The Northborough Library Children’s Department has a variety of programs scheduled this month. Follow the Library on Facebook and Instagram. Please consult the library website for any updates or changes in programming or contact the Library directly at 508-393-5025 x4. Registration from the library’s events page may be needed.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
- The ABCs of Racism: Fostering Conversations and Action about Race and Justice with kids (Parent & Educator Workshop): Monday, September 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m. From cradle to grave, by every metric of wellbeing we can measure–education, employment, health, housing–research tells us that deep racial disparities persist in our society. Research also tells us that children begin to notice and assign meaning to skin color by the age of 2. This makes racial literacy a critical part of preparing our children to lead lives as engaged, equity-minded problem solvers in the world. Geared for White or multiracial audiences, this workshop explores fundamental concepts of systemic racism, the barriers that block us from engaging with kids around race and racism, the social science of race awareness in children, and strategies to start and sustain antiracist and action in school and at home.
- Costume Swap: Saturday, October 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. National Costume Swap Day encourages the pirates, princesses, dragons and wizards to trade costumes. Celebrate the day by bringing your old costumes to swap with other families in the community. Bring your clean, gently used store-bought or homemade costumes to the library anytime starting Monday, September 19 through Saturday, October 1. Then visit the library on October 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. to choose your costume for this year’s Halloween festivities. Everyone is welcome. No registration is required.
- Gourd Decorating: Thursday, October 20, 3-4:30 p.m. Pick a gourd and paint it up! Leave it at the library to enter the Cucurbits Decorating Contest. Winners will be voted for and decided at the Halloween Party on Oct. 28. Supplies are provided. Recommended for kids ages 3-12. Please register.
- Stargazing: Monday, October 24, 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Ellsworth McAfee Park. Explore the early fall sky! Learn about the best stargazing apps and how to use the library telescope Take a peek through our telescope or your phone to view planets, stars and the moon. This program is geared to families with elementary aged children. Please register.
- Halloween Party: Friday, October 28, 5:30-7 p.m. Join the after-hours spooktacular fun including games, crafts and candy. Be sure to vote in our Cucurbits Decorating Contest. Make sure to come in your favorite costume. All families are welcome, but please register. NOTE: the library will not be open for regular business during this event.
MONDAYS
- LEGO Club: October 17, 3-5 p.m. Drop by for LEGO Club! Kids an free-build or complete our challenge of the week.
TUESDAYS
- Music Mashup: October 4, 11, 18, 25; 10-10:30 a.m. An engaging and interactive program developed for families with children 2-5. Instruments, scarves and other toys will be used while we read, dance to music and make some noise. No registration required.
- Art Club: October 25, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Art enthusiasts in grades 3-5 are invited to join Miss Lindsay to explore different mediums and complete an art project. Wear comfortable clothing that can get stained. Please register.
WEDNESDAYS
- Pokémon Trading Card Game: October 5, 1-3 p.m. No school? Spend the afternoon at the library haggling (aka socializing) over Pokémon card trades. Bring your cards and trade up with your friends, play the game and just hang out.. Please register.
- Mother Goose on the Loose: October 5, 12, 19, 26; 9:45-10:15 a.m. or 10:30-11:00 a.m. This early literacy program supports your child’s development through story, songs, rhymes, bouncing and fingerplays. Musical instruments and puppets will further children’s early learning skills. Best suited for children birth-2 with a favorite adult. No registration required.
- Read to Finnegan: October 12, 19, 26; 3:30-4:15 p.m. Sign up to read to our very special “read” dog. Finnegan is trained to sit with your child and listen to them read. This kind of support from lovable pups can foster your child’s self confidence, build reading skills and it’s just plain fun. Please register.
- Young Scientists: October 12, 19, 26; 1-2 p.m. A 6-week STEM series facilitated by STEM Beginnings for children ages 3-6 with a parent/caregiver. Will learn STEM concepts through hands-on activities, a story, and simple experiments. Siblings are welcomed. Please register. The program is sponsored by the YMCA Family & Community Partnership, a MA Coordinated Family & Community Engagement Grant program funded by the Dept. of Early Education & Care and awarded tot he YMCA of Central MA.
THURSDAYS
- Preschool Story Time: October 6, 13, 20, 27; 10-10:30 a.m. or 1-1:30 p.m. For preschoolers ages 4-5. A story time with a little independence. Join us for stories and a fun craft or activity. No registration required.
FRIDAYS
- Toddler Time: October 7, 14, 21, 28; 10-10:30 a.m. Explore a weekly theme while enjoying age and developmentally appropriate stories, songs, movement activities and fingerplay. Geared towards children ages 2-3 with a favorite adult. No registration required.
- Toddler Zone Playtime: October 7, 14, 21, 28; 10:30-11:30 a.m. Head over to the Room of Requirement – it’s time to play! The room’s door will be closed and special toys brought out for use only during this time. Families with toddlers ages 1-3 are welcome.
SATURDAYS
- Crafternoon Kits: October 15; 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Drop by the library every Saturday to pick up the materials for a fun new art project. Crafternoon kits are available for pick up while supplies last on the designated dates. Sponsored by the Northboro Junior Woman’s Club.