Programs and Book Groups
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Book Groups
Forever Young Adults
Young Adult (YA) books capture the vibrance, intensity, and adventure of teenhood with groundbreaking style and refreshing perspective. You’re never too old to enjoy! If you are an adult looking to explore YA, join us on the 4th Wednesday of every month.
Click on the program date to register.
Page Turners
Location: This group will meet in person in the Community Room
1st Tuesday of the Month at 1pm
This lively discussion group typically meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. . The reading selections are mostly fiction choices–with a sprinkling of non-fiction and classics–with an emphasis on books appealing to an eclectic taste as well as those with interesting points of discussion. This group runs September through June. Registration is not required and drop-ins are welcome. Copies of the discussion book are available in the library to check out at the circulation desk a month prior to discussion. For more information, please contact: Tamara Dalton, [email protected]
2021-2022 Page Turner Reading List:
September 7, 2021: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman (2019; 332 pages)
October 5, 2021: Keep Moving by Maggie Smith (2020; 214 pages) Nonfiction
November 2, 2021: The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley (2020; 357 pages)
December 7, 2021: Anxious People by Fredrik Backman (2020; 352 pages)
January 4, 2022: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy (2019; unpaged) Graphic Novel
February 1, 2022: Washington Black by Esi Edugyan (2019; 400 pages)
March 1, 2022: Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson (2014; 336 pages) Nonfiction – Norfolk Community Read
April 5, 2022: The Midnight Library by Matthew Haig (2020; 288 pages)
May 3, 2022: Writers & Lovers by Lily King (2020; 324 pages) Field trip with COA Book Group to Harvard Square – Date TBD
June 7, 2022: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (2020; 398 pages)
Friday, June 17, 2022: Afternoon Tea & Book Swap (Location TBD)
Taste of Poetry
1st Tuesday of the month at 11:30am
Location: This group will meet in person in the Community Room
Bring your lunch and an appetite for poetry. Each month we look at few poems by a well-known poet. We provide copies of the poems and lead a discussion after reading them. All are welcome. For more information contact: Tamara Dalton [email protected]
2021-2022 Taste of Poetry Poets:
September: Louise Gluck
October: Avrom Sutzkever
November: Nikky Finney
December: Richard Wilbur
January: Claudia Rankine
February: Robert Pinsky
March: Maggie Smith
April: Richard Blanco
May: Warsan Shire
June: Rumi
Read It and Eat It
Virtual Meetings until further notice. Click on the date to register.
Each meeting we will be discussing a different chef or cuisine. Copies of the books we will be discussing will be available at the circulation desk. Join other local foodies to talk about what you made, what you liked or did not like, get recipes, and more! Registration for each individual meeting is required, click on the date to be brought to the registration form. All meetings are planned to be in person, but that will be re-evaluated each month and could change. For more information contact Sarah Ward, [email protected]
October 14th: Celebration Food (Happy 6 year anniversary Read It and Eat It!)
June 2nd: Annual Throwdown (Registration is completed through Sarah, you must have attended at least 3 of the 5 regular meetings in order to participate.)
NPL/COA Book Group
All meetings are at 2pm and meeting in person at the Council on Aging. Open to all adults 18+. To register, click on the date or call the circulation desk at 508-528-3380. Registration is also available through the Council on Aging.
June 15th: A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler
July 20th: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
August 17th: American Dirt Jeanine Cummins
September 21st: The Art Forger by B.A Shapiro
October 19th: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Watch.Read.Listen.Engage. How to Become an Antiracist Discussion Series
Join us **in person in the Community Room at the Library** on the first Monday evening of each scheduled month at 7:30 pm for Watch. Read. Listen. Engage. How to Become an Antiracist Discussion Series. Discussion group activities will include watching movies, listening to podcasts, and reading books (both fiction and nonfiction) in advance of our meetings that will help educate about systemic racism, prejudice, white privilege and what it means to be a black person in our society. Engage in what may be uncomfortable and possibly challenging discussions with fellow community members. If you haven’t already, please click here to read and sign the Antiracism Discussion Group Ground Rules prior to your first meeting.
Meeting dates:
October 4, 2021: Read x 2. (1) The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (copies will be available at the library beginning in August. If you want to read it before then, you can place a hold on a copy yourself, borrow from a friend, or purchase a copy) and (2) this Medium article: 103 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice (come prepared to discuss one thing from the list you plan to implement in your life).
November 1, 2021: agenda TBA
December 6, 2021: agenda TBA
February 7, 2022: agenda TBA
March 7, 2022: agenda TBA
April 4, 2022: agenda TBA
Registration is required (when you register, you are registered for all sessions). Register here.
Real Life Reads (a non-fiction book group)
Do you like to learn something while you read? Think you could never enjoy non-fiction? Join Sarah for Real Life Reads, a non-fiction book group that will span a wide variety of topics including history, biographies/memoirs, nature, true crime, travelogues, and more. These titles are non-fiction that read like fiction. Copies of each title will be available at the circulation desk (regular print, large print, and audio), contact the library to request your copy and to schedule a pick up appointment.
Registration is required, click on the date to be brought to the registration page. This group will meet on Town Hill, please bring a chair. Masks will be required. In the event of inclement weather everyone will be emailed and a new date chosen.
Contact Sarah with any questions, [email protected].
July 9th: Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
August 13th: Troublemaker – Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini
September 10th: The Day the World Came to Town by Jim Defede
October 7th (Thursday): Bad Blood by John Carreyrou
November 19th (Thursday): Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe
Summer Programs
Click the program name to register!
Author Talk with Steven Manchester
Thursday, June 30th, 7pm. Register here. 
New England’s Storyteller Steven Manchester is the author of the soul-awakening novel, The Menu, as well as the 80s nostalgia-fest, Bread Bags & Bullies. His other works include #1 bestsellers Twelve Months, The Rockin’ Chair, Pressed Pennies and Gooseberry Island; the national bestsellers, Ashes, The Changing Season and Three Shoeboxes; the multi-award winning novel, Goodnight Brian; and the beloved holiday podcast drama, The Thursday Night Club. His work has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early Show and BET’s Nightly News. Three of Steven’s short stories were selected “101 Best” for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. He is a multi-produced playwright, as well as the winner of the 2017 Los Angeles Book Festival, 2018 New York Book Festival and 2020 New England Book Festival. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or their children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing. Please visit www.StevenManchester.com for more information.
Join us as Steven virtually presents Chasing the Dream: From Gulf War Vet to Bestselling Author which describes his 30-year journey to making his lifelong dream come true. He will explain how Passion, Purpose, & Perseverance sustained him through many years of hardship and rejection. There will be an opportunity for questions following the presentation.
Registration is required. Participants will be emailed the Zoom login info the day before this event.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Norfolk Public Library.
Pooch Painting Kit
Pick up your kit the week of July 19th
Your pooch will create a work of art with this easy kit. Each kit will include a canvas, paint, peanut butter and plastic.
Emerging Technologies Discussion Group (continued from Spring)
Registration is required for each individual meeting. Click on the date to register.
Join us on the third Wednesday evening for the next three months at 7:30pm to learn all about emerging technologies and discuss with other community members the impact they might have on everyday life. Discussion group activities to do before each session will include watching videos, listening to podcasts, and reading articles that will explore new trends and gadgets in technology.
July 21: Read articles – More details to come
This program is brought to you through an LSTA grant by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
You had me at aloe: DIY Summer Herbal Remedies Workshop
Thursday, July 15, 7pm. Register here.
Every season has its unique challenges and ailments. Summer – in all its glory – is no exception. Join us virtually as Ehris Urban & Velya Jancz-Urban from Grounded Goodwife discuss these DIY summer herbal remedies:
- You’re Smokin’ Hot Sunburn Gel
- Ticked Off Tick Repellent
They will also share their research and beliefs about chemical sunscreen and Lyme disease protocols.
Registration is required. Participants will be emailed Zoom login info the day before this program.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Norfolk Public Library.
*The information in this workshop is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. All content discussed will be for general information purposes only.*
Beginning Birding for Families
Saturday, July 17th, 9am
Please note that this program will take place at Stony Brook and not at the library.
Beginning Birding – Family Style – if you’ve ever wondered what’s that bird? Then this program is for you. Learn some basic ID skills and bird behavior that you can take with you wherever you go.
When registering please register a spot for every member of your family that will be attending.
This program is brought to you through an LSTA grant with federal funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Adult Ukulele with Julie Stepanek
July 21, 6:00-7:30pm
Want to try an instrument that is fun and easy to play? Join Julie Stepanek as she shows the fundamentals of ukulele playing. You’ll learn how to tune, strum and read chords. After a short lesson, you’ll be able to play songs. No experience necessary. Bring your own tuned ukulele or borrow one of hers. All instruments are sanitized and social distancing is followed.
Outdoors if weather permits.
Welcome to the Graveyard: A Virtual Tour of Cemetery Art, History & Symbolism
July 22, 7:00-8:30pm
“Welcome to the Graveyard!” is a 90 minute illustrated ‘virtual tour’ chronicling cemetery art, history and symbolism. From colonial New England burial grounds of the 16 & 1700s, through the nation-wide rural cemetery movement of the 19th century and into 21st century locations, the program examines why we have cemeteries and gravestones, why they look like they do and how styles and art have evolved over almost 400 years. The presentation is robust with photographs of original gravestones from many cemeteries visited by Gravestone Girls over time. This program has been presented to a wide variety of organizations for more than twenty years.
Registration is required. Participants will be emailed the Zoom login info the day before this event.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Norfolk Public Library.
Pop Up Art School: Felted Mushrooms
August 5, 7:00-8:00pm
Join Pop Up Art School for a virtual craft program to learn how to make felted mushrooms. Kits will be available for pick up at the library a few days before the program. Registration is open to adults 18+.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Norfolk Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Cocktail Culture: The Mad Men Era
August 10, 7:00-8:00pm
Cocktail parties in the home have been popular since the 1920s, after the onset of Prohibition. Join us for a look at cocktail culture fashion as we travel through time. We will focus on silhouettes in clothing from the late 1940s through the 1960s, including men’s and women’s styles from the popular TV show, Mad Men.
Karen (Ren) Antonowicz received her Master’s Degree in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, and Design, with a concentration in Historic Costume & Textiles from the University of RI. She then taught History of Fashion and other courses full time at the college level for 13 years, and taught part time in the CE Program at the RI School of Design. In the meantime, Ren and her husband, Mike, opened Nostalgia Antiques & Collectibles, a 3-floor co-op located on historic Wickenden St. in Providence, RI and ran the business for five years. Ren continues to follow her passion for historic costume by conducting fashion era presentations, such as “The Fashions of Downton Abbey” at libraries, senior centers, schools, historical societies, and historic homes.
Recurring Programs:
Outside Knitting & Crocheting
Thursdays at 11am. **No registration is required**
Get Out and Knit (or Crochet)!
Thursday mornings at 11am
Bring a chair and your knitting to join a group for some socially distant knitting out on Town Hill.
In the event of inclement weather, this event will be canceled.
This program is brought to you through an LSTA grant by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Maker Lab On-The-Go
Wednesdays in July & August, 11:00am-12:00pm. **No registration is required**
Join us outside for Maker Lab On The Go where community members of all ages can tinker with new tools and equipment from our new Maker Lab cart! No registration required, just pop in and explore.
This program is brought to you through an LSTA grant by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Walk & Talk (about books!) – Click the dates to register
Join us this summer as we get out, get active and get sharing (on all the books we love!). We’ll meet at four different locations to explore Norfolk and the surrounding towns. On these leisurely walks through the woods, participants can connect with other community members while sharing some recent reads they’ve enjoyed.
July 13: Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary: 108 North St., Norfolk
July 20: Cranberry Bog @ Gillette Stadium
August 10: Wrentham State Forest: 691 Taunton St., Wrentham
August 17: DelCarte Conservation Area: Pleasant St, Franklin
Registration is required.
Take-home kits:
Coloring and Cocktails Summer Kit
June 21
Sign up for our new summer series Coloring and Cocktails to receive a take home kit to enjoy this summer. Each kit includes 8 coloring pages as well as 8 cocktail recipes.
Please note: No ingredients for the cocktails will be provided.
Take and Make Crafts for Adults: Summer Edition – Click the dates to register
Pick up a different craft kit each week during summer reading to bring home and enjoy. We will supply most of the materials, but there will be some items that you will need to provide (scissors, ruler, glue gun, etc.) Registration is required, open to adults 18+.
6/21/21: Flip Flop Welcome Sign
6/28/21: 4th of July Straw Starburst Wall Hanging
7/6/21: Pencil Holder
7/12/21: Pressed Flower Art
7/19/21: Terra Cotta Coasters
7/26/21: Seashell Wall Art
8/2/21: Sunflower Wreath
8/09/21: Wood Bangle Bracelet
Interactive Movie Kits – Click the dates to register
Kick off Summer Reading with an interactive movie experience at home! One registration per family, each bag will have enough supplies for 4 people. Need a copy of the dvd? Let us know when you register and we will make sure it is included in your bag.
Fall Programs
Click the program name to register!
Basic Digital Photography Workshop
Thursday, September 9, 4-6pm
Join us for a digital photography workshop with Photography By Michelson where you’ll learn the basics on:
• All camera controls and functions-manual & auto focus
• Memory cards, ISO ratings and low-light camera sensitivity
• Filters & Accessories
• Basic composition
• Use of electronic flash
• Normal, wide angle and telephoto lenses
• Basic portraiture
• Lighting Techniques
This program is brought to you through an LSTA grant with federal funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Family Trivia Night
Saturday, September 11, 7pm
Join us virtually for family trivia night! There will be 10 teams, 5 rounds, bragging rights and a whole lot of fun!
Team registration is required. When signing up, please register only one person (or team name) for the team.
Login information will be provided the day before the event.
Adult Dance Cardio: Sept 16 – Oct. 21 series
Registration is for the entire SIX week series starting on Thursday, September 16, 7pm
Love dancing to pop music, getting your heartbeat up, and laughing with old and new friends? Then Adult Dance Cardio is the perfect exercise class for you! The instructor will walk you through choreographed warm-ups that are inspired by jazz and hip-hop dance. The class will finish with a core work out followed by a relaxing cool down. Absolutely no prior experience is needed. Just a desire to exercise and have FUN dancing. You will leave the six week session feeling strong, empowered and ready to dance a night away.
Please note: these dance classes will be held at Exhale Dance Studio located at 65 Holbrook St.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Norfolk Public Library.
Tech Tuesdays
Tech Tuesday Workshops are a time where we will focus on a different skill or service. Everyone is welcome to drop in, no registration is required.
9/21: How to create and send e-mails
9/28: How to use your iPhone/iPad
10/5: How to use Hoopla
10/19: How to access ebooks and audiobooks through Overdrive/Libby
Maker Craft (At the Council on Aging)
Tuesday, September 14, 1pm
Join us at the Norfolk Council on Aging for a Maker Craft: Pop up Cards with Sue Costanza!
A pop up card is a three-dimensional card which, when opened, has an image that pops up. If you want your message to stand out, that’s where pop up cards come in. They are great for any occasion, will make your card stand out, and are easy to make! All supplies will be provided.
In addition to this fun craft, the library will be showcasing some of the new equipment such as a button maker, a 3D doodle pen and a robot ball which were all purchased with federal funds through an LSTA grant provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
This program is co-sponsored by the Norfolk Public Library and the Norfolk Council on Aging.
Supply crafts are limited, so registration through the Library or COA is required.
Author Talk with Steven Manchester
Wednesday, September 29th, 7pm. Register here.
New England’s Storyteller Steven Manchester is the author of the soul-awakening novel, The Menu, as well as the 80s nostalgia-fest, Bread Bags & Bullies. His other works include #1 bestsellers Twelve Months, The Rockin’ Chair, Pressed Pennies and Gooseberry Island; the national bestsellers, Ashes, The Changing Season and Three Shoeboxes; the multi-award winning novel, Goodnight Brian; and the beloved holiday podcast drama, The Thursday Night Club. His work has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early Show and BET’s Nightly News. Three of Steven’s short stories were selected “101 Best” for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. He is a multi-produced playwright, as well as the winner of the 2017 Los Angeles Book Festival, 2018 New York Book Festival and 2020 New England Book Festival. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or their children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing. Please visit www.StevenManchester.com for more information.
Join us as Steven presents Chasing the Dream: From Gulf War Vet to Bestselling Author which describes his 30-year journey to making his lifelong dream come true. He will explain how Passion, Purpose, & Perseverance sustained him through many years of hardship and rejection. There will be an opportunity for questions following the presentation.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Norfolk Public Library.
Beginner’s Chess for All Ages
Tuesday, October 26th, 7pm
Get an introduction to chess with instructor Glenn Davison! No chess set required. Suitable for adults, teens, and children ages 8+
This online class teaches the fundamentals of chess as a strategy game that is the most popular game in the world. In one hour you will learn the basics of playing chess including:
- Setting up the chess men
- Using the pawns
- Chess pieces and how they move to win
- Special moves
- Ten tips for playing a better game
- How to win a game of chess in 4 moves
This meeting will take place via Zoom. A link will be sent to participants.
Focaccia Art Cook-Along
Tuesday, October 5, 6:30pm
Join chef Liz Barbour of The Creative Feast for this beautifully delicious cooking demonstration. Liz will share an easy focaccia recipe that will become her blank canvas. Using a colorful palette of cheeses, meats, herbs, vegetables, and edible flowers, Liz will show you how to create an edible gardenscape focaccia work of art.
A list of ingredients and equipment will be provided in advance, if you want to cook along!
This program will take place via Zoom. Register directly with Liz here:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jWMm_dU9Tc2DLDjuP3CvCA
Be sure to save your registration email as it will include a password to join.
Horror Author Panel:
Join us for a terrifyingly terrific line up of local horror authors as they discuss their writing style, process, and books on October 6 and October 20 at 7PM:
October 6 featured authors: Pete Kahle, Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert, Cat Scully, Paul Tremblay
October 20 featured authors: Mary E. Hart, Christine Lajewski, Errick Nunnally, Rob Smales
For more information, please click on the date links above.
Garden-Ready Series with Casey Doyle
Thinking of your next garden project, even in the middle of winter? This series is for you! Sign up for each date individually.
11/17: How to Build a Cold Frame
1/18: Planning Your Spring and Summer Garden
3/16: How to Build a Rain Barrel
More details on each program to come!
Recurring Programs:
Mindful Mondays 
Monday, September 20, 3:30pm
Stressed or overwhelmed? Need to get away for a breather? Join us on the 3rd Monday of each month at 3:30pm for a brief and relaxed mindfulness session — including guided meditation, stretching (for those inclined), and discussions about mindfulness myths and strategies.
Outside Knitting & Crocheting
Fridays at 11am. **No registration is required**
Get Out and Knit (or Crochet)!
Friday mornings at 11am
Bring a chair and your knitting to join a group for some socially distant knitting out on Town Hill.
In the event of inclement weather, this event will be held in the Community Room.
This program is brought to you through an LSTA grant by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Chess Playing with Game of Kings
Second Saturday of every month from 10:30am to 1:30pm
Teens/adults and any skill levels welcome to join in and play a game of chess! You may bring your own chess board, but it’s not required.
New Title Preview Night
2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month starting September 14, 5:30pm
Stop by the library and be the first to see new adult titles being released for the week.
Ted Talks
TED Talks are recorded presentations that last 20 minutes or less on wide variety of topics including from science and technology to culture and arts. During each TED Talk session, we will watch at least two TED talks and discuss.
Registration is required. Click on the date you would like to register for:
Monday, October 25, 7:30pm
Theme: Education
Monday, November 29, 7:30pm
Theme: Health Care
Watercolor Meet Ups
Tuesdays in November, 5:30pm
Calling all watercolor painters:
Join us each Tuesday evenings in November for a painting session where people can share techniques, tips and projects. Please bring with you your supplies and what you’re currently working on. Please note that there will be no instruction given. This group is for adult watercolor painters, all levels welcome, to gather together and share ideas.
Questions? Please contact Libby O’Neill, Director, at (508) 528-3380 x4 or send an email to [email protected].