Our July 2021 Newsletter
This month: Library hours Update, Land Trust Partnership, MBLC User Survey
A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR
The Grafton Public Library will extend open hours through 2pm Saturday, July 24, due to a delay in fabrication and shipping of the new shelving getting installed at 35 Grafton Common - we cannot relocate until the shelving is in!

Browsing Hours remain: Mon/Tue 10am-2pm; Wed/Thu 2-8pm; Fri/Sat 10am-2pm. The first hour of each day (10-11am or 2-3pm) is designated for high-risk populations. Printing is available via print.princh.com.

We encourage you to check out items for Summer Reading in advance, or plan to make arrangements for pickup at other local libraries in July and August. Lists have been posted on school websites.

We will continue to offer an online summer reading program, remote reference, reader’s advisory, online library card applications and renewals, assistance with OverDrive, the catalog and electronic resources via phone, email (graftonlibrary.ma@gmail.com) and Facebook messenger. In addition, our Concierge Service is still available for us to pull materials in advance through July 24! Visit https://tinyurl.com/gplselect to complete a request form.

Items are due Sunday August 15; no fines will be charged for materials returned late. Please hold all materials until August 15 and do not attempt to visit either location as the moving trucks will be in and out of both properties.

The Library will be CLOSED to the public Monday July 26 through Sunday August 14. We hope to reopen to the public in our BRAND NEW, ENERGY EFFICIENT, RESTORED AND RENOVATED, SHINY FACILITY (we're excited!) with the same limited schedule, 28 hours a week, in mid-August, depending on how move logistics play out, and resume full hours after Labor Day.

Photos of the construction are on our Facebook page - we are at the stage of finishing up the painting, millwork, and other loose ends. Furniture has started arriving, the WiFi works, and the blueberry bushes are thriving.

We have been hard at work, updating policies for the new building, drafting a Meeting Space policy, an Art Display Policy, and recruiting for new hires. We will be filling three 18-hour a week vacancies for public desk coverage in our state-of-the-art facility:
  • Teen Librarian (MLS required);
  • Reference Librarian (MLS required);
  • Children’s Room Assistant (college degree required).
These are part-time, non-supervisory positions without benefits. The schedule includes evenings and alternating Fri/Sat. Review of applications begins Wednesday July 14, 2021. Open until filled. AA/EOE.

For more information and to apply online, please visit: https://www.grafton-ma.gov/human-resources/pages/employment-opportunities-now-hiring.
A 19-hour/week Administrative Assistant position will be posted July 1 at the same address.

Beth Gallaway,
Library Director,
EXPANSION UPDATE
In June, we selected a design for a roof railing to detract from the HVAC systems on the roof, finalized the design of a swinging gate that will close off the stairwell and allow for after hours meetings and programs, began landscaping (116! blueberry bushes), made a plan to remove some invasive species like wild mustard and Japanese knotwort, installed blinds, did more finish work, like adding maple moldings in the Community Room, hooking up the gas range, and adding the metal handrails to the staircase. The movers have been delayed to July 26 at St. Andrews to move the collection and supplies and some loose furniture to 35 Grafton Common, so we are able to extend our hours at the temporary facility a bit longer.

We are looking forward to reopening in August with full hours resuming after Labor Day in the new facility. There are 2 ways to get a sneak peek:
  • Join or renew your friends membership to attend their Annual meeting on Sunday July 11 at 4pm;
  • Donate to the capital campaign for a tour

Check out construction photos in albums on our Facebook Page:
Upcoming Library Planning & Building
Committee Meetings

Library Planning and Building Committee
Monday July 12 2021 6 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada); interiors committee to follow at 7pm
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 817 5988 1407
Passcode: 430234
Dial: (646) 558-8656
A DOG'S COURAGE
by Bruce W. Cameron
(Sequel to: A Dog's Way Home)
"Bella was once a lost dog, but now she lives happily with her people, Lucas and Olivia, only occasionally recalling the hardships in her past. Then a weekend camping trip turns into a harrowing struggle for survival when the Rocky Mountains are engulfed by the biggest wildfire in American history. The raging inferno separates Bella from her people and she is lost once more. Alone in the wilderness, Bella unexpectedly finds herself responsible for the safety of two defenseless mountain lion cubs. Now she's torn between two equally urgent goals.
More than anything, she wants to find her way home to Lucas and Olivia, but not if it means abandoning her new family to danger. And danger abounds, from predators hunting them to the flames threatening at every turn. Can Bella ever get back to where she truly belongs?" (Summary from C/W Mars)


In addition to the classics, White Fang and Call of the Wild, below are more recommendations for other fiction about dogs:

Made into a movie in 2019: Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Mystery, Chet and Bernie Series: The Dog Who Knew Too Much by Spencer Quinn
The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks 
Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley
MARKETING SURVEY
From the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

Marketing survey for non-users and users— To better target statewide marketing efforts, the Statewide Public Relations Committee has developed a survey to understand non-library users and to collect information about current library users. We’ve also included a few questions that may help our school library colleagues.

The link to the survey is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/masslibraries

The materials and survey are available in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Chinese, Portuguese, and English. On the survey, by clicking on “English” in the upper right corner, a dropdown will appear with language options.

We anticipate keeping the survey live until July 9.
OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
GRAFTON LAND TRUST
The Grafton Public Library & Grafton Land Trust invite you to exercise your mind and body this summer! Grab your hiking boots, a good book, and explore the beautiful local trails around town. 

Find a new favorite trail by visiting http://ow.ly/A3Vu50F4plA

Choose a new an exciting read by visiting the Grafton Public Library at www.graftonlibrary.org.

The Hike by Alison Farrell

Local Girl Scout Gold Award candidate, Madison Berardi created the Grafton Land Trust Reference Guide that is now available for checkout at the Library (and all 4 elementary schools!) and we are in process of developing a series of booklists and social media promotions encouraging residents to exercise body and mind: take a hike with a good book! Madison's beautifully photographed and captioned fact-filled guide book might be a good place to start.
HIGH DEMAND HOLDS
Top 10 Books Requested in C/W MARS

  1. The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
  2. Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand
  3. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
  4. The President's Daughter by Bill Clinton and James Patterson
  5. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
  6. That Summer by Jennifer Weiner
  7. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
  8. While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams
  9. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
  10. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
DID YOU KNOW?
Wowbrary
View our newly acquired material in the Wowbrary weekly email and titles added in the last 14 days on C/W MARS at this link.
FEATURED DATABASE
Gale Health & Wellness
BROWSE 338 TOPICS at Gale Health & Wellness!

Topics include Coronavirus, Diseases and Conditions, Drugs, Mental Health, Therapies, Treatments, Surgeries, Diagnostics, Tests and More!

Not sure where to begin? Watch a YouTube tutorial created by our very own Eileen LeBlanc!
FEATURED MUSEUM
The USS Constitution Ship and Museum
Never defeated in battle, USS Constitution remains a symbol of the honor, courage, and commitment of America’s sailors. Located only yards away from “Old Ironsides,” the museum brings the ship’s history alive and lets you not just learn about history – but experience it! https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/

Reserve a museum pass on our website.
UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS
See all of our upcoming LIVE and PASSIVE PROGRAM events, including Children & Teens:
See what is
happening
around town:
Virtual Book Discussion:
Not Just for Young Adults Book Group
Monday, June 12
7:30 PM
Cartoonist Joel Christian Gill
Monday, June 13
7:00 PM
Virtual Book Discussion:
Daytimers' Book Group
Tuesday, July 20
1:30 PM
Virtual Book Discussion: GPL Mystery Book Group
Tuesday, July 20
7:30 PM
Virtual Book Discussion: Reads Well With Others Book Group
Monday, July 26
7:30 PM
Virtual Book Discussion: Inspirational Book Group
Tuesday, July 27
7:30 PM
Coral Reef Painting
for Adults
Thursday, July 29
6 - 7 PM
DIGITAL RESOURCE
Remote Printing Debuts with Princh
We now offer remote printing!

Visit print.princh.com or download the PRINCH app on your mobile device to send and pay for printouts – $.20 for black and white, $.50 for color.

Our printer is #103048, or you can search by location.

We will leave your print job for you in an envelope on the curbside pickup porch once digital payment comes through. For more info, visit our website
CLOSED FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY
No Library Services will be available from Saturday July 3-Monday July 5 in observation of Independence Day. Please send an email, leave a message, or visit our 24/7 digital branch at www.graftonlibrary.org/digital.
National Mutt Day, also known as National Mixed Breed Dog Day, was created in 2005 by Celebrity Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert and Animal Welfare Advocate, Colleen Paige and is celebrated on both July 31st and December 2nd. National Mutt Day is all about embracing, saving and celebrating mixed breed dogs.
GPL eNEWSLETTERS
Sign up for individual newsletters and stay up to date with the latest news, events, items and more!

Teen - for grades 6-12 and their caregivers
Children for ages 0-grade 5 and their caregivers
Wowbrary - weekly new releases of library materials in digital and physical formats.
FRIENDS OF THE
GRAFTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
FRIENDS UPDATE

Board Meetings via Zoom are announced on Facebook:

Join the Friends for the 2021 Annual Meeting!
Sunday July 11
4-6pm
35 Grafton Common

Get a sneak peek of the new building, elect the slate of officers, and enjoy light refreshments and beverages.
Join or renew at www.friendsgpl.org/join

Questions? Please contact info@friendsgpl.org.
Have a recommendation on ebooks the Library should purchase?

Need reference, research, reader's advisory or information and referral help?

Have questions?