Bellingham Library Takes a Look at May

Hours:  Monday–Thursday, 10 am–8 pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10 am–5 pm. The library will be closed on Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day.

Staff Training Special Hours: On Thursday, May 14, the library will be open 1–8 pm only.  In the morning on that day our staff will benefit from customer-service training in digital resources and computer skills. A federal Library Services and Technology Act grant we received through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners in the amount of $10,000 will pay for trainers, supplies, equipment, and staff to attend training sessions.

Friends of the Library Book Sale:  Friday, May 15, 4–7 pm, members only pre-sale; join at the door, only $10!  Public Sale, Saturday, May 16, 9 am–3 pm.
We will be accepting donations of gently used books and DVDs through 8 pm on Thursday, May 14. We need fiction, nonfiction, biography for children, teens and adults as well as DVDs for all ages. We do not accept VHS tapes, textbooks or encyclopedia sets.

Featured Events for Adults

Using Age to Your Advantage While Job Seeking—Wednesday, May 6, 12–2 pm.  Professionals from Employment and Training Resources, a Massachusetts One-Stop Career Center, will be teaching techniques for using your age as an advantage rather than an obstacle when seeking employment. Registration is necessary. Call 781-769-4120 to register.

PPAL Parent/Caregiver Support Group— Tuesday, May 5, and 19, 5:30–7 pm. This is a confidential support group for parents, caregivers and family members who support children, youth and young adults with emotional, behavioral and/or mental health needs. The group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month.  For further information on PPAL go to www.ppal.net.  RSVP by email to [email protected].

Legal and Financial Strategies for the Recently Divorced— Thursday, May 7, 6:30 pm.  Presented by the Society of Financial Awareness. Registration required.

Featured Events for Young Adults

Free Comic Book Day—Saturday, May 2, 10am—5pm (for all ages). To pick up your free comic book provided by Friendly Neighborhood Comics, stop in at either the library or at Friendly Comics.

Doctor Who Marathon—Friday, May 8, 3—6 pm.  Ages 13 and up.  Come and watch 3 episodes of Doctor Who, featuring Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor.  Bring your own snacks. No registration required.

Animé Club—Monday, May 11, 3:30—5 pm (for ages 13-18).  Come and meet new friends, watch PG13 animé, and discuss the latest things in the animé world. No registration required.

YA Book Lovers Book Club—Tuesday, May 12, 6:30—7:30 pm. Calling all lovers of teen literature! If you like to read and talk about books, then join us on the second Tuesday of each month for fun discussions and a snack. This program is for adults and teens age 14 and older. We’ll read from different genres chosen by group members.  Please register if this is your first time attending.  
STEM (Science Technology, Engineering & Math) Programs: 3D Printer Training Workshops— learn about the operation of our 3D Printer and Sense 3D Scanner on Saturday, May 2, 10:30 am–12 pm, and Monday, May 18, 6:30–8 pm. For high school age and older; registration required.

Featured Events for Children

Cinco de Mayo Party—Tuesday, May 5, 4:15–5pm. For all ages. Vengan con nosotros a la biblioteca para una fiesta Mexicana. (Please register for this mucha fun program.)

Dental Health Story Time— Wednesday, May 13, 10:15–10:50 am. For ages 3–5 (younger siblings okay). Chestnut Dental in Franklin will be here to show kids how to best take care of their teeth. Topics include healthful snacks and what to expect at the dentist; there will also be goody bags. Please register.
 
Picnic Stories Have Resumed—Wednesdays, 12:30 pm, on the Town Common. It’s time to get outside and enjoy the spring weather (for families). Bring a picnic lunch and blanket and join us for music, stories, and games! Please register.

Mini-Golf at the Library—Wednesday, May 6, 10:15–11:15 am; Thursday, May 7, 10:15–11:15 am, and 1–2 pm; and Monday, May 18, 4–5 pm. The Community Room will be set up as a miniature golf course, so stop by to play a round or two. Free of charge; no registration necessary.

Fancy Nancy Party—Wednesday, May 20, and Thursday, May 21, 10:15–11 am (for preschoolers). Boys and girls: come dressed to impress because the party will be splendidly fabulous. Please register so we know how many to expect.

Homeschool Library Skills— Wednesday, May 13, 2–3 pm. For homeschoolers ages 5–9 with little or no knowledge of library functions. During this informative lesson, kids will learn how items are cataloged and how to find what they are looking for in the library. Includes a special “behind-the-scenes” tour. Please register.

Schedule of Ongoing Events

Ring-A-Ding— Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:15 am.  For ages 0–5. A musical and play story time (drop in). No Ring a Ding on May 15, 26 and 29.

Lego Build— Wednesdays at 4 pm (for preschool/elementary school age; drop in).

Book Babies—Tuesdays, 11:15 am, and Wednesdays, 9:30 am, through May 13 (for ages 0–23 months). Registration required.

Tail Waggin’ Tutors— Mondays, May 4, 11 and 18, 6:30 pm. Preschool & elementary-age kids are invited to read with Indy, our certified reading dog.  Four 15-minute sessions; please register.

Artrageous—Thursday, May 21, 4:15 pm.  Grades K–6. Stop by to make a Memorial Day craft project or two. Please register.

After School Café—Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 2:30–4 pm (for middle/high schoolers). Join us in the Community Room for after-school games, crafts and fun.
Be sure to check our featured events for young adults.

For Adults

• Library Trustees Meeting—Thurs., May 14, 7 pm.
• Friends of the Library Mtg.— Mon., May 4, 7 pm.
• Book Discussion Group— Monday, May 4, 6:30 pm. We will be discussing 700 Sundays by Billy Crystal. New members always welcomed!
• Bellingham Skein Artists—Adult knitting group meets on Thurs., 6:30 pm; new members welcomed!