Special Events

We have two wonderful children's authors events coming up in May. Scroll down for more information! 

Local Author Visit with Cathy Steinquest
*For Ages 3-7
Saturday, May 6 @ 10:30am

Author Visit with Saadia Faruqi
*For ages 5 and up
Monday, May 8 @ 5:30pm

Adult Programs

We have in person, hybrid or virtual programs! Please click on the link to receive the zoom information if its online. Check your spam folder if you don't see the confirmation in your inbox. 

Royal Coronation Craftaganza--Fascinators!
Tuesday, May 2 @ 6:30pm

We’re making fascinators to celebrate King Charles' Coronation, scheduled for Sat May 6th. Join us for an evening of creating your own royal fascinator and then be wear it for our Coronation High Tea on Saturday, May 6th at 1pm. We'll have everything you need to make yourself a fabulous fashion statement to wear to the big event.

A Royal Coronation High Tea
Saturday, May 6 @ 1pm

We're celebrating King Charles' Coronation! To commemorate this historic day, we are serving High Tea! So, break out your fancy duds, bring your own fancy teacup, stick your pinky up in the air, and join us!

We'll provide tea and lovely British snacks. If the coronation has already happened, we'll watch a recording of it on the big screen. 

This Week

Virtual: How I Used Gen Research & DNA Testing To Find My Birth Parents
Monday, May 1 @ 7pm
Author Rebecca Daniels will offer a presentation based on her new book, "Finding Sisters: How One Adoptee Used DNA Testing and Determination to Uncover Family Secrets and Find Her Birth Family".

Virtual: The Glories of Newport -- A Look Into Those Magnificent Mansions
Tuesday, May 2 @ 10:30am
This illustrated talk takes us into some of the grandest rooms ever created in this country…a world away and yet so close! 

Virtual: Inside FDR's Banking Reforms with The FDR Presidential Library
Tuesday, May 2 @ 2pm
This session explores the dramatic actions taken by FDR to prevent the collapse of America’s banking system during his first week as president.

Virtual: Retired ATF Agent Recounts Explosive True Crime Gun, Bombing & Arson Cases
Tuesday, May 2 @ 7pm
Retired ATF Special Agent Wayne M. Miller will give a presentation based on his new book, "BANG BOOM BURN---Explosive True Crime Gun, Bombing and Arson Cases from a Federal Agent’s Career".

Virtual: Explore The Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
Wednesday, May 3 @ 12pm
Explore the place where European iron makers brought their special skills to a young Massachusetts colony. Saugus Iron Works is a twelve-acre National Historic Site that includes working waterwheels, forges, mills, a historic 17th century home, and a lush river basin. 

Virtual - Environmental Book Club Wednesday, May 3 @ 6:30pm
Read “Inconspicuous Consumption: The Environmental Impact You Don't Know You Have" by Tatiana Schlossberg

Virtual: What's Wrong With My House Plant?
Thursday, May 4 @ 2pm
Learn the factors that make for happy houseplants, including light, water, and soil...and how to provide them.

HYBRID - Romance Book Club
Thursday, May 4 @ 6:30pm
Read Historical Romances

The Garden of Words: A Writing Workshop
Friday, May 5 @ 10:30am
Join us to put into writing your story or come to commune with other budding authors as we learn how to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard :).

Next Week

Virtual: Immigration Policy Updates and the Work Ahead: An Introductory Series
Monday, May 8 @ 7pm
Panelists will hold a discussion on some of the changes that have occurred over the past year and what MIRA Coalition’s advocacy is focused on for the future.

Virtual: Lioness of Boston -- The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner
Monday, May 8 @ 7pm
"The Lioness of Boston" is a deeply evocative novel of the life of Isabella Stewart Gardner, a daring visionary who created an inimitable legacy in American art and transformed the city of Boston itself.

Virtual - Best Bike Rides in New England with Author David Sobel
Tuesday, May 9 @ 7pm
Sobel will reveal three of his favorite rides, discuss the variables he uses when designing a ride, & explain how to design rides using online tools.

Virtual: Explore The Adams National Historical Park
Wednesday, May 10 @ 12pm
Adams National Historical Park is the story of “heroes, statesman, philosophers … and learned women” whose ideas and actions helped to transform thirteen disparate colonies into one united nation

Gardening Around Our Town
*For Older Teens and Adults
Wednesday, May 10 @ 6pm
Join us for an evening of fun as we learn about gardening trainings and courses available and see examples of gardening going on around Town.

Mystery Book Club
Wednesday, May 10 @ 6:30pm
Read Any Book by Jonathan Kellerman

Virtual: Ashland Adult Book Club
Wednesday, May 10 @ 6:30pm
Read "The Professor and the Madman"

Virtual: First City on Mars -- An Urban Planner’s Guide to Settling the Red Planet
Thursday, May 11 @ 2pm
To make living on Mars a reality, we need of conceptual tools in our belt -- particularly, a rich knowledge of city planning and design.

Art for Adults with Nancy Atkinson
Thursday, May 11 @ 6:30pm
Nancy will teach us drawing techniques with different mediums, papers, and ideas. We hope you can join us and up your artistry game.

Virtual: How World War II Led To Medical Advancements In America
Thursday, May 11 @ 7pm
Take a riveting look at how World War II prompted rival surgeons to try new techniques and innovate novel operations to save lives in post-war America.

Weekly ELL Classes with Hopkinton Library

These weekly classes alternates between in person and online. Contact the group leader for information on joining for the meetings. We are happy to be collaborating with the Hopkinton Public Library for this series!  

Beginner ELL Conversation Circle
Thursdays at 2pm

Advanced ELL Conversation Circle
Fridays at 11am

Contact Janet Fannon to join either session
[email protected]

Knitting

Saturday Knit & Crochet Club

Saturdays at 2pm

Monday Knit & Crochet Club

Mondays at 6pm

Children's Programs

Unless otherwise specified, all programs are in-person walk-in. There may be room capacity limits for some, though, so come early! 

Local Author Visit with Cathy Steinquest
*For Ages 3-7
Saturday, May 6 @ 10:30am

Local author, Cathy Stenquist, will read her book Forever Home (about adopting pets from Baypath Humane in Hopkinton) and talk to the kids about Community Helpers.

Author Visit with Saadia Faruqi
*For ages 5 and up
Monday, May 8 @ 5:30pm

Saadia Faruqi is a Pakistani American author and Ashland is her only library stop on this book tour! She writes the children’s early reader series Yasmin and other books for children, including her new book, "Marya Khan And The Fabulous Jasmine Garden". We hope you can join us for this special event!

Books will be available from Aesop's Fable for purchase and signing. Kids are welcome to bring books from home for signing as well. 

Bi-Monthly Recurring

Lego Club
*For Kids Age 5 & Up
Thursday, May 4 @ 4pm
Each child will be given a box filled with an assortment of Lego blocks to build a creation using only what's inside the box within the 45 minute time limit.

Bi-Monthly Recurring

Read to a Dog with Knives and Machete 
*Really the dogs names
Thursday, May 11 @ 6pm
Children with some reading ability will have the chance to read to one of our registered therapy dogs for 10 minutes. 

Recurring Programs

Monday Afternoon Story and Craft
*For Ages 4-7
Mondays @ 4pm
Stop into the children's room as we read a story and do a related craft project.

Project ABC Play, Learn, and Grow Group
*for Ages 0 to 5
Tuesdays @ 11am
Registration is Required
This program is limited to 20 people in the storytime room. 

PJ Story Time with Ryan (and his stuffed animals!)
Tuesdays @ 5:30pm
Come in your pajamas, and bring your favorite stuffed animals! We will read stories about a different stuffed animal every week. 

More Recurring Programs

(Hybrid) - Lapsit
*Infants, Toddlers &  Caregivers
Wednesdays @ 10:30am
Please register to receive the zoom link if joining us online.

Friday Afternoon Story and Craft
*For Ages 4-7
Fridays @ 4pm
Stop into the children's room as we read a story and do a related craft project.

Saturday Story Time
*For Ages 3 and up
Saturday, 13 @ 10:30am
Come listen to Ryan read some of his favorite stories aloud!

Visit our website calendar for all of the details.

Crafty Saturdays! 
Saturdays 10am-3pm

Drop in on Saturdays in the Children's Room and find a different craft to do every week! 

Teen Programs

If you're in 8th grade or higher (aged 13 or up) and want to keep up-to-date on events, be the first to know about new books coming in, and have easy access to library resources, join our Discord server!

Program Videos

Check out the library's YouTube Channel! We are recording many of our programs so subscribe today so you don't miss out. No new recording events from last week but we have a lot coming up! 

This History of Bob Marley
Available until Thursday, May 4^th

Explore The Salem Maritime National Historic Site

Art in the Library

Upstairs Display Case
“My Resin Realm”
by Lisa
April 4- June 17, 2023

Stay tuned for pics! 

Coming Soon: 

Art by Jim Eng

May 2023