February 2017 at the Franklin Public Library

Issue Date: 
February, 2017
Article Body: 

All events free and open to public. No registration unless specified.
Library Hours
The Franklin Public Library will be closed Sunday, February 19 and Monday, February 20 for Presidents Day.  The library’s regular hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Mondays
Move Along.  10:30 a.m. 
For ages 0 – 5 years
This thirty-minute program features music, movement, stories, instruments, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy. Parents and caregivers are welcome and encouraged to participate.

Toddler Playgroup.  11 a.m.
Take a break and enjoy some playtime at this informal morning playgroup. The library will provide toys, music, and books for children who are accompanied by an adult. Connect with other parents and let little ones interact with one another.

Tuesdays
Get Ready for Kindergarten.  10:30 a.m. For ages 3 – 5.
This 45-minute program featuring stories, rhymes, songs, and activities will help prepare your children for preschool and kindergarten.  Parents and caregivers should attend with their child. 

Toddler Playgroup.  11:15 a.m.
Take a break and enjoy some playtime at this informal morning playgroup. The library will provide toys, music, and books for children who are accompanied by an adult. Connect with other parents and let little ones interact with one another.
Wednesdays
Terrific Toddlers.  10:30 a.m. 
For ages 18 months to 3 years.
Enjoy thirty minutes of interactive stories, songs, and activities for families and children from 18 months to age 3.

Toddler Playgroup.  11 a.m.
Take a break and enjoy some playtime at this informal morning playgroup. The library will provide toys, music, and books for children who are accompanied by an adult. Connect with other parents and let little ones interact with one another.

“Pageturners” Tween Book Club, 3rd Wednesday of Month,
February 15, 5 p.m.
Calling all readers! If you’re reading at a 4th-6th grade level and love talking about books, this book club is for you! Join us on the third Wednesday of the month at 5 p.m. for a discussion, craft, and snacks all centered around an age-appropriate book! This month’s read is Wonder by RJ Palacio!

Doggie Tales. 
3rd Wednesday of the Month. Wednesday, February 15th,
6:30 p.m.
Improve your reading skills and make a new friend by reading aloud to a therapy dog! Bring your favorite book or pick out one of ours to read. The dogs and their handlers are from Pawsitive Touch and are trained for one-on-one sessions. For students in grades 2 and up.
Thursdays
Story and Craft.  10:30 a.m. For ages 3—6 years of age.
Stories, activities, and a craft for children ages 3, 4, 5, and 6 who are able to attend “on their own.” This program lasts around 45 minutes.

Toddler Playgroup.  11:15 a.m.
Take a break and enjoy some playtime at this informal morning playgroup. The library will provide toys, music, and books for children who are accompanied by an adult. Connect with other parents and let little ones interact with one another.

Family Coloring Book Club,
4 p.m.
Parents, guardians, and kids of all ages are welcome to drop in and color together, every Thursday from 4-5 p.m. We’ll have coloring pages and colored pencils and crayons available! Spend a little quality time together making something beautiful!
Students
Assistance Center
Homework assistance resumes from 3 – 4 p.m. for students in grades 2-8.
Students and volunteers can pick up application forms at the circulation desk.
Special Programs for Kids
Cookie Decorating! Saturday, February 4th, 1 p.m.
Make February just a little bit sweeter by decorating cookies at the library! We’ll have everything you need to make beautiful sweet treats!
FEBRUARY VACATION
AT THE LIBRARY:
February 18-25
Disney Craft and Music Day!
Sunday February 19th, 2-4 p.m.
We are thrilled to welcome Dean College’s Arts & Entertainment Management Club for a Disney Craft Day, complete with rotating craft stations, as well as a Disney themed Karaoke/Dance Party! Families of all ages are welcome to join in the fun!

Spy Training Camp,
Tuesday-Friday
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to drop by the FPL each day for a series of spy training activities! Come in at any time each day for a new activity where you’ll build your skill set and learn to be a master spy! Once you have completed all of the activities, receive your special spy prize on Friday!
Tuesday: Code Names,
Secret Messages
Wednesday: Disguises
Thursday: Invisible Ink
Friday: “Laser” Maze!

Superhero Storytime!
Tuesday, February 21, 10:30 a.m.
Aspiring Superheroes! Come to the library for a special storytime all about heroes of all shapes and sizes! Learn what it takes to be a hero, enjoy a few interactive activities, and create your own superhero gear!

Sparky’s Puppets, Wednesday, February 22, 10:30 a.m.
Enter the magical world of children’s stories, brought to life by colorful puppets and lively humor! Sparky’s puppets will perform “The Kingdom of Riddles,” a show about a knight’s quest to capture a unicorn for his king and queen! The knight will need help from the audience to solve riddles along the way! This performance also includes a special version of “The Princess and the Pea!” 
Family STEAM Challenge!
Thursday, February 23,
10:30 a.m.
The Franklin Public Library is excited to introduce Family STEAM Challenges! Every month, we’ll host a different challenge, involving science, technology, engineering, art, or math, for the whole family to participate in! All materials will be provided, so all you have to do is show up with your posse and your thinking caps! This Month’s challenge is… a Marshmallow Catapult!

Frisbee Demonstration!
with Todd Brodeur, Friday,
February 24, 10:30 a.m.
Two-time Freestyle Frisbee Champion, Todd Brodeur, educates, entertains and motivates his audience with captivating Frisbee shows and interactive playshops. He promotes staying active throughout your life by playing disc sports. He focuses on healthy lifestyles, creativity, flexibility and balance, all aimed at improving self-esteem and confidence! Bring the whole family for this interactive Frisbee demonstration and tutorial!

Stacey Peasley! Saturday,
February 25th, 10:30 a.m.
Dance, jump, and sing along to the infectious music of Stacey Peasley! Stacey Peasley has performed before audiences and been a professional singer for over twenty years. Lately her audiences are a bit shorter but no less enthusiastic. A teacher for ten years, Stacey is thrilled to combine her love of children and music into a lively act that engages kids and creates memorable and fun sing-along songs!
Teen Programs
Water Bottle Flipping
Championship Tournament,
Friday, February 3rd, 12:30 p.m.
Think you’re the most talented water bottle flipper around? Come test your skills against your peers at our bottle flipping tournament!

MEME ALL THE SHIRTS!,
Wednesday, February 8th,
12:30 p.m.
Join us after the half-day of school for the afternoon, as we create your new favorite shirt! Bring along a blank shirt to spruce up! We’ll create memes (with a meme generator, or have fun with old favorites) and then print them out on iron-on transfer paper and attach to our shirts for a new look!

Teen Advisory Board,
2nd Wednesday of the Month, February 8th, 6:30 p.m.
Join us for the first Teen Advisory Board meeting of 2017! Share your voice and your vision for the library, and earn volunteer hours all at the same time! TAB members are crucial in helping plan awesome teen events and make sure our library collection has what Franklin’s teens are looking for! This will be a big year for us as we plan for our epic new space in the renovated building!
“Galentine’s Day,” Tuesday,
February 14th, 3:30p.m.
Teens and Tweens! Celebrate Galentine’s day in the best possible way this February: with friends, food, and flower crowns! In addition to celebrating with snacks and music, we’ll be making flower crowns worthy of your Instagram feed!

Teen Lounge!
Fourth Wednesday of the Month, February 22nd, 3:30-6 p.m.
Come hang out in our teen-only space after school! We’ll have snacks, crafts, and a movie playing in the background! You can hang with friends, play board games, do your homework, and just enjoy a space meant for you!
Adult Programs
Why Native Plant Landscapes Matter to You
Tuesday, February 28, 6:30 p.m.
Led by Claudia Thompson of Grow Native Massachusetts
Learn about the importance of native plants to local ecosystems.  The talk starts with the concept of co-evolution between plants and animals, then explains how to create a healthy habitat in our own gardens and managed landscapes. In between, we discuss the differences among native, naturalized, and invasive plants, and their effects on ecological communities. We explore the food web that links plants to insects, to birds, wildlife, and humans — and give examples of “cool” ecosystem relationships. A detailed case study illustrates the conversion of an urban garden from a conventional landscape to a largely native one, and the resulting impact on birds and wildlife. 
Library Book Sale
 - Buck A Book!
Saturday, February 18, 9 – 3.
Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—
Sunday, February 19, from 9-12.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can carry for only $5 dollars.
The Franklin Public Library is currently located at its temporary location of 25 Kenwood Circle, Franklin, MA.  To contact, please call (508) 520-4941.  Visit the library’s website at
www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library .