From the Desk of the Director

Hopkinton has made a commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.  The month of December gives us an opportunity to put those ideals into action.Three major cultural holidays are celebrated this month, including Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas. You’ll find displays throughout the library featuring books featuring these holidays. We also have several programs that provide you with the opportunity to either learn more or to help you get into the holiday spirit.

On Tuesday, December 13th from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, join us for the virtual program, “The Roosevelt’s at Christmas.” Learn about the customs and traditions followed by the Roosevelt family as they celebrated Christmas, one of their favorite holidays of the year. See Roosevelt Christmas cards, FDR's remarks at the National Tree Lighting, FDR's documents for sending Christmas trees to Churchill, a clip of Eleanor reading "A Christmas Carol," pictures of FDR and Eleanor with Santa; and FDR's Christmas list. This event will be led by Jeffrey Urbin, Education Specialist at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. 

On Thursday, December 15th from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, join us online for “An Introduction to Hanukkah.” Learn about Hanukkah, a fun-filled eight-day festival celebrated by people all around the world who practice the Jewish faith,,in this virtual presentation from the Lappin Foundation.

On Tuesday, December 20th from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, teens can attend a Winter Solstice Craft Program, where they will craft a lovely cinnamon stamped ornament to give as the perfect gift, or to celebrate winter with the warm cinnamon aroma. If you are sensitive to cinnamon or strong smells, please be aware that we are working with pure cinnamon.

Other opportunities for crafting this month include a Winter Crafternoon for children on Thursday, December 29th from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Drop by the Children’s Room to make a window decoration to celebrate winter! This program is first-come, first-served while supplies last. Teens can Take-and-Make Glitter Snowflakes this month. This too, is a first-come, first-served program while supplies last. Pick up your kit from the table in the Young Adult Room. Adults can Take-and-Make Chocolate Molds. Kits will be available next to the Circulation Desk, while supplies last.

December also offers the opportunity to recognize the contributions and efforts of migrants around the world. Celebrated on December 15th each year, International Migrants Day also emphasizes the protection of migrants’ human rights. Join us on Saturday, December 17th from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, for a viewing of the film, Human Flow.  Following the movie, there will be an open discussion, facilitated by the Library Director.

Whatever your religious affiliation or cultural background, take the time to explore the beliefs and observances of others this month, and remember that at the Hopkinton Public Library, you always belong.

In an effort to be a more welcoming public space, we are looking for people that can help us translate our library card application and brochures into the languages spoken and read by our community.  If you would like to volunteer to help, please contact me at [email protected] with your name and the language that you can help us with.

Sincerely,
Nanci Milone Hill, Library Director

For Multiple Ages

Annual Holiday Stroll
Saturday, December 3  All Day
Join us for holiday merriment! A children's drop-in craft (11am - 3pm) will be happening as well as adult and teen take & makes. Refreshments will be onhand from the Library Trustees, Foundation & Friends.  We will have a harpist performing from 2:00 - 3:00 pm.

VIRTUAL: Spacesuits -- What Every Fashionable Astronaut Is Wearing
Wednesday, December  7  11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Join Solar System Ambassador David S. Ball as he discusses spacesuits required for intravehicular, extravehicular, and surface operations. Ball, a volunteer educator with NASA and retired Air Force officer, frequently presents on topics related to American activities in space.

VIRTUAL-Best Bike Rides in New England
Wednesday, December 14   7:00 - 8:00 pm
Author David Sobel will give a presentation based on his new book, Best Bike Rides in New England, in this Zoom webinar. Sobel will reveal some of his favorite rides, discuss the variables he uses when designing a ride, explain how to design rides using online tools like "Map My Ride" or "Strava," advocate for incorporating bike riding 3-5 times a week into your personal wellness goals, and suggest a great ride in or around your community. 

VIRTUAL: The Roosevelts At Christmas
Tuesday, December 13   2:00 - 3:00 pm
On Zoom-register on our website
Learn about the customs and traditions followed by the Roosevelt family as they celebrated Christmas, one of their favorite holidays of the year.Led by Jeffrey Urbin, Education Specialist at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

VIRTUAL: An Introduction To Hanukkah
Thursday, December 15   7:00 - 8:00 pm
On Zoom: Register on our website
Learn about Hanukkah -- a fun-filled eight-day festival celebrated by people all around the word who practice the Jewish faith -- in this virtual presentation from the Lappin Foundation.

Red Cross Blood Drive
Thursday, December 29   1:00 - 6:00 pm
Register on the Red Cross website at https://rcblood.org/3AmuYsP 

Adult Programs

Registration is required for many programs. Visit our website calendar to receive participation information. Please confirm the location of the program when registering. Programs are subject to change or cancellation.

VIRTUAL- Diabetes & Pre-diabetes in Senior Citizens
Saturday, December 3  11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Please register HERE.
Diabetes among adults in Massachusetts is increasing at an alarming rate. The best way to prevent diabetes or manage diabetes is to work with a multi-disciplinary medical team. This seminar will be led by Chandra Lingisetty MD, MBA, MHCM, Chief Medical Officer.
This event is cohosted by Volunteering for Seniors and the Hopkinton Public Library.

Virtual Author Talks
Geraldine Brooks
Tuesday, December 6   7:00 - 8:00 pm 
Fredrik Backman
Saturday, December 10   2:00 - 3:00 pm
Nicole Eustace
Wednesday, December 14   12:00 - 1:00 pm
Register on our website calendar for any or all of these great author offerings.

VIRTUAL - Democracy Talks: Russia's Invasion, Ukraine's Resistance & Prospects for Peace
Tuesday, December 6    7:00 - 8:00 pm
Join Tufts Professor Oxana Shevel for a discussion of the reasons behind Russian president Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine's determined resistance, and how the war might end. 

Movie Showing & Discussion: "Human Flow"
Saturday, December 10   1:30 - 4:30 pm
Over 65 million people around the world have been forced from their homes to escape famine, climate change and war in the greatest human displacement since World War II. Human Flow, an epic film journey led by the internationally renowned artist Ai Weiwei, gives a powerful visual expression to this massive human migration. 
Join us for a viewing of this film, followed by an open discussion, led by our Library Director, Nanci Hill.

It's Now or Never with Judah Leblang
Tuesday, December 13    6:30 - 7:30 pm
"It's Now or Never: My Life in the Late Middle Ages" is a mostly-humorous look at getting older, trying to live a creative life, and dealing with times when 'man planned, and God laughed.'Join us for an evening of laughs and commiseration!

Teen Programs

Rebel the Therapy Dog
Tuesdays in December    3:00 - 4:00 pm
All ages are welcome to stop by to visit with Rebel, a sweet Swiss Mountain Dog, for a bit of stress reduction in the Young Adult or Ellsworth Room. Please check our website for any cancelations before coming.

Frayed Knot Fiber Arts Circle
Wednesday, December 14  6:30 - 7:30 pm
Bring your current project or pattern. This group is open to teens and adult of all skill levels. All fiber arts crafts (knitting, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, needle felting, etc.) are more than welcome to join us! This group will meet on the second and last Wednesdays of each month  from 6:30 - 7:30 PM.

Winter Solstice Teen Craft
Tuesday, December 20    4:00 - 5:00 pm
Celebrate the winter solstice with this winter teen craft! Teens will craft a lovely cinnamon stamped ornament to give as the perfect gift, or to keep to celebrate winter with the warm cinnamon aroma.  This in-person craft is intended for teens, tweens, and emerging adults.  If you are sensitive to cinnamon or strong smells, please be aware that we are working with pure cinnamon. 

Children's Programs

Please register for most programs on our website calendar to receive participation information.

NEW - Chess Club
Chess club (recommended for ages 6-12)
Tuesday, December 13  4:00 - 4:45 pm
Stop by to play chess and to get tips and tricks! Recommended for ages 6-12.

Monthly Music & Movement (ages 0-5)
Wednesday, December 14  11:00 - 11:45 am
Join us for a children's concert (recommended aged 0-5) with Rock-a-Bye Beats!

Baby-Toddler Storytime (ages 0-3)
Wednesday, Dec. 7 & 21   10:15 - 10:45 am
Registration required.

Preschool Storytime  (ages 3-6)
Wednesday, Dec. 7 & 21   11:00 - 11:30 am
Registration required

Parent-Child Playgroup
Thursday, Dec. 1,8,15,22,29   10:00 - 11:00 am
Registration required

Winter Crafternoon
Thursday, December 29   2:00 - 3:00 pm
Make a window decoration to celebrate winter! (first come, first served, while supplies last)