Town of Blackstone Public Library Invites Community to Join in on Jam-Packed February Slate of Events

BLACKSTONE — Blackstone Public Library Director Lisa Cheever and the Blackstone Public Library Board of Trustees are pleased to invite the community to a jam-packed slate of events and activities available through the Blackstone Public Library this February, including book clubs, crafts, public readings and even an evening with fancy drinks. The Blackstone Public Library is located at 86 Main St.

The Grim Reader’s Society is meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 6, at the Blackstone Public Library to discuss its latest selection, “We Used to Live Here,” a horror/thriller by Marcus Kliewer. (Photo courtesy Simon & Schuster LLC)

Monthly Activity Highlight:

Grim Reader’s Society Gathers for Horror Novel Talk

Lovers of ghosts, gore and the macabre are convening at the Blackstone Public Library for the monthly horror book club known as the Grim Reader’s Society. Join in on the discussion as the group reviews “We Used to Live Here,” a 2024 horror/thriller by Marcus Kliewer that’s set for adaptation into a movie on Netflix, depicting two homeowners whose lives are plunged into terror after the house’s previous residents pay an unexpected visit. Copies of “We Used to Live Here” are available at the circulation desk.

• WHEN: 6 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library, 86 Main St.
• MORE INFO: The Grim Reader’s Society Horror Book Club meets on the first Thursday of every month. Snacks and beverages are served. For additional details, email club moderator Tressy Collier at tcollier@cwmars.org or call 508-883-1931.

Adult Programs at the Blackstone Public Library:

Get Help with Applications with Jenna Gouin

Need assistance finishing up an application for public assistance? How about a referral to a community organization? Jenna Gouin will be at the library to help during her office hours. Book a 30-minute session and get it done. Gouin, who earned her master’s degrees in business administration and organizational leadership from Nichols College in 2015, provides assistance to clients through this program in partnership with the Blackstone Valley Partnership for Public Health. Examples of tasks Gouin helps clients with include MassHealth registration, signing up for fuel assistance and applying for Social Security benefits.

• WHEN: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 13
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration for a 30-minute session is required for participation. Call 508-883-1931 to register.
  

Take a Shot with the Photography Club

Join the Blackstone Photography Club for an evening of discussion, covering topics such as photography technique and equipment. Each month, the Photography Club features a guest speaker, exploring all things photograph and providing special insight into the craft.

• WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is required. Call the library at 508-883-1931 to sign up. The Photography Club is sponsored by the Friends of the Blackstone Library.
  

Ongoing Book Groups:
Reading in the Evenings

Join fellow readers at the regular Evening Book Group for a lively discussion of its latest book. Current books are available for pick-up at the library’s circulation desk. This book group meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. New members are welcome.

• WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 11
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Contact Lisa Cheever at lcheever@cwmars.org or call 508-883-1931.

The Heritage Book Club meets once a month to discuss a featured book and to enjoy a food that represents the ancestry of people who live in Blackstone. The group’s January book was “The Home for Unwanted Girls” by Joanna Goodman. The Heritage Book Club is meeting next at the Blackstone Public Library next at 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27. (Photo courtesy HarperCollins Publishers)

Digging Into Books and Food to Explore Cultural Heritage

Members of the Heritage Book Club dig into a new book each month, while also partaking in a foodthat represents the ancestry of people who live in Blackstone. While exploring diverse literary works, members also explore the diversity of ancestral backgrounds of the various people who reside in Blackstone. For its January book of the month, the group selected “The Home for Unwanted Girls,” a novel by Joanna Goodman.

• WHEN: 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: The Heritage Book Club program is part of the “Voices: A Common Thread” program and it is sponsored by Unibank. For more info or to sign up, contact Renee Milliken at rmilliken@cwmars.org or call 508-883-1931.

Cozy up with a Cup of Tea and an Afternoon Book

The Afternoon Book Club meets on the last Tuesday of each month. Join the group for a lively chat and a cup of tea. Relax and unwind with an afternoon of great conversation about the latest book of the month. Copies of the book of the month are available at the front desk.

• WHEN: 3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 25
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Contact Donna Foster at dfoster@cwmars.org or call 508-883-1931.

Young Adult Programs at the Blackstone Public Library:

Dive Into the Latest YA Literature

The Young Adult Book Club allows young people to join each other for exciting discussions on the latest and greatest in young adult fiction, along with other types of literature. Club books are available at the circulation desk.

• WHEN: 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 10
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: No registration required. Open to 5th through 12th grade students. For additional details, contact Mandi Whipple at mwhipple@cwmars.org.

Your Story, Your Choice

Join the fun with fellow middle school age students at the Choose Your Own Adventure Read Aloud Book Club. Group members decide together on which path to take as they go through Choose Your Own Adventure stories each Tuesday afternoon.

• WHEN: 4 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration required. Open to 5th through 8th grade students.

Young Adults are Getting Crafty

Working on a knitting project? Bring your current knitting, crochet, or drawing project to work on with fellow creative teens. This is a cooperative shared craft space that meets every other Monday afternoon, giving participants a chance to learn a new craft or hone a skill.

• WHEN: 4 p.m., Monday, Feb. 3
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: No registration required. Open to 5th through 12th grade students.

Young Adult are Writing up a Storm

Here’s your chance to work on your writing and share your creative work with others in a safe, welcoming space. Afraid of writer’s block? Library staff will provide writing prompts to get you going. And there will be opportunities to share personal work aloud and then receive feedback from peers.

• WHEN: 4 p.m., Monday, Feb. 17
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: No registration required. Open to 5th through 12th grade students.

Have a Say in the Future of the Library

The monthly meeting of the Teen Advisory Board gives local youth a chance to make their voice heard regarding the future of the Blackstone Public Library and its Young Adult Area. Teenagers now have an opportunity to help shape the library’s programs, materials, and offerings. Stop in and have a say.

• WHEN: 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: No registration required. Open to teens ages 13 to 17.

Adult Programs and Outreach:

Senior Readers Delve into Discussion

Join the Senior Center Book Club for their monthly meeting to discuss a great new read. This group meets on the third Tuesday morning of every month at the Senior Center. Monthly books are available at the front desk at the library or at the Senior Center. New members are always welcome.

• WHEN: 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18
• WHERE: Blackstone Senior Center, 15 St. Paul St.
• MORE INFO: Contact Ellen Goudreau at egoudreau@cwmars.org or call 508-883-1931.

The Blackstone Public Library is hosting a family history scrapbooking class at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (Photo courtesy Blackstone Public Library)

Preserve Family Memories, One Scrap at a Time

Scrap your other plans for the evening. Participants in the upcoming scrapbooking workshop, titled “Voice: A Common Thread,” will have a chance to create beautiful scrapbooks, meant to preserve memories and family history. Guests at this Blackstone Public Library event are asked to bring four photographs each to use in the scrapbook, along with information about the subject. The rest of the supplies will be provided by library staff.

• WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is required beforehand. Call 508-883-1931 to sign up. This program is funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Federal Library Services Act, as administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Guests are invited to join staff at the Blackstone Public Library with a craft workshop at 6:30 p.m., Thursday. Feb. 6. Guests will learn how to make a cupid gnome doll. (Photo courtesy Blackstone Public Library)

Hone Crafting Skills with a Gnome

Celebrate the winter season by creating a “Cupid gnome” at the Blackstone Public Library. Join library staff member Jean Piechocki to learn how it’s done. Supplies will be provided by library staff. No experience is necessary. This program is being funded through a generous donation from the Blackstone Library’s LIG MEG, as authorized by the Board of Library Trustees.

• WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6; 1 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration required. Space is limited to 20 participants. Call 508-883-1931 to register.

The Grapes of Wreath

Adults 60 years and older are invited to join Blackstone Public Library staff at the Blackstone Senior Center to learn how to make a flower grapevine wreath. These seasonal wreaths can add a splash of color to a home’s decor during the drab winter months. Supplies will be provided by library staff. Participants must be 60 years of age or be a member of the Blackstone Senior Center. The wreath crafting event is funded by a donation from the Blackstone Library’s LIG MEG, as authorized by the Board of Library Trustees.

• WHEN: 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20
• WHERE: Blackstone Senior Center, 15 St. Paul St.
• MORE INFO: Registration required. Call 508-883-1931 to register.

Sip and Savor: Cranberry Basil “Mocktail” Sangria Evening

Join us for a refreshing and relaxing evening as we explore the delightful flavors of a cranberry basil “mocktail” sangria! This fun, non-alcoholic craft cocktail event will introduce guests to the perfect blend of tart cranberry, aromatic basil, and citrus, all blending together for a delicious and unique drink experience. Whether you’re a fan of mocktails or simply looking for a fun night out, this event is sure to satisfy, shared with a group of friendly faces, and with a creative twist on a traditional sangria.

• WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration required. Funded by Unibank’s “What’s for Dinner?” grant.
  

Children’s Programs:

Story Time with a Blackstone Firefighter

This is a chance for kids and their families to join Deputy Fire Chief Brian Gartland and his crew for an exciting and interactive Story Time at the Blackstone Public Library. They will read two engaging stories, sharing their experiences and insights into their jobs as firefighters. Plus, the children will get to try on some firefighting gear and get up close with other firefighting equipment. This event is open to all ages and provides a fun, engaging opportunity for children to learn about fire safety.

• WHEN: 3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: No registration required. Open to all ages.

The Blackstone Public Library is hosting Lindsay & Her Puppet Pals, a live event presented by performing artist Lindsay Aucella at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20. (Photo courtesy Blackstone Public Library)

Puppets, Giggles, and Stories: Lindsay & Her Pals Come to Blackstone

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of fun and laughter with Lindsay & Her Puppet Pals. This larger-than-life puppet show features quirky, lovable characters in a series of charming, interactive short stories that are sure to engage both children and adults alike. With plenty of audience participation and silly surprises, this performance is ideal for children ages 3 to 8. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this entertaining and imaginative experience

• WHEN: 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration begins Feb. 3 for Blackstone residents, and Feb. 10 for all patrons. Open to ages 3 to 8. Please call 508-883-1931 or email Tressy Collier at tcollier@cwmars.org. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Blackstone Library. For more information about Lindsay and her puppets, visit www.lindsayspuppetpals.com.

Wag and Read: Storytime with Our Therapy Dogs

Looking for a new way to ease anxiety with the help of a canine companion? Sign up for “Wag and Read: Read to a Therapy Dog.” Registration is now open for a special one-on-one reading session with one of our certified therapy dogs — Lady, Willoughby, Bear, or Foxy. Each 15-minute session gives children the chance to read aloud in a calm, supportive environment, helping to build confidence and fluency. These private sessions with therapy dogs are held on Monday evenings and are a wonderful way to engage with reading while experiencing the therapeutic benefits of spending time with a furry friend.

• WHEN: Monday evenings
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Call 508-883-1931 to reserve a 15-minute spot.

Drop-in Story Time

Join Miss Tressy every Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. for a fun-filled 30 minutes of beloved picture books. This weekly Drop-in Story Time is perfect for families with young children and features a variety of charming stories to spark imagination and foster a love of reading. Whether you’re familiar with the stories or hearing them for the first time, each session promises a cozy and engaging experience for young children and their families. No sign-ups are needed — just drop in and enjoy the stories.

• WHEN: 6:30 p.m., every Tuesday
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: No registration required. Open to all ages.

For more information or to register for these programs, please call 508-883-1931 or email library staff directly. Click here to visit the library’s website for updates on events, programs, and closures.

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