The Library will be closed on Monday, April 20, for Patriots’ Day.

Visit the Ashland Library website Calendar for additional info and registration links: https://tinyurl.com/apl-calendars

Special Event

In Person — Horror Festival at the Ashland Library: A Celebration of Fear

Saturday, April 11 at 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. We are so thrilled about this lineup of fantastic authors!

Join us to meet: Emily Carpenter (A Spell for Saints and Sinners, coming out March 31), S.A. Cosby (King of Ashes), Luke Dumas (Nothing Tastes as Good, coming out March 31), Christopher Golden (The Night Birds, editor: The End of the World As We Know It), Nicky Gonzalez (Mayra), Brian Keene (editor: The End of the World As We Know It), Ronald Malfi (The Hive, coming out April 14), J.H. Markert (The Dig, coming out March 24), Sam Rebelein (Galloway’s Gospel), Rebecca Rowland (Eminence Front, released January 20), Saratoga Schaefer (Trad Wife, released February 10), V.E. Tirado (You Should Have Been Nicer to My Mom, released March 10), and Catherynne M. Valente (Space Oddity). This will be a day of panels (including a special panel celebrating the book The End of the World As We Know It: New Tales of Stephen King's The Stand), discussions, games, book sales and signings, and some unique events.

Adult - In Person

Cards for Veterans — Card Drop Off

Wednesday, April 1 — Thursday, April 30. In honor of Memorial Day, the Ashland Public Library will collect cards for veterans throughout April. Please drop cards off at the upstairs circulation desk. Librarians must proofread cards before they are sent out. Blank cards will be available in the Teen Room.

Mah Jongg

Wednesday, April 1 at 6 p.m.

Front Street Readers Book Club

Tuesday, April 7, from 11a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Read The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali.

Kentucky Derby Fascinator Workshop

Wednesday, April 8, from 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Women's Wisdom Circle

Thursday, April 9, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. For this session, Paula Topliffe will lead a discussion on: Spring Rejuvenation: Letting Go of What No Longer Adds Value to Life.

Great Decisions: Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy

Thursday, April 9, from 6:30 – 7:45 p.m.

Mystery Book Club

Friday, April 10 12 p.m. Read Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson.

Card Making with Jan Poppendieck

Monday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Historical Fiction Book Club

Tuesday, April 14 at 11 a.m. Read The Wildes by Louis Bayard.

Bio/Memoir Book Club

Wednesday, April 15 at 11 a.m. Read The Wives by Simone Gorrindo.

Cook Book Club

Tuesday, April 21 at 5 p.m. Cook from Zabar's: A Family Story, With Recipes by Lori Zabar.

Make Your Own Flower Crown

Thursday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. Have you heard that we are hosting a Mini Renaissance Faire at the Ashland Library on Saturday, May 2? Well, no self-respecting medieval-ite can attend a Ren Faire without a flower crown! Join us to make your own to wear to the Ren Faire or simply around the house.

Virtual Programs

Environmental Book Club

Wednesday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m.

Read No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson by Gardiner Harris.

Behind the Judicial Curtain: Secrets of a Trial Judge

Wednesday, April 1 at 7 p.m. Retired Massachusetts Superior Court Justice Dennis Curran will discuss the behind-the-scenes process by which judges make their decisions.

A Visit to Haddon Hall: England's 900-Year-Old Medieval Manor Home

Thursday, April 2 at 2 p.m. Set in the rolling hills and valleys of Derbyshire, England, the medieval manor house of Haddon Hall has been home to the Vernon and Manners families for 900 years.

Thrive! Caregiver Education Series: Help Is on the Way!

Thursday, April 2 at 2 p.m. Noticing symptoms of memory loss or receiving a diagnosis of dementia can be a traumatic, life-changing event for families. This webinar features a panel of experts ready to answer questions and share community resources.

Adventures in the Spring Garden

Thursday, April 2, from 7 – 8:15 p.m. Growing your own food is a rewarding way to spend the summer and reduce grocery bills. This class covers step-by-step tips for selecting, preparing, and planting a garden site.

Romance Book Club

Thursday, April 2 at 7 p.m. Topic: Secret Identity.

Shut Up and Read with Author Jeannine A. Cook

Monday, April 6 at 7 p.m. Jeannine A. Cook, self-described “wordworker,” joins us to discuss her latest book Shut Up and Read: A Memoir from Harriett’s Bookshop.

The Asteroid Hunter: A Scientist’s Journey to the Dawn of Our Solar System

Tuesday, April 7 at 7 p.m. Learn about asteroid Bennu, an ancient carbon-rich world that has reshaped scientists’ understanding of the early solar system.

The Sonnet with Bill Thierfelder

Tuesday, April 7, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. This program explores the history of the sonnet from its Renaissance origins in Italy to modern interpretations.

Get the Most Out of Social Security with Mary Beth Franklin

Wednesday, April 8 at 1 p.m. A deep dive into strategies for claiming Social Security benefits and planning for retirement.

Create Amazing iPhone Videos: 2026 Masterclass for Beginners

Wednesday, April 8 at 7 p.m. Learn to plan, shoot, and edit professional-quality videos using your iPhone.

Virtual — Life Lessons from the Happiest People on Earth

Wednesday, April 8 at 7 p.m. Explore happiness practices from Scandinavian cultures, including hygge, lagom, sisu, and more.

A Sisterhood of Sculptors — American Ex-Patriots in Rome

Thursday, April 9 at 2 p.m. From about 1850 to 1876 a fearless band of nineteenth-century Americans defied Victorian conventions of womanhood and traveled to Italy to become professional sculptors. 

In Conversation with Romance Author & Baseball Enthusiast, KD Casey

Thursday, April 9, from 7 – 8 p.m.

Declutter Series with Jamie Novak: Declutter Like You Are Moving

Thursday, April 9, from 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Presidential Series with Doodler Heather Rogers: James Madison

Friday, April 10 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 the United States.

Friday Night Film Discussion

Friday, April 10 at 7 p.m. Watch Eat Drink Man Woman. Lighthouses of Cape Cod with Jeremy D'Entremont. Monday, April 13, from 7 – 8:15 p.m.

Armchair Travel to Morocco

Tuesday, April 14 at 2 p.m.

Historical Fiction Book Recs with Bestselling Author Jane Healey

Tuesday, April 14, from 6:30 – 7 p.m. Join bestselling author Jane Healey (and Ashland favorite!) monthly for 30 minutes of pure book recommendations—the best historical fiction out there.

Spring Cooking Refresh with Empty Nest Kitchen

Tuesday, April 14, from 7 – 8:15 p.m.

Thriller/Horror Book Recs with Bookstagrammer redreadreviews

Tuesday, April 14, from 7:30 – 8 p.m. Join Jody Blanchette (aka redreadreviews) monthly for 30 minutes of book recommendations—the best horror and thriller titles out there.

Addison Gallery Tour: Parasol Press

Wednesday, April 15 at 3 p.m. Join curator Rachel Vogel for a virtual tour of the exhibition Parasol Press: Breaking New Ground in this Zoom webinar.

The Life & Career of Diane Keaton

Wednesday, April 15, from 7 – 8:30 p.m.

American Revolutionary Painters — Benjamin West

Thursday, April 16 at 2 p.m.

Women’s Fiction Book Recs with Bestselling Author Kristan Higgins

Thursday, April 16, from 6:30 – 7 p.m. Join bestselling author Kristan Higgins (and Ashland favorite!) quarterly for 30 minutes of book recommendations.

Space Launch System (SLS) — All Dressed Up with Nowhere to Go

Friday, April 17 at 2 p.m.

Armchair Travel to Patagonia — Sweeping Vistas, Remote Glaciers & Captivating Wildlife

Tuesday, April 2, from 2 – 3:15 p.m.

Iconic Entertainers: Julie Andrews on Broadway with Clint Edwards

Tuesday, April 21, from 7 – 8:15 p.m. Explore the life and music of one of theater’s most beloved performers and her Broadway work in My Fair Lady, Camelot, Victor/Victoria, and more.

Job Search Help: Be the CEO of Your Career

Wednesday, April 22 at 9:30 a.m. Learn how to direct your career with confidence and purpose using the CEO framework: Curiosity, Engagement, and Ownership.

Habits That Stick — Building a Healthier You

Wednesday, April 22 at 7 p.m. Join mindfulness and meditation instructor Lauren Masse, founder of Bright Heart Coaching, to learn the science of habit formation and strategies for making sustainable lifestyle changes.

When a Loved One Is Dying: Care, Connection and Coping

Thursday, April 23, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. When caring for someone with a serious or end-of-life illness, questions often outnumber answers. This program offers guidance, stories, and practical advice for families navigating this difficult time.

Friday Night Film Discussion

Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m. Watch My Happy Family.

Ren Faires: What’s the Charm with Jonathan Crocker

Monday, April 27 at 7 p.m. Learn why Renaissance Faires have become increasingly popular, how they foster community and creativity, and how they evolved into spaces of play, friendship, learning, and joy.

Ren Faire Romance with Authors Jen DeLuca, Jamie Pacton, and Sam Parks

Tuesday, April 28 at 2 p.m. Celebrate Renaissance Faire romance with authors whose stories bring these lively settings to life. Join us for a discussion about characters, storytelling, and the magic of falling in love at a Ren Faire.

Tyranny Takes Root: Vladimir Putin's Russia, 1994–2025 with Brandon Gauthier

Tuesday, April 28 at 7 p.m.

Writing Advice from Author Tim Horvath

Tuesday, April 28, from 7 – 8:15 p.m. Join author Tim Horvath for writing advice and insights into craft and creativity.

Job Search Help — Job Hunting Do’s and Don’ts

Wednesday, April 29 at 9:30 a.m. Boston Globe “Job Doc” Patricia Hunt Sinacole shares practical job search strategies, including networking, social media use, resumes, and interview preparation.

Hollywood & the Courtroom — The Anatomy of a Trial

Wednesday, April 29, from 7 – 8:15 p.m. Retired Massachusetts Superior Court Justice Dennis Curran explores how courtroom films shape our understanding of justice and the legal process.

Art on Thursday: From Tiffany to Chihuly — Masters of Glass Art

Thursday, April 30 from 7 – 8:15 p.m. Discover the luminous world of glass art—from Louis Comfort Tiffany’s stained glass to Dale Chihuly’s dramatic blown glass sculptures and Dan Dailey’s imaginative figurative works.

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

Take & Make: Marshmallow Peep Houses - For Families.  Friday, April 3, 10 a.m. and on while supplies last. Kits are available at the Children’s Room desk while supplies last and are first-come, first-served. No pre-registration required.

Flicknic: The Wild Robot - For Families. Friday, April 3, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. No registration required.

Coding Class for Kids - Grades K–5. Saturday, April 4, 12:15 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 12:15 p.m. Space is limited, and registration is required.

Little Picassos Club - Grades K–2. Tuesday, April 7, 4:30 – 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, 4:30 – 5:15 p.m. Registration required.

Art Club- Grades 3–6. Thursday, April 9, 4:30 p.m. Registration required.

LEGO Club - Grades K-3. Monday, April 13, 4:30 p.m. Registration is required, and space is limited.

Pokémon Club - Grades 2–6. Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. Come hang out and make new Pokémon friends. Registration required.

Off the Page Movie Club: Paddington - For Families. Saturday, April 18, 1 – 3 p.m. This month, we’ll highlight A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond and the film Paddington in Peru.

Parody Playhouse: Family Concert - Ages 0–6 with a caregiver. Tuesday, April 21, 10:30 a.m. This music-and-movement experience features kid-friendly versions of popular songs that help teach important social-emotional skills. No registration required.

Craft It!: DIY Tic-Tac-Toe Boards - Grades K–6. Tuesday, April 21, 2 – 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, 3:15 – 4 p.m. Please sign up for only one session.

Earth Day Cupcake Decorating - Grades K–6. Wednesday, April 22, 2 – 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, 3:15 – 4 p.m. Space is limited, and registration is required. Please sign up for only one session.

Buildwave | A Hands-On Building Game - Ages 5+. Thursday, April 23, 11:30 a.m. Registration required.

Gaming & Mini-Golf with One Up Games - For families, kids, and teens. Friday, April 24, 1 – 4 p.m. No registration required. Please note that the Children’s Room will be closed for circulation purposes between 12:30 and 4 p.m. for this event.

Music at the Blissful: Family Concert - For Families. Saturday, April 25, 10:30 a.m. No registration required.

Family Trivia Party - For Families. Saturday, April 25, 2 p.m. Register your family as a team and test your knowledge across a variety of trivia topics. The winning team will receive a small prize. Registration required.

Juntos en la Biblioteca: Actividades en Español en Familia - for families. Monday, April 27, 6:30 p.m. Los invitamos a disfrutar en familia de una sesión de actividades en español en la biblioteca. Join us for family activities in Spanish at the library as we create a space to strengthen community ties and connect.

Little Crafters - For Families with children ages 0–5. Thursday, April 30, 10:30 a.m. No registration required.

Clocktown Rockers - For ages 2–5 with a caregiver. Tuesdays 10:30 – 11 a.m. Join us for music, dancing, instruments, props, and stories while building early literacy skills.

Baby Time - For ages 0–3 with a caregiver. Wednesdays 10:30 – 11a.m. An interactive storytime with sweet stories, rhymes, fingerplays, and bounces for babies and toddlers.

ABC Adventures - For ages 3–6 with a caregiver. Fridays 10:30 – 11 a.m. A literacy-focused storytime featuring alphabet letters, sounds, stories, rhymes, and crafts.

Saturday Stories - For Families with young children. Saturdays 10:30–11 a.m. Join us for lively stories, rhymes, movement activities, and occasional crafts.

Recurring Weekly Programs

Project ABC: Play, Learn & Grow - Ages 0–5. Mondays 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Join the Metrowest YMCA and the Early Childhood Alliance of Ashland and Framingham for a fun and interactive program designed to help children build confidence, socialize, and prepare for school. Registration is required and can be found on their website: https://www.projectabc.org/

Teen Programs

Teen Creative Writing Club (In Person)

Thursday, April 2, 5 – 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16, 5 – 6 p.m. Stop by the Teen Room to work on creative writing projects. Optional prompts will be provided, and sharing is encouraged but not required.

Teen Advisory Board Meeting (In Person)

Monday, April 13, 4 – 5 p.m. Share your ideas and help plan teen events. This event may count toward community service hours.

Teen Make Your Own Slime (In Person)

Tuesday, April 21, 3 – 4 p.m. Make slime and enjoy a hands-on activity with fellow teens.

Teen Write to a Veteran (In Person)

Thursday, April 23, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Write a letter to be delivered to a veteran for Memorial Day. This event may count toward community service hours. Letters can also be written throughout the month and dropped off at the upstairs circulation desk.

Gaming & Golf with One Up Games- for kids and teens

Friday, April 24, 1 – 4 p.m. Play mini golf and video games at the library with friends. No registration required.