News & Notes from the Blanding Library

Mother’s Day Tea May 11
You are invited to enjoy afternoon tea with Mrs. Michael Gordon, a fictional middle-class housewife from 1908, at Goff Hall on Sat. May 11 at 2pm. Mrs. Gordon, an amusing storyteller, will talk about different aspects of her life.  In addition to an afternoon tea, this is an interactive show where the audience is free to ask questions of Mrs. Gordon and can share their own stories if they wish. The audience will definitely feel as if they are speaking to a woman from the turn of the 20th century. Bring your mother, your daughter, or a friend to enjoy this immersive, educational, and delicious experience, just in time for Mother’s Day! Please call the library to register at (508) 252-4236.

 American Folk Revival May 15
On Wed. May 15 at 6:30, Andrew Lewis and Michael Shea will present Songs and Stories of the American Folk Revival. Their 75-minute show will present a history of the folk revival, highlighting the most influential songs of the period. A living history of the folk revival of the 1960s, they include the audience in their songs as well, telling the stories and singing the songs of the musicians and how each song shares its meaning.

Songs & Stories of Johnny Cash June 9
On Sun. June 9 at 6:30, country musician and author Matt York will perform the songs of Johnny Cash and tell stories about Cash’s career, spanning from his early beginnings in the 1950s to his passing in 2003. York was recently nominated for the Boston Music Award for Best Country Artist and his album Gently Used was named one of Patriot Ledger’s best albums of 2022. This program is made possible by a grant from the Rehoboth Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass. Cultural Council, a state agency.

Children's Events in May
May brings flowers, fun, a spring Story Walk around the library's front garden, and fairies and gnomes! All month, Seek & Find Elusive Fairies and Roaming Gnomes will be hiding in various places downstairs in the library. Find them all for a prize. They'll be moving about, so be sure to look hard. Be sure to stop by the Children’s area to build your own garden gate fit for a fairy or gnome. Supplies will be provided to make here or take home this wee craft.

Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the US since
1949. A display of books for various age levels will be in the Young Adult area featuring topics such as understanding feelings and the importance of taking care of ourselves and others.  No one is too young to begin learning and talking about emotions. 

The Mass Teen Choice Book Award 2024 nominees are also on display in the Young Adult area. This Bay State award invites students in grades 7-12 to select their top new books of the year. The list of 21 nominees has been curated by a committee of public librarians, school library media specialists and educators. Readers are invited to select and read titles throughout the summer, voting for their favorites in September. 

Looking Ahead to Summer
Children’s Book Sale starts June 4!  The Friends of the Blanding Library will sponsor a sale of gently used books for children during library hours from June 4 to June 8; books are $4 a bag. Please note that adults must be accompanied by a child at this sale.

The 2024 Summer Reading Program's theme Read, Renew, Repeat! features the idea of conservation. Be prepared for waves of fun activities, programs, and a visit with a whale.  Our library summer kick-off starts June 26 with OneUpGames presentation of indoor LED Miniature Golf. Then Miss Frizzle brings dinosaurs in July, followed by more programs throughout the summer for all ages. All program dates will be posted on our library website’s Programs and Event Calendar as the summer approaches.

Ongoing children’s programs at the Blanding include Tot Time, Preschool Story Hour, Kids Book Club for grades K-4, and a monthly Legos session. Check the Blanding’s website calendar for dates and time. You can find out more about Blanding programs on the library’s website, www.blandinglibrary.net. You can also call the library at 508-252-4236.

The Blanding Public Library, 124 Bay State Rd. Rehoboth, is open Monday through Thursday from 10 to 8 and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 to 4. Closed Sundays and holidays, including Mon. May 27 for Memorial Day.