The Library will be closed Saturday, September 3rd through Monday, September 5th in observance of Labor Day Weekend. 

Featured: 

Minuteman Library Crawl 2024

Wednesday, August 7 10-5pm

We invite you to spend a day visiting local libraries – find out what is special about each and what they have to offer to you and your family. This is an event for all ages – all you need is a love of libraries and a way to get from place to place (feet, bikes, cars, llamas :) !

The challenge is to visit as many libraries as you can and take a picture of yourself with a designated item in each library – it’s a 21st century scavenger hunt! Post your pics and tag the libraries #mlncrawl2024. Each library will have handouts and giveaways – show your pictures to a librarian (or if you don’t have a camera, just tell a librarian you’re on the crawl, we’re pretty trusting) and receive a PRIZE!

Download your “passport” with all of the relevant information.

Adult:

Virtual: The Quiet & Colorful World Of Vermeer

Thursday, August 1 @ 10:30am

Let’s study Johannes Vermeer’s quiet, luminous interiors that seem to capture the daily life of ordinary people in his hometown of Delft. Learn the latest insights into this beloved but enigmatic artist.

HYBRID - Romance Book Club

Thursday, August 1 @ 6:30pm

Read a Brazilian Romance

Virtual - Eyeliner: A Cultural History with Zahra Hankir

Thursday, August 1 @ 7pm 

Through intimate reporting and conversations—with nomads in Chad, geishas in Japan, dancers in India, drag queens in New York, and more—Eyeliner embraces the rich history and significance of its namesake, especially among communities of color. 

Virtual: Adult Trivia Night -- ‘How Did You Know That?’ Edition

Friday, August 2 @ 7pm

Test your knowledge by answering 60 trivia questions (four rounds of 15). Recruit some teammates or play solo -- the choice is yours! Be prepared to answer a hodgepodge of general knowledge trivia questions. 

In Person - Afternoon Tea with Author Luanne Rice

Saturday, August 3 @ 2pm

We are so excited to welcome women’s fiction and mystery writer, Luanne Rice, to Ashland! Join us for a cuppa tea while we chat with this icon of literature. Ask all of your burning questions or just sit back, relax, and enjoy the conversation. We’ll be chatting about all of Luanne’s books, but especially her most recent, “Last Night” - ‘a breathtaking thriller about a family shaken by lies, vengeance, and a cold-blooded crime.’ How could you resist!?!?

Mystery Book Club Special Event

Saturday, August 3 @ 2pm

Read “Last Night” and Meet Author Luanne Rice

Virtual: Armchair Travel To French Wine Regions

Tuesday, August 6 @ 10:30am

France has 17 different wine regions, each with unique wines, history, and a strong cultural identity. Explore the sites and wines of Provence, Cote du Rhone, and Burgundy. The wines are excellent, and the residents are very welcoming.

Virtual - “50 Hikes in Eastern Massachusetts” with Author Madeline Bilis (Take Two)

Tuesday, August 6 @ 7pm

We had so much fun talking with author Madeline Bilis about her book “50 Hikes in Eastern Massachusetts” last year, that we just had to do it again! This time, we’ll focus on coastal view walks. Maybe we can even get Madeline to discuss her favorite pizza shops along the way. As you gear up for the end of summer, you won’t want to miss this!

Virtual - Environmental Book Club

Wednesday, August 7 @ 6:30pm

Read “The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet” by Jeff Goodell

Virtual - Author Kirsten Mills Discusses “Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books”

Thursday, August 8 @ 7pm

Join us for this discussion with author Kirsten Miller. Her book “Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books” is “a provocative and hilarious summer read that will have book lovers cheering and everyone talking! Kirsten Miller, author of ‘The Change’, brings us a bracing, wildly entertaining satire about a small Southern town, a pitched battle over banned books, and a little lending library that changes everything.” In a day when this topic can rip people apart, learn how one small community was able to come together - it’s fictional but, maybe, hopeful, too!

Virtual: Whole Body Anatomical Donation Discussion with Robert Bouchie

Thursday, August 8 @ 7pm

Join Robert Bouchie, Boston University’s School of Medicine’s Anatomical Lab director for an informative talk regarding the history, practice, ethics, and legalities of whole body anatomical donation.

Virtual - Friday Night Film Discussion 

Friday, August 9 @ 7pm

Watch “The Bélier Family” (Kanopy)

Cookbook Club

Saturday, August 10 @ 12pm

Cook from”Istanbul & Beyond: Exploring the Diverse Cuisines of Turkey” by Robyn Eckhardt

Virtual: Armchair Travel To Corsica

Tuesday, August 13 @ 10:30am

Travel to Corsica, the jewel of the Mediterranean. Mountains and beaches beckon travelers. Politically, it is a French Department. Historically, it is tied to Genoa. Corsica is a free spirit in the Ligurian Sea with a French Mediterranean flavor and a Genoese nod. The combination of culture and scenery make it a very interesting destination.

Virtual - Book Recs with Bookstagrammer Jody Blanchette aka @redreadreviews

Tuesday, August 13 @ 7pm

Not sure what to read next? Join Jody for 30 minutes of pure book recommendations - with a bent towards horror and thrillers and a few other genres thrown in! We’re sure you’ll find something to like from Jody’s many enthusiastic reviews.

Virtual: Bald Eagles On The Rise with the Mass Audubon

Wednesday, August 14 @ 10:30am

Learn the natural history and life cycle of bald eagle as well as the historic restoration project in Massachusetts resulting in a healthy population and removal of endangered species status.

Virtual: Summer Adventures -- Art Colonies In New England

Thursday, August 15 @ 10:30am

Explore eight late-19th and early-20th century summer art colonies across New England: Provincetown and Cape Ann in Massachusetts; North Conway and Cornish in New Hampshire; Old Lyme and Cos Cob in Connecticut; and Ogunquit and Monhegan Island in Maine. 

Great Decisions

Thursday, August 15 @ 6:30pm

Discuss Understanding Indonesia

Virtual - Q&A with Author Sean O’Connell: “Bruce Willis: Celebrating the Cinematic Legacy of an Unbreakable Hollywood Icon”

Monday, August 19 @ 7pm

On a nondescript Wednesday morning in the waning days of March 2023, one of the biggest movie stars on the planet called it quits. No press conference had been organized, the Hollywood trades received no advance notice, and there was a conspicuous lack of the fanfare that usually accompanies such bombshell announcements. Instead, the news that Bruce Willis was retiring from acting came in a simple statement on his ex-wife Demi Moore’s Instagram page—along with the tragic news that Willis was suffering from aphasia, a cognitive disorder that subsequently worsened to become frontotemporal dementia. Join us as we discuss Bruce’s life, work, and future with author Sean O’Connell. We will also be discussing the essential question - is “Die Hard” a Christmas movie or not? Join us to weigh in!

Virtual: Author Talk: Sharon Kitchens discusses “Stephen King’s Maine: A History & Guide”

Tuesday, August 20 @ 7pm

Drawing on historical materials and conversations with locals and people who know King, learn about the places that would become the settings for Carrie, Salem’s Lot, The Dead Zone, Cujo, IT, and 11/22/63.

Bio/Memoir Book Club

Wednesday, August 21 @ 11am

Read ‘In Love’ by Amy Bloom

Half-Past Crafts: Citrus Coasters

Wednesday, August 21 @ 6:30pm

A beginner-friendly sewing craft that looks adorable and summery!

HYBRID: Summer Scares First Bite: SUCH SHARP TEETH & HORROR FOR WEENIES with authors Rachel Harrison and Emily C. Hughes

Wednesday, August 21 @ 7pm

We are so pleased to be partnering with the Boxborough Public Library to bring you this program as part of this year’s Summer Scares. We welcome authors Rachel Harrison and Emily C. Hughes for a discussion about gateways to the horror genre and how entwined horror is in popular culture. Hughes first book, “Horror For Weenies”, is forthcoming in September with detailed information on 25 of the most popular horror movies written in an accessible and approachable manner ‘for people who love getting the reference but hate being scared.’

Virtual: The Indigenous Old World -- An Exploration of Pre-Colombian North America

Wednesday, August 21 @ 7pm

North America was a place filled with cities, towns, and villages. Across the continent, Indigenous peoples produced architecture and monumental construction. The ancient and medieval communities of North America were fed by agriculture. Moreover, Indigenous Americans actively managed their environment and participated in long distance exchange networks.

Virtual - Debut Romance Author Danica Nava Discusses “The Truth According to Ember”

Thursday, August 22 @ 7pm 

We are so excited to be chatting with debut romance author, Danica Nava, about her book “The Truth According to Ember” - in which a Chickasaw woman who can’t catch a break serves up a little white lie that snowballs into much more in this witty and irresistible rom-com. As the lazy, hazy days of summer wind to an end, we hope you can join us for what will be a fantastic discussion!

Virtual - Friday Night Film Discussion

Friday, August 23 @ 7pm

Watch  “The Great Dictator” (Kanopy)

Virtual: Armchair Travel To Greece (Rhodes & Symi) With The Traveling Librarian

Tuesday, August 27 @ 10:30am

Travel to Rhodes and Symi, two jewels of the Dodecanese islands in the eastern Aegean, both of which captivate visitors with their distinct charms. Rhodes boasts a rich history, its ancient ruins and medieval Old Town echoing tales of knights and ancient civilizations. Meanwhile, tiny nearby Symi enchants with its colorful neoclassical architecture cascading down hillsides to azure waters below. 

Virtual: Wildflowers & Insects with the Mass Audubon

Wednesday, August 28 @ 10:30am

Learn how these organisms interact and their importance in the ecosystems we live in.

Virtual: Henri Matisse -- Master of Color, Magician of Modernism

Thursday, August 29 @ 10:30am

Examine Matisse’s extraordinary life and many of his important works. His friend and sometime rival Pablo Picasso once said,” All things considered, there is only Matisse.”

Adult Weekly:

Knit and Crochet Club

Mondays @ 6pm

Walk-In

ESL Conversation Group

Mondays @ 6:30pm 

Walk-In

Gentle Yoga

No Yoga in August, Judy will be back in Sept!

Children: 

The Whalemobile! 

*for ages 5 and up

Thursday, August 1 @ 4pm

Registration is Required and Space is Limited

Cynde McInnis, owner of The Whalemobile, will be bringing her life-sized (43 ft.) inflatable whale, Nile, to the Ashland Public Library! Children will meet Nile, a 37-year old humpback whale whom McInnis has seen almost every summer since 1994 off the coast of Massachusetts. They can go inside of the inflatable whale and learn about how whales are similar and different to humans. Kids will learn about Nile’s migratory path, how many calves she’s had, as well as how researchers learned this information. Artifacts such as baleen, teeth and bones are available for children to see and feel. At the end of the presentation, they will be encouraged to become Playground Protectors and see how much trash they can collectively pick up this summer!

Atlantic White Shark Conservancy

Thursday, August 15 @ 2pm

*For kids entering kindergarten through 6th grade

Registration is Required

We’re crazy about sharks at the library! Join AWSC for this interactive and educational event. Kids will complete puzzles and activities designed to teach them about the life and growth of these amazing underwater predators. They’ll continue their investigation by exploring the similarities and differences between sharks and other whales, bony fish, seals and more. 

Teacher Tales is Back!: Come to Story Times at the Ashland Library for a Read-Aloud with Teachers from Mindess and Warren Schools!

Joanne Forrest

Monday, August 12 @ 10:30am

Steffie Turcotte

Monday, August 12 @ 3pm

 Meghan Robshaw

Monday, August 12 @ 6:30pm

Teacher Tales and Math Activities with Taryn Marquez

Monday, August 19 @ 6pm

Chrissy Clifford

Tuesday, August 20 @ 6pm

Shannon Mackay

Wednesday, August 21 @ 6pm

Leigh Tripp

Thursday, August 22 @ 6pm

Flicknic: Families are invited to beat the summer heat for a series of special movie events!  Bring your picnic blanket and lunch to enjoy while you watch a movie on our big screen! No registration required.

Flicknic: The Little Mermaid

Friday, August 2 @ 12pm

The youngest of King Triton’s daughters, Ariel is a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. Longing to find out more about the world beyond the sea, Ariel visits the surface and falls for the dashing Prince Eric. Following her heart, she makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to experience life on land. (Live Action version)

Flicknic: Under the Boardwalk

Thursday, August 8 @ 12pm

Two crabs embark on an epic journey to get home after a storm sweeps them away. Their courage soon unites their families, paving the way for great summers to come.

Read to a Dog with Knives and Machete 

(yes, those really are the dogs’ names!)

*For kids who are reading on their own

Saturday, August 10 @ 1:30pm

Saturday, August 24 @ 1:30pm

Children with some reading ability will have the chance to read to one of our registered therapy dogs for 10 minutes.

Ashland STEM Camp

*For kids entering grades K-5

Saturday, August 3 @ 11am

Saturday, August 10 @ 11am

Saturday, August 17 @ 11am

A high school student-run summer camp that ignites curiosity with interactive exhibits, hands-on experiments, new innovations and take-home activities. 

Weekly Storytimes:

Clocktown Rockers! 

*For ages 2-5 with a caregiver

Tuesdays at 10:30-11am

Join Miss Katrina for this new music and movement program! We’ll dance to favorite kids’ tunes, have fun with instruments and other props, and read a story, all while building your child’s early literacy and executive function skills. 

Storytime Sprouts 

* For ages 0-3 with a caregiver

Wednesdays @ 10:30am

Join us for a fun and interactive story time filled with singing, reading, bounces, fingerplays, puppets, instruments, and more! This engaging program is designed to introduce young children to the joys of literature and music while promoting early literacy skills.

Teen:

Dungeons and Dragons 

*Ages 12-18 Only

Mondays @ 5-7pm

Registration is Required

Join the most famous roleplaying game at the Ashland Public Library!

Teen Trivia Night

Wednesday, August 28 @ 5pm

Prove your speed and smarts at Teen Trivia Night! Bring your phone to play our trivia quiz, earning points for how fast you

answer correctly. August’s theme is Final Jeopardy! Each month we will have new trivia topics and new winners. Play each month to keep a points total for a chance to win our grand prize!!

Friends of the Ashland Public Library Donation Day & Mini Book Sale!

Saturday, August 3 @ 10-1pm

Customers for all our sales will find thousands of titles on the permanent sales shelves including hard and soft cover fiction (all alphabetized by author for ease of shopping), a wide selection of history and politics titles, health and family living books, plus memoirs, biographies, and loads of additional titles, all arranged by genre. An entire section of the Book Sale Room is arranged for children to browse and select from a huge collection of board books, picture books, easy readers, and chapter books.

To keep the shelves stocked with fresh selections, the Friends accept donations in the library parking lot of gently used books, audio books and DVDs. Friends volunteers will be available to assist donors during this time. There is also a cart in the mezzanine lobby for donations at any time during library hours.

Proceeds from these monthly book sales and all fundraising efforts made by the Friends fund 100% of children, teen, and adult programs, our wonderful Museum Passes, and so much more!