Franklin Matters: library

The Town of Franklin welcomed Gov. Maura Healey to the Franklin Public Library on Monday, August 10, 2026, as she signed the Freedom to Read law, establishing protections for the freedom to read and creating a fair, transparent process for reviewing library materials.

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen opened the event with remarks. Town Councilors, Town staff members and elected officials, library staff, Library Director Felicia Oti, Franklin Public Schools Superintendent Lucas Giguere, School Committee members, State Rep. Jeff Roy, State Sen. Becca Rausch and other local and state legislators were in attendance for the historic signing.

The Franklin Public Library — the nation’s first public lending library — provided a fitting setting for the signing of the legislation. As Town Administrator Hellen noted, “the Franklin Public Library is a perfect setting to celebrate this historic legislative achievement.”

The new law establishes statewide standards for how public and school libraries select and review library materials. It ensures families and community members have a voice when they have concerns about library materials, while establishing an open local process for reviewing those concerns. The law also protects librarians and educators who make library selections in good faith and reinforces local decision-making.

The Town of Franklin thanks Gov. Healey and the Healey-Driscoll administration for recognizing Franklin and its historic library and for joining the community for this important occasion.

The full press release from Gov Healey's office

https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-signs-freedom-to-read-law-keeping-book-bans-out-of-massachusetts-schools-and-libraries

Reminder: New location/day for Town Council Office Hours - Saturday, Aug 15 at 10 AM

Meet with the Town Council!

The Franklin Town Council is offering an additional opportunity for residents to meet with Council members on Saturday, August 15, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM in the Community Room at the Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St.

Residents are invited to stop by to ask questions, share feedback, discuss Town-related topics, or simply connect with members of the Council in an informal setting. No appointment is necessary.

Please note: This session is in addition to the Council's regularly scheduled monthly Office Hours, which are held on the third Thursday of each month from 8:30 – 9:30 AM at the Franklin Senior Center. The next regularly scheduled Office Hours will take place on Thursday, August 20.

Franklin Public Library Community Room
118 Main St.
Franklin, MA 02038

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, August 11, 2026 ???

Tuesday, August 11

Franklin Lions Clothing Drive active through Aug 22 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/the-franklin-lions-conducting-clothing.html

12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

5:00pm Tuesday Night Cruise (Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub)

7:00pm FBRTC Rail Trail Cmte Mtg (CANCELED for this month)

For additional details on Library events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9890

*** Town Meetings today ***

Franklin School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, August 11 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112026-2442

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, August 11 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112026-2448

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Find the full Community event calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx

The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Monday, August 10, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, August 10, 2026 ???

Monday, August 10

Franklin Lions Clothing Drive active through Aug 22 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/the-franklin-lions-conducting-clothing.html

7:00pm Franklin Democratic Town Committee (Franklin TV and Radio)

7:00pm Summer Concert Series: Bluegrass & Hillbilly (Franklin Senior Center)

For additional details on Library events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9890

*** Town Meetings today ***

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Monday, August 10 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08102026-2437

Franklin Public School Horace Mann Legacy Sub Committee Meeting

Monday, August 10 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08042026-2436

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, August 10 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08102026-2438

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee Meeting

Monday, August 10 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08102026-2439

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Find the full Community event calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx

The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Sunday, August 9, 2026

Event highlights this week at the Franklin Public Library - Aug 10 through Aug 15, 2026

"Are you ready for wild messy fun?!

Check out this weeks fantastical events at the library!"

For additional details on Library events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

Saturday, August 8, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, August 8, 2026 ???

Saturday, August 8

Franklin Lions Clothing Drive active through Aug 22 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/the-franklin-lions-conducting-clothing.htmlcloth

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

10:00am Touch a Truck (ticketed event) (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Revolutionaries in White: A Look Across Three Centuries of Bridal Fashion (Franklin Historical Museum)

10:30am Magic with Scott Martell! (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Painting for Adults! (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm Franklin Kitchen Center Summer Showcase & Open House (Franklin Kitchen Center)

3:30pm Sharks Come Cruisin' Concert (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Sweet Harmony (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

7:30pm THE BLACK BOX Sings… Céline Dion (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)

8:00pm Karaoke at The Raillery (Raillery Public House)

*** NO Town Meetings today ***

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Find the full Community event calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx

The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Friday, August 7, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, August 7, 2026 ???

Friday, August 7

Franklin Lions Clothing Drive active through Aug 22 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/the-franklin-lions-conducting-clothing.htmlcloth

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

2:00pm Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)

3:00pm Alex Fradkin (live music) (Franklin Town Common)

5:30pm Karate Show (live music) (Franklin Town Common)

7:00pm Karaoke Night (La Cantina Winery)

8:00pm Traveller The Chris Stapleton Experience (THE BLACK BOX)

For additional details on Library events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9890

*** NO Town Meetings today ***

---------

Find the full Community event calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx

The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

New location/day for Town Council Office Hours - Saturday, Aug 15 at 10 AM

Meet with the Town Council!

Residents are invited to stop by to ask questions, share feedback, discuss Town-related topics, or simply connect with members of the Council in an informal setting. No appointment is necessary.

Franklin Public Library Community Room
118 Main St.
Franklin, MA 02038