50 Hopedale Street, Hopedale

Keely Bethel-Penny, Library Director 

(508) 634-2209

Library News

Reminder:  Our Friday Summer Hours of 10am-2pm continue to be in effect through Friday, August 30th.

The Library will be closed on Saturday, August 31st and Monday, September 2nd for the Labor Day weekend. 

The Trustees and staff at Bancroft Memorial Library bid farewell and Happy Retirement to Director Tricia Perry on July 19th, after dedicating 40 years of her life working in libraries.  In the 3 years she was here, Tricia was instrumental in making the Bancroft Memorial Library an engaging, welcoming place for everyone and we truly wish her the very best of luck in her retirement!

The Trustees of the Bancroft Memorial Library are pleased to announce that Keely Bethel-Penny has been selected as the new Library Director, and she will move to this new role on July 20th.  She has been working in public libraries for more than eighteen years and has been the Senior Library/Technical Services Assistant at the Bancroft Memorial Library for the past two years, so her face will be familiar!  During that time, Keely has established a great rapport with Trustees, staff, and patrons.  She is committed to expanding the role of the Library in the community and creating a welcoming place for all library users. 

Stepping in to the role previously held by Keely, please welcome Susan Rolfe!  Susan has worked in libraries for 9 years and is looking forward to her new role as Senior Library/Technical Services Assistant.  While an avid reader of mysteries and thrillers, Susan challenges herself to read a variety of genres so she can recommend books and authors to a broad audience of readers.   

The Library Trustees invite residents to stop by the Library to meet Susan and to catch up with library staff members.

Required Reading for Summer

Copies of the required reading titles for Summer Reading are available at the Library and via Libby (Overdrive) for e-books and e-audiobooks.

Community Conversations - Wednesday, August 7th at 6:30pm

Community Conversations will meet to discuss “The Role of Law in Modern Society”.  If you are interested in joining the conversation, please sign up at the Circulation Desk or online on the Library website under Calendar of Events.

News from The Friends of the Hopedale Library

FlowerPower.org Fundraiser

The Friends of the Hopedale Library are running a Flower Power Fundraiser through October 15th!  You can order fall bulbs online and have orders shipped directly to you. The Friends of the Hopedale Library earn 50%, which goes right back to the Library to pay for programming, museum passes, and other expenses not covered by the Library budget.  Shop at http://hopedalelibrary.fpfundraising.com.

Weekly Events in the Marjorie Hattersley Children’s Room

On Monday August 5th and Monday August 12th there will be a new code word of the week. Search the Library to find the word, relay that to Miss Laura and you will receive an entry ticket for the Weekly Prize Drawing.

On Friday August 2nd, Friday August 9th and Friday August 16th there will be a Brain Buster puzzle (maze, word search, crossword, etc.). Complete it, show Miss Laura and you will receive a second entry to win a weekly prize!

Reading Dog Visit:  Saturday, August 3rd from 10am-11am, all ages welcome!

Would you like to practice reading out loud? Would you like a friendly ear to listen as you read? Why not come and read to a dog?! Come to the library and meet our four-legged reading star dog SUNNY!  Registration is required and the link to register is on the Library website on the Calendar of Events.  You are welcome to bring a book from home or choose one from the Library and time slots will be in 15-minute increments.

Campfire Storytime: Mondays 8/5 and 8/12 6pm - 7pm, all ages welcome

Bring something to sit on and join us at the Statue of Hope to share a story, enjoy the summer evening and relax before heading off to sleep. 

Art Day:  Tuesdays, 8/6 and 8/13 from 2pm - 4pm, all ages welcome

Did you know that the Blue Heron is the symbol for the Hopedale Parklands? Drop in between 2:00-4:00pm and create art featuring the Blue Heron. On Wednesday, August 14th, we will host an Art Show at the Library to showcase the fabulous art our community created! There will be 3 different groups of art materials based on age, so all are welcome!

Picnic Storytime: Thursdays 8/1, 8/8 and 8/15 at 11am, all ages welcome

Join Miss Laura on the lawn of the Hopedale Community House for a Picnic Story Time! We’ll share a story, do a finger rhyme or two, dance and sing, run through bubbles and play with some outdoor toys. You might decide to stay and have a picnic lunch when we’re through! If the weather is inclement, we will meet in the program room at the Library.

Kayla’s Crochet Crew: Friday, August 9th from 1pm - 2pm, Ages 8-12

Join Kayla as she teaches crocheting! Registration is required and the link to register is on the Library website on the Calendar of Events.

Weekly Wednesday programs

Seed Exploration with Mass Audubon:  Wednesday, August 7th at 6pm, ages 6-11

Join Mass Audubon at the Hopedale Pond to explore the plants, seeds and wildlife that live there. This program is for Ages 6 - 11 and registration is required.  The link to register is on the Library website on the Calendar of Events.

Community Art Show

 Wednesday, August 14th at 6pm, all ages welcome!

All summer we have been creating art pieces celebrating the Blue Heron, the symbol of conservation in Hopedale.  Join us as we showcase all the masterpieces to the entire community! 

The 2024 Summer Reading Program wraps up on Friday, August 16th.  Please be sure to submit all reading logs and BINGO sheets before then to receive raffle tickets for a chance to win a Grand Prize!  Winning tickets will be drawn after closing on August 16th and all winners will be contacted by telephone.  GOOD LUCK!

For updates throughout the month, Friend us on Facebook and sign up at www.wowbrary.org to discover the Library’s newest books, movies and music. Our webpage is https://www.hopedale-ma.gov/bancroft-memorial-library.