The library is beginning a spice library program! Beginning April 3rd, every month, pick up a packet of a new spice with fun recipes to try! Cinnamon will be our spice. First come, first served while supplies last.

The library has started a podcast, Beyond Books! The hosts, Mike and Dana (SPL's Assistant Director and Technology Specialist, respectively), provide behind-the-scenes looks at the events, news, and people at the library.

The second episode, which includes an exclusive interview with our head of Circulation, Melissa Wentworth, is available now. Listen on our website (bottom right of the page), Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Anchor. FM.

Now open to all CW MARS patrons!

Interested in a heathier lifestyle? Check out Headspace! The Headspace app includes hundreds of meditations along with exercises for sleep, focus, and movement. CW MARS patrons are eligible to request access to Headspace through the Shrewsbury Public Library on a first come, first served basis, typically between the 14th and 28th of the month for the month that follows (i.e., you should sign up between April 14th and April 28th to request a May license). Find out more on our website.

Library Programs

Library & AARP Tax help appointments
Final date: Saturday, April 8

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
At the library
Appointments required

The Shrewsbury Public Library has partnered with AARP to offer tax preparation help again this season! Appointments are required; bring all tax documents from the current year (2022), your state and federal returns from last year (2021), a photo ID, and your Social Security card with you.

The final date remaining is April 8; to make an appointment, call the library’s Reference desk at 508-841-8533.

50+ Job Seekers Networking Group 
First and third Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. (April 5 & 19)
Second and fourth Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. (April 12 & 26)
Virtual

If you are over 50, unemployed and actively looking, underemployed, seeking a new career direction, re-entering the job market after a long employment gap, or recently retired and looking for your "Encore Career", this networking group program is perfect for you. Remember, 85% of jobs are found through networking! 

Join us in a professional forum for networking with peers in a safe and comfortable environment conducive to developing new relationships and developing skills and strategies to help in your career transition. Meetings include a presentation and hands-on workshop on topics relevant to career transition, guest speakers, access to hiring managers, small group breakout rooms to network, and 1-on-1 coaching guidance. Participating on a regular basis will give job seekers the many tools and strategies needed for a successful job search.  

The group meets on Zoom from 9:30–11:30 a.m. on first and third Wednesday mornings, with repeat sessions on the same topics now offered in the evenings from 6:00–8:00 p.m. on second and fourth Wednesday evenings. Please register for only one session on each topic, as the morning and evening sessions will be identical.

This month's topics will be on LinkedIn:

-Create a LinkedIn Profile (April 5th, 9:30–11:30 a.m. & April  12th, 6:00–8:00 p.m.)

-LinkedIn and Personal Branding (April 19th, 9:30–11:30 a.m. & April 26th, 6:00–8:00 p.m.)

This program takes place virtually on Zoom; please register to attend separately for each session: 

-Register here for morning sessions

-Register here for evening sessions

View the full list of topics and dates on our Facebook event page.

This group is sponsored by more than 60 Massachusetts public libraries.

Spanish Conversation Club
Tuesdays, April 4, 18 & 25
6:00–7:00 p.m.
At the library

Are you looking for a casual space where you can practice your Spanish and learn more about the multiple cultures of those who speak that language?

Join our Spanish Conversation Club (most) Tuesdays at the Shrewsbury Public Library at 6:00 p.m. (in the Learning Lab on the second floor). No registration required. Visit our events calendar to confirm dates. 

Read, Listen, and Watch with Hoopla!
Monday, April 3rd
3:00–4:00 p.m.
At the library

Do you describe yourself as "not being good with computers"? Are you interested in getting more comfortable with them? Join us in the Learning Lab for a class on Computer Basics! Attendees will learn how to identify the basic parts of a computer, turn a computer off/on, differentiate between software and hardware, use a mouse, and the basics of using a keyboard. Laptops will be provided.

Space is limited, so registration is required.

SPL Movie Discussion Club
Tuesday, April 4th
7:00–8:00 p.m.
Virtual

Join the Shrewsbury Public Library Movie Discussion Club every first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. on Google Meet! Intended for film fans 18 and older.

Watch the “Movie of the Month” on your own time, then meet with us virtually to discuss. April's film is Only God Forgives (2013, rated R). Shrewsbury residents may view the movie here on Kanopy (create an account/log in with your library card to access Kanopy); non-residents of Shrewsbury should sign up for/access Kanopy through their home library, i.e., the library in the town in which they reside, or by signing up for a Boston Public Library e-card. Attendees are also free to find an alternative way to watch.

Register here to receive an email 3 days prior to the discussion date with the Google Meet link.

Contact Dana Volke with any questions at 508-841-4049 or [email protected].

Get Started with Libby
Friday, April 7th
2:30–3:30 p.m.
At the library

Want access to ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more, anytime and anywhere? You can with Libby! Bring your device and join the Shrewsbury Public Library for a class in our Learning Lab to get set up and familiar with the Libby app!

Upcoming dates include:

-Friday, April 7th at 2:30 p.m.

-Thursday, May 11th at 5:30 p.m.

Registration is required; please visit our events calendar to sign up for your preferred date.

The Importance of Bees
Thursday, April 8th
2:00–3:00 p.m.

At the library

Join local beekeeper and Auburn resident, John Hedley, of the Worcester County Beekeepers Association (a leader in beekeeping education for over 100 years), as he discusses key topics relating to bees and our environment. John will present on starting a beehive, collecting honey, the physical structure of a hive, bee chores in and out of a hive, the bee colony and its organization, and the importance of pollination.

This program is appropriate for all ages.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library.

This program will take place in person at the library; please register to attend

Tech Tuesday: Microsoft Word: Long Documents
Tuesday, April 11th
6:00–7:30 p.m.
At the library

Join us in the Learning Lab for Tech Tuesdays! This class, we will be covering Microsoft Word: Long Documents. Attendees will learn how to add page breaks, chapter titles, a table of contents, page numbers, headers, and footers, as well as how to add styles for a consistent appearance using Microsoft Word 2016. Laptops will be provided.

Space is limited, so registration required.

Meditation for a More Balanced Life
Tuesday, April 11th
7:00–8:00 p.m.

Virtual

People all over the world are tuning into meditation to help them lead a more peaceful and healthy lifestyle. Scientific studies have proven that the practice of meditation provides a deep relaxation to the body that helps reduce stress and tension. Meditation is the key to a more balanced life. Please join Ajili Hodari, Esq., longtime meditator, to learn a simple and natural method of meditation that will help enhance your life in this powerful program. 

 Ajili Hodari, Esq., attended Michigan State University as a scholar athlete where he received his B.A. and M.A. degrees in Advertising. After a career in the printing and publishing industry in the San Francisco Bay area, he received his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1990. He now practices in Seattle, WA and manages his own firm, Hodari Law Office, PLLC. Ajili has spoken about all aspects of meditation in numerous venues throughout the country.

This program will take place virtually on Zoom; please register to attend.

Unlike Any Other: The Life and Times of Bathsheba Spooner
Thursday, April 13th
7:00–8:00 p.m.
At the library

Join the Shrewsbury Public Library with Ed Londergan, author of Unlike Any Other, a biographical novel about Bathsheba Spooner, for this talk about Spooner's life and times. Bathsheba Spooner was the daughter of Timothy Ruggles, a general in the French and Indian War, president of the Stamp Act Congress, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, and a leading loyalist in Massachusetts during the Revolutionary War; the epitome of upper class. Like her father, Bathsheba was smart, strong-willed, and a staunch British loyalist. Forced to marry a man she did not love, Bathsheba withstood her husband’s abuse for years until a young Continental soldier entered her life. But when this well-heeled mother of three small children discovered she was pregnant with the soldier’s child, her thoughts quickly turned to murder.

Ed Londergan is the author of the award-winning books, The Devils’ Elbow and The Long Journey Home. Having researched American history for many years, he is a frequent speaker with a focus on colonial Massachusetts. A graduate of Holy Cross, he lives in Warren, Massachusetts. For more information, visit: www.edlondergan.com

Sponsored by the Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library.

This program will take place in person at the library; please register to attend.

Author Christopher Morash Discusses Dublin - The Place and the Literati!
Saturday, April 15th
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Virtual 

Join author and professor at Trinity College (Ireland), Christopher Morash, as he discusses his book, Dublin: A Writer's City. Beyond the footsteps of James Joyce's characters, around the city center, an ordinary-looking residential street overlooking Dublin Bay, for instance, presents the house where Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney lived for many years; just down the coast is a pier linked to Samuel Beckett. Step-by-step, Dublin: A Writer's City unfolds a book-lover's map of this unique city, inviting us to experience what it means to live in a great city of literature.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library and is a collaboration between a multitude of MA Libraries.

This program will take place virtually on Zoom; please register to attend.

The Disappearance of Dr. Parkman: Blood & Ivy at the Harvard Medical School
Saturday, April 15th
2:00–3:00 p.m.
At the library

Join presenter Justice Dennis J. Curran (ret.) to learn about the 1849 murder case of Dr. George Parkman in Boston, one of the most sensational trials of the 19th century. This case had it all: a grisly murder, a dismembered corpse, a wealthy victim, a respected suspect, a questionable lead witness for the prosecution, and unusual court proceedings. In this talk, we will examine the lawyers, the judges, the problems with the case, and its oddities. The forensics of the case, one of the first trials to allow scientific evidence as testimony, will also be explored.

Justice Dennis J. Curran (ret.) served as a Massachusetts trial judge for 15 years. He is a graduate of Boston Latin School, the University of Pennsylvania (B.A. and M.A.) and the University of Virginia School of Law. He has received four statewide awards for his deep commitment and belief in the justice system and dedication to the law.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library.

This program will take place in person at the library; please register to attend.

Indoor Mushroom Growing
Thursday, April 20th
7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Virtual

Did you know that gourmet mushrooms can cost $30 per pound in the store? Learn how to grow your own mushrooms using limited space. Presenter Isaiah Chavez is an accomplished mushroom farmer from Colorado.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library.

This program will take place virtually on Zoom; please register to attend.

Reading Glasses
Thursday, April 27th
7:00–8:30 p.m.
Virtual

The April meeting of Reading Glasses, SPL’s book group for adults in their 20s and 30s, will be on Thursday, April 27th on Google Meet. 

We’ll be discussing Jackal by Erin E. Adams: “Adams creates a horror story inspired by a tragically familiar and yet neglected issue in America—the epidemic of disappearing Black girls—and authorities’ and media’s lack of concern or coverage. The legend of being killed in the woods has been whispered about in Johnstown for decades, but only Liz and other Black residents are willing to acknowledge that there is a killer on the loose specifically targeting Black girls” (chireviewofbooks.com).

New attendees, please email [email protected] to receive a Google Meet invite closer to the date.

Shrewsbury Genealogy Club
Tuesday, April 25th
7:15–9:15 p.m.
Virtual

Anyone interested in genealogy (or family history) can now join the Shrewsbury Genealogy Club from the comfort of their home! The club meets on Zoom at 7:15 p.m. and has moved meetings to the fourth Tuesday of every month (through June).

To register, email the Genealogy Club’s clubmaster, former SPL Assistant Director George Brown, at [email protected].

"Avocado Anxiety and Other Stories" with Author Louise Gray
Saturday, April 22nd
10:00–11:00 a.m.
Virtual

Join author Louise Gray for a talk on the questions raised in her new book, Avocado Anxiety and Other Stories About Where Your Food Comes. For example, have you ever wondered why we can buy British strawberries in April? How far do you think your green beans traveled to get to your plate? And where do all the wonky carrots go? Above all, how do we stop worrying about our food choices and start making decisions that make a difference? Join us for this very important discussion as we celebrate Earth Day 2023!

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library and is a collaboration between a multitude of MA Libraries.

This program will take place virtually on Zoom; please register to attend.

SPL Movie Matinee: Elvis
Saturday, April 22nd
2:00–4:45 p.m.
At the library

Join the Shrewsbury Public Library for our Movie Matinee! A different film will be screened monthly in person at the library on a Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

In April, we'll enjoy a screening of Elvis (2022, rated PG-13): "The life of American music icon Elvis Presley, from his childhood to becoming a rock and movie star in the 1950s while maintaining a complex relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker."

No registration required.

Questions? Please contact Dana Volke at 508-841-4049 or [email protected].

Ash & Eric folk concert
Saturday, April 29th
2:00–3:30 p.m.
At the library

Join Worcester’s own folk duo, Ash & Eric, for a special event of songs & stories. Ash & Eric have never shied away from life’s hard edges. The married couple’s new album “Sure” (May 2022) is “a tale of love… [with] some heartaches and a pinch of disputation along the way” (Americana UK). Hailing from the gritty heart of New England, the two find consolation in discovering beauty in the challenges of life. Their musings reflect the hope and pain we all experience, sung in voices as vulnerable and honest as their lyrics. Their songs feel like a warm welcome, a shoulder to lean on and a hand to hold at the end of a long day. Their warm harmonies, swirling acoustic guitars, and easy stage presence have earned them a dedicated following in the emerging US folk scene, performing with folk legends like Livingston Taylor, Mark Erelli, and Vance Gilbert. 

Sponsored by the Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library.

This program will take place in person at the library; please register to attend.

Tech Tuesday: Get Started with Python
Tuesday, May 2nd
6:00–7:30 p.m.
At the library

Join us in the Learning Lab for Tech Tuesdays! This class, we will be covering how to Get Started with Python. Attendees will learn what Python is and ways it can be used, how to write and run Python code using IDLE, basic coding concepts, and additional resources available to expand their skills outside of class. Laptops will be provided.

This program is for learners ages 13+.

Space is limited; registration is required (opens April 1).

Shrewsbury Readers
Thursday, May 4th
6:30–8:00 p.m.
At the library

Shrewsbury Readers is a group about good books and good discussions. Titles are selected from a variety of genre and copies of the book will be available at the first floor Circulation desk for group members to check out.

At the May 4th meeting, we'll be discussing The House Guest by Hank Phillippi Ryan: "Alyssa Macallan is terrified when she’s dumped by her wealthy and powerful husband. With a devastating divorce looming, she begins to suspect her toxic and manipulative soon-to-be-ex is scheming to ruin her. Alyssa offers [new friend] Bree Lorrance the safety of her guest house, and the two become confidantes. Then Bree makes a heart-stoppingly tempting offer. Maybe Alyssa and Bree can solve each others’ problems. But no one is what they seem. And the fates and fortunes of these two women twist and turn until the shocking truth emerges: You can’t always get what you want. But sometimes you get what you deserve" (us.macmillan.com).

New members are welcome; please contact Priya Rathnam at 508-841-8537 or [email protected]