Blackstone Public Library Announces September Schedule of Events

BLACKSTONE — Library Director Lisa Cheever and the Blackstone Public Library Board of Trustees are pleased to present a September schedule packed with events and activities.

The library invites the community to enjoy the last weeks of summer and transition into fall with this month’s lineup of book clubs, events, crafts and more.

The Blackstone Public Library is located at 86 Main St.

Children’s Programs

Wag, Read, Repeat: Therapy Dogs Return to Blackstone Library

The therapy dogs are back at the Blackstone Public Library, and they won’t leave without hearing a story. Children are invited to read books aloud to a specially trained and certified therapy dog as part of the “Wag and Read — Reading with a Therapy Dog” program. Parents can sign their children up for 15-minute sessions during Monday evening meetups. This is a chance for children ages 5 and up to practice their reading skills with a certified therapy dog who never complains, judges or spoils the ending. Registration is required.

• WHEN: 5 to 6 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Mondays, Sept. 14, 21 and 28
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration required. To reserve a 15-minute session, call 508-883-1931 or email Children’s Librarian Tressy Collier at tcollier@cwmars.org.
  

Lego Club

Children ages 6 and older are invited to this month’s Lego Club meeting. Participants will be given a theme to base their creations on, and can work independently or team up with friends or a parent to build their own Lego project.

• WHEN: 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration begins for Blackstone residents on Monday, Aug. 31, and Tuesday, Sept. 8, for all library patrons. Space is limited to 20 children, and registration is required. For more information or to register, call 508-883-1931, or email Tressy Collier at tcollier@cwmars.org. When emailing, please include your child’s full name, age and the caregiver’s email and phone number.
  

Drop-In Pumpkin Craft

Welcome the fall season by creating your own pumpkin craft at the library using beads and pipe cleaners. This event is appropriate for children ages 4 and older.

• WHEN: 6 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is not required.

Music and Movement Class for Tots and Preschoolers

Join Brenda Lau from Apple Tree Arts for a free enrichment series filled with singing, dancing, guitar music and more. This program is appropriate for children ages 4 and older.

• WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesdays, Sept. 22 and 29, Oct. 20 and 27, Nov. 17 and 24, and Dec. 8 and 15.
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is required and begins on Monday, Aug. 31. For more information or to register, call 508-883-1931 or email Tressy Collier at tcollier@cwmars.org. This program is sponsored by the YMCA Family and Community Partnership (YFCP), a grant program funded by the MA Department of Early Education and Care and administered by the YMCA of Central Massachusetts.

Children’s Fall Story Times

The library is pleased to offer two six-week story time sessions this fall, including Story Time and Craft Classes and Toddler Story Time:

Story Time and Craft Classes

Beginning in September, the library will offer “Story Time and Craft Classes” for preschoolers and kindergarteners ages 3 to 5. Each class includes two stories and a simple craft.

• WHEN: 11 a.m. on Mondays beginning Sep. 14, and 1 p.m. on Thursdays beginning Sept. 17
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration begins on Monday, Aug. 31, for Blackstone residents and Tuesday, Sept. 8, for all library patrons. Space is limited to 15 children. For more information or to register, call 508-883-1931 or email Tressy Collier at tcollier@cwmars.org. When emailing, please include your child’s full name, age and the caregiver’s email and phone number.

Toddler Story Time

Babies and toddlers ages 6 months to 3 years are welcome to participate in Toddler Story Time. Stop by the library to read board books, sing songs and fingerplays, play games and explore toys and books. This story time will last 45 minutes.

• WHEN: 10:15 a.m., Fridays, beginning Sept. 18
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration begins on Monday, Aug. 31, for Blackstone residents and Tuesday, Sept. 8 for all library patrons. Space is limited. For more information or to register, call 508-883-1931 or email Tressy Collier at tcollier@cwmars.org. When emailing, please include your child’s full name, age and the caregiver’s email and phone number.

Young Adult Programs

YA Chess Club (and Board Games!)

Stop by the library for these drop-in events to practice your chess skills or play some board games. This is not an instructional class, and all skill levels are welcome. Students in grades 5 through 12 are invited to attend the Monday evening club meetings.

• WHEN: 5 p.m., Mondays, Sept. 14, 21 and 28
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is not required. For more information, call 508-883-1931 or email Mandi Whipple at mwhipple@cwmars.org.

YA Un-Book Club

Join us for our monthly Un-Book Club meeting! This club has no set book titles or reading requirements. Instead, students in grades 5 through 12 are invited to discuss their recent reads and find their next book. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month.

• WHEN: 6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 15
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is not required. For more information, call 508-883-1931 or email Mandi Whipple at mwhipple@cwmars.org.

Cursive Comeback: Keep in the Loop with Old-Fashioned Penmanship

Cursive handwriting used to be a standard part of the school curriculum, but its use has sharply declined in recent decades as education has become more digital. But it’s making a comeback, including at the Blackstone Public Library, where students in grades 5 through 12 can practice their penmanship at 5 p.m. every Thursday.

• WHEN: 5 p.m., Thursdays, Sept. 3, 10, 17 and 24
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is not required. For more information, call 508-883-1931 or email Mandi Whipple at mwhipple@cwmars.org.

Adult Programs

Learn How to Grow Mushrooms

Discover the skills you need to grow edible mushrooms at home using simple and accessible methods. This workshop explores mushroom varieties suitable for home cultivation, growing mediums, environmental requirements, inoculation, maintenance, harvesting and common problems. Participants will leave the class with the knowledge needed to begin growing outdoor mushrooms.

• WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 15
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 508-883-1931 or visit the library’s events calendar. This program is sponsored by UniBank.

Give it Your Best Shot at the Photography Club

Join other photographers at the club’s monthly meeting and discuss various photography tips, tricks and ideas. Refreshments will be provided.

• WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 15
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is required. Call the Blackstone Public Library at 508-883-1931 for more information or to register. This club is funded by UniBank.

Pop-Up Library at the Senior Center

Join Ellen and other library staff members as they help you discover your next great read or get a library card.

• WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17
• WHERE: Blackstone Senior Center, 15 St. Paul St.
• MORE INFO: Registration is not required.

Blackstone Quilters Assemble at the Library

Patch it up with a group of like-minded crafters this September by joining the Quilting Club at the Blackstone Public Library. Come together for a relaxing and creative gathering with fellow quilters. Not a quilter? Become one. Learn some tips and tricks, while doing some quilting. Each meeting is an opportunity to learn, relax, share ideas, work on projects and enjoy each other’s company.

• WHEN: 1 to 4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: This club is sponsored by the Friends of the Blackstone Library.

Evening Blood Drive

Make a difference in someone’s life by donating blood at the library’s blood drive.  Interested donors can register online at ribc.org/drives with the code RM5246. Walk-ins are also accepted.

• WHEN: 3 to 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 28
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Donors must have a photo ID and be age 17 or older, or 16 with a signed parental consent form.

Ongoing Book Groups:

Get Spooked With the Grim Reader’s Society, a Horror Book Club

The strange, scary and mysterious world of horror literature comes alive with the Grim Reader’s Society, also known as The Horror Book Club, at the Blackstone Public Library. This monthly book club focuses on spooky, spine-tingling tales. The Grim Reader’s Society welcomes newcomers if they are brave enough. Scaredy-cats are welcome, too. Copies of the book of the month are available at the front desk.

• WHEN: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 3
• WHERE: Quiet Study #2, Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Contact Children’s Librarian Tressy Collier at tcollier@cwmars.org or call 508-883-1931.

The Blackstone Book Group

The Evening Book Group, also known as the Blackstone Book Group, offers participants the chance to discuss amazing works of literature with like-minded readers. Copies of this month’s book can be found at the circulation desk.

• WHEN: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 8
• WHERE: Quiet Study #2, Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Contact Renee Milliken at rmilliken@cwmars.org or call 508-883-1931.

Saddle Up With a Book at the Senior Center

The Senior Center Book Club meets on the third Tuesday morning of every month at the Senior Center on St. Paul Street. Monthly books are available at the library’s front desk or the Senior Center. New members are always welcome.

• WHEN: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 15
• WHERE: Blackstone Senior Center, 15 St. Paul St
• MORE INFO: Contact Ellen Goudreau at egoudreau@cwmars.org or call 508-883-1931.

Spend an Afternoon Recapping the Latest Book of the Month

The Afternoon Book Club meets on the last Tuesday of each month. Join the group for a lively chat and a cup of tea. Take a seat, relax and unwind during an afternoon of great conversation about the Afternoon Book Club’s latest book of the month. Newcomers are welcome. Copies of the book of the month are available at the front desk.

• WHEN: 3 to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29
• WHERE: Quiet Study #1, Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Contact Donna Foster at dfoster@cwmars.org or call 508-883-1931.

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