Yellow Summer Squash Seed
Olympic (F1) Bell Pepper Seed
Marketmore76 Cucumber Seed
Glow Stix Sunrise Mix Carrot Seed
Giant of Italy Organic Parsley Seed
Lemon Balm Organic Herb Seed
Hera Organic Dill Seed
Leisure Organic Cilantro/Coriander Seed
Starry Night PMR Organic (F1) Acorn Squash Seed
Ace (F1) Bell Pepper Seed
Encore Lettuce Mix Organic Vegetable Seed
Sugar Snap Organic Pea Seed
Arugula (Standard) Salad Arugula Seed
Buttercruch Organic Lettuce Seed
German Winter Thyme Seed
ProviderBean Seed
Galahad Organic (F1) Tomato Seed
Darkibor Organic (F1) Kale Seed
Baby Bear Treated Pumpkin Seed
Early Jalapeno Organic Jalapeno Pepper Seed
We would love to see what you grow! Please email your photos to Allison Keaney, who oversees the Seed Library at ake...@hopkintonma.gov
Guest Librarian: Danielle Cook
This month’s Guest Librarian is Danielle Cook. Danielle is the Reference & Technology Supervisor at the HPL. She likes to crochet, bind books, go for walks with her dog, and read too many books. She is known for her stevenson, noellequirky clothing and pink hair. She says that she likes to terrorize friends, neighbors, and colleagues with book recommendations, puns, and facts about weird things animals can do with their butts. You can find her in the library’s basement (lower level) where she hides from the sun and hoards her favorite nonfiction books.
Danielle Recommends:
Amigurumipatterns, net. Unicorns, Dragons and More: Fantasy Amigurumi
Bongiovanni, Archie. A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns
Chambers, Becky. A Psalm for the Wild-Built
Chambers, Becky. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
Hamad, Ruby. White Tears Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Color
Hersey, Tricia. Rest is Resistance: a manifesto
Kracht, Matt. OMFG, Bees! Bees are so Amazing and You’re About to Find Out Why
Liautaud, Susan. The Little Book of Big Ethical Questions
Meconis, Dylan. Queen of the Sea
Mitrani, Carla. Crochet Iconic Women: Amigurumi Patterns for 15 Incredible Women Who Changed the World
Novak, B.J. The Book with No Pictures
Nuttall, Jenni. Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women’s Words
O’Neill, Kay. The Tea Dragon Society
Simon, Matt. The Wasp that Brainwashed the Caterpillar: Evolutions Most Unbelievable Solutions to Life’s Biggest Problems
Smythe, Rachel. Lore Olympus
Stevenson, ND. Nimona
Tan, Shaun. Creature: Paintings, Drawings, and Reflections
Vo, Nghi. The Empress of Salt and Fortune
White, Steve. Mesozoic Art: Dinosaurs and Other Ancient Animals in Art
Adventure Pass of the Month - Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The Gardner Museum houses the collection of Isabella Stewart Gardner, a local patron of the arts who died in 1924, in a building she commissioned to look like a 15th century Venetian palazzo. The center of the original building showcases courtyard plantings that reflect the seasons as they evolve throughout the year. In addition to her collection, which remains displayed exactly as she arranged it per her will, there are changing exhibitions, concerts, lectures, family events, and an artist-in-residence program. 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 - Reverse Charades Game
"Reverse Charades flips the charade standard of one person giving clues to a large group on its head by splitting the players (six or more) into two teams, then having all but one person on a team work together to get that one person to guess as many words as possible in sixty seconds." - BoardGameGeek.com
You can reserve this by visiting our Library of Things page. 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.
Visit our website calendar to obtain updated information and registration.
Programs are subject to change or cancellation.
For Multiple Ages
Narcan Training and Community Harm Reduction with the Hopkinton Health Department
Tuesday, April 8 | 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Narcan is the brand name of the generic Naloxone and is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids. This free Narcan training will provide participants with a brief training on how to recognize an opioid overdose, when and how to use Narcan, and a free kit to take home.
Frayed Knot Fiber Arts Circle
Thursday, April 10 | 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Join us for the Frayed Knot Fiber Arts Circle! Bring your current project or pattern. This group is open to teens and adults of all skill levels. All fiber arts crafts (knitting, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, needle felting, etc.) are more than welcome to join us! Do you have questions or need knitting materials? Email Jak at jmi...@hopkintonma.gov
Tiny Art Show Dropoff Deadline
Thursday, April 10
April 10th is the final day to drop off your submissions for the Tiny Art Show. If you are submitting art, be sure to fill out the registration form!
Tiny Art Show Reception
Sunday, April 13 | 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Reception for the HPL Tiny Art Show. Open to the artists, their family and friends, and tiny art aficionados of all ages.
Raising Poultry for Exhibition: Chicken Keeping 101
Sunday, April 27 | 2:00 - 3:30 pm
Have you or your child ever wanted to raise a chicken, duck, turkey, or goose for exhibition? Did you see that documentary on Netflix (Chicken People) and think, "Huh, I wonder if I could do that?" Well, here is your chance to learn about the amazing world of raising chickens for show. In the last of our Chicken Keeping 101 series we will take you into the wonderful world of showing poultry. Jak will display some "fancy" breeds of exhibition poultry that aren't very good layers and wouldn't make a very big Sunday dinner, but sure are pretty. She'll take you through what it takes to breed a show quality bird, prepare a bird for show, explain health testing procedures, and talk about adult and junior show classifications. This is a good opportunity for any children who may be interested in getting into poultry or other livestock exhibitions to get information and ask questions about the showing process.
Adult Programs
Scrabble & Mahjong Club
Tuesday, April 1 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Join us for monthly Scrabble or Mahjong games on the first Tuesday of the month. We have supplies but if you have a favorite board or tiles feel free to bring them!
The Genealogist is IN
Wednesday, April 2 | 2:00 - 3:30 pm
Join other amateur family historians in a casual atmosphere to share resources and brainstorm ideas for further investigation. Librarian Allison Keaney will be available to help with your research, whether you are just starting out or need help knocking down a brick wall! Registration is not required. Drop on by!
Allison is a longtime genealogist, with over 20 years of experience, including several graduate level genealogy courses.
VIRTUAL: Wordsmith and Wonder: An Author Talk with Jodi Picoult
Wednesday, April 2 | 7:00 - 8:30 pm | Registration required
Step into Spring with us as we chat with the highly acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult about her newest novel, By Any Other Name.
Jodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-nine novels, including By Any Other Name, Mad Honey (co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan), Wish You Were Here, The Book of Two Ways, A Spark of Light, Small Great Things, Leaving Time, and My Sister’s Keeper, and, with daughter Samantha van Leer, two young adult novels, Between the Lines and Off the Page.
English Language Learning Conversation and Culture Group - Advanced
Thursdays, April 3, 10, 17 & 24 | 6:30 - 7:45 pm | Registration required
Conversation And Culture provides a unique opportunity for the advanced learner to meet and practice conversation in a relaxed, social setting with trained leaders. The members of this group are comfortable with everyday vocabulary and grammar and are seeking an opportunity to practice their skills.
This Lifelong Learning program has been made possible by the support of the Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library.
English Language Learning - Beginners
Fridays, April 4 & 11 | 10:00 - 11:00 am | Registration required
This class is appropriate for someone with very limited experience with the English language. This learner may be familiar with basic vocabulary and simple phrases but is struggling with everyday conversations. The beginner group provides an opportunity to build English vocabulary, and practice grammar and reading.
This Lifelong Learning program has been made possible by the support of the Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library.
Virtual - The Stories, Science, and History of Trees
Tuesday, April 8 | 2:00 - 3:30 pm on Zoom | Registration Required
Join us as Smithsonian Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming guides us through the secret world of trees as is revealed in the beautiful and absorbing guide to the giants of the plant world—The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees.
Matthew Fleming has been a horticulturist at the Smithsonian Gardens Greenhouse Facility in Suitland, Maryland since 2010. In addition to serving as a supervisory horticulturist, he manages three greenhouses with nearly a thousand tropical specimens that are displayed throughout the many Smithsonian gardens and landscapes along the National Mall during the warmer months. He has given talks on a wide variety of plant-related topics at the Smithsonian ranging from indoor pests to overwintering tropical plants.
Yoga Class with Ramya Chiplunkar
Tuesday, April 8 | 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 13 | 2:45 - 3:45 pm
The traditional style of beginner and intermediate yoga will include Asanas (postures), Pranayama (breathing techniques), Dhyana (meditation) and Yoga Nidra (relaxation techniques). The class is open to all who are adults or high school age. No prior yoga experience is needed. Classes will focus on building strength in the core, balance in the body, and increasing flexibility and range of motion while incorporating breath awareness and mindfulness techniques. Bring a yoga/exercise mat and water. Be ready to unwind!
Thoreau: Knowing Nature
Wednesday, April 9 | 2:00 - 3:30 pm on Zoom | Registration Required
Join Dr. Zoë Pollak of the Thoreau Society for a presentation about Henry David Thoreau! This presentation will explore Thoreau's relationships with nature and the human world. Did Thoreau "flee" to nature to escape the human world? Or did he use his observations of nature to reflect upon the human condition?
Dr. Zoë Pollak's research and writing focus on 19th-century American nature poetry. She is a Curatorial and Exhibitions Assistant at the Concord Free Public Library and helps design exhibits and interpretive materials for the Thoreau Farm trust and the Thoreau Society.
Dungeons and Dragons (Adult group)
Sunday, April 13 & 27 | 1:00 - 4:00 pm
2024 was the 50th anniversary of the first publication of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), so let's play the game the way they used to! Your Dungeon Master, Keith Donohue, grew up in the 1980s, back when D&D was first becoming popular. These days, he is an avid collector of old roleplaying games and is a proponent of the loose, improvisational style of play that was common in the past.
Blood Drive
Tuesday, April 22 | 1:00 - 6:00 pm
Register on the Red Cross website at https://rcblood.org/3AmuYsP
Virtual - The Thrill of Writing Action, Adventure, and Suspense
Thursday, April 24 | 7:00 - 8:30 pm on Zoom | Registration Required
Do you love action-packed adventure? Are you ready for the thrill? You’re invited to a riveting conversation with New York Times bestselling author Gregg Hurwitz as he chats with us about his Orphan X series and his life as a writer of suspenseful storytelling.
Gregg Hurwitz is the New York Times #1 internationally bestselling author of 24 thrillers including the Orphan X series. Additionally, he’s written screenplays and television scripts for many of the major studios and networks, comics for AWA, DC, and Marvel, and poetry.
Teen Programs
YA RPG Club
Wednesday, April 2, 16 & 30 | 6:00 - 7:45 pm | Open to 5th grade+
Join us every other Wednesday for an evening of imagination and skill. We will play Dungeons and Dragons, Magic the Gathering, and other dice, card, and tabletop role-playing games. New players are always welcome. Registration is appreciated.
Young Adult Crafternoon (6th grade+)
Monday, April 7, 14 & 28 | 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Come to the Betty Strong room on the first, second, and fourth Mondays this April to hang out, listen to music, and make some art! We will have a different theme craft every meeting as well as extra materials to make your own creations. Please e-mail Jess at jdy...@hopkintonma.gov with any questions!
Animanga (6th grade+)
Wednesday, April 9 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Anime & Manga Fans: Meet in the Betty Strong room to discuss manga, watch Crunchyroll, draw characters, and eat fun snacks! Please e-mail Jess at jdy...@hopkintonma.gov with any questions.
Frayed Knot Fiber Arts Circle
Thursday, April 10 | 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Join us for the Frayed Knot Fiber Arts Circle! Bring your current project or pattern. This group is open to teens and adults of all skill levels. All fiber arts crafts (knitting, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, needle felting, etc.) are more than welcome to join us! Do you have questions or need knitting materials? Email Jak at jmi...@hopkintonma.gov
YA Game Night
Wednesday, April 23 | 12:00 - 3:30 pm
Come to the YA Room to meet up and play board games! Refreshments will be provided.
Tween Painting with Julie Harrold
Thursday, April 24 | 2:00 - 3:30 pm | Registration Required
Join art instructor Julie Harrold for a step-by-step painting class! You will create your own koi fish painting to take home. Space is limited and registration is required. Open to ages 8 and up.
Virtual Fortnite Tournament with One Up Games
Thursday, April 24 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm
This virtual tournament is run by our friends at One Up Games in collaboration with other local libraries. This is a virtual program so you will play right from the comfort of your own home on your own Xbox One / Series X/S, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, or PC! Participants must have their own gaming platform, online connection, and a copy of the game. E-mail jdy...@hopkintonma.gov for more info and to register.
Children's Programs
Registration required for many programs through our website calendar .
Baby-Toddler Storytime (ages 0-3)
Tuesday, April 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 | 10:00 - 10:45 am | Registration Required
Wednesday, April 2, 9, 16 & 30 | 10:00 - 10:45 am | Registration Required
Join Ms. C for a storytime that includes stories, songs, and rhymes...and maybe even some bubbles (recommended ages 0-3)! This storytime always starts with play/social time for children and their caregivers! Please note that all storytimes include "sensory friendly" practices (e.g. visual schedules, routines, repetition, body breaks/movement, etc.). Our Tuesday 10:00 am storytime, however, includes additional practices such as a smaller group-size, lower lighting, lower music volume, etc.
Lego & Duplo Club
Tuesday, April 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 | 4:00 - 4:45 pm
Drop by the Children's Room to build a creation out of LEGO bricks or DUPLO blocks. Creations will be displayed in the children's department for a few days. No registration required. Please note that the Lego & Pokémon Club meets on Thursday afternoons.
Alphabits (ages 3-6)
Wednesday, April 2, 9, 16 & 30 | 11:00 - 11:45 am | Registration Required
A storytime that supports foundational reading skills such as letter recognition and sound-symbol correspondence. Learning is supported through group discussion and play-based activities.
Read to a Therapy Dog
Wednesday, April 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 | 7:00 - 7:45 pm
Drop by to practice reading aloud to Hula, a local therapy dog!
Lego & Pokemon Club (ages 5+)
Thursday, April 3, 10, 17 & 24 | 4:00 - 4:45 pm
Children can play and create at Lego & Pokémon Club! Build a creation out of Legos or Duplo blocks. Creations will be displayed in the children's department for a few days. Do you play Pokémon? Looking for someone to play with, trade cards, and chat about all that is Pokémon? This club is for you! Bring your Pokémon cards if you have some. If you do not have cards, we will have a small amount for in-library use. This is a drop-in style club.
Babytime (0-18 months)
Friday, April 4, 11, 18 & 25 | 9:15 - 10:00 am | Registration Required
This baby lapsit storytime encourages early literacy and caregiver-child interactions with lively songs and rhymes, gentle tickles, bounces, and body-awareness.
Little Explorers (recommended ages 2-5)
Friday, April 4 | 10:30 - 11:15 am | Registration Required
Join us for hands-on learning for curious little kids. Each week children will explore a new concept through a variety of fun activities and have a chance to discover and experiment at their own pace.
Drop-in Family Activities
Saturday, April 5, 12 & 26 | 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Drop by the Children's Department programming room for some family activities (i.e. chess, board games, blocks, coloring, etc).
Open Chess Play (ages 6-12)
Monday, April 7, 14 & 28 | 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Drop by the Children's Programming Room on Monday and Wednesday evenings for Open Chess Play. We will provide chess sets so you can practice on your own, play against a friend, or teach someone new the game. This program is intended for ages 6+ and is self guided. No registration required.
3rd, 4th, 5th Grade Book Club
Tuesday, April 7 | 4:15 - 5:00 pm
3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are invited to join Ms. Carly to discuss books. There is no assigned book to read! Each meeting kids can share about a book they have read or are currently reading. We will talk about our favorite genres and kids will hear what other kids are reading. Ms. Carly will also share book recommendations and give kids the scoop on the latest books to hit the Children's Room. All types of reading formats are all up for discussion at this book club!
Parent-Child Playgroup
Thursday, April 10, 17 & 24 | 10:00 - 11:00 am | Registration Required
Join us for Parent-Child Playgroup, cohosted with the Hopkinton YMCA (Project ABC). This event will include free play as well as a circle time with stories, songs, and rhymes! Recommended for children ages 0-5, with a caregiver.
Kids Creative Writing Club
Monday, April 14 & 28 | 4:15 - 5:00 pm | Registration Required
At Kids Creative Writing Club, children will have fun exploring the world of writing, imagination, and storytelling with their friends. Each meeting will include creative activities like interactive games, poetry prompts, group storytelling, and more. This program is for children in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. This club meets every other week, alternating with 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade Book Club. Please register.
Monthly Music & Movement
Wednesday, April 23 | 10:30 - 11:15 am
Join us for a children's concert (recommended aged 0-5) with Evan Haller! These monthly concerts are generously sponsored by the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation.
Tween Painting with Julie Harrold
Thursday, April 24 | 2:00 - 3:30 pm | Registration Required
Join art instructor Julie Harrold for a step-by-step painting class! You will create your own koi fish painting to take home. Space is limited and registration is required. Open to ages 8 and up.
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 "The Future of Our Oceans". Patrons can stop by the library lobby anytime during the month to check out a themed title for adults, young adults and children.
The Hopkinton Public Library will be closed from Saturday, April 19, through Monday, April 21, in observance of Patriots’ Day.
The Friends of Hopkinton Public Library will meet on Wednesday, April 2, at 6:30 pm.
The Board of Library Trustees meetings will meet on Monday, April 14, at 7:00 pm.
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.
