The Library will be closed on Saturday - Monday, May 23-25, in observance of Memorial Day. Visit our Website Calendar for additional info & registration links:  https://tinyurl.com/apl-calendars

Special Events

In Person - Mini Renaissance Faire at the Ashland Library!

Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.  If you love things Medieval, Pirates, Puffy Shirts, and so much more, this is for you. We'll have jousts, crafts, vendors, and something for every age. This is not just a turkey leg extravaganza, it is also an opportunity to learn how people lived (and survived) back in the day with demonstrations and hands-on activities. 

In Person - Celebrating America's 250th - Founding Mother with Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie

Saturday, May 9, from 1-3 p.m.  We hope you can join us for a conversation and tea with Stephanie and Laura. We'll be chatting about their new book, writing process, and the absolutely vital influence Abigail Adams had on the founding of this country. 

In Person - Romance Authors Festival 2026 at the Ashland Public Library

Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.  This year, we'll also have Pam Jaffee (former publicist to the stars) giving out romance book recommendations. 

Adult - In Person:

In Person - Front Street Readers Book Club

Tuesday, May 5, from 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.  Read James by Percival Everett.

In Person - Mah Jongg

Wednesday, May 6 at 6 p.m.  Knowledge of the American version of Mah Jongg rules and your own National Mah Jongg League card is necessary.

In Person - Mystery Book Club

Friday, May 8 at 12 p.m. Read A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins.

In Person - Climate Action Film and Discussion: The Extraordinary Caterpillar

Saturday, May 9, from 9:30-11:30 a.m.  We'll all watch the hour-long film and then have a discussion about it, moderated by Ashland's own Margy Gassel! 

In Person - Card Making with Jan Poppendieck

Monday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m. 

In Person - Historical Fiction Book Club

Tuesday, May 12 at 11 a.m.  Read The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams.

In Person - Women's Wisdom Circle

Thursday, May 14, from 6 -7:30 p.m.  The Stories We Carry About Motherhood - An open and reflective conversation about the beliefs, expectations, and experiences that shape how we understand and live motherhood today.

In Person - Great Decisions: U.S.-China Relations

Thursday, May 14, from 6-7:45 p.m.  Relations with China remain tense, with tariffs, military modernization, and pressure on Taiwan. Does Trump have a coherent China policy, and will his tariffs on Rare Earth minerals be effective? What are America’s strategic options?

In Person - Paint Night with Ashwini Chitnavis

Monday, May 18, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.  No art experience necessary, just an open mind and a can-do attitude.

In Person - Bio/Memoir Book Club

Wednesday, May 20 at 11 a.m.  Read Mailman by Stephen Starring Grant.

In Person - Cook Book Club

Tuesday, May 19 at 5 p.m.  Cook from Carla Hall's Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration by Carla Hall.

Adult - Virtual:

Virtual - A Discussion w/Romance Author Rebecca Zanetti

Monday, May 4 at 7 p.m.  We're chatting with mega-star, Rebecca Zanetti, and we're catching her between book launches! You Can Scream, the fifth book in the Laurel Snow series, will be out in December 2025, and One Shattered Crown, the 3rd book in the Grimm Bargains series, comes out in June 2026! We'll be celebrating Rebecca's books and discussing her glamorous life as a best-selling author.

Virtual - The Little Gems Of London

Tuesday, May 5, from 2-3:15 p.m.  Get introduced to some of the Little Gems of the majestic city of London.

Virtual - Four Cosmic Mysteries with Bill Thierfelder

Tuesday, May 5 from 7-8:30 p.m.  This program focuses on four intriguing--and cutting-edge--mysteries of the Universe. Each of these is now a major field of study, and scientists around the world believe we are on the brink of discovering mind-altering answers. 

Virtual - Environmental Book Club

Wednesday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m.  Read Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter by Ben Goldfarb.

VIRTUAL - Romance Book Club

Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m.  Topic: Wedding Fever

Virtual - Presidential Series with Doodler Heather Rogers: James Monroe

Friday, May 8 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. 

Virtual - Friday Night Film Discussion

Friday, May 8 at 7p.m.  Watch Black Dog

Virtual - Ticks & Tick-Borne Threats

Saturday, May 9 at 10:30 a.m. Explore the biology of ticks and the growing threat of tick-borne diseases.

Virtual - A Guardian and a Thief with author Megha Majumdar

Monday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. 

Virtual - Armchair Travel To Malaysia

Tuesday, May 12, from 2-3:30 p.m. 

Virtual - Historical Fiction Book Recs with Bestselling Author, Jane Healey

Tuesday, May 12, from 6:30-7 p.m. 

Virtual - Marvelous Meatless Menus with Chef Leslie

Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m.  Come learn to prepare and think about food in a new way. 

Virtual - Thriller/Horror Book Recs with Bookstagrammer fromredreadreviews

Tuesday, May 12, 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 - JOB SEARCH HELP -- Beware Of Job Scams

Wednesday, May 13 at 9:30 a.m.  These days, there are so many 'fake' jobs being sent to job seekers that aren't real. But they seem like it. Learn some of the telltale signs and how you can best protect yourself from them.

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

Wednesday, May 13, from 6-6:30 p.m.  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: SciFi Book Recommendations with Author Elizabeth Bear

Wednesday, May 13, from 7-7:30 p.m.  Love SciFi but not sure what to read next? Join bestselling author, Elizabeth Bear, quarterly for 30 minutes of pure book recommendations. 

Virtual - A Look Back At The Early Days Of Television Comedy

Wednesday, May 13 at 7 p.m. 

Virtual - Bill Gette: New England Butterflies

Thursday, May 14, from 1-2:15 p.m.  During his PowerPoint presentation, Bill Gette will show his colorful photographs of 48 species of New England butterflies and discuss their life histories, flight months, and host plants.

Virtual - Declutter series with Jamie Novak: Stop Procrastinating: how to get your tidying done

Thursday, May 14, from 7-8:30 p.m. 

Virtual - Up Close & Incredible: The Magic of iPhone Macro Photography with Deborah Tual

Thursday, May 14 at 7 p.m.  We’ll explore lighting, focus, composition, and simple editing tips to help you turn small subjects into eye-catching images. No fancy equipment needed—just your iPhone and a curious eye.

Virtual - Banning Books in America: Not a How-To with Author Samuel Cohen

Monday, May 18 at 7 p.m. 

Virtual - The Construction & Demise Of Penn Station

Tuesday, May 19 at 2 p.m. 

Virtual - Iconic Entertainers: The Musicals of Gower Champion with Clint Edwards

Tuesday, May 19, from 7-8:15 p.m.  An in-depth look at how the director/choreographer Gower Champion crafted some of the most popular musicals of the 60's, 70's, and 80's (Bye Bye Birdie, Hello, Dolly!, 42nd Street, etc.).

Virtual - The Curse Of The Blumenthals – 3 Generations Of Secrets, Crimes & Lies

Wednesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. 

Virtual Tour Of The Museum Of Modern Art

Thursday, May 21 at 2 p.m. 

Virtual - Fantasy Book Recs with Kristen of the Fantasy Cafe

Thursday, May 21, from 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 - Quebec City with Bruce Magnuson

Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m. 

Explore Quebec through the lens of its two iconic cities—historic Quebec City and dynamic Montreal—highlighting their distinct character and shared cultural roots.

Virtual - Inclusive and Diverse Book Recs with Bookstagrammer @sometimesleelynnreads

Thursday, May 21, 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 - Friday Night Film Discussion

Friday, May 22 at 7 p.m.  Watch The Blue Caftan.

Virtual - Sounds Like Trouble To Me – A Legal Thriller Inspired By True Stories

Tuesday, May 26 at 7 p.m.  Author Jean Trounstine will discuss her new novel, Sounds Like Trouble to Me, in conversation with Angelia Jefferson.

Virtual - JOB SEARCH HELP – Using Emotional Intelligence To Reset Your Career

Wednesday, May 27 at 9:30 a.m.  Learn practical techniques to communicate effectively, express yourself confidently, and maintain optimism even in tough situations. Walk away with actionable strategies to boost your career growth and success.

Virtual - Mastering Stress – Practical Techniques For Relief

Wednesday, May 27 at 7 p.m.  Join mindfulness and meditation instructor Lauren Masse, founder of Bright Heart Coaching, to learn effective strategies to manage and reduce stress in your daily life.

Virtual - Art on Thursday: The Peale Family: America's First Artistic Dynasty

Thursday, May 28, from 7-8:15 p.m. 

Adult Weekly:

Knit and Crochet Club

Mondays at 6 p.m. Walk-In

Gentle Yoga

Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Registration Required

NEW! In Person - Mindful Meditation

Fridays from 10:30-11:15 a.m. 

Children: Special Programs

Flicknic: Lilo & Stitch (2025)

For families.  Friday, May 8, from 12:30-2:30 p.m.  Come join us in the afternoon for a showing of last year's live-action Lilo & Stitch movie. No registration required!

Little Picassos Club 

For grades K-2. Tuesday, May 5, from 4:30-5:15 p.m.  We’ll paint, sculpt, and everything in between—just bring your creativity! Registration required.

Art Club

For grades 3-6. Thursday, May 7 at 4:30 p.m.  Registration required.

LEGO Club!

Monday, May 11 at 4:30 p.m.  For kids in grades K-3. Registration is required, and space is limited.

Juntos en la Biblioteca: Actividades en Español en Familia

For families. Para familias

Monday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m. 

Los invitamos a disfrutar en familia de una sesión de actividades en español en la biblioteca. En “Juntos en la Biblioteca,” ofreceremos la oportunidad de creer lazos fuertes en comunidad, ¡todo en español!  Join us for family activities in Spanish at the library! Through "Juntos en la Biblioteca" (Together at the Library), we're creating a space to strengthen community ties and connect, entirely in Spanish!

Pokémon Club 

For grades 2-6. Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m.  Come hang out and make new Pokémon friends! Registration required.

Little Crafters

Thursday, May 28 at 10:30 a.m.  Bring your imagination, and let’s make some colorful memories together! For families with children ages 0-5. No registration required.

Math Carnival 

For grades K-5.Saturday, May 30, from 1-3 p.m.  Schiesske Large Meeting Room Ashland Public Library 66 Front St, Ashland, MA, 01721. Join us for a fun math event designed for K–5 students, where kids can build their math skills through interactive games and hands-on challenges with the help of high school volunteers from the National Honor Society. 

Weekly Storytimes (no registration):

Clocktown Rockers! 

For ages 2-5 with a caregiver. Tuesdays at 10:30-11 a.m.  Join us for this exciting music and movement program! 

Baby Time

For ages 0-3 with a caregiver. Wednesdays from 10:30-11 a.m. This interactive storytime includes sweet stories, fun rhymes and fingerplays, bounces, and so much more.

ABC Adventures 

For ages 3-6 with a caregiver. Fridays at 10:30-11 a.m.  Join Miss Kayla for this new literacy-focused storytime! 

Saturday Stories 

For families with young children. Saturdays from 10:30-11 a.m.  Join Miss Kayla for our weekly Saturday morning storytime!

Recurring Weekly Programs:

Project ABC: Play, Learn & Grow 

Ages 0-5. Registration is required, and is found on their website: https://www.projectabc.org/

Tinker Together 

For ages 2-5 with a caregiver. Thursdays from 3-4 p.m.  Our Tinker Group is brought to you by the Metrowest YMCA, the same people behind our fan-favorite Project ABC!

Teen:

Teen Advisory Board Meeting In Person

Tuesday, May 5 from 5-6 p.m.  Share your ideas and help plan teen events! This event can be used for community service hours.

Teen - In-Person Creative Writing Club 

Thursday, May 14 from 5-6 p.m.  Stop by the Teen Room at the Ashland Public Library to do some creative writing. You can continue working on a project or start a new one! There will be optional prompts for inspiration.

Teen - In-Person Crafting Club: Perler Beads

Thursday, May 28 from 4-5 p.m. Craft at the library! The featured craft is Perler beads, but you can also bring your own craft from home or use our supplies to make a different fun project. Draw, do origami, make bracelets, etc.