**LIBRARY NEWS**
Library Hours
The library’s hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday, 9am to 5pm. The library will close early Wednesday, December 24 at 2pm and remain closed Thursday, December 25 in observance of Christmas. The library will close early Wednesday, December 31 at 2pm and remain closed Thursday, January 1 in observance of New Years.
Thank you to the Children's Museum of Franklin for offering museum passes to our library patrons! Now is a great time to reserve those passes or any of the others on offer to the area’s most popular museums, aquariums, and parks. Passes are available to be reserved up to thirty days in advance.
2025 Reading Challenge
December: Warm your heart
Join the Franklin Public Library's Annual Reading Challenge! For each monthly prompt that you complete and submit on time you will receive a Free Book Coupon that you can redeem at the library's Book Sale. Submissions MUST be submitted by the last day of each month in order to qualify for that month's Free Book Coupon. For complete details and to sign-up, visit our website. Grand prizes made possible by the Friends of the Franklin Library.
Starting January 1, 2026 Massachusetts Center for the Book is launching their 2026 reading challenge for adults and the library will be rewarding your reading! Check out the new details here. And while you visit, don't forget to take a look into the ongoing challenge for students.
VITA: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Site Opening Saturday February 7
We Need You! Volunteers are always needed for the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs, better known as VITA and TCE. Many volunteer roles are available. You can help as a greeter or an interpreter, but most of all we need tax preparers. Training for certification is provided! Learn more at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-tax-volunteers or email site coordinator Mitzi Gousie at mgousie@minlib.net.
ESOL Program
The library is looking for more volunteer tutors for our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. If you want to make a difference right in your own community, this is a great opportunity! To volunteer please be at least 18 years old, have a High School diploma, & speak English clearly. No prior teaching experience needed and volunteers and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please fill out the volunteer form.
Homebound Delivery Program
Can’t make it to the library? Let us bring the library to your door! Franklin Public Library is excited to begin offering Home Delivery Service for Franklin residents who are unable to visit the library due to aging-related limitations, illness, disability, or temporary mobility limitations. Items will be delivered to and picked up from a homebound patron’s home by staff members approximately every three weeks. For eligibility requirements, registration, and more information, please visit the library website.
Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, December 12: 1 - 5pm
Saturday, December 13: 9am - 12pm
All books are just one dollar!
Bag Sale - $5 A Bag
Saturday, December 13: 1 - 4pm
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!
**LIBRARY EVENTS**
Weekly/Monthly for Children
Move Along, Mondays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5)
This thirty-minute program features music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy! No registration required.
Doggie Tales! Mondays @ 4pm
Registration Required
Kiddos who are working on their reading skills will be able to sign up for a time slot to practice reading to a trained therapy dog. Bring your favorite book or read one of ours. Registration is required, and once attendees arrive they will get their time slot on a first come, first served basis. (We'll also have a greeter dog to keep you company while you wait!)
Cool Cruisers, Tuesdays @ 9:30am
Babies who have graduated from tummy time and are scooting all over the place are welcome to this playgroup just for them! We recognize that this fun age of exploring is very different from their first few months, so join us for a special playgroup just for this exciting time. No registration required.
Pre-K Pals, Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 10:30am (Ages 3-5)
This 30-minute program is a perfect jumpstart for kiddos that are approaching school-age! Stories, music, movement, and engaging activities designed to prepare kids for a school environment. No registration required.
Wiggle Worms! Tuesdays @ 4pm (Ages 0-5)
Beat the afternoon witching hour craziness with a dynamic program for littles! Enjoy music, movement, and some fun surprises. No registration required.
Terrific Toddlers! Wednesdays @10:30am (Ages 18mo-3)
Dance, sing, clap, and play along for a story time party! Enjoy 30 minutes of interactive stories, songs, and activities. No registration required.
Bookworm Bounce, Wednesdays @ 4pm
Join us for an afternoon story time full of music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy! No registration required.
Tummy Time, Thursdays @ 9:30am
Babies and caregivers: join us each Thursday morning for Tummy Time! Nurture your baby’s development with gentle music, movement, and sensory play at the library. Please bring a small blanket or towel for your baby’s comfort. No registration required.
Tot Bop, Thursdays, @ 4pm (Ages 3-5)
Get ready to dance around to an energetic playlist in a class that offers littles a chance to play with musicality, coordination, and creativity - all while practicing listening and learning skills! No registration required.
Artsy Afternoons, Thursdays @ 4pm (Ages 5-11)
Registration Required
Join Ms. Cindy for a step-by-step art project specifically for kids! All materials will be provided.
Bubble Buddies, Fridays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5)
Enjoy a Friday bubble dance party with music, movement, and fun surprises! No registration required.
Weekend Wiggles, Saturdays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5)
Littles and their grownups are invited to an epic dance party to kick off the weekend! Get those wiggles out with fun music, exciting surprises, and plenty of joy and laughter. No registration required.
Special Events for Kids & Families
Winter Sing-Along with Dean College Vocal Ensemble! Wednesday, December 3 @ 4pm
Join us for a musical afternoon! The Dean College Vocal Ensemble will perform a wide variety of musical selections for a fun concert at Franklin Public Library. The program will feature winter carols you know and love with many more eclectic song choices from throughout history! No registration required.
Mike Bent's Ho Ho Hocus Pocus Magic Show, Saturday, December 6 @ 10:30am
Join us for an exciting and fun comedy magic show developed especially for kids and families. AbraKidabra!™ combines amazing magic, big laughs, audience participation and hilarious surprises for a one-of-a-kind, interactive experience that will leave the whole family impressed! No registration required.
Petite Picassos, Monday, December 8 @ 4pm (Ages 6-12)
Registration Required
Join Miss Lily and create a step-by-step painting of a narwhal! This paint party is a great fit for children ages 6 through 12. All materials will be provided.
Pancakes and Pajamas, Saturday, December 13 @ 10:30am
Keep your jammies on and join us for a cozy pancake breakfast, hot cocoa, and holiday music with Jamie Barrett! It's sure to be one of the coziest ways to celebrate the warmth of the season. No registration required.
Swiftmas Celebration! Wednesday, December 17 @ 1pm
Join us for a Taylor Swift birthday celebration complete with snacks and sing-alongs! No registration required.
Cocoa and Coloring, Wednesday, December 24 @ 12pm
Enjoy warm cocoa, a classic holiday movie, and coloring sheets for a relaxing afternoon. No registration required.
Pumpernickel Puppets, Friday, December 26 @ 10:30am
Join us for a fun show including a cast of colorful puppet characters, live voices and sound effects! No registration required.
Fairytale Fun! Saturday, December 27 @ 10:30am
Bundle up in your winter finest and join us for a special visit from our favorite royal sisters. After all, the cold has never bothered us! There will be singing, dancing, interactive storytelling and a photo opportunity with each guest. No registration required.
Ed Popielarczyk Magic Show, Monday, December 29 @ 10:30am
Join us as we welcome Ed Popielarczyk for a one-of-a-kind magic show that is guaranteed to leave the whole family impressed! No registration required.
Noon Year’s Eve Party! Wednesday, December 31 @11am
Let’s send off 2025 in style! Join us for an end of the year bash as we ring in 2026 early. We’ll have music, snacks, games, and a super new year’s celebration. See you there! No registration required.
Weekly / Monthly Events for Teens
D&D Club, Mondays @ 4PM
Registration Required
Kids ages 10-17 are invited to join us for a weekly Dungeons and Dragons Club! Dungeons and Dragons, also known as D&D, is one of the most complex tabletop games in history. The library will supply dice, rulebooks, and blank character sheets! We will be using the 5th edition books and rules. Other Table Top systems are welcome!
- Registration for this club is for the September to December season of Dungeons and Dragons Club.
- If missing a session please email: mgousie@minlib.net as soon as possible.
- Dungeon Masters must be at least 12 years old and have experience with Dungeon and Dragons.
- Dungeon Masters are signing up to lead a table for ALL 16 meetings between September 8th and December 29th.
- Dungeon Masters are required to choose a premade adventure. Homebrew additions to the adventure are allowed.
- Players and Dungeon Masters are required to be respectful, kind, and attentive to each other.
- Groups of Players with a Dungeon Master are welcome to share our space!
- If you have any questions please email: mgousie@minlib.net
Teen Advisory Board, 2nd Wednesday of the Month @ 6:30pm
Join us each month for Teen Advisory Board. The Teen Advisory Board is a GREAT opportunity to get involved here at the library! You'll help plan events and programs, create displays and decorate the teen space, and help drive decisions around the kinds of materials we bring to the YA collection, all while eating snacks and getting volunteer hours. It's a win-win-win! No registration required.
Game Bytes, Wednesdays @ 4pm
Bring a snack and join us for two hours of casual co-op and solo play. Bring your own device or play on the big screen! No registration required.
Special Events for Teens
Winter Sing-Along with Dean College Vocal Ensemble! Wednesday, December 3 @ 4pm
Join us for a musical afternoon! The Dean College Vocal Ensemble will perform a wide variety of musical selections for a fun concert at Franklin Public Library. The program will feature winter carols you know and love with many more eclectic song choices from throughout history! No registration required.
Swiftmas Celebration! Wednesday, December 17 @ 1pm
Join us for a Taylor Swift birthday celebration complete with snacks and sing-alongs! No registration required.
Copley Cats Holiday Concert, Saturday, December 20 @ 3pm
Groove to the harmonies of the Copley Cats! Featuring popular tunes from various decades, this A Capella group with a 30-year history is coming for a Saturday afternoon to remember. No registration required.
Cocoa and Coloring, Wednesday, December 24 @ 12pm
Enjoy warm cocoa, a classic holiday movie, and coloring sheets for a relaxing afternoon. No registration required.
Teen Paint Party! Monday, December 29 @ 6pm
Registration Required
Join Miss Lily to create your very own step-by-step painting of a cute winter penguin! Best fit for teens ages 12+. All materials will be provided.
Events for Adults
English Conversation Group, Tuesdays @ 6:30pm
Looking for a casual, low-stress place to practice your English language skills? Join us on Tuesday evenings for a friendly group chat with your fellow English learners. Please note: this group is meant for folks who have a basic grasp of English and are looking for conversational practice, not very beginners. A tutor will be present to answer questions and help keep the conversation flowing, but the focus will not be on formal instruction. No registration required.
Table Top, Alternating Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 6pm
Registration Required (see below). No Experience Necessary.
It's time to dust off your dice, grab a source book and role play your way through hijinks and horrors! Table Top is a monthly game of tabletop role playing games for adults! Email mgousie@minlib.net to sign up and/or get more info.
Knitting Group, Fridays, 10am – 12pm
Love to knit or crochet? Join our group of local fiber artists who will be meeting in the Friends of the Franklin Library Community Room! All skill levels are welcome. No registration required.
Watercolors Workshop, Mondays, December 1 & 15 @ 6pm
Registration Required
Relax with a Monday watercolor class with local artist Sharon Carloni. For adults 18 and over.
Winter Sing-Along with Dean College Vocal Ensemble! Wednesday, December 3 @ 4pm
Join us for a musical afternoon! The Dean College Vocal Ensemble will perform a wide variety of musical selections for a fun concert at Franklin Public Library. The program will feature winter carols you know and love with many more eclectic song choices from throughout history! No registration required.
Maker Moment: Painting Silk Scarves, Saturday, December 6 @ 3pm
Registration Required
Take on a small project to try a new skill! Beginner friendly instructions and coaching is the focus, but veteran makers are always welcome to share their expertise.
Painting for Adults! Saturday, December 13 @ 1pm
Registration Required
Are you feeling creative? Join Miss Lily and create a step-by-step painting of a polar bear! All materials will be provided.
Craftalong for Adults Saturday, December 13 @ 2pm
Registration Required
Get crafty at the library! Adults of all ages and craft ability levels are welcome to join us for this program. One Saturday each month, we'll complete a new DIY, creative craft. All supplies provided. Because adults deserve arts & crafts fun, too! This month: Cinnamon Stick Candles.
Copley Cats Holiday Concert, Saturday, December 20 @ 3pm
Groove to the harmonies of the Copley Cats! Featuring popular tunes from various decades, this A Capella group with a 30-year history is coming for a Saturday afternoon to remember. No registration required.
Cocoa and Coloring, Wednesday, December 24 @ 12pm
Enjoy warm cocoa, a classic holiday movie, and coloring sheets for a relaxing afternoon. No registration required.
From Friends of the Franklin Library
The holiday season is upon us, and we have a lot to be thankful for this year. Here is a look back at some of our 2025 highlights:
- Offering passes for The Butterfly Place
- National Library Week Library Staff Appreciation Brunch
- The annual Friends of the Franklin Library Scholarship to an FHS Senior
- 350+ books given out at the Franklin Harvest Festival
- Providing snacks for teen and children’s after-school programs
Were you able to enjoy any of the above offerings or frequent the library and its many wonderful activities and programs? Why not play an active role in supporting all the amazing things the library offers our local community! You can do so right now by becoming a Friend. New Friends are always welcome! Or if there's a bookworm in your life who's hard to shop for, you can make a donation in the name. And as an added bonus, those who donate $25 or more will receive a Friends’ Tote Bag - perfect for carrying library books & more! To join or donate, click here.