Community through books - monthly discussions at the Franklin Public Library

Community through books - monthly
discussions at the Franklin Public Library

Summer in Franklin is vibrant! Join us for fun events this week - check out the details in our weekly Franklin Culture Eblast

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DLUkIwNuEmY/

New Reading Challenge for Massachusetts Students

New Reading Challenge for Massachusetts Students

There is a New Reading Challenge for Massachusetts Students!

Check out the rules and sign up at MassBook.org ->   https://www.massbook.org/student-reading-challenge

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DKaA6r7RyGM/

There is also an Adult Reading challenge. Details here ->   https://www.massbook.org/readingchallenge

Middle School Summer Reading 2025: "Meet Me in the Middle"

"Meet Me in the Middle"

See the FLYER for all you need to know about Middle School Summer Reading 2025!

For more information about the FMS Summer Reading program, watch Ms. O'Leary's video ->   https://go.screenpal.com/watch/cTh32zn6rfV

Translated flyer

Additional Titles Translated

Shared from ->   https://www.franklinps.net/o/hmms/article/2230185

Flyer -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5681128/FMS_summer_reading_flyer_final.pdf

Caleigh, Erin & I had a blast talking about BLAST (audio)

FM #1434 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1434 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation about the origin story of BLAST - Bringing Libraries and Schools Together. We talk with Erin O’Leary and Caleigh Keating, the collaborators who start with “Yes” and then figure it out. We recorded this conversation virtually on Thursday, April 17, 2025. 

• Caleigh Keating, Youth Services Librarian

• Erin O’Leary, Reading Specialist at Horace Mann Middle School

We cover the following in our conversation

• The origin story

• A ‘free’ service but dependent upon the override passing

• Middle school and elementary school coordination

• How redistricting will simplify the operations

• Summer reading kickoffs being planned for

The recording runs about 32 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1434-blast-fun-04-17-25/

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Franklin Public Library page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/233/Franklin-Public-Library 

Erin O’Leary email address -> olearye@franklinps.net 

Caleigh Keating email address -> ckeating@minlib.net 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know 

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

BLAST is referenced in the Strategic Plan

Escape Into Fiction returns to business for online book sales

Escape Into Fiction returns to business

 via Escape Into Fiction

"Hello world!!! We’re baaaaaccccckkkk……. Spread the word!!

We finally settled in and have returned to selling online!!! 

We can’t wait to “see” you and help you find your next favorite #read www.escapeintofiction.com. If you have a gift card feel free to use it!

For the next few weeks we will only be selling what’s in stock, so we thank you for your patience."

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DEtb72DzkmO/

Norfolk County Deeds: "History Comes Alive" on the Franklin Public Library (video)

Friends of Franklin Library (@FriendsFranklin) posted Tue, Feb 27, 2024

Good Deeds: History Comes Alive, Franklin Public Library https://t.co/A98m9NOrFL via @YouTube  or  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHCJUQDye2Y

Shared from -> https://t.co/eKCN8v8snC

a view of some of the books from Benjamin Franklin

Part 1: Banned Books: Libraries and Schools Talk at Dean, then Part 2 Community Conversations at the Library

"Banned Book Week Day 2! What are you reading @TOFranklinMA??"

The Library will be @DeanCollege's Banned Books: Libraries and Schools Talk on October 5th from 5-6 PM at the Atrium in the Student Center. 

Be sure to join us after at the Library for Community Conversations at 6:30! 

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/FrkPublicLib/status/1708899073154072666 

Ben Franklin's books

Franklin Library Community Conversations event Oct 5

Community Conversations

Event Date:  Thursday, October 5, 2023 - 6:30 PM

No Registration Required

Everyone is welcome to join us each month as we unpack, discuss, and engage with topics relevant both within our community and beyond. Come with an open mind, leave with plenty of food for thought!

Our Topic for Discussion: Book Banning

Start the Conversation with information!

Gale in Context: Global Issues offers international viewpoints on a broad spectrum of global issues, topics, and current events. Featured are hundreds of continuously updated issue and country portals that bring together a variety of specially selected, highly relevant sources for analysis of social, political, military, economic, environmental, health, and cultural issues.

Read the preparation material -> https://link.gale.com/apps/portal/00000000LVVK/OVIC?u=frk&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=d1767240

Franklin Library Community Conversations event Oct 5

Books to Go at Horace Mann Middle School - Aug 15 from 11 AM to 1 PM

Next Books to Go is August 15. Hope your summer is filled with good people and good books!

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CvGESIyubWd/

Books to Go at Horace Mann Middle School - Aug 15 from 11 AM to 1 PM

Books to Go at Horace Mann Middle School - Aug 8 from 11 AM to 1 PM

Next Books to Go is August 8th. Hope your summer is filled with good people and good books!

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CvGESIyubWd/

Books to Go at Horace Mann Middle School - Aug 8 from 11 AM to 1 PM

Get rid of gently used, CLEAN clothing for a worthy FUSF Savers FUNDrive

The First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) is holding a Savers FUNDrive. 

Please drop off your gently used, CLEAN clothing, accessories, shoes, books, and SMALL household items to the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin on 

Wednesday, August 9, 

Thursday, August 10 or 

Friday, August 11 between 9 AM and NOON. 

• Please BAG clothing and other soft goods 
• BOX books, small household items, and media 

DO NOT INCLUDE: ENCYCLOPEDIAS, ELECTRONICS, FLAMMABLE PRODUCTS, FURNITURE, MAKE UP OR TOILETRIES. 

Questions? Contact klhulin@gmail.com. Thanks! 

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/18slsj8DXeeTPgJQQ2ZI8MWrFrTy7EM7k/view?usp=drive_link

Get rid of gently used, CLEAN clothing for a worthy FUSF Savers FUNDrive 

Town of Franklin, MA: new popup shops ribbon cutting held Friday

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) tweeted  Sun, Oct 31, 2021:

"Take a quick stop by the two newest #PopUpShops in Franklin, @EscapeIntoFictn and #DoglioCoffee for some great treats! 

Thank you to @MassEOHED for the state grant! The coffee is delicious and we could all use some great fiction to take us away! 

Perfect time for the holidays! ☕️📚 https://t.co/WVjY7yw5Lg"

(https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1454814712915501064?t=OWCAlItlfYyHR3GhzdPsuQ&s=03)

Town of Franklin, MA: new popup shops ribbon cutting @TOFranklinMA photo

Doglio Coffee will open on Nov 10. In the meantime, you can check out their webpage and order online  https://dogliocoffee.com/

Escape into Fiction will be open everyday except for Monday. Peruse the books on the shelf, if you don't find one you want, they can order it for you.  https://escapeintofiction.com/ 

And don't forget that Greco Designs is operating as well in their location downtown  https://www.grecodesigncompany.com/

The Town of Franklin press release announcing their openings was shared here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/franklin-pop-up-shops-expand.html

Franklin Pop up shops Expand

Bookstore and Coffee Shop Combination Coming to Franklin’s Downtown for a Limited Time

The Town of Franklin is pleased to announce “Escape into Fiction'' and “Doglio Coffee'' as the latest round of businesses to occupy the 70 East Central St. Pop Shop Opportunity Space. The Town hopes residents and visitors of Franklin stop in and check out the new local businesses.

Escape into Fiction is a fiction only bookstore carrying genres such as horror, romance, science fiction, mystery and more. The bookstore will open its doors on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 at 10:00 AM.

Residents can expect a variety of bookmarks, totes, stickers, puzzles and coloring books from Escape into Fiction. Their diverse catalog ensures there is something for people of all ages to enjoy. Owners April and Michael Rock had hoped to establish a brick and mortar store prior to the pandemic, however, they decided to pursue an online only business model due to the circumstances the pandemic presented. After making an unexpected move from Ohio to Franklin, they are excited to pick up where they left off in their new home. 

Franklin Pop up shops Expand

"Escape Into Fiction feels incredibly honored to have the opportunity to participate in the Town of Franklin Pop Up Shop project. This has been the perfect way for us to introduce ourselves to our new community and we can't wait to meet everyone!" said April Rock.

Their Pop Shop partner, Doglio Coffee, specializes in offering high quality organic coffee and will launch in early November. Doglio Coffee utilizes direct trade to ensure ethically sourced beans. Their coffee is low-acidity, made with quadruple-filtered water and brewed in small batches to maintain pristine quality.

Owners Alexa Monochio and Steve Poirier witnessed the authentic connections made over a great cup of coffee during a trip to Italy. Yearning to help create authentic moments back home, they launched Doglio in Feb. 2021. They hope to continue to celebrate great coffee and connections through the Pop Shop Franklin Initiative.

The Pop Shop Opportunity Spaces will be filled until December 31, 2021 when the Franklin Pop Shop Initiative is completed due to grant requirements by the state grant. Residents are encouraged to visit the second Pop Shop Opportunity Space (2A Main St. in Franklin) which has been utilized by Greco Design Co. since June. This program was made possible by a Regional Pilot Project Grant issued by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.

Learn more about the Pop Shop Franklin Initiative by visiting: www.franklinma.gov/economic-development/pages/pop-shop-franklin

For more information about the Franklin Pop Shop businesses, be sure to visit their websites and connect with them on social media.

Learn more at escapeintofiction.com 
Learn more at dogliocoffee.com
Learn more at grecodesigncompany.com

Media Contact: Lily Rivera riveral@franklinps.net Office:508- 520-4888 

Kitchen Table Art Workshops: Altered Book Box, Sunday, June 6, 4:00 PM

Kitchen Table Art Workshops: 

Altered Book Box, Sunday, June 6, 4:00 PM

Kitchen Table Art Workshops: Altered Book Box, Sunday, June 6

Beautifying Old Discarded Books - Altered Book Box, June 6, 4-6 PM Zoom. 

Registration deadline June 2.

We will hollow out a no longer used book so it is now a useful and fun box to hold your secrets and more! We will also explore ways to repurpose the remaining book sheets as art objects.  

Presented on Zoom by Jacqueline Volpe, The Creativity Curator at jbvdesignstudio. You must sign up to be emailed the Zoom link. Kits providing materials and tools to be used in the workshop will be provided for the first 12 Franklin residents. 

Shortly before the workshop, instructions to pick up your kit at the library and the zoom link will be emailed to you. Anyone who registers but does not receive a kit will be emailed a supply list to gather materials for the project and the zoom link. 

To register please contact Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala at 508-520-4941, or email her at kshipala@minlib.net . For more information, visit Jacqueline at www.thecreativitycurator.com and email questions to her at Jacqueline@thecreativitycurator.com. 

This program is funded by a grant from the Franklin Cultural Council.

 

Shared from the Library page  https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/kitchen-table-art-workshops-altered-book-box-sunday-june-6-400-pm

Spear Phishing hits authors with books about to be published

From The New York Times:

"Earlier this month, the book industry website Publishers Marketplace announced that Little, Brown would be publishing “Re-Entry,” a novel by James Hannaham about a transgender woman paroled from a men’s prison. The book would be edited by Ben George.

Two days later, Mr. Hannaham got an email from Mr. George, asking him to send the latest draft of his manuscript. The email came to an address on Mr. Hannaham’s website that he rarely uses, so he opened up his usual account, attached the document, typed in Mr. George’s email address and a little note, and hit send.

“Then Ben called me,” Mr. Hannaham said, “to say, ‘That wasn’t me.’”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/21/books/publishing-manuscripts-phishing-scam.html

2020 National Book Festival Highlights: Mo Willems

 

"Mo Willems, he of the wildly popular books for young people like the Pigeon series and Elephant & Piggie Biggie series, thinks the kids are all right.

“I think the kids are fine. I really do,” he said to Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden in an exclusive video interview. I think it’s us, the old people, that need some help, that need to stop and look and listen to these ambassadors, these ambassadors of exploration, of creativity, of asking questions.”

The three-time Caldecott Medal winner spoke about his creative process and the “idea garden” of random doodles that inspires his stories and art. He launched his recent books, “An Elephant & Piggie Biggie! Volume 3” (Hyperion) and “Unlimited Squirrels: I Want to Sleep Under the Stars” (Hyperion), at the 2020 National Book Festival."

Continue reading the article online

https://blogs.loc.gov/national-book-festival/2020/11/2020-national-book-festival-highlights-mo-willems/

 

2020 Library of Congress National Book Festival: Celebrating American Ingenuity

The 2020 Library of Congress National Book Festival will celebrate its 20th birthday this year! And, for the first time in its history, the event will be completely virtual. Join us next weekend for an interactive, online celebration of American Ingenuity featuring more than 120 authors, poets and illustrators. The festivities will culminate with a PBS television special “The Library of Congress National Book Festival: Celebrating American Ingenuity,” hosted by Hoda Kotb on Sunday, Sept. 27, 6-8 p.m. ET/PT (check local listings).

Register Today! 

2020 Library of Congress National Book Festival

Create your FREE account now at loc.gov/bookfest to access on-demand videos, live author chats and discussions during the Festival weekend, Sept. 25 – 27. You’ll have options to personalize your own festival journey with timely topics, and to explore book buying possibilities through the festival’s official bookseller, Politics & Prose.

Check Out the Author Lineup

Collage image of authors participating in the 2020 National Book Festival

More than 120 renowned authors, poets and illustrators are taking part in our virtual festival! Connect with your favorite writers across all genres at our virtual “stages” including, Children, Teens, Family, Food & Field, Fiction, Genre Fiction, History & Biography sponsored by Wells Fargo, Poetry & Prose sponsored by National Endowment for the Arts, Science and Understanding Our World.

View the full author lineup: loc.gov/events/2020-national-book-festival/authors/ 

“It’s uncomfortable for a lot of parents, so a lot of times they just skip over it"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

It’s been two years since Sam Gouveia was teased by some of his kindergarten classmates for painting his nails red.

Now a month shy of his seventh birthday, he still paints his nails. He also started experimenting with make-up to recreate looks based off of YouTube tutorials. He started with his mom’s products, but now he has his own bag of make-up.

“He hasn’t had a problem (with being judged) since then,” said his father Aaron Gouveia, writer of the nationally-known “Daddy Files” blog, about that day in 2018.

When Gouveia started a thread on Twitter supporting Sam wearing nail polish, it went viral, receiving more than 35,000 likes and support from celebrities like former New England Patriots tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett, and voice actress Tara Strong, who has voiced popular characters like Timmy Turner from the “Fairly OddParents.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20200630/his-three-sons-franklins-daddy-files-blogger-publishes-book-on-raising-boys-to-be-good-men

Listen to my interview with Aaron. We met on the Town Common, and socially distanced for our conversation.
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/06/fm-292-aaron-gouveia-daddy-files-52120.html

FM #292 Aaron Gouveia - Daddy Files - 5/21/20 (audio)

In the News: Annie's book store closes; planning underway to allow visitors to long-term care facilities

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Books hold a special place in the heart of Ann Durant -- so much so that they are like members of her family, each variously holding within its whispering, ink-fragrant pages memories of past times spent together or promises of new friendships, new discoveries and new adventures.

So it should come as no surprise that Durant, owner of Annie’s Book Stop on Plainville’s Man-Mar Drive, has been on a very determined mission the last couple of weeks: To leave the collection of books in her second-hand bookstore in equally loving hands.

Durant has found herself in the difficult position of having to close the business her mother -- the late Eleanor Arnold -- opened nearly four decades ago, and that she herself has been operating for nearly 25 years. While she has overcome some significant business challenges over the years, including competing with big box book stores and online book purveyors, the coronavirus pandemic has proven to be too much to surmount.

“Basically, my decision to close is directly because of the pandemic, when you count what it would cost me to stay open,” she said. “I have jumped hurdles -- the big box stores, the online stuff. I’ve always found a way around it, but this ... whether it’s my age or the length of time I’ve done this ... this I couldn’t find a way over it or under it or around it.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200526/a-wonderful-journey-comes-to-end-in-plainville-as-annies-book-stop-closes-amidst-coronavirus-pandemic

"As the state’s economic reopening gets underway in earnest this week, Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday that COVID-19 public health data indicates “that we are trending in the right direction,” and the head of the state’s COVID-19 Command Center said plans are in the works to allow people to once again visit their loved ones in long-term care settings.

Opening his first press conference since many consumer-facing businesses were allowed to reopen Monday, the governor highlighted two of the metrics that he has said will be key considerations when deciding when to launch subsequent phases of the reopening plan.

Baker said the average positive test rate is down to about 9% and has “been pretty much in that general vicinity now for about a week.” And the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 has shown “a significant decrease over the course of the past two or three weeks,” he said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200526/medical-advisory-board-working-on-plan-to-allow-visitors-to-long-term-care-facilities-in-massachusetts-again-visitors-were-banned-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak

Video link for May 26 update by Gov Baker: https://youtu.be/X1Dq6fENwtI

Podcast Recommendation: Neil Pasricha's 3 Books

In these pandemic times, it is a challenge with so many changes yet uncertainty looming around us. Opening a book can take us to another world, away from this. We can escape for the time the book is open and we're able to devote time to it. A book from Stephen King,  or JK Rowling, or Philip Pullman can take us away. 

On the other hand, I recently finished "The Great Influenza" by John M Barry to help understand the time we are in. The book is thoroughly researched. It was an easy read albeit a tough topic. I was glad to have reached the end sooner than I thought. According to Kindle, 35% of the pages were notes, bibliography, etc.

Two key quotes from the book to share:

"And a severe influenza pandemic would hit like a tsunami, inundating intensive-care units even as doctors and nurses fall ill themselves and generally pushing the health care system to the point of collapse and possibly beyond it. Hospitals, like every other industry, have gotten more efficient by cutting costs, which means virtually no excess capacity—on a per capita basis the United States has far fewer hospital beds than a few decades ago. Indeed, during a routine influenza season, usage of respirators rises to nearly 100 percent; in a pandemic, most people who needed a mechanical respirator probably would not get one."

"For if there is a single dominant lesson from 1918, it’s that governments need to tell the truth in a crisis. Risk communication implies managing the truth. You don’t manage the truth. You tell the truth."

So having read that, I needed to escape. I turned to listen to a podcast and Neil Pasricha's 3 Books came up in the queue. This episode was released a couple of weeks ago and while I am close to current, I am still behind. This episode was an emotional one because it acknowledges where we are, how we are dealing with this pandemic.It was timely to listen to.

"Look up to the sky.

It’s a slowly waning crescent before Chapter 52 arrives on the exact minute of the new moon next week.

So why this special episode of 3 Books?

Well, like the “cultivating calm during coronavirus chaos” episode we released a month ago, it’s because we are swimming in wholly unprecedented seas. I am feeling stress around coronavirus and I can tell by your DMs, tweets, comments, and voicemails to 1-833-READ-A-LOT that you're feeling it, too."

Episode page https://www.3books.co/chapters/corona2

This as you heard, is not a 'normal' session of 3 books. I will recommend subscribing to the podcast. You can go back to the beginning and come forward if you have the time and desire. So many of the people he talks with are not 'well known', yet the conversation is an adventure into books, and life, and what those three books mean for the person being interviewed.
 
Neil's home page  https://www.3books.co/

"The Great Influenza" page at Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Great-Influenza-Deadliest-Pandemic-History-ebook/dp/B000OCXFWE

Podcast Recommendation: Neil Pasricha's 3 Books