An update from Bacon Free Library

Holiday Hours

The library is closed on Monday, January 2. Happy New Year!

Monday Morning Stories and Songs

Mondays at 10:00 am 

Join us for a high-energy story time! We’ll mix things up with a combination of stories for listening and songs for dancing. If it is 50 degrees or warmer, this program will be held outside on the library lawn, so bring a blanket or chair. Look for us around back! If it is rainy or less than 50 degrees, the story time will be moved indoors.

ABC Storytime

Tuesdays at 10:00 am 

Here’s a chance for the little ones to learn their A-B-C’s. We’ll start with stories and songs that feature our letter of the week. Then we’ll do some simple crafts with the special letter – tracing, stamping, cutting, gluing, and coloring. Each child can bring something with them that starts with the letter of the week – we’ll do a mini show & tell along with stories. This week's letter is Q.

Jammin With You

Wednesday, January 4 at 10:30 am

Be prepared to laugh, dance, sing, and jam your way through 30 minutes of non-stop family fun! This performance is geared for kids ages 1–7, but fun for the whole family. With modern takes on children’s classics and classic original tunes, you’ll be humming and bopping your way all the way home. Please visit our website to register.

Mystery Book Club

Thursday, January 5 at 1:00 pm on Zoom

Join us for a virtual Zoom discussion of Marple: Twelve New Mysteries. Copies available at the library, or borrow digitally. Please email [email protected] to register and receive the Zoom link.

Baby Time

Fridays at 10:00 am

Join us for a cozy storytime filled with lap bounces, rhymes, songs, and simple stories. Geared toward infants and young toddlers with their grownups. This program will be held indoors during the winter, then move outdoors when the weather gets warmer.

Weaving Natural Fibers with Farmer Emma

Saturday, January 7 at 11:00 am

Join Farmer Emma from the Natick Community Organic Farm and learn about how to identify, collect, and weave with natural fibers. Emma will talk about which grasses, stalks and leaves are found in the area that are best to dry and weave, and start a weaving project of your own! We will include all materials needed for this workshop, and it is recommended for learners aged 10 and up. Registration is required. Limited to 8 participants. Please visit our website to register.

50+ Job Seekers Networking Group – Morning Meetings

Mornings, 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month on Zoom
Evenings, 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month on Zoom

If you are unemployed and actively looking, underemployed, seeking a new career direction, re-entering the job market after a long employment gap, or recently retired and looking for your “Encore Career”, this networking group program is perfect for you! Meetings include a presentation and hands-on workshop on topics relevant to career transition, guest speakers, access to hiring managers, small group breakout rooms to network, and 1-on-1 coaching guidance. Visit our website calendar for a list of morning and evening meetings and the topic that will be discussed at each one. Click on a meeting to register for one or more session.

Drop-in Craft: Paper Bag Snowflake

Monday, January 9 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm

Drop-in at the Bacon any time between 3:30-5:00pm to make a paper bag snowflake to take home with you. Paula will guide you through the process of creating beautiful paper snowflakes. This craft is for all ages and all materials will be provided. Sponsored by the Friends of the Bacon Free Library.

Indoor Mushroom Growing

Wednesday, January 18 at 7:00 pm on Zoom

Indoor mushroom farmer, Isaiah Chavez from Mighty Mountain Mushrooms in Colorado, will teach us about growing mushrooms indoors. From choosing the ideal location and proper soil to nurturing and harvesting your edible fungi, Mr. Chavez will cover all the basics. Please visit our website to register and receive the Zoom link.

Art Exhibit: Samantha Eio

Currently on display at the library

Visit the library to view the work of local landscape artist Samantha Eio, whose painting series In Nature will be featured at the BFL until January 4th. Samantha Eio is a self-taught landscape artist who works in acrylic and watercolor paint. Her paintings feature meaningful locations from throughout New England, many from right here in Natick, where Samantha resides with her family. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Syracuse University, and is a member of the Natick Art Association, the Dedham Art Association, and the Wellesley Society of Artists.

Museum Passes

The BFL is happy to offer our patrons free or reduced-price passes for a selection of great local organizations! Visit our website to learn more.

Join One Of Our Book Clubs!

Visit our website or click below to learn more about our book clubs. Copies of book club titles are set aside at Bacon Free Library, and often also available to borrow digitally. Pick up a copy today so you're ready for the next meeting. New members always welcome!

History Book Club
Thursday, January 12 at 11:00 am
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Environmental Book Club
Tuesday, January 17 at 7:00 pm
Our Beloved Kin by Lisa Brooks

Tuesday Book Club
Tuesday, January 24 at 6:30 pm
Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict

Nonfiction Book Club
Saturday, January 28 at 10:00 am
The White Darkness by David Grann

Cinéphile Mondays

Monday, January 30 @ 4:00 pm on Zoom

Cinephiles, join us for our film series! Watch a movie at home and then join Film History & Media studies Professor MV for a virtual discussion on the last Monday of the month. Join us this month for a discussion of Jim Jarmusch's Dead Man, available to request through the Minuteman Network. Please visit our website to learn more and email [email protected] to register for the Zoom meeting.

Around the web...

Here are some online materials we've seen recently:

• Celebrating America's libraries
• The Mauritshuis wants to see your version of Girl with a Pearl Earring
• How pink flamingos popped up in Watertown
• Are you on Library TikTok?

Stay Connected With Us!

• Our website
• Join one of our clubs
• Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
• Library blog
• Librarian On Call
• Call us at 508-653-6730 
• Email us at [email protected]

Digital Resources

Check out some of these great online resources:

• Overdrive/Libby: ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, videos, and more
• Kanopy: stream thousands of movies for free
• Hoopla: ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, videos, and more, all available with no wait list
• Morse Institute Library databases (Bacon Free Library cardholders may access these)
• Minuteman Library Network databases
• Project Gutenberg: thousands of free e-books in the public domain -- now's the time to catch up on some classics!
• Don't have a library card? Sign up online to begin accessing digital resources
• Having trouble with your library card password? Reset it here

Click Here for more information.