The Library will be CLOSED on Monday, Feb. 16, for Presidents' Day

Adult

Virtual - Author Nava Atlas and Cartoonist Bob Eckstein: "Inspired by Cat: Writers & Their Mews(es) Monday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. 

In Person - Front Street Readers Book Club Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 11 a.m.—12:30 p.m. Read The Lido by Libby Page

Virtual - Unsung Heroes of Civil Rights with Bill Thierfelder Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 7—8:30 p.m.  Come celebrate the “other heroes” in the fight for equality. 

Virtual - "Heated Rivalry" Discussion: The Book and the Show! Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. If you'd like to discuss with other HR fans, please join us for this super fun conversation!

In Person - Mah Jongg Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. Knowledge of the American version of Mah Jongg rules and your own National Mah Jongg League card is necessary.

Virtual - Environmental Book Club Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Read Stolen by Ann-Helén Laestadius.

Virtual - An Evening For Pet Owners - Authors Melanie Kaplan & E.B. Bartles Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. Authors Melanie D.G. Kaplan (Lab Dog: A Beagle and His Human Investigate the Surprising World of Animal Research) and E.B. Bartles (Good Grief: On Loving Pets, Here and Hereafter) will discuss their new books on important topics of interest to pet owners and animal lovers.

In Person - Paint Night with Ashwini Chitnavis Thursday, Feb. 5 from 5:30—7:30 p.m. We welcome Ashwini Chitnavis to host this session where you learn to paint on canvas. No art experience necessary, just an open mind and a can-do attitude.

Virtual - Swashbuckling Heroines and High Seas Adventures with Novelist Vanessa Riley Thursday, Feb. 5 from 7—8:30 p.m.  Register now to embark on a seafaring journey of self-discovery and reclamation of personal power.

Virtual - Romance Book Club Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. Topic: Innocent Hero

Virtual - Author and Historian Helen Fry Discusses "Spymaster: The Man Who Saved MI6"  Saturday, Feb. 7 at 2—3:15 p.m. Helen will discuss her book, Spymaster: The Man Who Saved MI6. Discover the untold story of Thomas Joseph Kendrick, a senior spymaster who saved lives and shaped history during WWII, blending daring spy networks and daring rescues in Nazi Germany, all while operating in the shadows of MI6 secrecy.

In Person - Card Making with Jan Poppendieck Monday, Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Jan will teach embossing, die cutting, proper stamping, and the use of equipment, as well as individual and group techniques for creating unique cards.

Virtual - Cooking Demo with Heidi McIndoo: Mini Cheesecakes with Raspberry Sauce Monday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. Just in time for V-Day, something for you and your loved ones! Learn how to make Mini Cheesecakes with Yummy Raspberry Sauce with our favorite chef, Heidi McIndoo!

In Person - Historical Fiction Book Club Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 11 a.m. Read Let Us March On by Shara Moon.

Virtual - Historical Fiction Book Recs with Bestselling Author, Jane Healey Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 6:30—7 p.m. Join bestselling author, Jane Healey (and Ashland fave!), monthly for 30 minutes of pure book recommendations - the best of historical fiction out there! 

Virtual - Classical Masterworks: Bizet's Carmen with Clint Edwards Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 7—8:15 p.m. Bizet's Carmen. Exploring the life of composer Georges Bizet and the music he created for his operatic masterpiece "Carmen."

Virtual - Thriller/Horror Book Recs with Bookstagrammer 

@redreadreviews Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 7:30—8 p.m. Join Jody Blanchette (aka @redreadreviews), monthly, for 30 minutes of pure book recommendations - the best of horror and thrillers out there!

Virtual: Inclusive & Diverse ROMANCE Book Recommendations with Read My Lips Boston Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 6—6:30 p.m. We are super excited to be partnering with the 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 (and twin sisters!), Lily and Hannah Barrett, quarterly for 30 minutes of pure romance book recommendations - that are by diverse authors or have inclusive storylines!

Virtual - The Art Spy - The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. Author Michelle Young will discuss her new book, The Art Spy: The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland. 

Virtual: SciFi Book Recommendations with Author Elizabeth Bear Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 7—7:30 p.m. Join bestselling author, Elizabeth Bear, quarterly for 30 minutes of pure book recommendations - the best of Science Fiction books out there!

In Person - Women's Wisdom Circle Thursday, Feb. 12 from 6—7:30 p.m. For this session, Paula Topliffe will lead a discussion on: Self Love and Appreciation: a valentine for yourself.

Virtual - Sally Snowman, the last USCG Keeper of Boston Light, and Husband Jay Thomson Thursday, Feb. 12 from 7—8:30 p.m. A PowerPoint presentation presents photos of Boston Light’s 307 years of history and a few anecdotes about Sally’s experiences as a 21st-century keeper.

Virtual - Declutter series with Jamie Novak: Treasures You Love – an easy step to appraise Thursday, Feb. 12 from 7—8:30 p.m. Log on for this month’s declutter club Zoom when decluttering humorist Jamie Novak shares how to easily have your treasures appraised. Then join the live guided tidy-up for a quick jumpstart!

Virtual - Presidential Series with Doodler Heather Rogers: John Adams Friday, Feb. 13 at 10:30 a.m.  Welcome to our yearlong series in which “America’s Preeminent Presidential Doodler”, Heather Rogers, shares facts, factoids, and fun illustrations about the presidents of these United States. This month we're all about John Adams. 

In Person - Mystery Book Club Friday, Feb. 13 at 12 p.m. Read What The Dead Know by Laura Lippman

Virtual - Friday Night Film Discussion Friday, Feb. 13 from 7—8 p.m. Watch Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood.

In Person - Cook Book Club Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. Theme: Date Night (no specific book.)

Virtual - Heart Healthy Cooking with Empty Nest Kitchen Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 7—8:15 p.m. 

In Person - Bio/Memoir Book Club Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 11 a.m.  Read How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair.

Virtual - The Political Debate Over The Size & Use of U.S. Military Forces During The Civil War Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.  Author Cecily N. Zander will give a presentation based on her latest book, The Army Under Fire: The Politics of Antimilitarism in the Civil War Era. 

Virtual - Thrive! Caregiver Education series - Brain Health with Cindy Shultz Thursday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. Check out the website for more info.

Virtual - Fantasy Book Recs with Kristen of the Fantasy Cafe Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6:30—7p.m.  Join blogger, Kristen, of Fantasy Cafe for this quarterly session of her recommendations of some of the best Fantasy books out there!

Virtual - What's Your Next Adventure? A Celebration of Journeys Great and Small! Thursday, Feb. 19 from 7—8:15 p.m. Come hear author, professor, and adventurer James Nehring explain how everyone, regardless of age or ability, can experience the thrills and personal empowerment of overcoming a challenge. Learn how you can create and complete your dream adventure on your own terms!

Virtual - Inclusive and Diverse Book Recs with Bookstagrammer @sometimesleelynnreads  Thursday, Feb. 19 from 7:30—8 p.m. Join bookstagrammer, Leelynn Brady (aka @sometimesleelynnreads), monthly for 30 minutes of pure book recommendations - any genre, as well as YA and Middle Grade books, as long as they are by diverse authors or have inclusive storylines!

Virtual - (how to avoid) "Death in Glacier National Park" with Author Randi Minetor Monday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. Be ready for your upcoming summer vacation plans with this important and, probably, humorous presentation!

Virtual - Matrix Planting for Home Gardeners with Deborah Chud Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 7—8:30 p.m. Matrix planting is naturalistic gardening at its purest. It’s been the hottest professional design trend over the past few years, but it hasn’t gained much traction a.m. ong home gardeners. Why? I believe it’s because people don’t know where to start. This presentation provides a starting point.

Virtual - In Conversation with Romance Author & Illustrator Venessa Vida Kelley Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. Bring your questions as we'll be having a rapid-fire AMA session about Venessa's books, writing process, illustrations, and what we can look forward to next from them.

Virtual - Burglary At The Louvre - How Can Writers Top This? Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. In this presentation, the Curators of Crime will examine the public’s fascination with the recent burglary of Napoleonic jewels at the Louvre and discuss how, as authors, they have used the same elements in their books.

Virtual - "The Invention of Charlotte Brontë" with Author Graham Watson: Take Three! Thursday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. Join us, once again, as Graham discusses Charlotte's life - the myths vs. reality - as well as his own research and writing of this fantastic book!

Virtual - Art on Thursdays- January - The People’s Painter: Jacob Lawrence Thursday, Feb. 26 from 7—8:15 p.m. By examining Jacob Lawrence's masterful storytelling technique and his role in the Harlem Renaissance, this program reveals how Lawrence became not just a chronicler of American history but a revolutionary force who expanded the very definition of what American art could be and whose stories it could tell.

Virtual - Friday Night Film Discussion  Friday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. Watch Live and Become.

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 for ages 8-12

Wednesday, Feb. 4, Wednesday, Feb. 11, Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 4:30—6 p.m. Join the next campaign of Dungeons & Dragons and embark on an exciting journey into the world of role-playing games. You must have attended January’s Build Your Character workshop (if you are completely new to this) to participate in this campaign. Space is very limited, and registration is required.

Coding Class for Kids For grades K-5

Saturday, Feb. 7 at 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 at 12:15 p.m.  Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. 

Saturday, Feb. 28 at 12:15 p.m. 

Gear up for a tech-tastic adventure with our Coding Class for Kids! Every other Saturday, kids from Kindergarten through grade 5 will dive into the thrilling world of coding, where imagination meets innovation. Space is limited, and registration is required.

Off the Page Movie Club: The Lorax  For families

Saturday, Feb. 7 at 1—3 p.m. 

This month, we’ll be highlighting The Lorax by Dr. Seuss and its 2012 movie adaptation.

LEGO Club!

Monday, Feb. 9 at 4:30 p.m. 

For kids in grades K-3. Registration is required, and space is limited.

Little Picassos Club Grades K-2

Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 4:30—5:15 p.m. We’ll paint, sculpt, and everything in between—just bring your creativity! Registration required.

Art Club Grades 3-6

Thursday, Feb. 12 at 4:30 p.m. 

The perfect place to hang out with other creative kids and hone in on your skills! Registration required.

Saturday Stories: I love Reading Edition For families with young children

Saturday, Feb. 14, from 10:30—11 a.m. Join us for a special Valentine’s Day edition of our regular Saturday morning storytime! No registration required!

Drop-In Fantasy Craft: DIY Magic Wands Grades K-5

Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 11 a.m.  Craft a fantastical wand using Model Magic, gemstones, feathers, multicolored string, and other goodies. Drop in, no registration required!

Dog Man "Crack the Case" Mystery Ages 7-12

Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. —12:30 p.m. No registration required.

Flicknic: Dog Man  For families

Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 12:30—2:30 p.m. Feel free to bring your own blanket to sit on as you watch Dog Man fight crime and embark on zany adventures. No registration required!

Edible Science Experiments  Gades 1-5

Thursday, Feb. 19 at 11 a.m.  Children will explore fizzy reactions, flavor mapping, and sweet versus salty tastes while building confidence, curiosity, and excitement for learning. Registration is required as space is limited.

Rainforest Reptiles Show For families

Friday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. This is a great opportunity to get to see and learn about different kinds of animals! Registration is required as space is limited.

History of Nintendo with One Up Games  For kids & teens ages 8 and up

Saturday, Feb. 21, from 10 a.m. —1 p.m. Nintendo consoles, from NES to the Switch, will be available to play throughout the exhibit on old-school CRT TVs. No registration required.

Pokémon Cards with Legendary Trio Collectables Grades K-6

Saturday, Feb. 21, from 2—3:30 p.m. Space is limited, and registration is required.

Juntos en la Biblioteca: Actividades en Español en Familia For families Para familias 

Monday, Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m. 

Pokémon Club  Grades 2-6

Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m.  Come hang out and make new Pokémon friends! Registration required.

Little Crafters

Thursday, Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m. For families with children ages 0-5. No registration required.

Weekly Storytimes (no registration):

Tuesday Clocktown Rockers!  Ages 2-5 with a caregiver. Tuesdays from 10:30-11 a.m. 

Baby Time Ages 0-3 with a caregiver. Wednesdays from 10:30—11 a.m.

ABC Adventures For ages 3-6 with a caregiver. Fridays from 10:30—11 a.m. 

Saturday Stories For families with young children. Saturdays at 10:30—11 a.m. 

Recurring Weekly

Programs: 

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

Mondays from 11 a.m. —12 p.m.  Packed with creative activities, playful learning, and joyful moments, this structured program will help your child build confidence and get excited about their educational journey. Registration is required, and is found on their website www.projectabc.org .

Teen: 

History of Nintendo with One Up Games  For kids and teens ages 8 and up

Saturday, Feb. 21, from 10 a.m. —1 p.m. All Nintendo consoles, from the NES to the Switch, will be available to play on old-school CRT TVs throughout the exhibit. No registration required.