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YOUTH SERVICES NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 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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Introducing Reintroducing Susan
The Children's Room is delighted to extend a warm welcome to Susan Leto, who has joined our staff!
Susan brings with her a wealth of experience, having served at the Grafton Public Library in Circulation for over 19 years, culminating in her role as Head of Borrower Services. Although she officially retired from that position in 2022, Susan has graciously returned to assist as a temporary staff member during periods of shortage, and has also been a familiar face in the Children's Room, often visiting with her grandsons.
We have had the pleasure of collaborating with Susan and have come to appreciate not only her extensive expertise but also her remarkable customer service skills. We look forward to the positive impact she will undoubtedly make in enhancing our services and fostering a welcoming environment for our young patrons.
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We've had an influx of NEW BOOKS and needed to do a little creative rearranging in our temporary space! Books are still separated by genre, but the very top shelves hold NEW items. | | |
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Non-fiction and Fiction (Chapter Books) | |
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Baby sees : a first book of faces by Dave Aikins | |
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You Broke It! by Liana Finck
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Grumpy monkey spring fever by Suzanne Lang | |
How to win a slime war by Mae Respicio | |
Misfits: a royal conundrum by Lisa Yee | |
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This World Read Aloud Day, we’re celebrating the incredible power of sharing our stories!
Every story matters, and everyone’s story deserves to be heard!
Help us build the movement on February 7th, 2024, by sharing your participation, ideas, and pictures from the day with #WorldReadAloudDay. Support every voice by adding the hashtag #TellEveryStory.
Visit litworld.org for booklists, celebrity storytimes, activity guides, and more!
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AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH | |
This February, Grafton Public Library is proud to honor and celebrate African American History Month by showcasing the incredible contributions of African American artists, writers, and musicians. | |
Check out our displays and check out items from our collection that embrace diversity, foster understanding, and celebrate the rich heritage of African American creators throughout history. | |
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Thing have been a little slow in the Teen Room with the arrival of snow and ice this winter, but we love seeing the teens when they can get here safely. Last week staff took a look around the room and decided to give the space a little glow up. They rearranged the furniture to create two booth spaces, a larger table space for homework, and a lounging area to read comfortably by the window.
Debby, Sarah, and Shawn have been program planning for daily drop-in activities after school starting in March with a different theme for each day of the week. Stop by the Teen Room and let us know what you would like to see us set up!
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Check out our Event Calendar for Teen Room programs, or follow us on TikTok to hear about special pop-up events and daily activities. | What's your favorite part of the teen room? The game room, the Manga, the librarians? Let us know! | | |
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Check out our new displays! | | |
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Four found dead
by Natalie Richards
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Make Me a Liar by Melissa Landers | |
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Bittersweet in the Hollow by
Kate Pearsall
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JANUARY EVENTS-KIDS
(Birth-Grade 5)
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Wednesday, February 14th @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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Join STEM Beginnings for a 6-week series for children, ages 3-6. Children will learn STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) concepts through hands-on activities, story time and simple experiments. Please register with YFCP directly. Grafton Public Library will not be registering attendees for this class.
All children, ages 3-6, must be registered (including siblings) to attend in-person classes.
Parents/caregivers are expected to supervise and help their child during class but may leave the room to care for an infant/busy toddler.
- Materials for the lesson will be provided by STEM Beginnings for registered children, ages 3-6, however, if extra materials are available due to absences, the teacher may share materials with siblings.
- Siblings are welcome to watch and listen to the story but we ask that parents/caregivers help to manage disruptive behavior.
- Space is limited to 12 children, ages 3-6. Please email or call the librarian if you can no longer attend so that a family on the waitlist can be contacted.
- Hot beverages are not allowed due to child safety regulations from the Department of Early Education and Care, the YFCP funding source.
- Please limit cell phone use and talking to one another while the STEM Beginnings teacher is presenting the lesson.
- Adults and children should not attend class if not feeling well to avoid spreading illness to others. If your child has a cold with a thick runny nose or other contagious illnesses, we ask that he/she remain at home for as long as the symptoms exist. If a child has a fever, please wait 24 hours after the fever to attend class.
Thank you for your support of YFCP and STEM Beginnings Program!
The “Young Scientists” series is sponsored by the YMCA Family & Community Partnership (YFCP), a Massachusetts Coordinated Family & Community Engagement (CFCE) Grant program funded by the Department of Early Education & Care and awarded to the YMCA of Central Massachusetts.
Please note that program attendees must also comply with the Library's Unattended Child Policy:
0-7 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times;
8-12 must be accompanied by parent/guardian remaining in the Library;
13+ may be unaccompanied, provided child is able to use Library independently and follow the Library's Code of Conduct.
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Tuesday, February 27th @ 5:30pm | |
Embark on an exciting literary adventure with Ms. Kristin as she hosts a book discussion tailored for our young readers in kindergarten through first grade! Immerse yourselves in the world of "Knight Owl" by Christopher Denise. A determined Owl builds strength and confidence in this medieval picture book about the real mettle of a hero: wits, humor, and heart. Don't miss the chance to grab your very own copy, available for pick-up at the library.
Ready to ignite your child's love for reading? Secure your spot by registering below. Hurry, as spaces are filling up fast! If the event is fully booked, fear not – submit the form to join our waiting list and ensure you don't miss out on the literary fun. Let the pages come to life in a celebration of imagination and storytelling!
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Tuesday, February 27th @ 6:15pm
Kids in grades 2 and 3! This month we'll be reading The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes. Ensure you don't miss a beat – secure your own copy, conveniently available for pickup at the library.
The Caldecott Medal-winning creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse follows the second-grade year of young Billy Miller, who struggles to navigate the pitfalls of elementary school, appreciate a pesky younger sibling, and help his busy parents. 100,000 first printing.
Eager to set sail on a literary voyage? Guarantee your spot by registering below.
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Tuesday, February 27th @ 7:00 pm
Join Ms. Kristin for a book discussion for kids in grades 4 and 5. Copies of the book The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt will be available for pick-up at the library.
Seventh grader Holling Hoodhood isn't happy. He is sure his new teacher, Mrs. Baker, hates his guts. Throughout the school year, Holling strives to get a handle on the Shakespeare plays Mrs. Baker assigns him to read on his own time, and to figure out the enigmatic Mrs. Baker. At home, Holling's domineering father is obsessed with his business image and disregards his family.
As the Vietnam War turns lives upside down, Holling comes to admire and respect both Shakespeare and Mrs. Baker, who have more to offer him than he imagined. And when his family is on the verge of coming apart, he also discovers his loyalty to his sister, and his ability to stand up to his father when it matters most.
Each month in Holling's tumultuous seventh-grade year is a chapter in this quietly powerful coming-of-age novel set in suburban Long Island during the late '60s.
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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Check out our Event Calendar for Teen Room programs, or follow us on TikTok to hear about special pop-up events and daily activities. | |
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 | |
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! | |
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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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