Programs and Book Groups
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Book Groups
Banned Book Club
Last Tuesday of each month (May – October), 2-3pm on Town Hill
Location: This group will meet outside, but will move indoors on days with inclement weather.
This book group will read books that have been banned or challenged. We will discuss why they were banned and other topics. Books will range from juvenile to adult titles. Questions? Contact Sarah, [email protected].
May 31st: Melissa by Alex Gino (juvenile)
June 28th: Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (young adult)
July 25th: Maus I: A Survivor’s Tale by Art Spiegelman (graphic novel)
August 30th: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (juvenile)
September 27th: 1984 by George Orwell (adult)
October 25th: The Giver by Lois Lowry (juvenile)
History Book Group
Location: This group will meet in person in the schoolhouse at 6:30pm.
Spend an enjoyable evening at the Norfolk Public Library with people who share similar interests and are passionate about reading. This discussion group, led by Chris Kelly, focuses on non-fiction selections that are of both historical and contemporary interest. Chris implores all members to participate in the discussion; silence is deafening! New members are always welcome to attend and registration is not required.
This group meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm in the Schoolhouse and will run March through June this year. A month prior to each discussion, copies of the next month’s discussion book are available in the library to check out at the circulation desk.
For more information contact: Chris Kelly, 508-782-8890, [email protected]
Forever Young Adults
Location: This group will meet virtually on the dates below at 7pm.
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.
NPL/COA Book Group
Location: This group will meet in person at the Council on Aging (28 Medway Branch)
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. For more information contact Sarah, [email protected]
May 17: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
June 21: The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
July 19: Midnight Library by Matt Haig
August 16: Guncle by Steven Rowley
Page Turners
Location: This group will meet in person in the Schoolhouse
1st Tuesday of the Month at 1pm
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:
NEW DATE May 11, 2022: Writers & Lovers by Lily King (2020; 324 pages)
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)
Read It and Eat It
Location: This group will meet in person in the Community Room
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, [email protected]
Taste of Poetry
1st Tuesday of the month at 11:30am
Location: This group will meet in person in the Schoolhouse
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 Poets:
May: Warsan Shire
June: Rumi
Spring and Summer Programs
Click the program name to register!
Adult Dance with Exhale Dance Studio
4/27 – 6/1 (6 week session), 10:00am on Town Hill. Registering once registers you for the whole series.
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 this six week session feeling strong, empowered and ready to dance a night away.
Please note: these dance classes will be help on Town Hill (weather permitting).
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Norfolk Public Library.
Spring Sheet Pan Meals
5/10, 6:30pm – VIRTUAL program
Cooking an entire meal on a single sheet pan is the latest cooking trend. Spreading your ingredients out on a large pan is simple and gives your meal a crispy, colorful, and intensely flavorful result. Whether you are cooking for a crowd or for 2, this method will meet your needs. Join Chef Liz Barbour of The Creative Feast for this flavorful class. Liz will demonstrate two recipes and give you ideas for many more combinations you will want to try on your own.
This program will take place via Zoom. Register directly with Liz here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2TZXAtkeSD61HPWmWa5vIQ
Before Brooklyn: An Author Talk with Ted Reinstein
5/19, 7:00pm in the Community Room
In April of 1945, exactly two years before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball, liberal Boston City Councilman Izzy Muchnick persuaded the Red Sox to try out three black players in return for a favorable vote to allow the team to play on Sundays. The Red Sox got the councilman’s much-needed vote, but the tryout was a sham; the three players would get no closer to the major leagues. It was a lost battle in a war that was ultimately won by Robinson in 1947. This book tells the story of the little-known heroes who fought segregation in baseball, from communist newspaper reporters to the Pullman car porters who saw to it that black newspapers espousing integration in professional sports reached the homes of blacks throughout the country. It also reminds us that the first black player in professional baseball was not Jackie Robinson but Moses Fleetwood Walker in 1884, and that for a time integrated teams were not that unusual. And then, as segregation throughout the country hardened, the exclusion of blacks in baseball quietly became the norm, and the battle for integration began anew.
About the Author: Ted Reinstein has been a reporter for “Chronicle,” WCVB-TV/Boston’s award-winning—and America’s longest-running, locally-produced— nightly news magazine since 1997. In addition, he has been a contributor for the station’s political roundtable show and sits on WCVB’s editorial board. He lives just west of Boston with his wife and two daughters. He is also the author of New England Notebook (Globe, 2013) and Wicked Pissed (Globe, 2016).
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Norfolk Public Library.
The Unlikely Strummers Mini Concert to Benefit Baypath Humane Society
5/26, 6:30 on Town Hill
Local ukulele group The Unlikely Strummers will perform an outdoor concert called “The Unlikely Strummers are Goin’ to the Dogs (and the Cats and the Opossums and the Horses).” Attendance is free, and donations to the Baypath Humane Society will be encouraged. There will also be a raffle to “adopt” several stuffed animals based on real rescues.
This event will take place on Town Hill, and can also be live-streamed at facebook.com/unlikelystrummers.
“What’s It Worth?”: Antiques Roadshow with Mike Ivankovich
6/8, 6:00-8:00pm – VIRTUAL program
Author, auctioneer, appraiser and radio show host Mike Ivankovich will introduce you to what determines value and reveal what your antiques, collectibles, and personal treasures are really worth today. Each attendee is invited to bring in 1-2 items for Mike to appraise.
Registration is required in order to receive the Zoom login link the day before this event.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Norfolk Public Library.
A Cultural and Historical Reflection of the 1960s Through the Music of The Beatles
7/16, 12-1pm in the Community Room
A multi-media presentation highlighting the influence The Beatles had on world culture, particularly during the 1960s. It features live acoustic music and audience sing-alongs, coupled with rare audio and video clips.
This hour-long event is family-friendly and suitable for all ages. The Beatles have fans in every generation, and their songs are beloved by all.
Introduction to Belly Dance
7/28, 7-8:30pm in the Community Room
Learn fundamental belly dance moves – shimmies, circles, and figure 8s – and how to bring them together in endless combinations so to express your creativity through dance.
NO dance experience necessary. Low-impact. Wear comfortable clothing. Be prepared to dance barefoot unless you have smooth-soled, flat shoes. Susan McCarthy (Anechka) has practiced, performed, and taught belly dance since 2000.
Recurring Programs:
Chess Playing with Game of Kings
2nd Saturday of the month 10:30am—1:30pm. **No registration required**
The Game of Kings is coming to the Norfolk Library on the 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.
Knitting & Crocheting
Fridays at 11:00am. **No registration required**
Do you love to knit or crochet? If so, bring your yarn and knitting needles for our informal knitting group where you can work on projects, socialize and share advice. Please note that this is not a knitting class. No instruction will be provided, although participants are usually willing to help each other if issues occur.
This program will be held in the NPL Magazine Room.
No Fail Crafts for Adults
Click on the session date to register. No Fail Crafts will be held in person.
6/29, 7-8pm: Rock Photo Holder
7/14, 1-4pm: Collage Landscape (bring a reference photo with you) *Please only register for either the afternoon session on 7/14 or the evening session on 8/17*
7/27, 7-8:30pm: Citrus Tea Towels
8/17, 6-9pm: Collage Landscape (bring a reference photo with you) *Please only register for either the afternoon session on 7/14 or the evening session on 8/17*
Enjoy an evening or afternoon of crafting with all materials provided. Great for all skill levels. Open to adults 18+. Registration is required.
Spring Watercolor Meet Ups
Tuesdays, 1:00-3:00pm, no registration required.
Do you enjoy painting with watercolors?
This group is for adult watercolor painters, all levels welcome, to gather together while painting your own projects.
Join us on Tuesday afternoons for a relaxed painting session where we can share techniques, ideas, tips and projects. Bring with you your supplies and what you’re currently working on. Please note that there will be no instruction given.
Adult programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Norfolk Public Library, unless otherwise noted.
Questions? Please contact Sarah, Director, at (508) 528-3380 x3 or send an email to [email protected].
