Special Announcements

The library has started a spice program! Every month, pick up a packet of a new spice with fun recipes to try.

Be sure to visit the library in the first week of the month to grab your sample (first come, first served while supplies last); the spice for July will be allspice.

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 latest episode includes a chat with local author, Carol Baker. Listen on our website (bottom right of the page), Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Anchor. FM.

Now open to all CW MARS patrons!

One of the library’s great online resources is the Headspace meditation app, which includes exercises for meditation, focus, sleep, and movement that can help support your mental health. 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., sign up between July 14th and July 28th to request an August license). 

Find out more on our website.

Library Programs

Read, Listen, and Watch with hoopla
Thursday, July 6th
6:00–7:00 p.m.
At the library

What's all the hoopla about hoopla?! Are you looking for an alternative to Libby? Did you know your library card lets you download and stream with the hoopla service from the comfort of your own home? Bring your device (e.g., smartphone, tablet) to this in-person class and learn how to borrow digital books, audio, movies, and television series using hoopla.

This program will take place in person at library. Space is limited, so registration is required.

SPL Movie Discussion Club
Tuesday, July 11th
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. The July 11th film is Get Out (2017; rated R): "Now that Chris and his girlfriend, Rose, have reached the meet-the-parents milestone of dating, she invites him for a weekend getaway with Missy and Dean. At first, Chris reads the family's overly accommodating behavior as nervous attempts to deal with their daughter's interracial relationship, but as the weekend progresses, a series of increasingly disturbing discoveries leads him to a truth that he never could have imagined" (rottentomatoes.com).

Register here to receive an email the day before the discussion date with the Google Meet link.

The Unlocked Path, An Examination and Celebration of Family History
Tuesday, July 11th
7:00–8:00 p.m.
At the library

Local MA author, Janis Robinson Daly, will share a presentation on her debut historical fiction, The Unlocked Path, An Examination and Celebration of Family History: How the Secrets of Our Past can Surprise, Delight, Educate, and Inspire the Writing of a Novel. The event will include a reading, book sale, and signing. 

Sponsored by the Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library.

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

Understanding Retirement Plans, an Overview
Wednesday, July 12th
7:00–8:00 p.m.
At the library

Financial advisor Mike Ford will help attendees understand employee sponsored and individual retirement plans from contribution limits to eligibility requirements. Planning for retirement is an activity that is best started young allowing for individuals to experience the full benefit of compound interest. However, at any age or salary, there are sound retirement strategies that can be employed to maximize retirement funds.

Mike Ford is a long-time Shrewsbury resident, operating as a financial advisor in town. Mike is a Toastmaster in the Shrewsbury club and enjoys traveling and meeting new people. 

Sponsored by the Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library.

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

Take a Meditation Vacation
Thursday, July 13th
7:00–8:00 p.m.
Virtual

Need to escape the stress and strains of life? Would you like to learn how to immerse yourself in peace, calm, and joy? Join long-time meditator Arlene Samsel to learn techniques to revive oneself just like a relaxing vacation. There will even be a short meditation sitting.

Arlene Samsel is uniquely qualified and experienced in meditation, public speaking, and the performing arts. She has been an elementary school teacher and has also performed publicly as a musician for many years. She has been meditating for 25 years and has given many meditation workshops and retreats which has enabled her to speak firsthand about the crucial role of meditation in enhancing the daily lives of busy people.

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

Writing Workshop
Saturdays, July 15th and August 19th
2:00–4:00 p.m.

At the library

The Shrewsbury Public Library extends a warm invitation to all writers for writing workshops! Come join fellow writers on third Saturdays this summer in a space dedicated to the craft of the written word, a space that encourages improvement.

During a writing workshop, writers share their work in the hopes of receiving positive, constructive feedback and suggestions. Workshops such as this are vital to a writer's growth, as getting different perspectives can help a writer see things they might have missed about their own work. It's also a great environment for fun, light-hearted conversations!

The workshops are hosted by InfinityEd and facilitated by published writer Ashton Hooley.

This program will take place in person at the library; please register separately for each session on the library’s events calendar.

Sharing Your Genealogy Research Results
Thursday, July 18th
7:00–8:00 p.m.
At the library

Join the Shrewsbury Public Library for this workshop led by professional genealogist Seema-Jayne Kenney. Today’s technologies provide many ways to share results without writing a full book, so let’s discuss creative ways to share even small discoveries that might interest living family members.

Seema Kenney is an experienced software instructor and a professional genealogist. Her known roots are deep in New England as well as England, Germany, and Sweden. She has a certificate in Genealogical Research from BU, has completed the ProGen Study Program, and is an active member and officer of several societies.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library.

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

Amazing Magical Potter’s Wheel
Saturday, July 22nd
2:00–3:00 p.m.
At the library

This is an all-ages, family-friendly pottery wheel demonstration with a focus on the arts, the exploration of creativity, and techniques, with a touch of history. Participants will pass a freshly made pot from the potter’s wheel from person to person and have the chance to feel dry and wet pots as they rotate on the wheel. Each person will also make a pinch pot (cup made from a ball of clay by pinching the clay with the thumb and finger) and take home the unfired piece.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library.

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

Safety Last silent film screening
Tuesday, July 25th
7:00–8:00 p.m.
At the library

“Safety Last” is a romantic/action comedy thriller about a boy (Harold Lloyd) who would do anything for his girl (Mildred Davis). Bill (Bill Strothers), Harold’s roommate and dare devil climber, agreed to split the $1,000 if he successfully carried out the DeVore Department Store’s promotional stunt that was thought up by Harold. But Bill got into trouble with a cop so Harold took his place and climbed the building all the way to the top. The story is fun with plenty of sight gags sprinkled in as the cameras adeptly shot the breathtaking ascent from all angles. Sam Taylor directed the film, H. M. Walker wrote the inter titles, and Hal Roach produced it. The film made a whopping 1.5 million dollars. 

Live musical accompaniment by pianist Richard Hughes.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library.

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

Shrewsbury Genealogy Club
Tuesday, July 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.

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

Maleficent film screening
Wednesday, July 26th
6:30–8:30 p.m.
At the library

Please join the Shrewsbury Public Library on Wednesday, July 26th at 6:30 p.m. for a screening of the film Maleficent (2014, rated PG), as part of the library’s Summer Scares programming.

Like the stories of The Merry Spinster (one of the Summer Scares 2023 recommended adult books), this film weaves a fractured fairytale, retelling the classic story of Sleeping Beauty: "As a beautiful young woman of pure heart, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) has an idyllic life in a forest kingdom. When an invading army threatens the land, Maleficent rises up to become its fiercest protector. However, a terrible betrayal hardens her heart and twists her into a creature bent on revenge. She engages in an epic battle with the invading king's successor, then curses his newborn daughter, Aurora -- realizing only later that the child holds the key to peace in the kingdom" (rottentomatoes.com).

No registration required.

Bonus: Join SPL's Movie Discussion Club on Google Meet on Tuesday, August 1st at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the film! Registration link to be posted on the library’s calendar.

Mental Health First Aid Training
Thursday, July 27th
11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
At the library

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. You'll build skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling. You'll also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.

After the course, attendees will be able to:

• Recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges.
• Recognize common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
• Understand how to interact with a person in crisis.
• Know how to connect a person with help.
• Use self-care tools and techniques.

Learn how to respond with the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE):

• Assess for risk of suicide or harm.
• Listen non-judgmentally.
• Give reassurance and information.
• Encourage appropriate professional help.
• Encourage self-help and other support strategies.

To register, e-mail Jammie Glenn at [email protected].

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

The July meeting of Reading Glasses, SPL’s book group for adults in their 20s and 30s, will be on Thursday, July 27th on Google Meet.
 
We’ll be discussing The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections by Eva Jurczyk, “about a woman struggling to step out from behind the shadows of powerful and unreliable men and the dark edge of obsession running through the most devoted bookworms” (www.evajurczyk.com).

New attendees, please email [email protected] to be added to the notification list. All attendees will receive a Google Meet invite closer to the meeting date.

Movie Matinee: Ticket to Paradise
Saturday, July 29th
2:00–4:00 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.

On July 29th, we'll enjoy a screening of Ticket to Paradise (2022, rated PG-13): "Lily sends a message to her parents [George Clooney and Julia Roberts] that she's going to get married to a local she met while vacationing in Bali. The distraught and long-divorced parents fly to Indonesia to hopefully derail their daughter's impulsive plan. However, they should learn how to control their scathing animosity toward each other if they are to succeed with their own plan."

No registration required.

Don't see a program here? Registration may already be full!
Keep an eye on our events calendar for upcoming programs of interest.