From The Director’s Desk
Guest Librarian: Lance DelPriore
Lance DelPriore serves as the Assistant Town Manager for the Town of Hopkinton. During his childhood in Brattleboro, Vermont (Winner of the 2023 Strongest Town Contest), he learned firsthand how people of seemingly divergent backgrounds can peacefully coexist to create stronger communities as well as the importance of balancing environmental conservation with economic growth. Motivated by a desire to serve his country, he joined the United States Air Force directly out of high school, where he was trained as an Air Traffic Controller. Upon completion of his active duty service, he was accepted to UMass Lowell where he completed a bachelors in Civil Engineering where he was able to apply both his love of problem solving and community building. Lance worked in private industry for a few years, but eventually felt a strong pull to return to public service. He then served as the Assistant Town Engineer / Health Agent / Planning Specialist for the Town of Sharon and the Town Engineer / Assistant DPW Director for the Town of Foxborough. Lance received his Masters in Public Administration from Suffolk University.
Lance’s wife, Sara, serves as the Children’s Librarian for the Town of Wrentham and the importance of reading is ever present in their home. Their two daughters, Amelia and Alice, have greatly benefited from their close relationship to the library, spending many afternoons tucked in a corner reading books from all different genres. Lance is a firm believer in the importance of libraries as a cornerstone of community building and a powerful equalizer, creating a safe space for people to gather and access knowledge and resources that may otherwise be out of reach for many. For leisure reading, Lance’s preferences tend to center around his love of creative thinking, humor, and overcoming difficult odds; often gravitating toward science fiction or anything that helps the reader see the world from a new perspective.
Lance Recommends:
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams
- Kitchen Confidential – Anthony Bourdain
- The Boys in the Boat – Daniel James Brown
- Speaker for the Dead – Orson Scott Card
- 2001: A Space Odyssey – Arthur C. Clarke
- Sphere – Michael Crichton
- 11/22/63 – Stephen King
- I am Legend – Richard Matheson
- Good Omens – Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
- The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat – Oliver Sacks
- Project Hail Mary – Andy Weir
Adventure Pass of the Month – Davis Farmland
Davis Farmland is a seven-generation, working family farm, continuously in operation since 1846 in Sterling, MA. Starting in 1996, Davis Farmland has provided opportunities for discovery and play to families with children 12 years old and younger. It has a Waterspray Park; Imagine-Acres; Adventureland; interactions with farm animals; and a “Mega Maze” in the fall. It is also home to the largest sanctuary of endangered farm animals in North America. Special events include hands-on reptile shows. Hours change with the season. Shop with food and souvenirs on the premises. All groups must be accompanied by a child aged 12 or younger. Place your hold requests for this pass by visiting our Adventure Pass page.
Our Adventure Passes are generously funded by The Friends of Hopkinton Public Library.
Library “Thing” of the Month – Ukulele
A ukulele is a small, guitar-like, stringed instrument. Originally developed in Portugal in the late 1870s, it has since become synonymous with Hawaiian culture and has become a popular instrument in Japan, Canada, and the United States. This kit includes a Kala KA-CG Ukulele, extra strings, an auto-tuner, and a case.
You can reserve this by visiting our Library of Things page. The Library of Things is generously supported by the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation.
Programs are hosted at the library unless otherwise noted.
Registration is required for many programs.
Visit our website calendar to obtain updated information and registration.
Programs are subject to change or cancellation.
For Multiple Ages
Narcan Training and Community Harm Reduction with the Hopkinton Health Department
Tuesday, May 13 | 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Narcan is the brand name of the generic Naloxone and is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids. This free Narcan training will provide participants with a brief training on how to recognize an opioid overdose, when and how to use Narcan, and a free kit to take home. This event is put on by the Hopkinton Board of Health in partnership with the Hopkinton Public Library.
Snakes of New England and the World
Thursday, May 15 | 6:30 – 7:30 pm | Registration Required
Like snakes? Good news! You’ll get to take an up-close look at a whole bunch of them, both local and exotic, at this informational and fun presentation by the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team. Rick will talk about the lives and behaviors of various snakes during the live animal presentation. A meet and greet with the snakes will follow his presentation. This is an all ages program!
Space is limited for this program, so registration is required! Registration opens one week before the event.
Friends of the HPL: POP-UP Booksale
Saturday, May 31 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
The Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library will be hosting their POP-UP Booksale in the Strong Room. The Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library will be selling books for all ages, in good to excellent condition. Stop in during the day on Saturday to browse! ‘Bag of Books’ deals for $10 per bag will be available for the final hour of the sale. Cash, checks, or credit cards (via Paypal) are accepted. Come support the Friends of the Hopkinton Public Library!
Adult Programs
Coffee House – Peregrine Road
Thursday, May 1 | 6:30 – 7:45 pm
Peregrine Road plays captivating acoustic music that occupies a sweet spot somewhere between chamber music and folk music, with complex arrangements and lush textures alongside raw energy and multi-cultural influences. Karen Axelrod and Rachel Bell have quickly become known together as a powerhouse duo capable of a huge variety of styles, in demand throughout North America and beyond for concerts, workshops, festivals, English country dances, contra dances, and other events.
Their music is rooted in Celtic, English, French, Quebecois, New England, and Appalachian traditions while at the same time being infused with the excitement of new compositions and dynamic improvisation. Audience members frequently remark on Peregrine Road’s exquisite musicianship and mastery of their instruments, as well as their outrageous humor and ability to connect with listeners of all ages and walks of life.
Join us before the performance for light refreshments. Registration is not required for this event. Drop on by!
This program has been made possible by the generous support of the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation.
DCF Adoption Table
Saturday, May 3 | 12:00 – 5:00 pm
Learn about the importance of fostering and adopting from our friends at the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. Staff members from the DCF will be available to answer questions, provide guidance, and explain navigating the fostering and adoption systems.
Scrabble Club and Mahjong Group
Tuesday, May 6 | 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Join us for Scrabble Club and Mahjong Group, where we play Scrabble and Mahjong! We’ll provide Scrabble sets, but we don’t have a Mahjong set at this time. Please bring your own set if you can! No registration is required.
The Genealogist is IN
Wednesday, May 7 | 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Join other amateur family historians in a casual atmosphere to share resources and brainstorm ideas for further investigation. Librarian Allison Keaney will be available to help with your research, whether you are just starting out or need help knocking down a brick wall! Allison is a longtime genealogist, with over 20 years of experience, including several graduate-level genealogy courses. Registration is not required. Drop on by!
VIRTUAL: How to Use Anxiety to Thrive with Dr. David H. Rosmarin
Wednesday, May 7 | 2:00 – 3:30 pm | Registration Required
Let’s face it: Everyone has anxiety. Furthermore, our incessant quest to rid ourselves of this ubiquitous human emotion worsens it. What if, instead of fighting our anxiety, we could turn it into a strength? In this enlightening online webinar, you will learn how to use anxiety to become more self-accepting, connected to others, and resilient. Author of Thriving with Anxiety, Dr. Rosmarin’s constructive, compassionate, and evidence-based approach will not make you less anxious. Instead, it will empower you to use anxiety to thrive.
David H. Rosmarin, PhD, is an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, a program director at McLean Hospital, and Founder of Center for Anxiety. Through his work as a clinical psychologist, scientist, educator, author, and keynote speaker, David has helped thousands of individuals and organizations to thrive by embracing the emotion of anxiety. His clinical work and research have been featured in Good Morning America, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Boston Globe, and TED. David is available for organization speaking and consultation via his website DHRosmarin.com. Registration required.
Dungeons and Dragons (Adult group)
Sunday, May 11 | 1:00 – 4:00 pm
2024 was the 50th anniversary of the first publication of Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), so let’s play the game the way they used to! Your Dungeon Master, Keith Donohue, grew up in the 1980s, back when D&D was first becoming popular. These days, he is an avid collector of old roleplaying games and is a proponent of the loose, improvisational style of play that was common in the past.
Keith will be running a D&D campaign using old-school rules (Holmes Basic D&D, for those who want to know) and adventure modules (“In Search of the Unknown“, “Keep on the Borderlands“, etc). If you are new to Dungeons & Dragons, then this will be an easy introduction to the game! If you are a veteran player, then this will be a fun way to learn about its history. And if you just want to hang out with some cool people who enjoy tabletop fantasy gaming, then this is your chance. New members will be accepted mid-campaign! Drop by!
Yoga Class with Ramya Chiplunkar
Sunday, May 11 and 18 | 2:45 – 3:45 pm
The traditional style of beginner and intermediate yoga will include Asanas (postures), Pranayama (breathing techniques), Dhyana (meditation) and Yoga Nidra (relaxation techniques). The class is open to all who are adults or high school age. No prior yoga experience is needed. Classes will focus on building strength in the core, balance in the body, and increasing flexibility and range of motion while incorporating breath awareness and mindfulness techniques. Bring a yoga/exercise mat and water. Be ready to unwind!
VIRTUAL: On Writing a Brilliant, Dark, and Diabolical Thriller
Wednesday, May 14 | 7:00 – 8:30 pm | Registration Required
Grab your popcorn, grab your friend, and join us for an propulsive online conversation with author Liann Zhang as she chats with us about her debut thriller, Julie Chan is Dead. Liann Zhang is a second-generation Chinese Canadian who splits her time between Vancouver, British Columbia and Toronto, Ontario. After a short stint as a skincare content creator, she graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in psychology and criminology. Julie Chan Is Dead is her first novel. Find out more at LiannZhang.com. Registration required.
VIRTUAL: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us, with Author Rachelle Bergstein
Wednesday, May 21 | 2:00 – 2:30 PM | Registration Required
You’re invited to an online intimate conversation with bestselling author Rachelle Bergstein as she chats about her newest book The Genius of Judy. This book takes an expansive look at Judy Blume’s life, work, and cultural impact, focusing on her most iconic – and controversial – young adult novels, from Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret to Blubber. Rachelle Bergstein is a lifestyle writer, author, and editor, focused on style, pop culture, and families. Her work has appeared in the New York Post, The New York Times, NPR, and more. She is the author of three books: Women from the Ankle Down, Brilliance and Fire, and The Genius of Judy. She lives with her husband and son in Brooklyn. Find out more at RachelleBergstein.com. Registration required.
Blood Drive
Wednesday, May 28 | 1:00 – 6:00 pm
Register on the Red Cross website by clicking here.
Teen and Preteen Programs
Hojalata with Pop Up Art School
Saturday, May 3 | 2:00 – 3:30 pm | Registration Required
Dive into the vibrant tradition of hojalata, Mexican tin art, celebrated for its bold colors and intricate designs. Learn techniques for cutting, scoring and shaping thin sheets of metal then finish your unique tin art with bold, bright colors. For ages 11 and up! Registration required.
Animanga
Wednesday, May 7 and 21 | 6:00 – 7:45 pm
Anime and Manga Fans: Meet in the Betty Strong room to discuss manga, watch Crunchyroll, draw characters, and eat fun snacks! Open to teens and pre-teens in 5th Grade and up. Please e-mail Jess at jdyment@hopkintonma.gov with any questions.
Please Note: In this program we may watch and/or discuss material that is rated TV-14 or unrated.
Open Gaming with One Up Games
Friday, May 9 | 12:30 – 3:30 pm
Middle school and high school students: Looking for something to do on the early release day? Join our friends from One Up Games for an afternoon of video games and Virtual Reality! Sponsored by the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation.
Young Adult Crafternoon
Monday, May 5, 12, and 19 | 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Come to the YA Room every Monday from 3:00 to 5:00 pm to hang out, listen to music, and make some art! We will have a different theme craft every meeting as well as extra materials to make your own creations. Open to teens and pre-teens in 5th Grade and up. Please e-mail Jess at jdyment@hopkintonma.gov with any questions!
YA Tabletop Gaming
Wednesday, May 14 and 28 | 6:00 – 7:45 pm
Come to the YA Room every other Wednesday for an evening of screen-free, collaborative gaming. Snacks provided. Register for a reminder! Registration opens one week before the event.
VIRTUAL: Fortnite Tournament with One Up Games
Thursday, May 15 | 6:00 – 8:00 pm | Registration Required
This virtual tournament is run by our friends at One Up Games in collaboration with other local libraries. This is a virtual program so you will play right from the comfort of your own home on your own Xbox One / Series X/S, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, or PC! Participants must have their own gaming platform, online connection, and a copy of the game. E-mail jdyment@hopkintonma.gov for more info and to register.
Learn the Ukulele with Julie
Saturday, May 17 | 2:00 – 3:00 pm | Registration Required
Try an instrument that is fun and relatively easy to play! Learn the fundamentals of ukulele playing. No experience necessary. Ukuleles provided or bring your own. In this one hour program participants will learn how to tune, strum, fret, and read chord diagrams. For ages 9 and up. Registration required.
Children’s Programs
Registration required for many programs through our website calendar.
Parent-Child Playgroup
Thursday, May 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 | 10:00 – 11:00 am | Registration Required
Join us for Parent-Child Playgroup, cohosted with the Hopkinton YMCA (Project ABC). This event will include free play as well as a circle time with stories, songs, and rhymes! Recommended for children ages 0-5, with a caregiver. Project ABC is a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grant program funded by the Department of Early Education and Care (ECC) and managed by the MetroWest YMCA. Registration opens one week before the event.
Lego and Pokemon Club (ages 5+)
Thursday, May 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 | 4:00 – 4:45 pm
Children can play and create at Lego and Pokémon Club! Build a creation out of Legos or Duplo blocks. Creations will be displayed in the children’s department for a few days. Do you play Pokémon? Looking for someone to play with, trade cards, and chat about all that is Pokémon? This club is for you! Bring your Pokémon cards if you have some. If you do not have cards, we will have a small amount for in-library use. This is a drop-in style club.
Babytime (ages 0-18 months)
Friday, May 2, 9, 23, and 30 | 9:15 – 10:00 am | Registration Required
This baby lapsit storytime encourages early literacy and caregiver-child interactions with lively songs and rhymes, gentle tickles, bounces, and body-awareness. This storytime will begin with play/social time for babies and their caregivers! Registration opens one week before the event.
Little Explorers (recommended ages 2-5)
Friday, May 2, 9, 23, and 30 | 10:30 – 11:15 am | Registration Required
Join us for hands-on learning for curious little kids. Each week children will explore a new concept through a variety of fun activities and have a chance to discover and experiment at their own pace. In May we’ll be exploring “ON THE FARM”! Registration opens one week before the event.
Drop-in Family Activities
Saturday, May 3, 10, 17, and 31 | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Drop by the Children’s Department programming room for some family activities (i.e. chess, board games, blocks, coloring, etc). On Saturday, May 17, this program will instead run from 12:00 – 3:00 pm.
3rd, 4th, 5th Grade Book Club
Monday, May 5 | 4:15 – 5:00 pm | Registration Required
3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are invited to join Ms. Carly to discuss books. There is no assigned book to read! Each meeting kids can share about a book they have read or are currently reading. We will talk about our favorite genres and kids will hear what other kids are reading. Ms. Carly will also share book recommendations and give kids the scoop on the latest books to hit the Children’s Room. All types of reading formats are all up for discussion at this book club!