Summer Reading Underway for All Ages

We hope you've registered for one of our Summer Reading programs and are busy reading, doing, and logging your accomplishments in Beanstack.

If you haven't had a chance to register yet, sign up through the Beanstack platform or through the Beanstack Tracker mobile app (see below). The program runs through Thurs., Aug. 17.

Find out more details about our summer reading programs in this newsletter, on our website, or by calling 508/946-2470, or visiting our Facebook or Instagram pages.

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New England Summertime Treasures Part I: Beach Creatures

Clams, crabs and critters, oh my!

Shake the sand out of your shoes and come join us on Wed., July 12 at 6:30 p.m. as presenter Judy Macioci regales us with intriguing stories about the creatures that make their homes on Massachusetts beaches. Learn about different kinds of mollusks, crabs, and sea worms. Discover what's underfoot and how these creatures co-exist with all those sunbathers. Shells and other items will be on display.

(These programs are geared toward adults but open to all ages.)

Macioci is a retired science educator and currently a teacher naturalist who presents natural history programs throughout the South Shore. Using a variety of hands-on activities and a display of nature items, she creates an atmosphere of fun, learning and imagination for all ages. 

Part II of Summertime Treasures, "Shorebirds," will take place on Wed., July 19.

Thanks to the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library for funding this program.

One World with MISTER G

Speak up for the Earth! All ages are invited to attend this family-friendly evening on the Middleborough Town Hall lawn at 10 Nickerson Ave. 

From 5-8 p.m. on Tues., July 11 you can enjoy outdoor games, a book swap, and children's activities brought to you by NECWA (New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance) and with the help from Sustainable Middleborough. The evening will feature a music performance at 6 p.m. by Ben Gundersheimer, known as MISTER G, followed by a book sale and signing. He is a Latin Grammy award-winning musician, author of numerous children's books, environmental activist, and educator.  

Find your voice for the environment at this exciting Summer Reading event.

Bring a blanket or seats. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. In the case of inclement weather, the concert will take place in the Town Hall ballroom.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Middleborough Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Support was also provided by the Wilfred M. Silvia Library Trust.

Book BINGO

Kids of all ages are invited to a Book BINGO event at the Library on Thurs., June 29 at 2:00 p.m. Prizes range from pencils, stickers, pins and books. No registration is required.  

This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library.

DrumatiX on the Town Hall Lawn

Come to the Town Hall Lawn at 6:30 p.m. on Wed., July 5 for DrumatiX in "Rhythm Delivered," a show full of creativity, humor, and audience interaction, combining tap dance, body percussion, and drumming with found items, invented instruments, drums, barrels, and buckets.

The show follows the antics of a group of friends as they discover items in cardboard boxes, which turn into playable instruments, until the big plot twist. Full of life and imagination, the group brings a new take on percussive dance, with virtuosity and well-crafted choreography by award-winning Israeli artist Noa Barankin.

DrumatiX has performed at Lincoln Center and Symphony Space in NYC, the Broadwater Main Stage in LA, has toured in NY at the Rochester Fringe Festival and Clayton Opera House, and has showcased in many festivals, theatres, and corporate and community events in the Northeast.

In the event of inclement weather, this program will be held indoors in the Town Hall ballroom.

This program is generously supported by the Wilfred M. Silvia Library Trust.

Picturebook Author/Illustrator Carla Marrero to Visit

Local author and illustrator Carla Marrero brings her cat series back to the Library on Thurs., July 6 at 10:30 a.m.  She'll read one of her picturebooks and answer audience questions afterwards.

A perfect fit to our "Find Your Voice" summer reading program, Ms. Marrero not only writes but also illustrates her work. Find out how she uses her own cats as inspiration. Books will be for sale and she will be available for signings.  

You can check out her titles The Magical Cat, Mimsie's Mouse, and CJ's Hide-a-way from the Library. 

Bluey Dance Mode for Preschoolers

Mom! Dad! Bingo! Bluey!

Bluey fans are encouraged to sign up for a fun-filled morning of songs, Dance Mode, games, and crafts related to your favorite Heeler family on Mon., July 10 at 10:30 a.m.

This program is best for kids ages 3-6 and their families. Siblings are welcome. Please register by calling the Library at 508/946-2470.

This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library.

Acting Up! Improv Workshop for Ages 8-13

Join acting coach, author, and advocate Lorna Brunelle of the Burt Wood School of Performing Arts on Tues., July 11 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. as she guides tweens and teens ages 8-13 in various improv games and role-playing activities to help them build acting skills and self-confidence. Participants will also have a chance to get creative with poetry and present an informal poetry slam. Snacks will be provided. No experience necessary. 

Registration is required as space is limited.  Please call the Library at 508/946-2470 or email Teen Librarian Christine Dargelis to sign up.

Lorna Brunelle owns The Burt Wood School of Performing Arts, The Alley Theatre, and The Patio, a cultural hub for live entertainment. She is the author of the bestselling books The Buoy Projects, Dirty Bombshell, and Cooking on North. A day is named in her honor in Boston. She has won awards for her advocacy work (breast and thyroid cancer) and recovery/outreach for those facing addiction.

This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library.

Find Your Voice Vision Board Workshop

for Ages 8-13

Show us the inner you! Youth ages 8-13 are invited to join acting coach, author, and advocate Lorna Brunelle of the Burt Wood School of Performing Arts on Thurs., July 13 from 1:00-3:00 PM. Participants will craft a vision board using clippings, photos, "power words," and colors to help them find their voice, express their personality, and envision their goals. Teens will also have a chance to get creative with poetry and present an informal poetry slam.

Participants should bring: some images/clippings/photos and 5 "power words" that describe their goals, personality, or things they admire. Examples of power words are: TRUST, KIND, HARD WORKING, HONEST. The words can be printed out or clipped from magazines. 

Poster board and all other craft supplies will be provided by the Library. Snacks will be provided. 

Registration is required as space is limited.  Please call the Library at 508/946-2470 or email Teen Librarian Christine Dargelis to sign up.

Lorna Brunelle owns The Burt Wood School of Performing Arts, The Alley Theatre, and The Patio, a cultural hub for live entertainment. She is the author of the bestselling books The Buoy Projects, Dirty Bombshell, and Cooking on North. A day is named in her honor in Boston. She has won awards for her advocacy work (breast and thyroid cancer) and recovery/outreach for those facing addiction.

This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library.

Curly Rainbow Soap-Making for Ages 12-18

Craft and customize your own soap with artist Garine Arakelian from Kulina Folk Art Creative Workshops on Thurs., July 20 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. 

Teens ages 12-18 will make their own fun and quirky swirl soap using a glycerin-based soap, colorful soap curls, color, cosmetic glitter and a variety of scents. 

You'll learn about the process of making cold process soap, the blending of essential oils, and the role of exfoliants in soap making.

The melted soap is hot. By registering children under 18 years old for this event, the parent/guardian acknowledges the possibility of safety concerns to the child attending the workshop.  

The program starts promptly! Please be present for instructions so that all participants are aware of safety concerns in handling hot materials.

Registration is required as space is limited.  Please call the Library at 508/946-2470 or email Teen Librarian Christine Dargelis to sign up.

This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library.

Cartoon Drawing & Inking for Ages 10-18

Learn the basics of cartoon drawing from author and illustrator Jonathan Todd on Thursday, July 27 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. as he teaches teens how to draw cartoon faces, figures, and animals from multiple perspectives, as well as how to trace the drawing with bottled ink using a thin paint brush. For ages 10-18.

Registration is required as space is limited.  Please call the Library at 508/946-2470 or email Teen Librarian Christine Dargelis to sign up.

This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library.

Bookworm Babies and Tiny Tots at the Park

Bring your little ones on Wed., July 12, to the park near Peirce Playground as both Bookworm Babies (BB) and Tiny Tots (TT) will meet at the park. BB meets first, from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m., followed by TT from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.

BB is geared towards lapsit babies and their caregiver(s), while TT is geared towards babies and up to kids three years old and their caregiver(s).  Join in a story, songs and rhymes that build early literacy skills. Please bring a blanket or seat when meeting outdoors, and siblings are always welcome.



In the case of inclement weather, both groups will move indoors to the Library's Large Meeting room.

To sign up for program updates and the inclement weather list, please call the Library at 508/946-2470.

Marsha's Music and Movement

Let's celebrate summer with songs and dances!  Join Ms. Marsha on Thurs., July 13 at 10:30 a.m. for Music and Movement where young children and their caregivers will move to the groove to the best children's music ever.

Registration is required and can be done through here.

This program is brought to you by Self Help Inc. Coordinated Family Community Engagement.

Sharebrary Item of the Week: Pickleball Set

Isn't it about time you joined the fitness craze that's swept across the country from Washington State where it all began? Take home this pickleball set that contains four paddles and four balls with a carrying case to tote it all around in.

Our pickleball set is one of 40 different items we have in our Sharebrary collection. Check them all out!

Staff "Book Blurbs" What We've Been Reading

Periodically, we bring you a brief book blurb from the staff about what we've been reading.

This week, a recommendation from Children's Librarian Amanda Meyer.

The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis (2023)

Amanda says, "It's a departure from children's books, but I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of this.

Ashlyn runs a rare book store and can feel the emotions, or echoes, of a previous owner when she touches a book. When two bound books find their way to her shop, the echoes are so strong that she sets off on a mission to solve the mystery of who wrote these titles. Are they works of fiction or memoirs? Only nicknames are used within the books, but when she connects with a family member who recognizes a key character in these stories, they begin to work together. Each chapter is from a character's perspective and I thoroughly enjoyed that the audiobooks have two different voices for the main players."