The Children’s Room is OPEN

Posted by karad on 15 October 24

August in the Children’s Room

Posted by karad on 29 June 24

PLEASE NOTE:

The children’s playspace will be closed from August 12th-August 25th for the Friends of the Grafton Public Library book sale. The limited children’s collection will be available, and we can order materials for you.

There will be no children’s programming in the last two weeks of August.

Support the Friends of the Grafton Public Library and stock up on some great items! Browse a selection of gently used books, games, DVDs and more, on Saturday, August 24th, 10:00am-3:00pm and Sunday, August 25th, 12:00pm-2:00pm. The sale will take place at the Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton MA 01519.

ATTENTION TEACHERS! We are offering 50% off ALL books so you can stock up on everything your classroom needs this school year. We will also be offering a bag sale on Sunday – fill a bag for $5.00!

Prices range from $0.50 – $2.00/book. Special pricing for collections. Payment accepted via cash, check, or PayPal (for purchases over $5 only).

Donations accepted Monday, August 12 through Friday, August 23. Donations of all gently used books, DVDs, CDs, games & complete puzzles will be accepted. Please no textbooks or heavily damaged items. Ask front desk staff where to drop off your items upon arrival.

To learn more please visit us at FACEBOOK.COM/GPLFRIENDS

Read to Bead is in full swing! Don’t have your packet yet? You can pick it up at the library! Need an extra tracking sheet? Download one here, or you can always pick one up at the Library.

When choosing a reading goal for your family, remember: you know your child best!

Tip: When choosing a goal, try to have it be enough of a stretch to create a real sense of accomplishment.

Track pages, chapters, books read or time spent- minutes or hours. For reluctant readers, start simple by aiming to read every day. Remember you can always adjust your goals as the summer progresses.

Once a row is filled, bring it to the library to redeem a token for our gumball machine! Our gumball machines give out beads so your child can create a unique summer reading necklace.

Keep filling rows for more tokens and beads. Earn special charms by attending Library Programs.

The summer slide refers to the learning loss that can occur when children are out of school for the summer, especially in their reading skills. It’s important to keep kids reading all summer long to maintain their progress and prevent this setback.

Whether it’s a comic book, a mystery novel, or even a favorite magazine, as long as they’re reading something, they’re keeping their minds active and engaged. Consistent reading helps children retain and even improve their literacy skills, setting them up for success when they return to school in the fall. Let’s make this summer a time for fun and growth through reading!

Break out of the box!

If your child has a required reading list, we can help you order the books that you need. If a title is older, there may be limited copies in our network, so please be patient if it takes a bit longer for us to find you a copy. If your reading list is recommended, not required, or if you’d like to try more modern or diverse books, we have some alternatives for you:

• The American Library Association has lists that are full of book titles to keep children engaged in reading throughout the summer.
• Check out these diverse books for kids and teens.
• Boston Public Library has a collection called Black Stories Matter!: Children’s Books by Black Authors and Illustrators.
• Use your Grafton Public Library card to log into Novelist to search for books by Lexile level.
• Have a reluctant reader? Try graphic novels!

There’s nothing better than choosing your own books. Come in and let your children browse the shelves. Summer is a great time to explore their interests. Are they interested in Minecraft? We have a book for that! How about rockets?

Remember, it doesn’t matter what your child reads, as long as they are reading!

Goodbye from Ms. Jen

After twelve wonderful years in the Grafton Public Library’s Children’s Room, the time has come for me to turn the page to a new chapter in my life. It’s with a mixture of joy, gratitude, and a touch of sadness that I say goodbye.

When I first started working at the Grafton Public Library, my own children were just 7 and 5 years old. Today, one is a senior in high school, and the other is a sophomore in college! Time flies when you’re having fun, and boy, did we have fun!

From the delightful chaos of Library Babies, to those first very small “Bank on Reading” sessions at Unibank, I’ve watched your children grow. I’ve loved helping them find that perfect book or celebrating their first official library card. Sharing in their literary adventures has been an absolute privilege. I’ll never forget all of those LEGO club creations, Halloween costumes, and New Years at Noon ball and/or balloon drops.

Thank you for the laughter, the stories, and the unforgettable memories. Keep reading, keep exploring, and always remember – the library is a place where magic happens!

This week at GPL Kids April 22- 27

Posted by mcneilj on 09 March 24

Friday

Join local author Kristy Kielbasinski for a special reading of her children’s book, I DON’T KNOW. 

Join a mischievous bee on a hilarious journey to discover a little penguin’s favorite book. Will it be a fairy tale, a classic, or maybe a silly new story? I Don’t Know! By the end of this playful rhyming read-aloud adventure the room will be filled with laughter and your hearts filled with love.

After storytime, Kristy will lead the children through a simple craft. Every family that attends will receive a free signed copy of the book!

Children’s Programming resumes in March

Posted by mcneilj on 04 March 24

Youth Services Newsletter-March

The Grafton Public Library is thrilled to announce the return of beloved children’s programs in March. Join us for three versions of storytime, arts and crafts, book clubs, and STEM programs. Check out our new event calendar here.

MONDAYS

MARCH 11TH, 18TH, 25TH 

Library Babies is 20-minute program tailored for our tiniest visitors, ages birth to walking. Every Monday at 10:30 am, join us for an engaging experience where we read stories, sing songs, recite familiar nursery rhymes, and interact with the little ones through bounces and finger plays. Parents and caregivers are not just spectators – they play a crucial role in creating a community of support and friendship. This drop-in program provides a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow parents, forge lifelong friendships, and witness the joy of early literacy together. No registration is required.

WEDNESDAYS

MARCH 12TH, 19TH, 26TH 

Toddler Time is a lively 30-minute program designed for our little ones aged walking to 3 years! Join us on Wednesdays at 10:30 as we share stories, sing and dance, and engage in fun movement activities. Beyond the enriching activities, Toddler Time is an opportunity for toddlers, parents, and caregivers to come together, fostering first friendships and creating a warm community.

THURSDAYS

MARCH 13TH, 20TH, 27TH 

Tailored for children aged 3-5, this 45-minute program offers a structured and engaging storytime experience. Join Ms. Sarah, and dive into a world of stories,catchy songs, interactive felt board fun, and movement activities. It’s not just a storytime – it’s a stepping stone to school readiness. Registration is required.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13TH@3:30pm

Join us for a special storytime, fun activities, and see a highlighted feature of the Willard House & Clock Museum.

This program is for preschoolers ages 3-5 and registration is required.

TUESDAYS @5:30-7:00PM

MARCH 12TH & 19TH

THURSDAYS @ 5:30-7:00PM

MARCH 14TH, 21ST, AND 28TH 

Drop in and unleash your creativity with seasonal art in this engaging program designed for Grades K-5! Craft materials will be at your fingertips from 5:30-7:00 pm, allowing you to explore your artistic talents and make something special.

Join us for a night of artistic expression and seasonal fun!

While creating masterpieces, please keep in mind the Library’s Unattended Child Policy: children aged 0-7 must always be accompanied by a parent/guardian; those aged 8-12 should have a parent/guardian in the Library; and those 13 and older may enjoy the program unaccompanied, provided they can use the Library independently and adhere to the Library’s Code of Conduct. 

W

WEDNESDAYS@ 5:30-7:00PM

MARCH 13TH, 20TH AND 27TH

Join us for an exciting adventure into the world of mathematics through the fun and engaging medium of card games! In this STEM program tailored for kids, we’ll delve into various mathematical concepts while enjoying classic and modern card games. From arithmetic to probability, participants will sharpen their critical thinking skills, develop strategic reasoning, and explore mathematical principles in action. Don’t miss out on this hands-on STEM adventure where learning meets fun with every shuffle and deal!

While creating masterpieces, please keep in mind the Library’s Unattended Child Policy: children aged 0-7 must always be accompanied by a parent/guardian; those aged 8-12 should have a parent/guardian in the Library; and those 13 and older may enjoy the program unaccompanied, provided they can use the Library independently and adhere to the Library’s Code of Conduct. 

TUESDAY, MARCH 26TH@4:15pm

Learn about the characteristics of comics/graphic novels and then try drawing or writing some of you own.

This program is for school aged children in grades 2-5.

While creating masterpieces, please keep in mind the Library’s Unattended Child Policy: children aged 0-7 must always be accompanied by a parent/guardian; those aged 8-12 should have a parent/guardian in the Library; and those 13 and older may enjoy the program unaccompanied, provided they can use the Library independently and adhere to the Library’s Code of Conduct. 

TUESDAY, MARCH 26TH@5:30pm

Embark on an exciting literary adventure with Ms. Kristin as she hosts a captivating book discussion tailored for our young readers in kindergarten through first grade! Immerse yourselves in the world of Fox and Chick: The Party and Other Stories. Fox is calm and thoughtful. Chick is hyperactive and flighty. They don’t always agree, but they are friends anyway.

TUESDAY, MARCH 26TH@6:15pm

Kids in grades 2 and 3!  This month we’ll be reading Bunnicula : the graphic novel. Ensure you don’t miss a beat – secure your own copy, conveniently available for pickup at the library.

TUESDAY, MARCH 26TH@7:00pm

Join Ms. Kristin for a book discussion for kids in grades 4 and 5. Copies of the book The Lightning Thief : the graphic novel by Rick Riordan will be available for pick-up at the library.

After learning that he is the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea, twelve-year-old Percy is sent to a summer camp for demigods like himself, and joins his new friends on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.

Please register below. If the event is full, you may still submit this form to be placed on the waiting list.

February Vacation Programs

Posted by mcneilj on 10 February 24

Tuesday-Thursday:
Drop by the Children’s Room temporary space to pick up a take-home kit during school vacation week. Kits are for grades K-5 and must be completed at home. These kits will be a single activity and may include sticker painting, paper crafts, or fortune tellers. Limit one per child. While supplies last.

Friday:
Join us this vacation week to create some Diamond Art.
Please note: Room capacity is extremely limited, so please register every person that will be attending. Children under 8 must have a parent/guardian in the room at all times. Children over 8 may be left alone in the room, but the parent/guardian must remain in the Library building.

Register here for one of 5 sessions.

Saturday:
Kids, Tweens, and Teens! Join us in the Teen Maker Space for Spin Art. Never done Spin Art before? No problem! We’ll guide you through the process step by step.
Drop into the Teen Room Maker Space between 10:30am-12:00 noon OR 1:00pm-2:00pm

Library CLOSED in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 15, 2024

Posted by phelans on 10 January 24

The Grafton Public Library will be CLOSED in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, on Monday, January 15, 2024. No items are due this day. The Library will reopen at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 16.

Please pick up museum passes for Monday before the Library closes at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 13.

Please visit our online digital branch 24/7 at www.graftonlibrary.org – you can even get a digital card for the OverDrive catalog if you do not have a library card.

For a complete calendar of 2024 Library closings, please visit https://graftonlibrary.org/2024-library-closings/

Flood Update! Disaster Mediation Begins Monday September 25

Posted by on 18 September 23

ServPro will be on site on Monday September 25 through Friday September 29 to begin removing flooring, wall, and millwork damaged by water during the flood August 18. We will need to close areas of the building for this work to be completed. The Children’s Room will close to pack, store and relocate items on Thursday September 21, and remain closed for the duration of the work, with a reopening date to be determined.

Affected areas include the Children’s Room, Children’s Program Room, Children’s Room Storage Closet, Children’s Workroom, Community Room, A/V Storage Closet, and Kitchen.

There is likely to be significant noise and disruption due to this demolition work, all week, between 10am and 4pm.  Visitors should manage expectations accordingly. Please obey all staff directives and signage during this reconstruction period.

The Community Room continues to be unavailable and we are not taking any new bookings until the reconstruction project is completed.

A selection of Children’s Materials will be available in the Friends Corner (Thank you to our Friends for temporarily giving up this space!) until the Community Room work is completed. Puzzles, toys, crafts and activities will not be available. All Children’s Programming is suspended through October. Unfortunately, this means the Library will need to be a an errand, not a destination, and visitors should manage expectations accordingly.

We apologize for the inconvenience, and hope to complete this restoration work quickly! Thank you for your patience and patronage.

Flood Update

Posted by on 21 August 23

UPDATE: The Community Room has been reopened for the scheduled Friends Book Sale Setup. Teen Room’s Maker Space iMac computers and Gaming Room televisions were restored when electrical use was approved. The Children’s Room is scheduled to reopen on Tuesday September 5.

The Library sustained significant flooding on Friday morning August 18 as a result of intense rainstorms, with water sheeting off the wetlands side of the building and flowing into the Community Room, A/V closet, Kitchen, Children’s Room, Children’s Program Room, and Sprinkler Room.

We do not yet have an update from the Town’s fire department or building official when these spaces will be habitable – Town and Library staff responded heroically, and ServPro was on site over the weekend to install industrial dryers.

Currently, the rugs and walls are dry, electrical has been restored, and an insurance claim has been filed.

The Children’s Room, and Children’s Program Room will be CLOSED to the public until further notice. The Friends Book Sale will proceed as scheduled, and we are currently accepting donations.

A collection of Children’s Materials will be available for browsing in the Historic Reading Room on the Common (upper) Level, accessible by elevator and from the Common Entrance.

We will share more information  as soon as we have new information, and will make every effort to reschedule meetings and programs in other spaces.

We thank you for your flexibility and understanding of these circumstances beyond our control.

Thank you to Marilyn Wilcox!

Posted by on 01 June 23

Please join us in celebrating Senior Library Associate Marilyn Wilcox, who will be retiring on June 30 after nearly 19 years of service in the Children’s Room at the Grafton Public Library. We will be honoring her with a reception on Friday June 30 from 10am-12noon at the Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, and the community is invited to attend.

Miss Marilyn staffed the children’s room service desk, navigated two library moves and several library renovations with grace and patience. She did a LOT of meticulous shelving and shelf-reading, helped with programs and displays, provided storytime, and served as volunteer coordinator. Miss Marilyn has provided a warm, welcoming presence to families, fostered compassion and kindness towards co-workers, and delivered excellence in connecting the right person with the right book at the right time. She was awarded a level II Paralibrarian Certificate from the MA Library Association in May 2022.

We wish her well and she will be greatly missed! We will both celebrate our joy in the next chapter of her life, and drown our sorrows in her leaving, with cake! Please RSVP via the event on our Facebook Page  or directly to Beth Schreiber  at 508-839-4649 x1836 or by email at schreiberb@graftonlibrary.org.

Free Comic Book Day 2023

Posted by karad on 01 May 23

After you’ve stopped by the library for the Free Comic Book Day giveaways and activities, keep the celebration going with these comics-loving titles!

Kids

• Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman by Marc Tyler Nobleman
• Marvel Black Panther: The Ultimate Guide by Stephen Wiacek
• Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee (Read now on OverDrive)
• A Parent’s Guide to the Best Kids’ Comics: Choosing Titles Your Children Will Love by Scott Robins (Read now on OverDrive)
• Superman: The Man of Tomorrow by Daniel Wallace
• What is the story of Batman? by Michael Burgan

Teens

• Batman Character Encyclopedia by Matthew K. Manning
• Comics Will Break Your Heart by Faith Erin Hicks
• DC Comics Cover Art by Nick Jones
• DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe by Matthew K. Manning
• DC Comics Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle by Daniel Wallace
• How to Paint Characters the Marvel Studios Way by The Artists of Marvel Studios Visual Development
• The League of Regrettable Sidekicks: Heroic Helpers and Malicious Minions from Comic Book History by Jon Morris
• The League of Regrettable Superheroes: Half-Baked Heroes from Comic Book History by Jon Morris
• Marvel Encyclopedia by Tom DeFalco
• Marvel: The Hip-Hop Covers edited by Axel Alonso, Chris Robinson & Rickey Purdin
• Marvel Year by Year: A Visual History by DK Publishing, Inc.
• The Spectacular Sisterhood of Superwomen: Awesome Female Characters from Comic Book History by Hope Nicholson
• Super Graphic: A Visual Guide to the Comic Book Universe by Tim Leong
• Verona Comics by Jennifer Dugan

Fiction

• The Amazing Absorbing Boy by Rabindranath Maharaj – *On order*
• The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon (Listen now or read now on OverDrive)
• A Hundred Thousand Worlds by Bob Proehl – *On order* (Request a copy through interlibrary loan)
• Secret Identity by Alex Segura – *On order* (Request a copy through interlibrary loan)

Comics About Comics

• 75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking by Paul Levitz
• 80 Years of Batman: The Deluxe Edition by Detective Comics
• Aquaman: A Celebration of 75 Years by Various
• The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye by Sonny Liew
• Batgirl: A Celebration of 50 Years by Various
• Catwoman: A Celebration of 75 Years by Various
• Comics: A Global History, 1968 to the Present by Dan Mazur
• DC Comics Covergirls by Louise Simonson
• The Love and Rockets Companion : 30 years (and counting) by Marc Sobel and Kristy Valenti
• Marvel Cinematic Universe Guidebook: The Good, the Bad, the Guardians by Mike O’Sullivan
• The Marvel Vault: A Visual History by Roy Thomas
• The Other History of the DC Universe by John Ridley
• PS Magazine: The Best of the Preventive Maintenance Monthly by Will Eisner
• Wonder Woman: 80 Years of the Amazon Warrior by Various

And more!

• All of the Marvels: A Journey to the Ends of the Biggest Story Ever Told by Douglas Wolk (Listen now or read now on OverDrive)
• Comics Confidential: Thirteen Graphic Novelists Talk Story, Craft, and Life Outside the Box by Leonard S. Marcus
• DC: Women of Action by Shea Fontana
• Divas, Dames & Daredevils: Lost Heroines of Golden Age Comics by Mike Madrid (Read now on OverDrive)
• Flapper Queens: Women Cartoonists of the Jazz Age by Trina Robbins
• Jews and American Comics: An Illustrated History of an American Art Form by Paul M. Buhle
• How to Go Steady: Timeless Dating Advice, Wisdom, and Lessons from Vintage Romance Comics by Jacque Nodell
• Mail-Order Mysteries: Real Stuff from Old Comic Book Ads by Kirk Demarais (Request a copy through interlibrary loan)
• Manga for the Beginner Chibis: Everything You Need to Start Drawing the Super-Cute Characters of Japanese Comics by Christopher Hart (Read now on OverDrive)
• Manga for Dummies by Kensuke Okabayashi
• The Many Lives of Catwoman: The Felonious History of a Feline Fatale by Tim Hanley
• Marvel Comics: The Untold Story by Sean Howe (Read now on OverDrive)
• A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee by Danny Fingeroth (Listen now or read now on OverDrive)
• The Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore (Listen now or read now on OverDrive)
• Slugfest: Inside the Epic, 50-year Battle between Marvel and DC by Reed Tucker (Listen on CD audiobook)
• Investigating Lois Lane: The Turbulent History of the Daily Planet’s Ace Reporter by Tim Hanley
• Peanuts – A Golden Celebration: The Art and Story of The World’s Best-Loved Comic Strip by Charles M. Schulz
• Superheroes! Capes, Cowls, and the Creation of Comic Book Culture by Laurence Maslon (Read now on OverDrive)
• Superman: The High-Flying History of America’s Most Enduring Hero by Larry Tye (Read now on OverDrive)
• Super-Villains: The Complete Visual History by Daniel Wallace
• The Ten-Cent Plague: The Great Comic-Book Scare and How It Changed America by David Hajdu (Request a copy through interlibrary loan)
• Why Comics? From Underground to Everywhere by Hillary L. Chute
• Wonder Woman: Ambassador of Truth by Signe Bergstrom