At the Library

The following programs and/or activities are taking place at the Blackstone Public Library. More information is available online at blackstonepubliclibrary.org or by visiting the library’s Facebook page, or by calling 508-883-1931.

Read with a therapy dog

“Wag and Read – Reading With a Therapy Dog” is a popular program in which children ages five and up can read to a specially trained and certified therapy dog. Reading aloud to an animal helps build confidence and is great for those struggling with dyslexia, speech problems, fear of dogs and much more. The library’s team of lovable dogs includes three different breeds. Each child may reserve one 15-minute time slot per month. Reading sessions take place on Monday evenings and registration is required. For more information or to register. call the library at 508-883-1931.

Join the Lego Club

Would your child like to participate in Lego Club? Lego Club meets one a month on Thursday evenings and is strictly for ages 6 and up. Participants are given a monthly challenge with a general theme: you may be asked to build animals, buildings, vehicles, people or even food. Team up with friends or a parent or work alone. Space is limited to 22 participants.

Registration is required and begins on Monday, Jan. 14 for Blackstone residents and Tuesday, Jan. 22 for all library patrons. To register, contact Miss Tressy at 508-883-1931.

Register now for Children’s Story Times

The Blackstone Public Library will soon begin its 2019 winter session of story times.

For preschoolers and kindergarteners ages 3 through 5, two Story Time & Craft classes will be held on Mondays at 11 a.m. and Thursdays at 1 p.m. Each class consists of two stories and a simple craft and can accept up to 15 children. The Monday class will last five weeks and will begin on Monday, Jan. 28. The Thursday class will last six weeks and will begin on Thursday, Jan. 31.

For babies and toddlers ages 6 months through 3 years, the library offers Toddler Story Time on Friday at 10:15 a.m. In this six-week program, you will read board books, sing songs and finger plays, play games, and also play with books and toys. This story time lasts 45 minutes and will begin on Friday, Feb. 1.

Registration for the above programs begins on Monday, Jan. 14 for Blackstone residents and Tuesday, Jan. 22 for all library patrons. Space is limited and registration is accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

As always, patrons are welcome to attend drop in story time every Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m.

Upcoming events for adults

Essential Oils with Brandy Coffin; Thursday, Jan. 24,

2019 at 6:30 p.m.: Presented by Brandy Coffin, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and owner of Abundant Nourishment and Young Living Distributor. Essential oils are becoming a popular alternative health modality. Learn how to get started using essential oils. This comprehensive class covers everything from the basics of how to use oil, as well which oils are best for various conditions. This class covers the basics of essential oils: • What they are and where they come from

• The benefits of essential oils

• Various ways to use essential oils

• How to distinguish between high-quality and low-quality oils

• How to use oils to support health

Registration is required. This and other programs, are funded by a generous donation from the library’s Gift Account as authorized by the Board of Library Trustees. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: What Does it Mean for You?

Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.: Join Jerry Ryan for a presentation on what the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act means when it comes time to paying your taxes. Jerry Ryan, of Ryan Tax Consultants, is a licensed Enrolled agent of the U.S. Treasury Department. An Enrolled agent (or EA) is a tax advisor who is a federally authorized tax practitioner empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Enrolled agents represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax issues including audits, collections and appeals.

“Paws to Read” at Cumberland Library

Want to brush up on your reading skills? Love dogs? Practice reading with a therapy dog who loves to listen to stories.

The Children’s Room of the Cumberland Public Library has brought back a popular program, Paws to Read, on the second Thursday of the month with a new added feature. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. readers, age 12 and under, will have an opportunity to read to a therapy dog for 15 minutes.

Just sign-up at the Children’s Desk the night of the program, first come, first served. Then at 6:30 p.m. children will have a chance to visit with one of the therapy dogs. Petting, hugs and belly rubs are encouraged. This added 15 minute portion is a new addition to Paws to Read and gives us a chance to accommodate children who want to visit with a dog but are not yet reading. The library is excited to let families know that this popular program will run through May of 2019.

All volunteer teams provided by Windwalker Pet Therapy. For more, contact the Children’s Room at 401-333-2552, ext. 3. or visit cumberlandlibrary.org.