The Grafton Public Library is pleased to announce an exciting new addition to the Library of Things.
Along with books, movies, and video games, the Library also offers a sewing machine, a telescope, board games, and several other items in the circulating Library of Things. Today, for the first time, Grafton Public Library is offering patrons access to a special collection: The Library of Cats.
Housed in the restricted section of the library, these fantastic felines were previously reserved for reference or staff use only. Beginning today, the Library’s collection of cats and kittens* are available for patron circulation.
“The existence of our Library Cat-alog is a secret we’ve kept for years,” one Grafton Public Library staff member explained. “It’s been difficult to keep a half dozen cats hidden and quiet! When they were kittens, they could fit in our desk drawers, but as they’ve gotten bigger, it’s been harder to conceal them.”
“I can’t wait to share our Library Cats with the Grafton community,” the staff member said. “They are all such sweeties. Well, maybe not Princess Fluffypaws.”
A lucky local member of the community, 8-year-old Imogen Crookshanks, was given an opportunity to test the Library of Cats program.
“I love the Grafton Public Library cats,” Imogen gushed. “I’m going to check all of them out again. Except for Princess Fluffypaws. She bites.”
Not a feline fan? Talks are in development between the Grafton, Massachusetts library, and Grafton libraries in other areas of the world to exchange animal items. Grafton, England circulates a red squirrel named Scrat. Grafton Library in Chile is eager to exchange a capybara named Fred.
Click on the picture below to reserve a Library Cat. Cats must be returned to the library in good condition. A reasonable amount of wear and tear will be accepted. An unreasonable amount of wear and tear of your furniture should be expected. Library cats are fed a specific diet. If you do not have access to unlimited bluefin tuna, please do not reserve a library cat. Library cats prefer to sleep on computer keyboards and will interrupt your Zoom calls. Please do not dog-ear the cats!
Please note, Princess Fluffypaws requires a special insurance waiver.
Curious kittens
Never where you expect them to be
Always up for an adventure
Often need to be rescued from danger
A little creepy
Lovable
Fierce and protective
Probably an alien
Survivor
Cranky
Prefers dystopian settings
May have mange
Grumpy old man
Enjoys rodents
Toilet-trained
Probably smarter than you
Knows it
Likes: Sharpening claws, promoting a false sense of security in others.
Dislikes: Long sleeves, all things good.
*More cats will become available as soon as Mrs. Doofenschmirtz can trap more feral cats in her barn.
If you would like to request a feline item, you can:
Call the Library at 508-839-4649 between 10am-4pm, Mon-Sat. Please leave a message with your name and phone number, cat preference, and any allergy information.
Email graftonlibrary-ma@gmail.com or info@graftonlibrary.org – please include your name, card number, phone number, and cat preference.
Message the Library on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GraftonPublicLibraryMA/ include your name and card number, cat preference and catnip availability.
Log on to your library account at http://grafton.cwmars.org to place a hold. If the feline is AVAILABLE in Grafton, please select “Copy hold.” Select “Grafton” for your pickup location. The C/W MARS network has instructions for how to search for felines, place a hold using our Evergreen catalog, and how to manage your library account online – visit https://www.cwmars.org/help/catalogaccount-help.
Ask a librarian to place holds for you (they are more than happy to do it!)
You do not have to have a specific breed/cat request. Library staff are also happy to pull together a collection of cats to delight, entertain, and comfort based on cuddle interest, meow tolerance, and age.
Here in Massachusetts, we LOVE our Libraries. Massachusetts Libraries play a vital role in ensuring all residents have equal access to information. Libraries are meeting places, community centers, and resources for everyone. During our busy everyday lives, we don’t always get a chance to let our libraries know how much we care about them. And we rarely take the time to share that with our state legislators.
Looking for something to do while you’re staying at home? Try our Stay-at-Home Bingo! Whether you complete a few activities, get a bingo, or go for them all – use these activities to help pass the time. Our pink bingo board is for teens and adults and our yellow board is for kids and families.
Links to additional resources to help you complete prompts are after the bingo boards.
Create your own story walk for your family – create and draw a multi-page story, post pages in order around your house and encourage your family to read your story
Prepare for your driver’s license exam, or give yourself a refresher with Driving Tests! Customized for Massachusetts, Driving Tests contains 14 car practice tests, 9 motorcycle practice tests, 27 CDL (commercial driver’s license) practice tests, 3 online driver’s manuals (car, motorcycle, CDL) and an FAQ section with detailed answers to over 100 questions.
The Friends of the Grafton Public Library announce the titles for Community Read 2019!
ADULT Title: TransAtlantic by Colum McCann
Description: A tale spanning 150 years and two continents re-imagines the peace efforts of democracy champion Frederick Douglass, Senator George Mitchell and World War I airmen John Alcock and Teddy Brown through the experiences of four generations of women from a matriarchal clan.
The Book Discussion will be held at the Grafton Historical Society located at 71 Main Street, South Grafton on Tuesday, March 12th. Join us for refreshments at 7:00 pm and the book discussion will begin at 7:30 pm. Please register for this program. Copies of the book are available at the library.
Can’t make it to the March 12 discussion? Join us for one of these alternate discussion times of TransAtlantic:
Daytimer’s Book Group Tuesday, March 19 1:30 pm
Reads Well with Others Book Group Monday, March 25 7:30 pm
TEEN Title: Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Description: In 1859, eleven-year-old Elijah Freeman, the first free-born child in Buxton, Canada, which is a haven for slaves fleeing the American South, uses his wits and skills to try to bring justice the lying preacher who has stolen money that was to be used to buy a family’s freedom.
The Book Discussion will be on Monday, March 11 7:30 pm and will be held at the Grafton Public Library.
CHILDREN”S Title: Two friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass by Dean Robbins
Description: This story imagines what it was like when Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass got together for a cup of tea and discussed their struggle for civil rights.
Join us March 21 6:30 pm for a special storytime featuring 2019’s Community Read kid’s book, followed by a quick discussion. What historical figure would YOU like to have tea with? This brief program best suited for our older elementary school friends.
SAVE THE DATE – Upcoming related programs
We know you’ll want to also mark your calendar for April 28th’s program on Frederick Douglass, June 2nd’s program on the women in Frederick Douglass’ life, and July 5th’s Reading Frederick Douglass Together. The Grafton Historical Society, Grafton Public Library, and the Unitarian Universalist Soceity of Grafton and Upton are proud to bring you these amazing programs.
The Grafton Public Library is offering a 4-week class session titled “Ukulele 101.” This class will be taught by Jan Barlow, Music Education Director, of Apple Tree Arts and is for beginners ages 13 and up – teens and adults. The classes will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday March 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th, and will meet at One Grafton Common, Grafton, MA. Participants must commit to attending all 4 classes. This free class is limited to 10 participants. Participants need to bring a ukulele to the class; the Library has 3 ukuleles available to check out for the course of the session.
