Reminder: The Library will be closed on Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day. The Library will also be open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25 and closed on Thursday, Nov. 26 for Thanksgiving.  

For more information or to register for programs, please visit the Library’s online Event Calendar at www.bancroftmemoriallibrary.org or call the Library at 508-634-2209

Community Conversations – Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Community Conversations will meet in the Program Room for a new series on Getting to Know Hopedale’s Town Boards, and will welcome members from the Conservation Commission.

Helen Symonds Book Club – Wednesday, Nov. 4 from 1 p.m.–2:30 p.m. The Helen Symonds Book Group will meet in the Program Room to review The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton.

Drop in Cribbage – Fridays 11/6, 11/13, 11/20 & 11/27 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.

News from the Friends of the Hopedale Library:

Downton Abbey Tea & Chocolate Pairings – Monday, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Join Kim Larkin of Klassic Kreations for a Downton Abbey Tea & Chocolate Pairing! Enjoy English teas paired with artisan chocolates and lemon curd, test your knowledge with Downton trivia, and explore a large display inspired by the beloved series. Perfect for history buffs, foodies, and Anglophiles! Registration is required.

Mindful Monday: Mindfulness and Meditation - Monday, Nov. 16 from 6–7:30 p.m.

Join Lauren Masse, founder of Bright Heart Coaching, for a 60-minute mindfulness and meditation class. Learn simple breathing and grounding techniques to quiet your mind, ease tension and cultivate inner calm. All experience levels are welcome. Take time to pause, reset, and prepare for the busy holiday season. Registration required. 

Book Donation Day – Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 5-6:30 p.m. 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 books be published within the last 10 years or later. Unfortunately, we cannot accept old books, textbooks, or cookbooks. We depend on books in saleable condition to raise money to support Library programming.

Ongoing Book Sale Visit the Friends of the Hopedale Library Ongoing Book Sale downstairs outside the Program Room. Open whenever the Library is open, with new selections added weekly! Find books for adults and children, plus puzzles, starting at just 50¢. All proceeds support Library programs and services.

The Friends of the Library Monthly Meeting – Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

The Friends of the Hopedale Library, founded in 1983, is an active volunteer, non-profit organization with a town-wide membership and a representative executive board. We work with the Library staff and the Trustees to support the Library in providing funds for equipment, materials, and programs not covered by the Library's regular operating budget. The Friends of the Hopedale Library meets the second Wednesday of the month, September through June. New members and ideas are always welcome.  

News for Tweens and Teens:

Robert Rivest: Tween Scene: Mime, Comedy & Improv – Monday, Nov. 16 from 6-7 p.m. This interactive program will teach Tweens (ages 9-12) to explore self-expression through movement, mime, comedy and improv.  This program is one of a series of performing arts programming for Tweens and Teens to take place during November and December. All programs are drop in and brought to you through a grant from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

Robert Rivest: Character and Comedy for Teens – Monday, Nov. 23 from 6-7 p.m. Robert Rivest brings Character and Comedy to the Library for Teens ages 13–17. Explore character, comedy, and expression through a hands-on theater workshop focused on communication, subtext, facial expressions, and body language. This program is drop in and brought to you through a grant from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

Volunteer Saturdays for High School Students – Saturday, Nov. 28 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Earn 2 hours of volunteer time! Registration is required.  

News from the Marjorie Hattersley Children's Room:

B.A.S.H. (Bancroft After School Hangout) This is an after-school, drop in program held Mondays through Thursdays for students in Grades 4-6 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. 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.

Tummy Time  – Tuesdays, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17 & 11/24 at 10 a.m. Welcome parents and newborns! Drop in for some infant fun in our Program Room. Tummy Time will have a story time and free play with developmentally appropriate assorted toys that encourage gross motor development and social interaction. For ages newborn – 18 months.

Toddler Tunes – Thursdays, 11/5, 11/12 & 11/19 at 10 a.m. Toddlers are full of energy and this program is perfect for them! Each class we will do an assortment of story time, movement games, parachute fun, ball movement skills, instruments, bean bags, scarves and bubbles. Drop in!  For ages 18 months to 3 years.

1st Annual Toy Swap – Saturday, Nov. 7 from 10:30 a.m. –1:30 p.m.  Have toys your family has outgrown? Bring them to our Toy Swap and give them a chance at a new home! Participants can sign up for 3 feet of table space (plus the space underneath), in our Program Room. Bring any toys you’d like to swap and connect with other participants to work out your trades. At the end, you’re welcome to take home any of your remaining items or donate them to the Library. Donated items will be offered to local preschools, schools and daycares. Register for table space online on the Event Calendar.

Builder Saturdays – Saturday, Nov. 14 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. If you love Legos, we’ve got thousands to play with! Drop in - all ages are welcome!

Sunny the Reading Dog – Thursday, Nov. 19 from 3-4 p.m. Sunny the Reading Dog is coming for a visit! Drop in to read to him - you can bring a book from home or choose one from the Library!

Movie Matinee – Saturday, Nov. 21 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

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

Rolling Programs:

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  The Reading Dragons program allows kids 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. As they collect more dragons, they can play the card game with friends. Readers can also share their favorite books by adding recommendations as “Book Scales” to the dragon display in the Program Room. 

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. 

For updates throughout the month, Like 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