Library Closed: Christmas: Dec. 24 at 1 p.m. Dec. 25 and Dec. 26. New Year's Eve: Dec. 31 at 1 p.m. Jan. 1.

Visit our Website Calendar for additional Info and Registration links: https://tinyurl.com/apl-calendars

Adult In Person

In Person - Front Street Readers Book Club

Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Read Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini.

In Person - Mah Jongg

Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. An evening of strategy, luck, and fun. Knowledge of the American version of Mah Jongg rules and your own National Mah Jongg League card is necessary.  

In Person - Card Making with Jan Poppendieck

Monday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m.  Card making with Jan. She will teach embossing, die cutting, proper stamping, and the use of equipment, individually and group techniques of creating unique cards.

In Person - Historical Fiction Book Club

Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 11 a.m.  Read The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

In Person - Women's Wisdom Circle: Reclaiming your holidays

Thursday, Dec. 11, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Paula Topliffe will lead a discussion on "Reclaiming Your Holidays: Simplify, Prioritize, and Celebrate Authentically!"

In Person - Mystery Book Club

Friday, Dec. 12 at 12 p.m.  Read All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay.

In Person - Make Holiday Gift Bags From Book Pages with Jan Poppendieck

Monday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m.  An evening of gift bags from book pages with Jan! You can pick the kind of pages, and Jan will walk you through the steps of making a gift bag. 

In Person - Cook Book Club

Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 5 p.m.  Cook from The Cookie Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum.

Adult Virtual

Virtual - Bicycling Across America

Monday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. Steve Parus shares his experience riding his bike solo 4,500 miles from Sea to Shining Sea, carrying all gear and camping along the way.

Virtual - What's The History Of Your House?

Monday, Dec. 1, from 7 - 8:15 p.m. House history projects enable us to access local historical resources, including newspapers, deeds, city directories, and more. This avenue of research allows us to uncover architecture, neighborhoods, and people of the past.

Virtual - Travel to Christmas Markets in Prague and Germany

Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. Visit amazing Christmas markets in Prague and four cities in Germany. 

Virtual - A Charles Dickens Christmas with Bill Thierfelder

Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. Inspired by the writings of Washington Irving earlier in the 19th century, Dickens wrote five Christmas novellas between 1843 and 1848 and over a dozen short stories between 1852 and 1866. Each of these – including the perennial favorite A CHRISTMAS CAROL – helped to shape how the holiday season is celebrated in Britain and America.

Virtual - The Joys of Research with Bestselling Author Kerri Maher

Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. A workshop with bestselling historical novelist Kerri Maher. She has designed a workshop for writers at all stages of their journey to seamlessly integrate facts into their fiction.

Virtual - Environmental Book Club

Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. Read A Billion Butterflies: A Life in Climate and Chaos Theory by Dr. Jagadish Shukla.

Virtual - Feeding Backyard Birds In Massachusetts

Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. Discover the birds commonly observed at your feeding stations, aids to field identification, the significance of backyard sanctuaries, and more.

Virtual - Édouard Manet - Pioneer of the Modern

Thursday, Dec. 4 at 10:30 a.m. Classically trained, Édouard Manet saw himself in the tradition of the Great Masters. In the 19th-century art world, Manet submitted paintings to the Paris Salon that caused great controversy and were reviled by critics. Today, they are considered works that marked the birth of modern art.

Virtual - Declutter series with Jamie Novak: How to Quickly Tidy Up What Guests Notice First

Thursday, Dec. 4 from, 7 - 8:30 p.m.  Log on for this month’s declutter club Zoom when decluttering humorist Jamie Novak shares a short list of things guests notice. Plus, how to DISGUISE clutter even if guests are already at the front door. Then join the live guided tidy-up for a quick jumpstart!

Virtual - Friday Night Film Discussion

Friday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. Watch My Father and My Son (Kanopy)

Virtual - On The Trail Of Your English Ancestors - Tips & Techniques

Monday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. Join genealogist Linda MacIver as she takes you through the path of research in the U.S. that prepares you to “hop the pond” to find civil registration and census records in England from 1837 to 1939.

Virtual - Armchair Travel To French Canada: From Montreal To Gaspe Peninsula

Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 2 - 3:15 p.m. Travel with Jack Holmes, the Traveling Photographer, in the Province of Quebec, along the St Lawrence River, and a little of New Brunswick, Canada.

Virtual - Healthier Holidays with Empty Nest Kitchen

Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. Explore really delicious holiday dishes with Mediterranean flair to incorporate into your celebrations without feeling weighed down.

 Virtual - Job Search Help - Magnetic Introductions: How to Have Them At Hello

Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 9:30 a.m.  Learn this new take on the old elevator speech, and you’ll be able to deliver a quick, compelling intro that captures attention, keeps it, and opens the door to deeper business relationships.

Virtual - Who Gets To Fly? - How NASA Choose its Astronauts

Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.  Join NASA Solar System Ambassador David S. Ball as he discusses the tension between science and flight test, political considerations, and the luck of the draw that determines who gets to fly.

Virtual - Her Art - The Legacy of Women Artists Through the Ages - Part #3

Thursday, Dec. 11 at 10:30 a.m. Delve into the significant but often overlooked contributions of women artists throughout history. From the Renaissance to the present, explore the lives, challenges, and extraordinary works of women who defied societal norms to become major figures in the art world.

Virtual - Romance Book Club

Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. Read a Holiday (ANY Holiday) Romance. This special session will be moderated by romance author, Beth Lisogorsky.

Virtual - Dealing with a Stamp Collection

Thursday, Dec.11 at 7 p.m. This program will help attendees to understand better US and Foreign Stamps as well as how and where to sell them in today's market.

Virtual - Italy in a Wineglass: The Story of Italy Through Its Wines

Monday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. Author Marc Millon discusses how his book, Italy in a Wineglass: The Story of Italy Through Its Wines, came about and highlights the intricate and intimate links between Italian history and Italian wine. 

Virtual - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart -- "The Man Behind The Music"

Monday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. Take a glimpse into the world of one of music's biggest heroes, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as we appreciate his genius and attempt to untangle the mystery.

Virtual - Armchair Travel To Seville, Spain with The Traveling Librarian

Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 2 - 3:30 p.m. Join Jeff Klapes, "The Traveling Librarian," for an armchair traveler’s journey to Seville, Spain.

Virtual - Great Performers: Peggy Lee with Clint Edwards

Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. We'll explore how Peggy Lee developed her distinctive musical voice in the roles of songwriter, lyricist, and musical arranger of several classic songs, as well as a pop cultural influencer. (Featuring songs such as It's A Good Day, Fever, and more)

Virtual: Inclusive & Diverse ROMANCE Book Recommendations with Read My Lips Boston

Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 6 - 6:30 p.m. Partnering with bookstore owners of Read My Lips Boston for this special series! Hear about the best ROMANCE book recommendations with BIPOC/LGBTQ+/Neurodivergent/Disabled, etc. characters or by representative authors. Join book store owners, Lily and Hannah Barrett, quarterly for 30 minutes of pure romance book recommendations that are by diverse authors or have inclusive storylines. 

Virtual - Great American Unsung Heroes Who Changed The Course Of History - Nikola Tesla

Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 7 - 8:15 p.m. Learn about Nikola Tesla. Called a genius by some, a madman by others, and an enigma by nearly everyone, Tesla was probably the greatest inventor the world has ever known. 

Virtual - Rodin As A Sculptor Of The Modern Era

Thursday, Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m. Examine Rodin’s processes in both marble and bronze and explore his relationships with other artists such as Camille Claudel and Claude Monet.

Virtual - Mystery/Thriller Book Recs with Bestselling Author, Hank Phillippi Ryan

Thursday, Dec. 18, from 6:30 - 7 p.m. Join bestselling author, Hank Phillippi Ryan, for this quarterly session of her recommendations of some of the best mystery/thrillers out there!

Virtual - Art on Thursday: Edgar Degas, the Ballet & Beyond

Thursday, Dec. 18, from 7 - 8:15 p.m. Discover the captivating world of Edgar Degas, a master of Impressionism known for his intimate portrayals of ballet dancers and everyday Parisian life. 

Virtual - Inclusive and Diverse Book Recs with Bookstagrammer @sometimesleelynnreads

Thursday, Dec. 18, from 7:30 - 8 p.m. Looking for the best books with BIPOC/LGBTQ+/Neurodivergent/Disabled, etc., characters or by representative authors? Join bookstagrammer, Leelynn Brady (aka @sometimesleelynnreads), monthly for 30 minutes of pure book recommendations. 

Virtual - Friday Night Film Discussion

Friday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. Watch The Scent Of Green Papaya (Kanopy)

Virtual - Armchair Travel To Paris (A LIVE Walk Highlighting Christmas In Paris)

Monday, Dec. 22, from 12 - 1 p.m. French tour guide Patrick Herpe returns to give viewers a live tour of Paris.

Virtual - A Look Inside It’s a Wonderful Life with Brian Rose

Monday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. This talk will examine the fascinating story of It’s a Wonderful Life, exploring the challenges of its production, its surprisingly dark portrayal of small-town life, and how it became the ultimate representation of holiday goodwill and cheer.

Adult Weekly

Knit and Crochet Club

Mondays at 6 p.m. Walk-In

Gentle Yoga

Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Registration required.

Children

Special Programs

Dungeons & Dragons: The Next Campaign - Ages 8-12

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 4:30 - 6 p.m. 

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 4:30 - 6 p.m. 

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 4:30 - 6 p.m. 

Join the next campaign of Dungeons & Dragons. You must have attended September’s Build Your Character workshop and Beginner’s Q&A (if you are completely new to this) to participate in this campaign. Space limited. Registration Required. 

Coding Class for Kids - Grades K-5

Saturday, Dec. 6, 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. 

Saturday, Dec. 20, 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. 

Kids from Kindergarten through grade 5 dive into coding, where imagination meets innovation. With hands-on projects and fun, interactive lessons, your child will master the basics of coding and create their own cool projects. Space limited. Registration Required.

Little Picassos Club - Grades 2-5

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 4:30 - 5:15 p.m. 

Tuesday, Dec. 30, 4:30 - 5:15 p.m.

Join Miss Kayla for Little Picassos Club. Each week, we will explore a different artist or art style and work on unique art projects, ranging from painting to sculpting and everything in between – registration is required.

Snow Much Fun! Storytime - Ages 2-5 with a caregiver.

Thursday, Dec. 11, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 

Celebrate the new season and ward off the cold by reading fun stories and making a sweet snowman fingerpainting craft. No registration required.

Raising Kids in a Digital World: A Sesame Street Workshop - Ages 3-5 with a caregiver

Saturday, Dec. 13, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. 

Registration is required. This 45-minute family workshop helps young children and caregivers explore healthy digital habits through storytime, creativity, and movement. 

LEGO Club with Kim - Grades K-3

Monday, Dec. 15, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. 

Calling all LEGO masters! Join Kim the LEGO Lady for an interactive building adventure! Your creations will be displayed in the library until the next LEGO Club! Space limited. Registration Required.

Pokémon Club - Grades 2-6

Tuesday, Dec. 16, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Kids are welcome to join us for our exciting Pokémon Club! Registration required.

Little Crafters - Ages 0-5 with a caregiver

Thursday, Dec. 18, 10:30 - 11 a.m. 

Join the Ashland Moms Club for this storytime, where little hands get to explore big ideas! We'll start with a sweet and lively storytime, followed by a simple craft that’s perfect for curious minds—no registration required.

Cookie Decorating for Kids - For families

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. 

Join us on this early release day for a delicious treat! Pick up your supplies from the Children’s Room desk and make a tasty creation of your own! Registration is required, and supplies are limited.

Disney Name That Tune - For families

Saturday, Dec. 27, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. 

Put your collective skills to the test in an exciting game of Disney Name That Tune! Register your family as a team and compete against other families to be the first to guess the Disney song. Space is limited, so registration is required!

Noon Year's Eve - For families

Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. 

It’s a New Year’s Eve party for our youngest friends! Stop by to enjoy festive stories, a craft, and an epic countdown to noon, complete with a balloon drop. Registration required! Please note that the library closes at 1 p.m. 

Weekly Storytimes

Tuesday Clocktown Rockers! - Ages 2-5 with a caregiver

Tuesdays from 10:30 - 11 a.m.  Join us for a high-energy music & movement session filled with dancing to favorite kids' songs, hands-on fun with instruments and props, and a lively storytime.

Friday Clocktown Rockers! - Ages 2-5 with a caregiver

Fridays from 10:30 - 11 a.m.  Join us for a high-energy music & movement session filled with dancing to favorite kids' songs, hands-on fun with instruments and props, and a lively storytime.

Mother Goose on the Loose - Ages 0-3 with a caregiver

Wednesdays at 10:30 - 11a.m. 

Join us for Mother Goose on the Loose—an award-winning early literacy program designed especially for babies and toddlers and their caregivers.

Saturday Stories - Ages 2-5 with a caregiver

Saturdays from 10:30 - 11 a.m. 

Join Miss Kayla for a new Saturday morning storytime! No registration required.  

Recurring Weekly

Programs:

Project ABC: Play, Learn & Grow - Ages 0-5

Mondays from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.  Join the Metrowest YMCA in partnership with the Early Childhood Alliance of Ashland & Framingham for a fun and interactive experience designed just for little ones. Registration is required, and is found on their website: https://www.projectabc.org/