Ventress Memorial Library15 Library Plaza
Marshfield, MA 02050781-834-5535ventresslibrary.org
Ventress Voice · January 2024 · Vol 7.1
Happy New Year! We are excited to announce Sunday hours for 2024! Starting Sunday, January 7 and running through May 19, Ventress Memorial Library will have limited Sunday hours from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We look forward to serving you with our expanded schedule. 
 
We are also excited to announce a brand-new Fiber Arts Drop-In Group, a no-stakes, intergenerational creative endeavor for teens and adults on Tuesday, January 23 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. During this first session, library staff will teach the basics of various fiber arts including embroidery, cross-stitch, knitting, and crocheting! Supplies will be provided at this first session.
 
Finally, at the end of 2023, Ventress Memorial Library was awarded a federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC): Access for All. Twenty libraries received funding from the Direct Grants for Libraries program, totaling $360,949. “Libraries in communities across the Commonwealth are committed to meeting the local needs of the residents they serve,” said Robert Favini, Head of Library Advisory and Development at the MBLC, “LSTA grants allow libraries to address those local needs directly.” Ventress Memorial Library plans to strengthen our ability to provide library access for all by implementing staff training, inclusive signage, accessible technology, and new collections, including foreign language and multi-format materials. We are grateful for our community partners who wrote letters of support for this project and we look forward to making a further positive impact on our community.
 
Top Titles of 2023
After running the numbers, we have our top ten most borrowed titles of 2023 (across all formats), listed in order below, with Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult at number one. If you haven't read one of these, click on a title to place a hold! Want to see what else is coming out? Sign up to get your favorite genres delivered to your inbox!
 
 
 
 
We offer monthly Book Groups, game programs, arts & crafts workshops, and our special Cultural Series events. View our Event Calendar for more.
Featured Adult Programs
Virtual Author Visit with Helen Fry
In Partnership with Ashland Public Library
Saturday, January 13 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Join us on Zoom for this special program! Author and Historian Helen Fry Discusses her latest book, Women in Intelligence. If you are as fascinated by the untold stories of women's contributions to war efforts, please join author and historian, Helen Fry, as she discusses her latest book Women in Intelligence: The Hidden History of Two World Wars, a ground-breaking history of women in British intelligence, revealing their pivotal role across the first half of the twentieth century. This event is in partnership with the Ashland Public Library. It will NOT be recorded.
 
To get your link, please register! Links will be sent two days in advance to the registered email.
Concert with Howie Newman
Saturday, January 20 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Join us for another exciting concert! Howie Newman performs classic songs from yesteryear, including standards, show tunes and material from artists like Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond and many others. It's a sing-along, toe-tapping musical journey from the early 1900s up through the 1970s. Howie also adds trivia, background stories about the songs and a little G-rated humor here and there. This concert is free and open to the public.
We are so excited to start all our storytimes and regular weekly programming again! Please be aware that some things have been altered or changed from previous months! Stay up to date and follow our Kids Facebook or Instagram! 
 
Featured Kids Programs
Toddler & Baby Storytimes
Mondays, times vary
Check our calendar for times. Story times are lively, stories, songs, dancing and play are the name of the game! Wondering what age group you should join? Call the library at 781-834-5535 or come talk to Miss Wendy! 
NEW Pre-School Storytime
Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
This fast paced librarian led storytime is for 3-5 year olds and their caregivers. This program encourages early literacy and social interaction through imagination, repetition, movement and socialization. 
Winter Book Club
Thursdays, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1 & 2/8 at 4:00 p.m.
Join Miss Wendy for an after school winter book club for kids in grades 3 - 5, on their own. We'll read a chapter or two, have some snacks, and talk about the book! This program is weekly through February 8. 
Our teen room and programs are open to folks ages 12-18. The Wave Makerspace is open to anyone age 12 and up by appointment - sign up today!
 
Featured Teen Programs
Dress-Up Your Pet Photo Contest
Submit Your Photo by Sunday, January 7!
January 14th is National Dress-Up Your Pet Day! To celebrate, The Teen Zone is hosting a dress-up your pet photo contest! Submit a photo of a furry (or scaly) friend in a costume by January 7th to enter! Vote online or in-person starting January 8th. Winners will be announced on 1/14 and prizes will be given out!
 
Mega Teen Art Day
Wednesday, January 10 from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Stop by The Teen Zone anytime after 1:00 pm and help yourself to a wide array of art supplies and crafting projects!