May 1 - 31
Design a Bookmark Contest

Use your imagination to design an original bookmark for this year's summer reading program. The theme will be Read Beyond the Beaten Path. Pick up an entry form at the library, or download one from the library’s website by clicking on the image. Design the bookmark on the entry form and return it in person or by mail for a chance to have your design chosen as the bookmark of the summer for your age group.

Winners will be announced at our Summer Reading Kickoff Party on Saturday, June 25.

Tuesday, June 8
at 10:30 a.m.
Cut the Cord and Start Streaming

Tired of paying for cable, but unsure of what the alternatives are? Discover the ins and outs of movie and TV streaming services in this lecture style class.

Free and open to all. Registration is suggested as seating is limited and is available one month prior to the event. 

Tuesday, June 7
at 6:30 p.m.
Shoreline Civil War Roundtable

This group meets the first Tuesday of the month.

This month Paula Hopewell will discuss Abraham Lincoln.

Free and open to all.
 
No registration.

Monday, June 6
at 2:00 p.m.
Coloring & Conversation

Relax while coloring & chatting with others.

Free and open to all.

Registration is suggested as seating is limited and is available one month prior to the event.

Saturday, June 4
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
CT Yankee Chorus

The Connecticut Yankee Chorus is Connecticut’s premier men’s barbershop chorus. Throughout our more than 60 years together, we have brought the joy of a cappella music to the great people of Connecticut and beyond. We have consistently been recognized as a top chorus in the northeast at our annual contests.

?With song selections from rock 'n' roll to showtunes to patriotic, there is something for everyone at our performances.

?Our chorus is affiliated with the international Barbershop Harmony Society.

Sponsored by the Friends of Acton Library.

Free and open to all.

Registration is suggested as seating is limited and is available one month prior to the event.

Saturday, June 4
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
All ages - Read with Me

Stop by the library for a chance to read to a therapy dog! Families are welcome to read to either Henry, the Bernese Mountain dog, or Toby, the Labradoodle. Time slots are limited to 15 minutes per family and available on a first come, first served basis. Registration is not required.

Wednesday, June 1
10:30 a.m.
Wednesday Book Discussion Group

This group meets the first Wednesday of the month in the library.

This month's book is The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles.

Free and open to all.

Registration is suggested as seating is limited and is available one month prior to the event.

Tuesday, May 31
at 6:30 p.m.
Game Night: Blank Slate

Blank Slate is the clever party game where you try to predict what others are thinking. Everyone secretly writes a word that completes a phrase on the cue card, but choose your word carefully, you score the most points for matching words with only one other person. In this fun, easy to learn board game you get to think outside the box, but not too far or you won't match words with anyone. The player with the most points wins! 

Free and open to all.

Registration is suggested as seating is limited and is available one month prior to the event.

Thursday, May 26
at 10:30 a.m.
VIRTUAL - Genealogy Interest Group

Come explore your family roots! Meet with other patrons who are gathering information about their family trees and learn about the research databases that are available to you here at the library, including Ancestry Library Edition and FamilySearch.

Meetings are on 2nd & 4th Thursdays each month with the library's cataloger, Donna Tappin. Whether you are a beginner or have been researching for years, here is an opportunity to 'tune-up' your current research skills or learn something new about family history research.

Free and open to all.

Registration is required and is available one month prior to the event.

Wednesday, May 25
at 1:00 p.m.
Mystery Book Club

This group meets the fourth Wednesday of the month in the library.  This month's book is Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult.

Free and open to all.

No registration required.

Tuesday, May 24
at 6:30 p.m.
Cookbook Club: More Everyday Mexican

Check out a copy of the chosen cookbook for the month, make a recipe within the cookbook & bring it to the meeting for members to sample.  This is required to attend. 

This month's cookbook is More Mexican Everyday by Rick Bayless.

Free and open to all.

Registration is suggested as seating is limited and is available one month prior to the event.

Monday, May 23
at 3:30 p.m.
Foodie Fiction: The School of Essential Ingredients

This book club will feature fiction books that are centered around food & cooking.

This month's book is School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister.

Free and open to all.

Registration is suggested as seating is limited and is available one month prior to the event.

Saturday, May 21
at 2:00 p.m.
Jellyfish Pastel Workshop

Join Greg Maichack to create a jellyfish pastel painting.  All materials provided.

Free and open to all ages 14+.

Registration is suggested as seating is limited and is available one month prior to the event.

Tuesday, May 17
at 6:00 p.m.
Craft Night: Folded Book Bird House

Join Cindy to create a decorative bird house out of a discarded book (no measuring!).  Materials provided.

Free and open to all ages 14+.

Registration is suggested as seating is limited and is available one month prior to the event.

Monday, May 16
at 6:30 p.m.
Social Justice Book Discussion

Please join us for The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehesi Coates. We will be joined by Elijah Manning from Inclusive Education LLC who will help facilitate a lively and thoughtful conversation.  Copies of the book are available for checkout at the library!  We will make a Zoom link if people want to participate that way.

Free and open to all.

Registration is suggested as seating is limited and is available one month prior to the event.

Saturday, May 14
at 2:00 p.m.
2nd Saturday Cinema: Hackshaw Ridge

Join us for a movie on our 9 foot screen.

Hacksaw Ridge, 2016, rated R, 138 min.

Free and open to all.

Registration is suggested as seating is limited and is available one month prior to the event.

Saturday, May 14
at 10:30 a.m.
All ages - Walking Group

Join Cindy for a 45 min. walk around the neighborhood near the library.  Please wear comfortable shoes.

Free and open to all.

Registration is suggested and is available one month prior to the event.

Thursday, May 12
at 6:30 p.m.
Books on Tap Book Club

Join Lisa, Acton Library's Head of Circulation, to discuss Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart.

Free and open to all ages 21+.  This group will meet in the library this month.

Registration is suggested as seating is limited and is available one month prior to the event.

Thursday, May 12
at 5:30 p.m.
Knitting Group

This group meets 1st & 3rd Thursdays in the library.  Bring your own project to work on while enjoying the company of fellow knitters.

Free and open to all.

No registration necessary.

Thursday, May 12
appointments 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Book a Librarian: Tech Time with Emily

Need assistance using your laptop, iPad, Kindle or other device? Take advantage of Tech Time! Reserve a 20-minute one-on-one session with a tech savvy librarian to discuss your technology needs.

Appointments are available on Thursdays between 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM. 

Please note, this service is for educational purposes. We cannot fix your device.

Free and open to all.

Registration is suggested as seating is limited and is available one month prior to the event.

Wednesday, May 11
at 4:00  p.m.
Acton Compassion-Knits

This group, led by Acton Public Library staff members, will knit and/or crochet items to be donated to a cause.  Needles, yarn & patterns will be provided for charity projects.

You may also bring your own supplies to work on a project of your own.

Currently, hats and scarves are needed for Social Services.

Free and open to all.

No registration necessary.

Wednesday, May 11
at 10:30 a.m.
Phone Photography

Become a phone photography pro with this hands-on class. Bring your device and learn how to use filters, when to use the flash and how to share your photos.

Free and open to all.

Space is limited and registration is required.

Monday, May 9
at 6:30 p.m.
Book Talk: Murder at Pine Brook

Local author, Julianna Harris will discuss her book, Murder at Pine Brook: A Guilford Mystery.

Pine Brook Manor is THE retirement community in Guilford and Grace Reynolds decides to move there after the death of her brother-in-law...but with misgivings. She's worried about the cliques that flourish there and especially worried about encountering her former classmate, Millie Rooney, who has become Millicent Rogers, the social doyenne of Pine Brook. Turns out there are more than cliques to be worried about when a mysterious death occurs and robbery appears to be the motive!

Books will be available for purchase at the event.

Free and open to all.

Registration is suggested as seating is limited and will be available one month prior to the event.

Monday, May 9
appointments 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Tech Time with Brian

Need assistance using your laptop, iPad, Kindle or other device? Take advantage of Tech Time! Reserve a 20-minute one-on-one session with a tech savvy librarian to discuss your technology needs.

Appointments are available on Mondays between 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. 

Free and open to all.

Please note, this service is for educational purposes. We cannot fix your device.

ALL AGES - Pen Pal

Sign up to be a Pen-Pal and we will match you with another Pen-Pal.  Bring in or mail us your letter.  We will let you know when you have mail!  

Pen-Pal starter kits are available with registration.

Free and open to all.

Registration required.

ALL AGES - Community Seed Library - Now open to all.
Acton Public Library is pleased to announce the creation of a community seed library. The seed library will be a way for the community to learn about growing flowers, herbs and vegetables from a variety of seeds that have been generously donated by High Mowing Organic Seeds, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee Seed and Park Seeds. Seeds can be reserved starting March 1^st.  Patrons will have the opportunity to choose up to five different seed packets this season. First come – first serve. Please visit the Seed Library page on the website under Services for more information.