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Hopedale - Local Town Pages

Bancroft Memorial Library

Feb 24, 2026 12:27PM ● By Chuck Tashjian

50 Hopedale Street, Hopedale MA 01747

Contact: Keely Bethel-Penny, Library Director 

(508) 634-2209

[email protected]

www.bancroftmemoriallibrary.org


For more information on any programs or to register, please call (508) 634-2209 for assistance or check the Event Calendar at www.bancroftmemoriallibrary.org.

Library News

Helen Symonds Book Group – Wednesday, March 4th at 1:00pm

The group will be discussing The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon.

Community Conversations – Wednesday, March 4th at 6:30pm

Community Conversations will meet to discuss “Increasing Local Engagement.”  This meeting can be attended via Zoom; email [email protected] to request the link.

Get help with Jenna – Tuesday, March 10th from 10:30am-12:30pm

Need help with applications or support services? Jenna, a Community Health Worker with the Blackstone Valley Partnership for Public Health, can assist with MassHealth, Fuel Assistance, Medicare, past-due bills, and more. She works with the Hopedale Board of Health and has extensive healthcare experience. Schedule a free 30-minute appointment via the Library’s online Event Calendar or call (508) 634-2209 for assistance.

Drop in Cribbage – Fridays 3/6, 3/13, 3/20 & 3/27 at 1:30pm

Join us in the Program Room where we offer a relaxed, come-when-you-can atmosphere to enjoy friendly games with players of all levels.

BVPL Cribbage Tournament – Wednesday, March 18th from 5:30pm-7:30pm 

We are hosting the next Blackstone Valley Public Libraries Cribbage Tournament!  Registration is mandatory, please call (508) 634-2209 for assistance or check the Event Calendar at www.bancroftmemoriallibrary.org. 

Maker Monday – Monday, March 23rd at 6:00pm

This month the adult crafting workshop is 3D Book Art, where pages of books are carefully folded to create words, shapes, or patterns without cutting the pages. Registration is required.

News from the Friends of the Hopedale Library:

Make It So: The Science of Star Trek – Monday, March 9th at 6:30pm

In 1964, a science fiction show premiered that would boldly go where no show had gone before, not only inspired by the science of the day but encouraging generations of scientists to make their own discoveries. Join us as Geek Girl (Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe) talks about the real science that influenced the many versions of Star Trek, and the scientific breakthroughs that Star Trek helped to later inspire. Registration is required.

Cybersecurity and Scams  –  Wednesday, March 25h at 5:00pm

In today’s digital world, scams and cyber threats are everywhere - from phishing emails to fake websites and malicious apps. Staying vigilant can protect your personal information, finances, and devices. Join us for a presentation from Hopedale Technologies with practical tips on how to stay safe online and avoid scams. Registration is required.

Free Seed Library! 

Stop by and get free seeds from our Seed Library. There is no limit! If you don't need a full packet, there are smaller envelopes available to take what you need.  Sponsored by The Friends of the Hopedale Library.

Accepting Books Donations – March 18th 5:30-7:30pm and March 21st 10am-12pm

The Friends of the Hopedale Library would love your like-new books for our Ongoing Book Sale. Children’s books of any age are welcome. Due to space constraints, we ask that adult fiction and non-fiction be PUBLISHED within the past 10 years. Unfortunately, we cannot accept old books, textbooks, or cookbooks. We depend on books in saleable condition to raise money to support our programming.

Ongoing Book Sale

Did you know that you can shop our Ongoing Book Sale anytime the library is open? We offer a selection of adult and children’s titles, and even puzzles! You can find the sale area downstairs just outside the Program room.  All monies raised go back to the Bancroft Memorial Library to pay for children's and adult programs, museum passes, and other expenses not covered by the library budget.

125th Anniversary Glass Suncatcher Fundraiser

Celebrate Bancroft Memorial Library’s 125th Anniversary by purchasing a commemorative glass ornament featuring the Library.  These handcrafted ornaments by Becker Glass are available in blue and clear for $15. To purchase, simply stop by the Library. Cash and checks will be accepted. Any checks should be made out to The Friends of the Hopedale Library.

About the Friends of the Library

Founded in 1983, the Friends of the Hopedale Library is a volunteer non-profit that supports the Library by funding equipment, materials, and programs beyond the regular budget. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month, September - June, at 6:30pm. New members and ideas are always welcome!

News from the Marjorie Hattersley Children's Room:

Seuss-tastic Celebration! – Saturday, March 7th from 11:00am - 1:00pm 

Let's celebrate Dr. Seuss! Drop in for some silly fun and games and win some prizes!

Tummy Time Play – Tuesdays 3/3, 3/10 & 3/17, 3/24 & 3/31 at 10:00am, ages 0-18 months

Join us for some infant fun in a safe environment! There are fun, developmentally appropriate toys that encourage gross motor development.  Drop in!

Toddler Tunes  – Thursdays 3/5, 3/12, 3/19 & 3/26 at 10:00am, ages 18 mos– 3 years

This program is perfect for energetic toddlers!  Along with a story, we will work on gross motor skills and play with balls, a parachute, instruments, bean bags, scarves and more. Drop in!

Builder Saturday – Saturday, March 14th from 10:00am-1:00pm

If you love Legos, we’ve got thousands to play with!  Use our Legos to create a masterpiece that we can put on display for all to see. Drop in and all ages welcome.

Sunny the Reading Dog and Mrs. Poisson – Monday, March 16th 3:30-4:30pm

Visit with Sunny the Reading dog and Mrs. Poisson from BBC, the human he has claimed! Drop in for a story and read a story to Sunny too. All ages are welcome!

Movie Matinee – Saturday, March  21st from 11:00am-1:00pm

Join us for a movie at the Library!  Bring some snacks, a cozy blanket, get comfy and enjoy a family friendly flick!

Volunteer Saturdays for High School Students – Saturday, March 28th 11:00am-1:00pm

Each month there will be an opportunity for high school students to earn 2 hours of volunteer time from 11am - 1pm. Registration is required.

Genre Book Club – All ages

Join the Genre Book Club and create your own bookmark with a cable ring. Read any book you choose on your own schedule; after each finished book, stop by the Children’s Room to collect a genre badge. The club has no scheduled meetings, is open to all and can be joined at any time.

Reading Dragons: A Card Game Reading Club – All ages

Reading Dragons allows readers to earn collectible dragon cards through logged reading time. Every 30 minutes recorded on a Time Tracker earns one card, and completing two hours earns all four stages of a dragon. The card game can be played with friends as additional dragons are earned. Readers are invited to add book recommendations as “Book Scales” to the dragon display in the Program Room. The program runs on a rolling basis and can be joined at any time.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

Bancroft Memorial Library offers the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program for young families and early readers. At registration, you will be provided a starting kit with a library book bag, cable for achievement tags, program information, suggested book list and a log for books 1–100. Every 100 books read earns a tag for the cable, and reaching 1,000 books earns a lawn sign celebrating the achievement. This program runs on a rolling basis and can be joined anytime.

B.A.S.H. (Bancroft After School Hangout) – Grades 4-6

A drop-in after-school program, Monday–Thursday, 2:30–4:00 PM. Kids can play games, use laptops, or do arts and crafts in a safe, social environment. Students must be able to reach a parent/guardian and follow Library rules.

For updates throughout the month, Friend us on Facebook and sign up at www.wowbrary.org to discover the Library’s newest books, movies and music. Our webpage is www.bancroftmememoriallibrary.org