Library Card Sign-up Month 
September is Library Card Sign-up Month and the Worcester Public Library invites you to apply for your very own Library Card! The application is available online or you can print an application and bring it to any Library Branch. Best of all it's free! For more info visit worcpublib.org or ask a Librarian.
Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year. It is a time when the American Library Association and libraries across the country join together to remind parents and children that signing up for a library card is the first step towards academic achievement and lifelong learning.
To find out more about what your Library Card can do for you click here.
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Youth Services - Main Library
This month come celebrate Grandparent's Day at the Library and help us design cards for someone you love. Thursday, September 10 at 4 p.m. in the Children's Room Ellipse. Ages 12 and under (5 and under with a caregiver).
Join us for a Pirate Party, Arggghhhh! Let's celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day by dressing up in your favorite pirate costume and partaking in some pirate themed books and activities. Friday, September 18 at 4 p.m. in the Children's Program Room. Arggghhh me matey! Ages 12 and under.
Children's staff host the Annual Scarecrow Contest! Families come design your own scarecrow and have it displayed in the Children's Room. All materials are provided. Monday, September 28 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Children's Room Ellipse. Voting ends Monday, October 26. Ages 12 and under.
 Join us for a Banned Books Scavenger Hunt! Did you know that some of the most popular children's books have been banned? Find out which ones through a fun scavenger hunt! Wednesday, September 30 at 4 p.m. in the Children's Program Room. Ages 8 - 12.
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Teen Services - Main Library
 Teens who participated in our Summer Reading Program can bring their Funko Pop customizable figures to our Pop! Decoration program on Wednesday, September 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Teen Room. We'll provide the tools you need to turn your blank figure into the character of your choice. (Note - the program will not include blank figures - you will need to bring your own, won as a Level 2 prize during summer reading!)
The Library's Minecraft Club is the place to be every 3rd Monday of the month! Join us on Monday, September 14 from 3 to 5 p.m. where you can share your best Minecraft tricks, learn new ones, and make friends. Never played before? Beginners are welcome. For children and teens ages 8 - 17 in the AV Room Computer Lab.
On Saturday, September 12 and Saturday, September 26, teens can come play Super Smash Bros for Wii on the big screen. Duke it out tournament style as part of Saturday Smash from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Saxe Room!
Don't forget to join us for Anime Appetizers on Friday, September 25 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Banx Room! Includes team trivia and a few episodes of an audience-pick anime, with thanks to crunchyroll.com!
September 27th to October 3rd is Banned Books Week! Teens are invited to join us on Tuesday, September 29 at 4 p.m. for Black Out Poetry, where a little bit of sharpie on a page from a newspaper or magazine can turn it into a readable work of art.
Check the calendar for more great Teen events going on all month! |
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Adult Programs
The WPL Knitting Circle returns for the fall season on Thursday, September 3 at 2:30 p.m. Join us and knit along with some great projects we're featuring this year. Meetings are free and open to everyone and take place in the Food for Thought Cafe every Thursday at 2:30 p.m. To knit along on our monthly projects check the online calendar for a list of needed supplies.
Our Pages & Palates Book Club will be discussing books related to cooking with local harvest foods. Join in the fun, and find some new recipes at one of our meetings: Wednesday, September 9 from 3 to 4 p.m. or Saturday, September 12 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Banx Room.
Our final Art Access! @ WPL workshop will be taking place on Saturday, September 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. We'll be learning about Aerosol Art with Eamon Gillen. The workshop is designed for those 16 and over and will take place outside, behind the library. Come and help us create a piece of art from an old card catalog!
This program is administered by the Worcester Arts Council, for the Local Cultural Council - an agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Finding and Documenting your Revolutionary War Ancestor: A Genealogy Workshop will be presented by Richard Lagueux, Chapter Genealogist for the Colonel William Henshaw Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Tuesday, September 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the 3rd Floor Computer Lab. Class size is limited and pre-registration is required. Register online at worcpublib.org or call 508-799-1655.
We have two workshops scheduled for folks looking to find and apply for grants: Introduction to Grant Seeking on Tuesday, September 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the 3rd Floor Computer Lab, and Introduction to Proposal Writing on Thursday, September 24 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Banx Room. These are open to anyone new to fundraising, non-profit grant seekers, and to members of the non-profit community. Class size is limited and pre-registration is required. Register online at worcpublib.org or call 508-799-1655.
 Are you looking to make a difference in your community? Not sure where to start? Visit our 2nd Annual Volunteer Fair on Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Saxe Room. Whether you enjoy working with animals, mentoring local youth, teaching people new skills, or helping immigrant populations, representatives from local organizations will be able to discuss volunteer opportunities for all interests and backgrounds, especially for those aged 13 and older.
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Branch Updates
The One City, One Library branches welcomed students back to school on August 27. Now that school is back in session there will be new programs and new hours!
The Roosevelt Branch will also host a Family Dance Party on Friday, September 18 from 4 to 5 p.m. The branch will also be running some favorite programs, as well as some new ones! Every Wednesday is Lego Challenge from 4 to 6 p.m., Family Storytime will be held Thursdays, September 3 & 17 from 4 to 5 p.m., Crafternoon takes place Tuesdays, September 8 & 22 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., and Bingo! happens Thursday, September 24 from 4 to 5 p.m. There are also two new books clubs for grades K-1 and 2-3. Check out the full calendar here for a list of programs!
The Tatnuck Magnet Branch welcomes students back to school with lots of favorites! Lego Challenge will continue every Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. Game On! Family Game Night takes place every Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. Crafternoon will be happening on Thursday, September 3 & 17 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Bingo! will be held on Thursday, September 10 from 4 to 5 p.m. There will also be a reading club for grades K-1 and 2-3, as well as Family Storytime. For more info click here.
The Frances Perkins Branch has some exciting new programs in September. Crafty Kids: Origami takes place on Friday, September 4 from 4 to 5 p.m., Tween Craft: Candy Sushi is on Thursday, September 10 from 4 to 5 p.m., and they'll also host a Star Party on Friday, September 11 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. where you can learn all about the stars and make a craft. On Thursday, September 17 they host A Night at the Cinema: Home from 4 to 6 p.m., and will celebrate National Comic Book Day on Friday, September 25 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Be sure to check out their full schedule for more events going on this month!
Libby and Lilly continue to deliver books to schools and neighborhoods throughout Worcester! Check out worcpublib.org for a complete schedule!
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New Services Available to the Public
Beginning in September, adults looking for a place to interview over Skype need look no further than the Worcester Public Library! Our new career laptop is now equipped with a webcam and is available for check out for use on the 3rd Floor. Patrons will need to provide ID and have a library account in good standing in order to check out the laptop from the service desk in the Periodical department. Use of the laptop is limited to those needing Skype for employment or education purposes. |
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School is in session! Check out Learning Express Library, Mango Languages, and the Adobe Design & Lynda.com Kiosk
Whatever your goals, the Learning Express Library will help you succeed. Learning Express Library is an online collection of practice tests, exercises, skill-building courses and e-books, offered in the following categories: Adult Learning, Career Center, School Center, High School Equivalence, College Prep, College Center, and Recursos para Hispanohablantes. The resource also includes more practice tests than we can list, as well as basic reading, writing, and math skills improvement from school children to adults. If you are learning a new language don't forget Mango Languages offers free online instruction in 65 languages, including those as obscure as Cherokee, Pirate and Ancient Greek, as well as ESL teaching for non-native speakers. To use Mango Learning Express, or any of our databases, simply go to worcpublib.org, click on Online Databases, and login with your WPL Library Card.
BRAND NEW! For those who are looking to educate themselves through tutorial-rich Lynda.com or create career, marketing, and other small business-related items, our new Adobe Design & Lynda.com Kiosk is the place for you! Perfect for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and anyone interested in learning new software. No login required - just visit the 3rd Floor of the Main Library and sign up at the Periodicals Desk! |
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Best of 2015 Book Recommendations & Reviews
Librarians at the Worcester Public Library are always ready to recommend books to patrons. Click on the book covers on the right to view suggested titles for adults, teens, and children. For more on what to read, browse our most requested titles, and the New York Times fiction and nonfiction bestsellers lists!
Having never read Sarah Waters before, I had no idea what I was getting into when I selected this book from the New Fiction shelves. The title was familiar, and I had heard it was good somewhere... however, YOU, dear reader, are being warned: it IS good, but once it gets going, you will not being able to put it down! Read more...
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Worcester Public Library Foundation
The Worcester Public Library Foundation (WPLF) will be holding its Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 10 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at The Hanover Insurance Group, 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA. All are invited, for more information click here.
The Foundation will also host its 10th Annual A Celebration of Authors fundraising event on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at the White Room of the Crompton Collective, 138 Green Street, Worcester from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Through A Celebration of Authors, the WPLF aims to raise funds to assist the Worcester Public Library in enhancing and expanding library services in our community. Click here for more info. |
Reminders
The One City, One Library Branches have new school year hours. Please check the website for updates.
Please note, the Worcester Public Library and all branches will be closed Saturday, September 5 and Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day. |
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