Blackstone Public Library Announces November Schedule of Autumnal Events 

BLACKSTONE — Library Director Lisa Cheever and the Blackstone Public Library are proud to present a November schedule packed with seasonal events and activities.

The library invites the community to cozy up with this month’s lineup of autumnal crafts, activities, events, book clubs and more.

The Blackstone Public Library is located at 86 Main St.

Children’s Programs

“The Nutcracker” Performance by the Heritage Ballet

Costumed dancers from the Heritage Ballet of Lincoln, Rhode Island will perform the “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy” from “The Nutcracker.” Following the performance, dancers will teach children simple ballet steps and will be available for photos.

• WHEN: 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: This event is appropriate for children ages 4 and up. Registration is required. To learn more or register, call the library at 508-883-1931 or email Children’s Librarian Tressy Collier at tcollier@cwmars.org.

Drop-In Thanksgiving Craft

Stop by the library for a festive Thanksgiving drop-in craft. Children ages 4 and up are invited to make their own adorable turkey.

• WHEN: 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is not required.

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

The therapy dogs are back at the Blackstone Public Library and they’re not leaving 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 that are scheduled for Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. 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. 

• WHEN: 5 to 6 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays beginning Nov. 2
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is required. To reserve a 15-minute session, call 508-883-1931 or email Children’s Librarian Tressy Collier at tcollier@cwmars.org.

Children’s Winter Story Times

The library is pleased to offer two six-week winter story time sessions. In addition to the Story Time and Craft Classes and Toddler Story Times, patrons are invited to attend Drop-In Story Time on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.

Story Time and Craft Classes

Preschoolers and kindergarteners are invited to attend the winter session of “Story Time and Craft Classes.” Each class includes two stories and a simple craft.

• WHEN: 11 a.m. on Mondays beginning Nov. 16, and 1 p.m. on Thursdays beginning Nov. 19
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration begins on Monday, Nov. 2, for Blackstone residents and Monday, Nov. 9, 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 from six months to age 3 are welcome to participate in Toddler Story Time. This program invites the community to attend and read board books, sing songs and fingerplays, play games and explore toys and books. Each session lasts 45 minutes.

• WHEN: 10:15 a.m. on Fridays, beginning Nov. 20
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration begins on Monday, Nov. 2 for Blackstone residents and Monday, Nov. 9 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.

Adult Programs

SHINE Help with Jenna Gouin

Need assistance with the state’s Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone on Medicare (SHINE) Program? Jenna Gouin will be at the library to help during two separate sessions in November. Gouin, who earned 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. Book a session and get your questions answered.

• WHEN: 9 to 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 9 and 12 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is required and limited to a one-hour session. For more information or to register, call 508-883-1931.

Help with Sheila Elliott

Looking for help with an application for public assistance? Sheila Elliot will be at the library to answer questions about MassHealth, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants & Children Nutrition Program (WIC), Fuel Assistance and more. Elliott provides assistance to clients through this program in partnership with the Blackstone Valley Partnership for Public Health.

• WHEN: 12 to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is required and limited to a thirty-minute session. For more information or to register, call 508-883-1931.

Seashell Trinket Holders: Adult Craft at the Library

This month’s “Adult Crafting with Jean” invites participants to create their own unique seashell trinket holder. There will be two opportunities to join Jean for this craft. All supplies are provided and all skill levels are welcomed.

• WHEN: 1 and 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 508-883-1931. This event is funded by a donation from the Blackstone Public Library’s LIG MEG account as authorized by the Board of Library Trustees.

Watercolor Painting Class with Brooke Lambert

Visit the library to make your own beautiful watercolor painting in a class taught by local painter and printmaker Brooke Lambert.

• WHEN: 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is required and limited to 15 participants. For more information or to register, call 508-883-1931. This program is funded by a generous donation from the Library’s Gift account as authorized by the Board of Library Trustees.
  

Scrap It Up: Learn How to Preserve Family Memories

Scrap your other plans for the evening and join the Blackstone Scrapbooking Squad for a family history scrapbooking class. Join library staff member Jean Piechocki and create beautiful scrapbooks, meant to preserve memories and family history. Attendees are asked to bring at least 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: 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact library staff member Jean Piechocki at jpiechocki@cwmars.org or call 508-883-1931. This event is funded by the Friends of the Blackstone Library.

A Visit From John Adams

Learn about colonial America and the lives of the founding fathers when John Adams, portrayed by living historian Michael Lepage, pays a visit to the library.

• WHEN: 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 508-883-1931. This program is funded by the IMLS 250 Library Convening Stipend.

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 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 508-883-1931. This club is funded by UniBank.

Photography Club Exhibit and Reception

Join the talented members of the Blackstone Public Library’s Photography Club for their most recent exhibit. The evening will feature autumnal photography and refreshments.

• WHEN: 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Registration is not required.

Snowman Wine Bottle Light: Senior Crafty Corner

This library crafting event invites seniors ages 60 and up to attend and create their own winter-themed wine bottle light. All supplies will be provided at the event for guests to bring home their own seasonal creation.

• WHEN: 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: Space is limited to 20 spots. Registration is required and guests must be 60 years of age or older to participate. For more information or to register, call 508-883-1931. This event is funded by a donation from the Blackstone Public Library’s LIG MEG account as authorized by the Board of Library Trustees.

Young Adult Programs

Reptile Show with J&J Reptiles

Stop by the library for a live reptile show with J&J Reptiles, a mobile educational reptile service. This interactive show is a hands-on opportunity to learn more about various types of reptiles up close.

• WHEN: 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: This event is open to students in grades 5 through 12. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 508-883-1931 or email Young Adult Librarian Mandi Whipple at mwhipple@cwmars.org.

Un-Book Club

Join the Un-Book Club and read whatever book you want! The club meets on the third Tuesday of the month to discuss recent reads and find your next book.

• WHEN: 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: This event is open to students in grades 5 through 12. Registration is not required.
  

Chess Club (and Board Games!)

Visit the library to practice your chess skills with other players. This is not an instructional class, but all skill levels are welcome. Meetings are held every Monday in November.

• WHEN: 5 p.m. on Mondays, beginning on Nov. 2
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: This program is open to students in grades 5 through 12. Registration is not required.

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

Cursive handwriting used to be a standard part of the curriculum in schools, but its use has sharply declined in recent decades, falling out of favor as education has become more digital. But it’s making a comeback, including at the Blackstone Public Library, where younger generations practice their penmanship at 5 p.m. every Thursday.

• WHEN: 5 to 6 p.m. on Thursdays, beginning on Nov. 5
• WHERE: Blackstone Public Library
• MORE INFO: This program is open to students in grades 5 through 12. Registration is not required.

Ongoing Book Clubs

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. 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, Nov. 5
• 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, Nov. 10
• 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, Nov. 17
• 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 and copies of the book of the month are available at the front desk.

• WHEN: 3 to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 24
• 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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