Franklin Matters: library

This session shares my conversation with Mitzi Gousie, Programming and Outreach Librarian with the Franklin Public Library. We had our discussion virtually on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

We talk about

Reviewed the regular open hours, book sale and holiday scheduling for the month

Limited services during regular hours on Friday, July 3
Closed all day Saturday, July 4 for the holiday

Library events for July 2026

In calendar order rather than by category this time around

Note: Updated after we recorded this, the Sunday hours will return in September 2026.

Registration for those events required should be done through the Town website, Library page. There are nefarious folks trying to convince folks otherwise via Facebook. Be safe, use the official Town and Library pages.

The show notes include links to the Library page and to the calendar of events where registration for some of the events is required/recommended.

The recording runs about 33 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1776-franklin-public-library-july-2026-highlights-06-23-26/

Video link - https://youtu.be/Zj16PPfOylA

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Mitzi Gousie’s email - mgousie@minlib.net

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

Library event calendar - https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

July 2026 newsletter - https://myemail.constantcontact.com/July-2026-Franklin-Public-Library-News---Events.html?soid=1142311312837&aid=eSZsKlPO2D4

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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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Tuesday, July 7, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 ???

Tuesday, July 7

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

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

5:00pm Youth Open Track & Field Check-in (Franklin High School)

6:00pm Youth Open Track & Field meet (Franklin High School)

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 ***

Small Cell Wireless Antenna Petition Hearing - Pond St.

Tuesday, July 7 Time: 1:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07072026-2381

250th Anniversary Celebration Communications Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, July 7 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07072026-2393

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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, July 6, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, July 6, 2026 ???

Monday, July 6

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 ***

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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

This week July 6 to July 11, 2026 at the Franklin Public Library

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

Friday, July 3, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, July 3, 2026 ???

Friday, July 3 = Independence Day (substitute)

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

5:00pm 4th of July Celebration (Franklin Town Common)

Note: No Farmer's Market today due to the 4th Celebration. The market returns next Friday, July 10.

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/9195/May-2026-Newsletter?bidId=

*** 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

Thursday, July 2, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, July 2, 2026 ???

Thursday, July 2

5:00pm 4th of July Celebration (Franklin Town Common)

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/9195/May-2026-Newsletter?bidId=

*** Town Meetings today ***

Franklin Commission on Disability

Thursday, July 2 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07022026-2386

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, July 2 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07022026-2388

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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

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 ???

Wednesday, July 1

~~10:00am Veterans Coffee Social (Franklin Senior Center)~~ next social in August

6:30pm Bingo night (Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub)

6:30pm Franklin Elks Bingo Night (Franklin Elks Lodge #2136)

7:00pm Smarty Pants Trivia (Raillery Public House)

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/9195/May-2026-Newsletter?bidId=

*** Town Meetings today ***

Board of Health Meeting

Wednesday, July 1 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07012026-2387

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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

Town of Franklin: Cooling Centers for this heat spell

Extreme Heat Warning in Effect

If you're making plans for the July 4th holiday, be sure to plan for the heat, too.

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for Wednesday, July 1, through Saturday, July 4, with dangerously hot temperatures and high humidity expected in Franklin and across much of Massachusetts.

Need a place to cool off? The Franklin Public Library, Franklin Senior Center, and New England Chapel will be open as cooling centers. See the graphic for locations and hours.

Remember to:
 Drink plenty of water.
 Stay in air-conditioned spaces whenever possible.
 Limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.
 Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle.
 Keep pets cool with plenty of water and shade, and avoid walking them on hot pavement.
 Check on older adults, neighbors, friends, and loved ones who may be more vulnerable to the heat.