HPL Newsletter - March 2026
Matthew Leathers
From The Assistant Director's Desk
In March, we are all about Mini Golf at the Library!
At the HPL you can take out a book, or take a putt! Join the Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library on Saturday March 21st from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Sunday March 22nd 12:00 to 3:00 PM for Mini Golf in the Library. This fundraiser is a great way to support the library and have an inexpensive indoor activity with family and friends. At only $5 a person, and 18 exciting holes, when else can you experience the library from the putting green! Click here to find out more!
If you don’t love to golf, come by to look at the Friends of the Library fundraising baskets. Click here for more information on joining the Friends of the Library or volunteering with them.
Respectfully submitted,
Jak Miller
Assistant Library Director
March’s Guest Librarian:
Donna Carlson, Library Substitute
Donna is a Hopkinton native who moved back to town in 2018 with her family. She has happy memories of walking to the library from her house to check out books and movies when she was younger. She loves being a mom to her two sons, Sam (16) and John (21). She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Political Science and is an editor who works for a national non-profit organization and a national digital media company. For the past three years, she has enjoyed filling in as a substitute at the library. She has a lifelong love of reading, books, libraries, and bookstores, and enjoys working in the library that she loved as a kid and teenager! Her favorite books are mysteries and historical fiction. She also enjoys traveling, going for hikes, and playing the piano.
Donna Suggests:
The Woman in Cabin 10, by Ruth Ware
She Didn't See It Coming, by Shari Lapena
Don't Let Him In, by Lisa Jewell
The House Across the Lake, by Riley Sager
The ABC Murders, by Agatha Christie
The Housemaid, by Frieda McFadden
The Hired Girl, by Laura Amy Schlitz
I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith
Buffalo Flats, by Martine Leavitt
The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, by Marie Benedict
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman
Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt
The Diamond Eye, by Kate Quinn
The Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield
People of the Book, by Geraldine Brooks
The Lake House, by Kate Morton
Grit, by Angela Duckworth
The Four Agreements, by Miguel Ruiz
The Let Them Theory, by Mel Robbins
Atomic Habits, by James Clear
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.
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 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.
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, March 10 | 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.
This event is put on by the Hopkinton Board of Health in partnership with the Hopkinton Public Library.
Mini Golf at the Library
Saturday, March 21 | 9:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Sunday, March 22 | 12:00 - 3:45 PM
During this fundraiser hosted by the Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library, participants will have the opportunity to play minigolf throughout the Library. A full 18-hole mini golf course will be set up throughout the building, and participants of all ages will be able to play in exchange for a $5 donation to the Library. For more information, visit www.HopkintonLibraryFriends.org.
Quarterly Library Volunteer Interest Orientation
Wednesday, March 25 | 4:00 - 4:45 PM
Saturday, March 28 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Interested in volunteering at the library? Giving back to your community can be rewarding, can help you complete mandatory volunteer hours, and help with college applications or resume building. The library invites adults and teens 14 and older to join us in learning about the library's volunteer needs. If you are 18 years of age or older, you must bring an ID, and fill out a CORI form (available at the library) in order to volunteer at the library. No need to sign up, just join us on Wednesday, March 25th at 4:00 PM in the Ellsworth small conference room.
Conversation Circles
ELL Conversation Group - Intermediate Learners
Wednesday, March 4, 11, 18, and 25 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Intermediate Learners have mastered basic vocabulary and simple grammar and are now focused on greater comfort level in everyday conversations. At the Intermediate level, we will prioritize components of grammar, vocabulary expansion, reading comprehension, and group discussion. Reading together helps to expand vocabulary, and provides a focus for group discussion and increased understanding of the complexities of language.
Registration is optional. Registering will sign you up for reminder emails and updates about meeting cancellations. Cancellations will also be posted on the library’s calendar.
Our English Language Learning groups are made possible by the Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library.
ELL Conversation Group - Conversation and Culture
Thursday, March 5, 12, 19, and 26 | 6:30 - 7:45 PM
Conversation and Culture is a gathering of new and old friends who meet under the direction of a leader to focus on English fluency. Participants who choose this offering are fairly comfortable in everyday conversation but recognize the need to be more comfortable in the world around them.
Under the direction of the group leader, an informal survey is conducted to identify topics of interest for the group. These topics of conversation provide a focus for expanding vocabulary and understanding idioms and colloquialisms. One night the conversation might focus on great places to hike, or fascinating facts about the Boston Marathon or how and why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Other times the focus might be more practical, such as how to navigate town government or how to become a volunteer. Often local community experts will lead the discussion. A member of town government, a local historian, or business owner may lead the group. Participants always are encouraged to share their own stories and expand the conversation.
No matter what the evenings focus might be, Conversation and Culture will help the participants to enrich their vocabulary, practice communication skills, and learn about the local community.
Registration is optional. Registering will sign you up for reminder emails and updates about meeting cancellations. Cancellations will also be posted on the library’s calendar.
Our English Language Learning groups are made possible by the Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library.
ELL Conversation Group - Beginning Learners
Friday, March 6, 13, 20, and 27 | 10:30 - 11:30 AM
ELL Conversation Circle for Beginning Learners 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 in a supportive setting. Each meeting emphasizes new vocabulary, common idioms and basic rules of grammar. Emphasis is also placed on improving conversation skills that reflect everyday interactions.
In order to create a comfortable environment, this class is limited to true beginners. Please consider our Intermediate group or Conversations and Culture if you are no longer a beginner.
Registration is optional. Registering will sign you up for reminder emails and updates about meeting cancellations. Cancellations will also be posted on the library’s calendar.
Our English Language Learning groups are made possible by the Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library.
Adult Programs
Old School Roleplaying Game Group (Adult Group)
Sunday, March 1, 15, and 29 | 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Keith will be running a D&D campaign using old-school rules (Holmes Basic D&D, for those who want to know) and adventure modules ("In Search of the Unknown", "Keep on the Borderlands", etc.). If you are new to Dungeons & Dragons, then this will be an easy introduction to the game! If you are a veteran player, then this will be a fun way to learn about its history. If you just want to hang out with some cool people who enjoy tabletop fantasy gaming, then this is your chance.
New members will be accepted mid-campaign! Drop by!
Drop-In CreatorSpace Hours
Monday, March 16, 23, and 30 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Tuesday, March 3 and 10 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Wednesday, March 11, 18, and 25 | 9:30 - 11:30 AM
Thursday, March 5, 12, 19, and 26 | 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Join us for Drop-In Craft Hours in the CreatorSpace! Find out more about our CreatorSpace at this link. CreatorSpace users must pre-register at the Reference Desk. Users must be over the age of 10. Users ages 10 to 17 require a parent's or legal guardian's signature before CreatorSpace use. The maximum capacity of the room is 10 users at one time.
While this is a drop-in program, a CreatorSpace Card is required.
CreatorSpace Staffers:
Monday, 5:30 - 7:30 PM: Our CreatorSpace staffer is Jak; her expertise is in fiber arts, paper crafts, and general crafting.
Tuesday, 5:30 - 7:30 PM: Our CreatorSpace staffer is Danielle; her expertise is in fiber arts, paper crafts, and general crafting.
Wednesday, 9:30 - 11:30 AM: Our CreatorSpace staffer is Danielle; her expertise is in fiber arts, paper crafts, and general crafting.
Thursday, 2:00 - 4:00 PM: Our CreatorSpace staffer is Danielle; her expertise is in fiber arts, paper crafts, and general crafting.
Scrabble Group and Mahjong Group
Tuesday, March 3 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Join us for Scrabble Group and Mahjong Group, where we play Scrabble and Mahjong! We'll provide Scrabble sets, but we don't have a Mahjong set at this time. Please bring your own set if you can! No registration is required.
250th: CreatorSpace Workshop: Quilted Cotton Coaster
Sunday, March 8 | 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Learn the basics of quilting! It's so easy, you'll make your own quilted coaster in under an hour! Though quilting is an art that can be immensely detailed, the basics are really easy to pick up. We will be using basic sewing machines. Come try it out and see why it has been a quintessential American art for generations!
This program is for ages 16 to adult. This program earns you Sewing Machine Certification so that you can attend more advanced sewing classes.
A signed CreatorSpace waiver is required to access this event. If the attendee is between the ages of 16 and 17, a parent/guardian must sign this waiver before the event starts. This program is part of our celebration of the United States' 250th anniversary.
This event is a repeat of a previous session. If you attended a previous session, please do not register for this session so that we can fit as many new crafters as possible! Click here to register!
Frayed Knot Fiber Arts Circle
Monday, March 11 | 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, hand quilting, needlepoint, cross-stitch, finger knitting, needle felting, etc.) are more than welcome to join us! This group will meet on the second Monday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 PM.
This event will be held in the CreatorSpace and you are highly encouraged to get your CreatorSpace cards. In order to use some CreatorSpace programs, tools, or materials you must have your CreatorSpace card (which is free and available to adults and patrons 10+), but you do not need to have a card to be part of this program.
Do you have questions or need fiber arts materials? Looking to learn to crochet? Email Jak at jmi...@hopkintonma.gov.
VIRTUAL - Book Portals and Journeys of Literary Magic with Kate Quinn
Thursday, March 12 | 7:00 - 8:30 PM
You’re invited to join us for a virtual conversation with acclaimed author Kate Quinn about her latest fantastical work, The Astral Library, which poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures.
Alexandria “Alix” Watson has learned one lesson from her barren childhood in the foster-care system: unlike people, books will never let you down. Working three dead-end jobs to make ends meet and knowing college is a pipe dream, Alix takes nightly refuge in the high-vaulted reading room at the Boston Public Library, escaping into her favorite fantasy novels and dreaming of far-off lands. Until the day she stumbles through a hidden door and meets the Librarian: the ageless, acerbic guardian of a hidden library where the desperate and the lost escape to new lives… inside their favorite books.
The Librarian takes a dazzled Alix under her wing, but before she can escape into the pages of her new life, a shadowy enemy emerges to threaten everyone the Astral Library has ever helped protect. Aided by a dashing costume-shop owner, Alix and the Librarian flee through the Regency drawing rooms of Jane Austen to the back alleys of Sherlock Holmes and the champagne-soaked parties of The Great Gatsby as danger draws inexorably closer. But who does their enemy really wish to destroy – Alix, the Librarian, or the Library itself?
Register now to hear more about The Astral Library, crafted for all bookworms and lovers of literature. Click here to register!
About the Author: Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of Southern California, she attended Boston University, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in classical voice. A lifelong history buff, she has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga and two books set in the Italian Renaissance before turning to the 20th century with The Alice Network, The Huntress, The Rose Code, The Diamond Eye, and The Briar Club. The Astral Library is her first foray into magic realism. She and her husband now live in Maryland with their rescue dogs.
CreatorSpace Workshop: Sew a Lil Plush Frog Pal
Tuesday, March 17 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Who wouldn’t want a lil guy? A lil’ friend. A lil’ beanie feller to have and to hold. Stop on over in the CreatorSpace and sew life into your new, silly lil’ pal with help from Library Staff members Danielle and Ray.
The library will provide instruction, fabric, sewing needles and thread, eyes and filler beans for your new buddy. We got the beans if you got the means (we're not sure what that means, either, but it rhymes).
This program is for patrons ages 15 to adult. Click here to register!
A signed CreatorSpace waiver is required to access this event. If the attendee is aged 10 to 17, a parent/guardian must sign this waiver before the event starts.
VIRTUAL - America’s Failed Response to the Opioid Crisis
Tuesday, March 24 | 2:00 - 3:30 PM
Join us for a special conversation between award-winning journalist Shoshana Walter and bestselling and award-winning author Barbara Kingsolver as they chat about Walter’s book Rehab: An American Scandal. In this work, Walter, a Pulitzer finalist, exposes the country’s failed response to the opioid crisis, and the malfeasance, corruption, and snake oil which blight the drug rehabilitation industry.
Today, more people have access to treatment than ever before. So why isn’t it working? The answer is that in America – where anyone can get addicted – only certain people get a real chance to recover. Despite record numbers of overdose deaths, our default response is still to punish, while rehabs across the United States fail to incorporate scientifically proven strategies and exploit patients.
In this book, you’ll find the stories of four people who represent the failures of the rehab-industrial complex, and the ways our treatment system often prevents recovery. April is a black mom in Philadelphia, who witnessed firsthand how the government’s punitive response to the crack epidemic impeded her mother’s recovery – and then her own. Chris, a young middle-class white man from Louisiana, received more opportunities in his addiction than April, including the chance to go to treatment instead of prison. Yet the only program the judge permitted was one that forced him to perform unpaid back-breaking labor at for-profit companies. Wendy is a mother from a wealthy suburb of Los Angeles, whose son died in a sober living home. She began investigating for-profit treatment programs – yet law enforcement and regulators routinely ignored her warnings, allowing rehab patients to die, again and again. Larry is a surgeon who himself struggled with addiction, and would eventually become one of the first Suboxone prescribers in the nation, drawing the scrutiny of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Be sure to register now to participate in this urgent conversation and learn insight on how we might fix the system to save lives. Click here to register!
About the Author: Shoshana Walter is a reporter for the Marshall Project covering the criminal justice system. Her reporting has been honored as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and Selden Ring, and she has won the Knight Award for Public Service, the Edward R. Murrow Award, and the Livingston Award for Young Journalists. She started her work on the treatment system at The Center for Investigative Reporting, where her work appeared in The New York Times Magazine, in newspapers, and on NPR stations across the country. She is based in Oakland, California.
About the Guest Host: Barbara Ellen Kingsolver is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist, essayist, and poet. Her widely known works include The Poisonwood Bible, the tale of a missionary family in the Congo, and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, a nonfiction account of her family's attempts to eat locally. In 2023, she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for the novel Demon Copperhead. Her work often focuses on topics such as social justice, biodiversity, and the interaction between humans and their communities and environments.
250th: CreatorSpace Workshop: Applique Tea Towel
Tuesday, March 24 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Applique is a fun and easy way to add designs to a fabric background. In this event, we will learn how to add a simple decorative shape to a tea-towel.
This program is for ages 16 to adult. This program is part of our celebration of the United States' 250th anniversary. Click here to register!
A signed CreatorSpace waiver is required to access this event. If the attendee is between the ages of 16 and 17, a parent/guardian must sign this waiver before the event starts.
National Treasures Book Club
Tuesday, March 24 | 6:15 - 7:15 PM
Introducing the National Treasures book discussion group, where we’ll read classic American literature through the ages. Revisit those high school cornerstones to see if they’re any different than you remember. Or, if you haven’t read them before, see what all the fuss is about!
Books will be available for pickup at the Circulation Desk. We'll meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Registration is optional!
D20’s D&D Campaign (Ages 18-25)
Wednesday, March 11 and 25 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM
A Dungeons & Dragons group for adults ages 18 to 25! Meet every other Wednesday at 5:30 PM in the library's Ellsworth Room. New and experienced adventurers are welcome.
250th: CreatorSpace Workshop: Quilted Cotton Coaster
Tuesday, March 31 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Learn the basics of quilting! It's so easy, you'll make your own quilted coaster in under an hour! Though quilting is an art that can be immensely detailed, the basics are really easy to pick up. We will be using basic sewing machines. Come try it out and see why it has been a quintessential American art for generations!
This program is for ages 16 to adult. This program earns you a Sewing Machine Certification so that you can attend more advanced sewing classes.
A signed CreatorSpace waiver is required to access this event. If the attendee is ages 16 or 17, a parent/guardian must sign this waiver before the event starts.
This program is part of our celebration of the United States' 250th anniversary. Click here to register! This event is a repeat of a previous session. If you attended a previous session, please do not register for this session so that we can fit as many new crafters as possible!
Teen and Preteen Programs
Drop-In CreatorSpace Hours: For Teens!
Monday, March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 | 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, March 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31 | 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Join us for Drop-In Craft Hours in the CreatorSpace! CreatorSpace users must pre-register at the Reference Desk. Users must be over the age of 10. Users ages 10 to 17 require a parent's or legal guardian's signature before CreatorSpace use. The maximum capacity of the room is 10 users at one time.
Monday, 3:00 - 5:00 PM: Our CreatorSpace staffer today is Jess, our Teen Librarian! Her expertise is in general crafts.
Tuesday, 3:00 - 5:00 PM: Our CreatorSpace staffer is Matt; his expertise is in model making and general crafting.
Find out more about our CreatorSpace here!
CreatorSpace users must pre-register at the Reference Desk. Users must be over the age of 10. Users aged 10 to 17 require a parent's or legal guardian's signature before CreatorSpace use. The maximum capacity of the room is 10 users at one time.
Magic: The Gathering Club
Tuesday, March 3 and 17 | 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Come play Magic: the Gathering on select Tuesday nights. Learn to play, build decks, trade cards, and play against friends! Hosted by Pete from Pete's Nerd Emporium. For children and teens ages 9 and up. New players must register.
YA Dungeons & Dragons Campaign (Grades 5-12)
Wednesday, March 4 & 18 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Join dungeon master Leann for a Spring session of D&D. New players welcome! Registration is required. Please e-mail Jess at jdy...@hopkintonma.gov with any questions.
YA Animanga Club
Wednesday, March 11 and 25 | 6:00 - 7:45 PM
Anime and Manga Fans: Meet in the YA room to discuss manga, watch anime, draw characters, and eat fun snacks! Open to teens and pre-teens in 5th Grade and up. Please e-mail Jess at jdy...@hopkintonma.gov with any questions.
Please Note: In this program we may watch and/or discuss material that is rated TV-14 or unrated.
YA Wooden Model Kit Workshop
Tuesday, March 24 | 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Looking for a fun after-school hobby that encourages creativity while working with your hands? Sign up for our Wooden Model Kit Workshop!
In this program, participants will learn how to safely use basic hobby tools before selecting and constructing a wooden model kit alongside a few friends. After completing their kits, participants will be able to customize their wooden model using the Creatorspace’s resources, and take their work home!
This program is intended for young adult patrons ages 12 to 17. Because this workshop will involve using sharp tools, the age requirement will be strictly enforced. Interested participants must return a completed waiver form, signed by a parent or guardian in front of library staff. We strongly encourage interested participants to complete this step ahead of time!
Registration is required; supplies are limited. Participants will not be allowed into the Creatorspace without a completed waiver form, signed by a parent or guardian in front of library staff.
Half-Day with One Up Games!
Friday, March 13 | 12:30 - 3:30 PM
Spend your afternoon with us at the library! Professional Gamers from One Up Games will set up consoles and Virtual Reality headsets in the Betty Strong Room for students in grades 5 through 12. Computers, board games, and crafts are also available in the YA Room.
Children's Programs
Registration required for many programs through our website calendar.
Baby and Toddler Storytime (ages 0 to 3)
Monday, March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 | 10:00 - 10:45 AM | Registration Required
Babies and toddlers are invited to a storytime full of songs, stories, rhymes, movements, bubbles, and more! This storytime always begins with play/social time for children and their caregivers. Recommended for babies and toddlers ages 0 to 3. Registration opens one week before the event.
Preschool Storytellers
Wednesday, March 4, 11, and 25 | 10:00 - 10:45 AM
Preschool Storytellers includes a short storytime followed by play-based activities. We will start with a few songs and then Ms. Carly will read a picture book with children, inviting them to respond to the story and pictures. After this shared reading children will continue storytelling through crafts, sensory activities, dramatic play, and more.
This program supports the five early literacy practices and is best for children ages 3 to 6. Registration is required and opens one week before the program.
Kids Creative Writing Club
Wednesday, March 4, 11, 18, and 25 | 4:15 - 5:00 PM
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. Click here to register!
Lego and Pokemon Club (ages 5+)
Thursday, March 5, 12, 19, and 26 | 4:00 - 4:45 PM
Children can play and create at Lego and 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 (ages 0 to 18 months)
Friday, March 6, 13, 20, and 27 | 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. This storytime will begin with play/social time for babies and their caregivers! Registration opens one week before the event.
Little Explorers (recommended ages 2 to 5)
Friday, March 6, 13, 20, and 27 | 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. Registration opens one week before the event.
Drop-in Family Activities
Saturday, March 7, 14, 21, and 28 | 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).
Family Storytime
Saturday, March 7 | 10:00 - 10:30 AM
Join Ms. Carly for stories, movement songs, fingerplays, puppets, more! This lively, interactive storytime encourages early literacy and caregiver-child interactions.
Recommended for ages 0 to 5. Registration required.
Chess Club
Tuesday, March 10 and 24 | 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Chess Club for ages 6 and up. High school volunteers will be available to guide and instruct. New players are always welcome! Click here to register!
Parent-Child Playgroup
Thursday, March 12, 19, and 26 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM
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 to 5, with a caregiver. Registration is required, and opens one week before the event.
Project ABC is a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grant program funded by the Department of Early Education and Care (ECC) and managed by the MetroWest YMCA. Project ABC currently serves Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, and Natick. Interested in learning more about your child's development? Take this Ages and Stages Questionnaire.
Music and Movement
Wednesday, March 18 | 10:30 - 11:15 AM
Recommended for ages 0 to 5. Come sing and groove each month with a different children’s performer. Let's welcome Evan of Music at the Blissful!
Our monthly Music & Movement program is generously funded by the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation.
Read to a Therapy Dog
Wednesday, March 4, 11, 18, and 25 | 7:00 - 7:45 PM
Drop by the Children's Room to practice reading aloud to Hula, a local therapy dog!
Pajama Storytime
Thursday, March 19 | 6:00 - 6:30 PM
Join Ms. Carly for a special evening storytime. We’ll sing songs to shake the end of day sillies out and read stories to wind down for bedtime. Pajamas and stuffed animals are welcome!
Recommended for ages 0 to 5. Registration opens one week before the event.
VIRTUAL - Explore Secret Worlds in the Earth, Sea, and Sky with Kate Messner
Thursday, March 26 | 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Join us for an enchanting and educational discussion with bestselling author Kate Messner as we delve into her Over and Under series, best suited for a Kindergarten through 3rd grade audience.
The beautifully illustrated Over and Under books explore precious ecosystems, landscapes, and the animals that call these places “home,” all over the world. From snowy terrains to the Everglades, to the rainforests and even the dirt beneath our feet, these books make an upbeat jumping-off point for discussions of the importance and wonder of our world’s natural habitats.
Kids are endlessly curious about the natural world and the wildly varied animals living in it, and the Over and Under books help to nurture that interest by celebrating the hidden marvels and creatures all around us. Click here to register.
About the Author: New York Times bestselling author Kate Messner is passionately curious and has written over seventy books for kids who wonder, too. Her titles include award-winning picture books like Over and Under the Coral Reef, The Next Scientist, and The Scariest Kitten in the World as well as novels for older readers like All the Answers and The Trouble with Heroes. Kate also writes the popular History Smashers graphic nonfiction series and leads the multi-author team behind The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class chapter books. She splits her time between Lake Champlain and South Florida.
Missed the live session? Have questions about these virtual talks? Visit the Virtual Author Talks website page for recordings of past talks and an FAQ guide to the events.
Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium.
Watch Party! - Explore Secret Worlds in the Earth, Sea, and Sky with Kate Messner
Tuesday, March 31 | 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Did you miss the live virtual author talk from Thursday? Join us in the Children's Programming Room for coloring, activity sheets, and to check out Kate's books while we stream the recording of an enchanting and educational discussion with bestselling author Kate Messner! This talk delves into her Over and Under series, best suited for a Kindergarten through 3rd grade audience.
The beautifully illustrated Over and Under books explore precious ecosystems, landscapes, and the animals that call these places “home,” all over the world. From snowy terrains to the Everglades, to the rainforests and even the dirt beneath our feet, these books make an upbeat jumping-off point for discussions of the importance and wonder of our world’s natural habitats.
Kids are endlessly curious about the natural world and the wildly varied animals living in it, and the Over and Under books help to nurture that interest by celebrating the hidden marvels and creatures all around us.
About the Author: New York Times bestselling author Kate Messner is passionately curious and has written over seventy books for kids who wonder, too. Her titles include award-winning picture books like Over and Under the Coral Reef, The Next Scientist, and The Scariest Kitten in the World as well as novels for older readers like All the Answers and The Trouble with Heroes. Kate also writes the popular History Smashers graphic nonfiction series and leads the multi-author team behind The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class chapter books. She splits her time between Lake Champlain and South Florida.
Missed the live session? Have questions about these virtual talks? Visit the Virtual Author Talks website page for recordings of past talks and an FAQ guide to the events.
Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium.
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. Patrons can stop by the library lobby anytime during the month to check out a themed title for adults, young adults and children.
National Treasures Book Club
Tuesday, March 24 | 6:15 - 7:15 PM
Introducing the National Treasures book discussion group, where we’ll read classic American literature through the ages. Revisit those high school cornerstones to see if they’re any different than you remember. Or, if you haven’t read them before, see what all the fuss is about!
Books will be available for pickup at the Circulation Desk. We'll meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Registration is optional!
On March 17th, the Board of Library Trustees will be meeting in the Ellsworth Room.
On March 25th, the library will be holding the first session of its Quarterly Library Volunteer Interest Orientation in the Ellsworth Room, starting at 4:00 PM.
On March 28th, the library will be holding the second session of its Quarterly Library Volunteer Interest Orientation in the Ellsworth Room, starting at 10:00 AM.
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.
