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YOUTH SERVICES NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2024
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TEMPORARY HOURS OF OPERATION – WINTER 2024
Due to staffing shortages, we are temporary reducing our hours of operation from January 2 to March 4, 2024.
Our temporary hours of operation will be:
Monday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
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The Children’s Room continues to be closed while the room is undergoing flood remediation.
On Friday 8/18, portions of the Children’s Room, Children’s Workroom (where staff offices are located) and Community Rooms, as well as the entirety of the Children’s Program room flooded during a late summer storm.
Some construction work has been completed. Insulation and drywall have been repaired, walls have been painted, and new flooring was installed in the Children's Program room on December 28th. We're still waiting on plumbing, new carpet, and a few other things.
Again, thank you for your patience. It breaks our hearts when little ones visit and leave in tears when they are told the room is closed, and their favorite toys, games and books are unavailable.
We are looking at ways to bring back programming. Join us on Saturday, December 30th in the Teen Room for a scaled-down version of New Years at Noon. We are also still offering Storytime at Willard House on Wednesday, January 10th and Kristin is back with Bookworms Bookclubs on Thursday, January 25th. We may be offering other pop-up programs around the library this month as well. Stay tuned!
We're thrilled that there has been construction progress and can't wait until we're able to move back into our space! We will let you know when we have a reopening date. We're planning on having a Welcome Back party as soon as we're settled. 2023 has been rough but we're looking forward to a host of wonderful books, programs and events in 2024!
Sarah, Cyndi, Jen, Kristin, Stacie and Susan.
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Need a specific book or item while we're closed? It's easy to request an item online, or call us at 508-839-4649 or email us to request items. | |
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Saturday, December 30th @11:00am-1:00pm
Bid adieu to 2023 and welcome 2024 at our exclusive pop-up family-friendly event, hosted in the vibrant, magically decorated, teen room. We'll share stories, music, bubbly fun, and a holiday craft session from 11 am to 1 pm. Don't miss the highlight of the party – our special "New Year's" countdown at noon! Join the festivities as we create unforgettable memories together.
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Welcome to our new Head of Teen Services, Debby Jackson!
Debby is a familiar face around here, having been an integral part of our Administration department for quite some time. Her dedication has played a significant role in ensuring the library's seamless operation, especially during the absence of our Director. Allison Cusher, our former head of Teen Services, transitioned to the Cataloging department earlier this Fall.
Given Debby's extensive experience working with middle schoolers, she was the perfect match for the role in Teen Services. Since joining GPL, she has been a steadfast presence in the Teen room, managing the desk, connecting with your kids, and spearheading program marketing. Your kids might even recognize her as the renowned 'Tik-Tok Lady'! (If you haven't yet, make sure to check out our TikTok.)
When you visit the library next, take a moment to say hello to Debby, Sarah, and Shawn—the dedicated trio behind our tireless Teen Services team. From cleaning up spilled slushies, tripping over lacrosse equipment, to keeping up with ever-changing romantic pairings, they handle it all with enthusiasm.
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JANUARY EVENTS-KIDS
(Birth-Grade 5)
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Wednesday, January 10th @3:30pm
Join us for a special storytime, fun activities, and see a highlighted feature of the Willard House & Clock Museum.
This program is for preschoolers ages 3-5 and registration is required.
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Thursday, January 25th @ 5:30pm | |
Bookclubs are back!
Join Ms. Kristin for a book discussion for kids in kindergarten through first grade. Copies of the book Pizza and Taco: Who's the Best? by Stephen Shaskan will be available for pick-up at the library. Please register below. If the event is full, you may still submit this form to be placed on the waiting list.
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Thursday, January 25th @ 6:15pm
Join Ms. Kristin for a book discussion for kids in grades 2 and 3. Copies of the book Hilo Book 1: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth by Judd Winick will be available for pick-up at the library. Please register below. If the event is full, you may still submit this form to be placed on the waiting list.
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Thursday, January 25th @ 5:30pm
Join Ms. Kristin for a book discussion for kids in grades 4 and 5. Copies of the book New Kid by Jerry Craft will be available for pick-up at the library. Please register below. If the event is full, you may still submit this form to be placed on the waiting list.
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JANUARY EVENTS-TEENS
(Grade 6-12)
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Monday January 8th @6:30pm | |
For anyone interested in learning how to play Dungeons and Dragons but need help getting started this basic intro session will help introduce players to different game mechanics such as character class, backstory, stats, and the role of the Dungeon Master.
Grades 9-12. Registration is required.
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Thursday January 18th @ 6:30pm
Teens and tweens are welcome to join for this months anime club! All series and movies are rated PG-13. Come on down to the teen rooms game room to watch something new! This month we will also be trying out different flavors of Japanese Kit Kats as we watch a new show! Drop-in.
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Monday January 22nd @6:30pm
Join us for learning how to build your DND character and get to know fellow campaigners before the start of our exciting new teen created campaign in February. Create unique characters and backstories and bounce ideas off fellow players. Bring your own dice if possible.
To craft your character, you can use DND Beyond or go the classic route with a pen and paper character sheet. The choice is yours, and the possibilities are limitless.
Grades 9-12. Registration is required.
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Monday January 29th @6:00pm
Tweens (grades 6-8) and teens (grades 9-12) are invited to join us for our Manga Book Club! This month we will be doing Studio Ghibli movie themed diamond art in addition to talking about our favorite manga and trying new ones!
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See all of our upcoming LIVE and PASSIVE PROGRAM events: | |
See what's happening around town: | |
We are delighted to see so many students who want to use the Library after school, but must remind parents of our Unattended Child Policy:
- youth ages 0-7 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times;
- youth ages 8-12 must be accompanied by parent/guardian remaining in the Library;
- youth ages 13+ may be unaccompanied, provided your child is able to use Library independently and follow the Library's Code of Conduct.
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Teen Room Behavior Contract
Beginning 10/11/22, all teens requesting use of the teen room will be asked to sign the Teen Room Behavior Contract, which outlines the rules of the Teen Room and consequences for not following them. This will only need to be completed once and a note will be added on your library card account. Name, grades, address, and phone/email are required to sign in.
Teen Room Sign In Procedure (updated Friday October 14)
In order to ensure a safe, positive and inclusive space for all tween and teens we are limiting the number of patrons visiting the Teen Room to 22 people. Rooms further are limited by number of chairs (no more than 16 in the gaming room, 16 in the maker space, or 19 in perimeter seating at any one time). There is no congregating in ways that block doors or emergency exits, access to stacks, or life/safety equipment.
Teen Room Rules:
- Earbuds or headphones must be used. No sound coming from electronic devices.
- Respectful language only. No profanity, disrespectful, or unsafe language.
- Noise must be kept at a conversational level.
- Clean up your area before leaving, throwing trash away.
Three Strike Rule:
- Verbal warning/strike
- Repeated warning — may be non-verbal
- At Third Strike, you will be asked to leave library property within 2 minutes*
*Groups may be asked to leave if individual members of the group are not following the rules.
If you are asked to leave for a minor violation, you may return the next day with a clean slate.
Repeated violations may result in a longer suspension from the library.
You will be asked to leave IMMEDIATELY if any of the following occurs:
- Picking up, hitting, kicking, chasing another person or taking another person’s property
- Entering a staff area, cabinets, or drawers without permission; misuse of supplies
- Unsafe or destructive behaviors such as vandalism or damage to equipment, furniture, walls, or other library property
- Disrespect to library staff
When You Can Return
If you are asked to leave immediately for unsafe or disrespectful behavior, you may return:
- 1st removal — the next day
- 2nd removal — one week
- 3rd removal — one month
A meeting with the Library Director or manager, and/or a parent meeting may be required to return.
If you return and are on Library property, the Grafton Police Department will be notified and you will be served with a No Trespass Order.
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24/7 DIGITAL BRANCH: ONLINE RESOURCES | |
Log in with your library card number and PIN. HINT: your PIN is usually the last 4 digits of your primary phone number. Call us at 508-839-4649 or email us at graftonlibrary.ma@gmail.com if you need your pin reset.
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Download the Libby App to download books to your phone, tabletop computer. Thousands of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more - hand-selected by your public library - are available for free. From NYT best-sellers to classics, you're sure to find something great to read! | |
With Comics Plus, you have unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and magna from a variety of publishers.
Every title is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sign in with your library card. #readallthecomics
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Have you heard of our Library of Things? We have over a hundred board games, puzzles and kits available to check out. Look for the white binder next to the video game section. It has a listing of all of our items and their availability.
In addition to board and card games, our collection of try-before-you-buy includes gaming consoles, tools, musical instruments, technology items, and hobby supplies. You can borrow a sewing machine, a telescope, a metal detector, a line leveler, gardening tools, a multimeter for vehicle diagnostics, cake pans, a Go-Pro camera, ukuleles, a digital projector, a 360 degree camera for remote meetings, and more! New additions for fall 2022 with a self-care theme include a Zen rock garden kit, therapy cards, and a photo therapy lamp.
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