Bancroft Memorial Library
50 Hopedale Street,
Hopedale MA 01747
Contact: Keely Bethel-Penny, Library Director
508-634-2209
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
The Library will be Closed on Saturday, May 23 and Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day.
Helen Symonds Book Group – Wednesday, May 6 at 1 p.m.
The group will be discussing The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson.
Community Conversations – Wednesday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Community Conversations will meet to discuss “The Iran War.” This meeting can be attended via Zoom; email [email protected] to request the link.
Get help with Jenna – Tuesday, May 12 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
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 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22 & 5/29 at 1:30 p.m.
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, May 13 at 5:30 p.m.
Represent Hopedale at the next Blackstone Valley Public Libraries Cribbage Tournament at Shrewsbury Public Library! Registration is mandatory, please call the hosting Library to register.
Maker Monday – Monday, May 18 at 6 p.m.
This month the adult crafting workshop will be making a Rag Wreath. This wreath is a simple, no-sew decorative wreath made by tying fabric strip - often scraps or rags - onto a wire or foam frame. Registration is required.
News from the Friends of the Hopedale Library:
A Special Fundraising Event: Medium Ellen Henry – Saturday, May 16 at 2 p.m.
Join us for a mediumship demonstration with Ellen Henry. Ellen will discuss the nature of mediumship and share messages with the group. Please note that attendance does not guarantee a personal reading. Tickets are required for this event and are $20 each. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Library, or online through the Library’s website. To buy tickets online, visit the Event Calendar and click on the specific event date; the purchase link will be included within the full event listing. PLEASE NOTE: This event will be held at the Hopedale Unitarian Parish at 65 Hopedale Street. Attendance is limited to 100 people.
Dairy Queen Fundraiser – Thursday, May 28 from 5 - 8 p.m.
Ice cream for a cause! Stop by Dairy Queen at 190 West Street in Milford between 5 – 8 p.m., grab your favorite cold treat, and 10% of the proceeds will go to the Friends of the Hopedale Library. Sweet treats, sweet support!
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.
Ongoing Book Sale
Support the library by shopping our ongoing sale located downstairs outside the Program Room. We offer adult and children’s books, as well as puzzles. All proceeds fund library programs, museum passes, and other expenses not covered by the regular budget.
Commemorative Glass Suncatchers
Celebrate the Bancroft Memorial Library's 125th Anniversary with a handcrafted suncatcher by Becker Glass. These are available in blue or clear for $15 (cash or check). They make excellent gifts for Mother’s Day and upcoming graduations.
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 6:30 p.m. New members and ideas are always welcome!
News from the Marjorie E. Hattersley Children's Room:
SAVE THE DATE! Summer Reading 2026 registration begins Monday, June 1! We will officially kick things off with a petting zoo on Monday, June 22. For full details, check out the Event Calendar on the Library website.
May Craft – Saturday, May 2 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Drop in the Library to make a bouquet of paper flowers for Mother’s Day!
Family Support Night – Monday, May 11 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Family Support Night is a program intended to help families navigate and use the resources we offer in ways that support, enrich, assist and/or entertain our patrons. This event will focus on Beating the Summer Slump and we will explore resources available through the Library website, such as Bookflix, Scholastic GO!, Scholastic Teachables, Pebble Go!, Gale Children, Educate Station. This is a drop in program and is intended for parents only.
Tummy Time Play – Tuesdays 5/5, 5/12, 5/19 & 5/26 at 10 a.m., 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 5/7, 5/14, 5/21 & 5/28 at 10 a.m., ages 18 months – 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, May 9 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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, May 18 3 - 4 p.m.
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!
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.
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
