December 2023 Franklin Library News & Events
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Weekly/Monthly for Children
Special Events for Kids & Families
Weekly/Monthly Events for Teens
Special Events for Teens
Events for Adults
**LIBRARY NEWS**
Library Hours
The Library’s hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This Holiday season the Library will be open Saturday December 23rd and 30th from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The Library will be closed December 24th, 25th, 31st, and January 1st.
Franklin Reads!
This winter's community-wide read is Tracy Kidder's Rough Sleepers, a real-life portrait of Boston's homeless population and those on a mission to help them,
About the book: After Jim O’Connell graduated from Harvard Medical School and was nearing the end of his residency at Massachusetts General, the hospital’s chief of medicine made a proposal: Would he defer a prestigious fellowship and spend a year helping to create an organization to bring health care to homeless citizens? That year turned into O’Connell’s life’s calling. Tracy Kidder spent five years following Dr. O’Connell and his colleagues as they work with thousands of homeless patients, some of whom we meet in this illuminating book. We travel with O’Connell as he navigates the city streets at night, offering medical care, socks, soup, empathy, humor, and friendship to some of the city’s most endangered citizens.
Where can I get a copy of Rough Sleepers? Beginning December 1st there will be many extra print copies available at the library and it is also available on Libby and through interlibrary loan.
Museum Passes
Now is a great time to reserve passes to the area’s most popular museums, aquariums, and more! Passes are available to be reserved up to thirty days in advance.
Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, December 8th, 1:00-5:00 p.m. Saturday December 9th, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
All books are just one dollar!
Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, December 9th, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
In our second year of providing free tax preparation assistance through the VITA IRS program the Franklin Public Library is looking for volunteers! While tax season starts in February; planning, training, and scheduling can begin today! To sign up or to find more information please email Site Coordinator Mitzi Gousie at mgousie@minlib.net!
Franklin Library ESL & Adult Literacy Program
Volunteer tutors needed! To volunteer please be at least 18 years old, have a High School diploma, & speak English clearly. No prior teaching experience needed! Volunteer tutors and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please fill out the registration form on the library’s website.
Massachusetts Center for the Book 2023 Reading Challenge
December: A Book Published in 2023
Do you have a cozy reading corner you’ve been wanting to spend more time in? Do you have a group of friends who like to select books together? Maybe a little constraint helps you choose what to read next. If you are looking for a fun, unique reading challenge to take on in 2023, Massachusetts Center for the Book has you covered. Check it out today! https://www.massbook.org/readingchallenge
**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!
Dungeons and Dragons Club for Kids & Teens! Mondays, 4:00-6:00PM (7+)
Kids are invited to join us for a weekly Dungeons and Dragons Club! The library will supply dice, rule books, and blank character sheets! (Dungeon Masters must be ages 12 and up)
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 fun age of exploring is very different from their first few months, so join us for a special playgroup just for this exciting time!
Get Ready for Kindergarten! Tuesdays @ 10:30AM (Ages 3-5)
This 30-minute program featuring stories, songs, activities, and a special craft will help prepare your children for preschool and kindergarten. Since a big part of getting ready for Kindergarten is practicing independence, parents and caregivers are encouraged to watch from the adjoining room. No registration required!
Toe-Tapping Tots! Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 4:00PM (Ages 2-5)
Let’s play some music and get those toes tapping! We will have fun learning to move to the music while building coordination and confidence. No registration required!
Girls Who Code! Tuesdays @4:00 PM (Grade 3 – 12)
This club is a great introduction to coding languages and concepts while building the community and group work skills needed to excel! Whether you want to try something new, build on skills, make friends, or help someone else grow... Welcome to our club!
Story Tots! Wednesdays @ 10:30AM (Ages 18mos. – 3yrs)
Enjoy thirty minutes of interactive stories, songs, and fun! No registration required!
Bookworm Bounce! Wednesdays @ 4:00PM
Join us for an afternoon story time full of music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy! Ideal for ages 0-5. 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!
Story and Craft! Thursdays @ 10:30AM (Ages 3-5)
Stories, activities, and a special craft for children ages 3-5 who are able to attend on their own! Parents are encouraged to watch from the adjoining room! This program lasts around 30-minutes. No registration is required.
Toe-Tapping Tots! Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 4:00PM (Ages 2-5)
Let’s play some music and get those toes tapping! We will have fun learning to move to the music while building coordination and confidence. No registration required!
Artsy Afternoons Thursdays @ 4:00 PM (Ages 5-11)
Registration required per event. Register on the Calendar of Events!
Join local instructor Sharon Carloni for this step-by-step craft specifically for kids! All materials will be provided and you'll get to take home your very own masterpiece!
This month’s projects are:
Dec 7 - Stained glass window rose
Dec 14 - Holiday Cards
Dec 21 - Winter Tree Painting
Dec 28 - Sledding Tempera paint collage
Happy Feet! Alternating Fridays @10:30AM (Ages 0-5)
Let’s play some music and get those feet moving! Join us for 30-minutes of creative movement and dancing fun! No registration required!
Move Along! Alternating Fridays @10:30AM (0-5)
This thirty-minute program features music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities for littles! Parents and caregivers are welcome and encouraged to participate. No registration required!
Weekend Wiggles! Alternating Saturdays @ 10:30AM (Ages 0-5)
A weekend storytime for littles and their grown-ups! Let’s play some music and dance! We will have fun learning to move to the music while building coordination and confidence. Laughter and giggles are definitely expected! No registration required!
Special Events for Kids & Families
Kids Take & Makes: Snowflake Ornament! Available Friday, December 1st
Starting Friday, December 1st stop by the library to pick up your very own Snowflake Ornament Kit!
Kits include supplies and instructions for making your very own wintery ornament! The perfect keepsake craft! SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED! Kits will be distributed on a first come first serve basis!
Miss Bree’s Bookopoly! Wednesday, November 1st – Saturday, December 30th
Bookopoly continues all month long and it's not too late to join the fun! Roll the dice, move your piece on our giant board, and have fun with a variety of reading and creative challenges, and chances to win prizes galore! Deadline to "buy" prizes is Saturday, January 13th. REGISTER HERE to play!
Doggie Tales! Monday, December 4th @ 4:00 PM (1st grade +)
Improve your reading skills and make a new friend by reading aloud to a trained therapy dog! Bring your favorite book or pick out one of ours to read. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. SPOTS ARE LIMITED. Register on our website to reserve your spot.
Holiday Crafternoon! Saturday Dec 9th @1:00PM
Join us for a fun afternoon of cocoa and crafting for kiddos of all ages! We'll have an assortment of winter/holiday themed crafts to enjoy!
Kids Paint Party! Saturday December 16th @1:00PM
For kids ages 5-11! Join local instructor Denise Palmieri for this step-by-step paint party specifically for kids! All materials will be provided and you'll get to take home your very own penguin themed masterpiece! REGISTRATION REQUIRED!! The same painting will be taught in Dec, Jan, and Feb - please only register for 1 date
Doggie Tales! Monday, December 18th @ 4:00 PM (1st grade +)
Improve your reading skills and make a new friend by reading aloud to a trained therapy dog! Bring your favorite book or pick out one of ours to read. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. SPOTS ARE LIMITED. Register on our website to reserve your spot.
Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt! December 22-30
Some mischievous little gingerbread "cookies" have disguised themselves as some of your favorite characters! Are you able to find them all?
Pancakes & Pajamas! Saturday December 23rd @10:30AM
Keep your jammies on and join us for a cozy pancake breakfast, hot cocoa, and holiday music with Jamie Barrett! What better way to celebrate the warmth of the season than in the coziest way we can think of!
Scott Martell Magic Show! Tuesday December 26th @10:30AM
Join us as we welcome Magician Scott Martell and enjoy a family magic show featuring lots of comedy and surprises! Suggested Ages: 4-12
Music at the Blissful Concert! Wednesday December 27th @10:30AM
Funky Monkeys Unite! Join us for a fun, high energy music program for children and their grownups! Musician Evan Haller brings the energy to get the whole crowd up and dancing!
Buildwave Family Night! Wednesday December 27th @6:00PM
Buildwave is a creative building program that feels like a video game! Over the course of the workshop families will create with over a dozen different building materials, including Lego®, PlusPlus®, and custom-made Buildwave materials!
Interactive Puppet Storytime! Thursday December 28th @10:30AM
Enjoy 30 minutes of interactive stories & songs performed by the puppets! After the show, enjoy a hands-on Puppet Free Play session, where kids are invited to try out some of the hand puppets & finger puppets!
Noon Year's Eve Party! Friday December 29th @11:00AM
Let’s send off 2023 in style! Join us for an end of the year bash as we ring in 2024 early! We’ll have snacks, games, and a super new year’s celebration! See you there!
Weekly / Monthly Events for Teens
Dungeons and Dragons Club for Kids & Teens! Mondays, 4:00-6:00PM (Ages 7+)
Kids are invited to join us for a weekly Dungeons and Dragons Club! The library will supply dice, rule books, and blank character sheets! (Dungeon Masters must be ages 12 and up)
Girls Who Code! Tuesdays @4:00 PM (Grade 3 – 12)
This club is a great introduction to coding languages and concepts while building the community and group work skills needed to excel! Whether you want to try something new, build on skills, make friends, or help someone else grow... Welcome to our club!
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, from books and beyond, all while eating snacks and getting volunteer hours! It's a win-win-win!
Game Bytes! Thursdays @4:00PM
Bring a snack and talk shop about the latest and greatest in Video Games! New Releases, Events, Streamers, Speed Running, AND PLEASE bring your own devices to play! No registration required!
Board Game Group, Tuesday, December 19th 6:00 PM
No Registration Required.
Try a new game! Introduce your favorite! Most importantly... Play games!
This a monthly group dedicated to the great board games out there and a space to find some new people to play with! All ages welcome!
Special Events for Teens
Miss Bree’s Bookopoly! Wednesday, November 1st – Saturday, December 30th
Bookopoly continues all month long and it's not too late to join the fun! Roll the dice, move your piece on our giant board, and have fun with a variety of reading and creative challenges, and chances to win prizes galore! Deadline to "buy" prizes is Saturday, January 13th. REGISTER HERE to play!
Taylor Swift Birthday Bash! Wednesday December 13th @5:30PM
Teens! Join us for a Taylor Swift birthday celebration! Snacks, cake, trivia, and sing alongs!
Musical Bingo: Carol Edition! Wednesday, December 20th @ 6:30PM
Join us for our new monthly Musical Bingo series! Part Bingo, part trivia, participants will listen to the music as it plays and fill in their bingo cards! This month's Bingo theme: Carols!!
Events for Adults
Knitting Group, Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
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 on Fridays 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Adult Take & Makes: Paint Brush Gnomes! Available Friday, December 1st
Starting Friday, December 1st stop by the library to pick up your very own Paint Brush Gnome kit!
Kits include supplies and instructions for making your very own hanging gnome! The perfect craft for the holiday season! SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED! Kits will be distributed on a first come first serve basis! *LIMIT 1 PER PERSON*
Adult Paint Party! Saturday, December 2nd @ 1:00PM
Join local instructor Denise Palmieri for this step-by-step paint party specifically for adults! All materials will be provided and you'll get to take home your very own seasonal masterpiece! All attendees must be at least 18. REGISTRATION REQUIRED!!
The Weekend Watercolor, Sunday, December 3rd 2:00 PM
Registration Required. Register here. Project Details: Collage and Watercolor Holiday Cards
Relax with a Sunday watercolor class for adults 18 and over.
Friends of Franklin Library Meeting, Wednesday, December 6th 6:30 PM
Love the Library? Then how about joining the Friends! Attend the next Friends of Franklin Library meeting!
Contact the FOFL at: fofl02038@gmail.com | Follow the Friends on Twitter: @FriendsFranklin
Chess Group, Sundays, December 3rd & 17th 2:00 PM
Chess - The Game of Kings has resumed play! All ages and ability levels are welcomed. If you would like to learn how to play chess, you are welcome as well! Learn an opening, develop strategic & tactic abilities, improve endgame skills. Sets will be available. No registration is required, and there is no fee.
Table Top, Tuesday, December 12th & 26th 6:00 PM
Registration Required. 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 Table Top Role Playing Games for Adults!
Email mgousie@minlib.net to sign up or get more info!
Board Game Group, Tuesday, December 19th 6:00 PM
No Registration Required.
Try a new game! Introduce your favorite! Most importantly... Play games!
This a monthly group dedicated to the great board games out there and a space to find some new people to play with! All ages welcome!
All that Glitters is Gold: The Art of Gustav Klimt, Monday, December 11th 7:00 PM
Hybrid Program | Register Here for virtual option
When you think of Austrian painter Gustav Klimt you may think of Art Nouveau or Symbolism, or Gold!
Join Jane Oneail of Culturally Curious for an introduction to this idiosyncratic artist while we review Klimt’s famous gold paintings and his lesser known works. This program is available live in the Library and virtually over zoom.
Brought to you by Ashland Public Library, Belmont Public Library, and Franklin Public Library
Forget the Fruitcake: Edible Gift Ideas December 14th 6:00 PM
Register Here for samples during the program!
Most people have too much stuff these days! From homemade seasoning mixes to sauces, pickles, cookies, and more, come learn to make easy and thoughtful edible gifts. There’s something for everyone (even your pesky brother-in-law)
Holiday Jazz, Saturday, December 23rd 1:00 PM
No Registration Required
Enjoy a free concert from The RENAISSANCE V BRASS QUINTET lead by Al Testa to start the Holiday Weekend off right! This winter holiday-themed concert will consist of music dating from the 15th century to today, including many well known Christmas and holiday classics.
From the Friends of the Franklin Library…The holiday season is upon us, and we have a lot to be thankful for this year. Like so many, the Friends took some time to reflect on the past year and the activities we’ve been fortunate to participate in.
Here is a look back at some of our highlights:
· Museum Passes for The Butterfly Place
· National Library Week Library Staff Appreciation Brunch
· Annual $1,000 Friends of the Franklin Library Scholarship to a graduating FHS ’23 Senior
· Teen Summer Reading Program Prize Baskets
· Adult Summer Reading Program Prizes
· Over 400 Books given away at our Harvest Festival Booth
· Virtual Author Visit with Emily Franklin, award-winning author of The Lioness
of Boston
· Snacks for Teen and Children’s After-School Programs
Were you able to enjoy any of the above programs or find yourself frequenting our Library and the many wonderful activities and programs they offer each and every day? Why not play an active role in supporting the amazing programs offered to our local community. Here are ways that you can show your support:
1. Become a Friend! We would love to add more Friends to our group. We have several committees which you can choose from or you are welcome to be more of a supporting member.
2. Make a donation in the name of your favorite bookworm. Have that one Franklin person on your holiday list who is hard to buy for? Why not make a donation in their name that will support their local library?
3. Take advantage of your company’s employee match program. Many companies offer matching gift programs to encourage employees to contribute to charitable organizations.
All membership dues and contributions are tax deductible and will go directly to supporting the Franklin Public Library’s collections and programs.
To join the Friends or make a donation, CLICK HERE.