March Happenings @ the APL 
With Books, Movies, Games, Magazines and SO MUCH MORE,
your library has something for everyone!

Reopening SOON!
WE MISS YOU! It's been busy, but lonely, at the library these last weeks, so we're happy to report that in the VERY near future, the library will be reopening to the public. Visitors will need to call ahead, even if it's from the parking lot, to ensure that we are able to accommodate them inside. Several factors effect building capacity and our ability to open. These include staffing levels, renovation work, and where patrons are located in the building. We will be limited to 30 visitors at a time, and patrons will be able to stay for up to one hour. Visitors are required to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth for the duration of their visit.
Select items from non-fiction, teen, music, audiobook and dvd collections will be available for browsing in the Marble Lobby on the second floor, as the third floor will NOT be open to the public. Staff are happy to retrieve items from the third floor for you. Study rooms and the local history room will also be unavailable at this time. Those wishing to do local history or genealogy research should contact the Reference Department. 
The Children's Room WILL be open, and families should be aware that on the colder days, space heaters are in use.
Curbside pickup will still be an option, but patrons ARE able to come inside and check out their holds. Staff will retrieve your items from hold shelves.
Our doors will typically be open from 9am-12pm and from 1pm-4pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Doors will be open from 1-4pm and 5-8pm on Thursday.
 
The APL's New Director
Amy Rhilinger Promoted to Library Director 
     On behalf of the Library’s Trustees, I am very pleased to announce that Amy Rhilinger has been promoted to Library Director. Ms. Rhilinger succeeds Christine Johnson, who left in December. She served as Assistant Director under both Johnson and Joan Pilkington-Smyth, and has been Acting Director since December. Your Trustees firmly believe that the time has come for her to take the helm.
     Amy Rhilinger received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from University of Massachusetts – Amherst, and her Masters of Library and Information Studies from Simmons College. She joined Attleboro Public Library in 2002, and since that time has served in a number of different roles. She has been active in developing and facilitating many programs and clubs at APL, and has been a familiar face in the Attleboro community.
     We know that our regular patrons know Amy well. We encourage you to stop by, as soon as it is safe to do so, and congratulate her!
     Here’s hoping we will all be able to be together again soon at our newly renovated Attleboro Public Library!
Charlie Oliver, President
Board of Library Trustees
Community Events
Kindergarten Information Night
Thursday, March 4, 6:30-7:30pm
The Attleboro Public Schools will be holding their Kindergartten Information Night sessions virtually this year. For more information, pick up a flyer at the Attleboro Library, or contact the school directly. More information can be found in the Kindergarten Registration Guide, available on the APS website HERE.
Attleboro Wants to Hear from YOU!
A team from Northeastern University is working with the city on revitalization plans for the Balfour Riverwalk Park, located next door to the Attleboro Library. The survey will only take 5-10 minutes to complete and will be available through Sunday, March 7. The park is being reimagined and the city wants your help. Please share your feedback and thoughts. Find the survey at https://bit.ly/3azmqDZ.
Be Heard Coalition Meeting
Wednesday, March 10 @ 6pm
In our next meeting Coalition members will split into small groups to discuss our focus areas and initiate action steps.
To receive the meeting link, please email: beheard@attleboroschools.com
Attleboro Arts Museum's
Art Lovers Book Club
Saturday, March 13th, 2021, 2–4pm via Zoom
Participants will discuss Ninth Street Women: Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler by Mary Gabriel after listening to guest speaker, Helen A. Harrison. Ms. Harrison will be presenting on Lee Krasner's work in Jackson Pollock's studios.
Register by Thursday, March 11th to receive a Zoom invite to join the meeting. Register now.  More information on the event can be found on the Attleboro Arts Museum's website. To reserve a copy of the book, contact the Library. 
Family Fun
Virtual Family Trivia
Wednesday, March 17
6:30-7:30pm
Families with kid of all ages
Join us for low-key trivia! Participants will write their answers on paper and share with the group when prompted, paper and marker will be needed to participate. Registration is required
to obtain the meeting link.
Virtual Literary
Scavenger Hunt
Friday March 26 @ 3:30pm
Grades 3-12
Want to try a virtual program that is based on books, creative, engaging, interactive, physical, and fun? Join our first ever virtual Literacy Scavenger Hunt!  We will name a book & particpants will find a related object AT HOME. A device with a camera is necessary. Registration is required to obtain the meeting link.
Take & Make Activity Kits
String Art
March 8-12
ages 3-7 years
Register by emailing attleborokids@sailsinc.org
or call  508-222-7820
starting Monday, March 8.
Registration is required for each craft you would like to make, limited quantities are available. Once your registration has been confirmed, library staff will set up a time for you to pick up the supplies. Craft kits can be picked up at the library Monday-Saturday during the week the activity is featured  
A tutorial for this craft will be posted on the Attleboro Public Library YouTube page. You can also find written instructions here.
Friendship Bracelets
March 15-19
Grades 3-12
Register by emailing attleborokids@sailsinc.org
or call  508-222-7820
starting Monday, March 15.
Registration is required for each craft you would like to make, limited quantities are available. Once your registration has been confirmed, library staff set up a time for you to pick up the supplies. Craft kits can be picked up at the library Monday-Saturday during the week the activity is featured  
A tutorial for this craft will be posted on the Attleboro Public Library YouTube page. You can also find written instructions here..
15-Minute Family STEAM Activity
Drag Racing Cups
March 22-26,
families with kids ages 3 & up
In this engineering activity, families will construct a simple, fun racer that converts potential energy into kinetic energy. 
 
Registration for materials is required. Register by emailing attleborokids@sailsinc.org or call 508-222-7820 starting Monday, March 22. Kits can be picked up Monday-Saturday , March 22-26. A tutorial for this activity will be posted on the Attleboro Public Library YouTube page. The written instructions are posted on our website.
Virtual Storytime
Facebook Live Storytime
Wednesdays, 3pm
Attleboro Library Facebook Page
Join Mrs. Brown  for stories, songs & fun!  Go to the APL Facebook page and watch as she reads some great picture books. Type your child's name in the comments during the program & they may even get a shout-out!
Bilingual Backpacks are Here!
Learn a New Language!
These backpacks come in 8 languages including American Sign Language, Vietnamese, Russian, Mandurian, English as a Second Language, Hindi, Arabic & Portuguese. Watch for more languages coming soon!
Included materials help to develop language literacy skills for both school-aged children and their families. Each backpack is filled with four to six books and additional language learning aids, including DVDs, flashcards, and manipulatives.
Interested in learning a new language? Check one out! These handy backpacks are ready to help you begin your language-learning journey. 
TEENS
Virtual Connections for Teens and Tweens 
Throughout the pandemic, Tween/Teen Librarian Meghan Witherell has been offering reading, listening, learning and playing suggestions to students in grade 5 and up. Follow her on Instagram or Facebook or reach out via email for her thoughts on great new titles, how to use digital resources like Libby and Brainfuse, and for the latest in virtual programs for teens. Her Take & Make kits have been popular with kids of all ages. To hear more of what's going on for teens and tweens at the APL, be sure to watch her book talks on YouTube!
ADULTS
Virtual Craft Night:
Take & Make Photo Craft
Thursday, March 18 @ 7pm
Join us for a fun evening of virtual crafting! Expert scrapbooker and crafter Barbara Cauchon will guide us through this fun and easy photo craft that's perfect for gifting or hanging on your own wall. Participants will need to provide their own adhesive and a 4 x 6 photo in order complete the craft.
Once you have registered, a librarian will reach out to schedule a curbside pick-up. Before the event you will receive the Zoom information via email. This craft program is for patrons ages 18 and up. 
Registration will open on March 8th. 
Virtual English Conversation Circles
Wed., March 3, 17 & 31
at 6pm 
Would you like to practice speaking English with other adult English learners? Join our virtual discussion! 
Speakers of all languages, and all English levels are welcome to attend. 
This discussion will be held virtually via Zoom. A meeting link will be e-mailed to you, after you have registered.
Women's Virtual Journaling Session
Saturday, March 13
@ 10am 
Join English teacher and member of the International Women’s Writing Guild, Pavlina Gatikova, for a virutal journaling session. Explore the calming nature of journaling, as well as the benefits it has on one’s mental well-being, with prompts and group discussion.
Register HERE.
Virtual Genealogy Club
Tuesday, March 23
6pm
Share with other genealogy enthusiasts your research success stories, roadblocks, and thoughts. Ask a reference librarian your questions.
The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. A meeting link will be e-mailed to you, once you have registered.
Register HERE 
Your Next Great Read: Gentle Reads
You’ve heard of mystery, you’ve heard of fantasy, and you’ve heard of historical fiction. But have you ever heard of gentle reads? While the term “gentle reads” is a little less known, it’s what a lot of patrons have been asking for lately. Gentle reads are stories that are light, heartwarming, and typically have a happy ending. When real life is challenging gentle reads are ideal as a bit of an escape or even as a reminder that better times are ahead. One of the most popular authors of gentle reads I can think of is Debbie Macomber. Her stories often center around small towns and families and more often that not the main character finds love. As a knitter, I personally love her Blossom Street series of which the main character is a yarn shop owner. Another popular gentle read that you are likely familiar with is A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman If a light, heartwarming story sounds like exactly what you need right now then check out the titles below.
The Shop on Blossom Street 
by Debbie Macomber
The Shop on Blossom Street, Debbie Macomber- Fans of small town settings and stories of “found family” will enjoy   this series that starts following Lydia Hoffman, a cancer survivor and owner of A Good Yarn. When Lydia starts a knitting class for her patrons, she forms a special friendship and bonds with three extraordinary women-Jacqueline, Carol, and Alix-and together they share laughter, heartbreak, and dreams.
Clock Dance by Anne Tyler
A lifetime of painful milestones and fading grandchild prospects compel a woman to help her son's ex, whose 9-year-old daughter needs protection from violent local dynamics. A bittersweet novel of hope and regret, fulfillment and renewal, Clock Dance brings us the everyday life of a woman who decides it’s never too late to change direction, and choose your own path. Fans of A Man Called Ove and similar books will love this one.
The Victory Garden by Rhys Bowen
For those who like a historical setting, The Victory Garden is the perfect gentle read for you. When Emily Bryce’s fiance is sent to the frontlines of what would come to be known as World War I she volunteers to tend neglected grounds of a Devonshire estate where she finds inspiration and support in an herbalist's long-forgotten journals.
Elise LaForge is the Reader Services Librarian at APL and she is here to help you live your best reading life. If you’d like a custom reading recommendation you can reach her at elaforge@sailsinc.org.
Online Resources
FREE Streaming for Kids
Kanopy Kids offers language learning, PBS favorites, and a catalog of popular titles including Sesame Street, Daniel Tiger, Super Why! and more! Parental controls provides children with the freedom to explore the videos in the app, but blocks them from content outside the kids collection. Best of all, use only 1 Kanopy credit to have access to Kanopy Kids all month long! Kanopy is FREE to use by Attleboro Public Library cardholders. Find it, and other online resources, on our website and clicking on the eLibrary tab. Library staff are happy to answer your questions.
Support for Students, Job Seekers & Veterans
Looking for support for at home learning? We now offer Brainfuse HelpNow, free with your Attleboro Library and Attleboro High School library card! Brainfuse HelpNow is a “on-demand, anywhere online learning” platform that offers live, real time assistance from trained tutors, a writing lab, academic & standardized test prep, and a library of lessons, videos and tests to support learning in a variety of subjects, in English and Spanish. Brainfuse HelpNow tutors work with learners of all ages to help them understand concepts. View this short video to learn more and view the HelpNow interface. 
Brainfuse also offers two additional databases that support lifelong learning and success. Brainfuse JobNow provides users with a host of services to help in every step of the job search process including job searching, resume template, professional resume review, and live interview coaching. Finally, Brainfuse VetNow supports your community’s veterans and their families with navigating the VA bureaucracy, providing academic tutoring, and employment transition assistance. To access any of these services, all you need is your Attleboro Library card!
The Friends of Attleboro Public Library
In Memoriam
The Library lost two wise, wonderful advocates this winter, Jean Vaughan, pictured on the left, and Jennie Woll, on the right. These ladies spent countless hours in the building, reading, browsing, and generally making our lives richer. They are deeply missed.
The Friends of Attleboro Public Library will participate in their first ever LIBRARY GIVING DAY campaign, taking place on Wednesday,  April 7. LIBRARY GIVING DAY is a national one-day online fundraising event that gives library lovers like YOU a chance to support and elevate your local library. 
The goal this year is to raise $5000. Contributions of any amount support library programs, services and collections that benefit the entire city. These include Summer Reading events, visiting and virtual speakers, Wifi hotspots and so much more! To participate, visit the Friends website to make an online donation. To donate by check, mail to the APL at 74 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA 02703. The Friends of APL is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible.
We realize that the past year's pandemic has created unprecendented challenges; and your financial support may not be possible at this time. The Attleboro Public Library would you to know that your ongoing use of and love for the library is always appreciated!
Follow Us Online!
We're trying not to clog your inbox with too many emails, but we do have a lot to share with you! If you use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest, we'd love to connect with you!
Attleboro Public Library
74 North Main St
Attleboro, Massachusetts 02703
(508) 222-0157
attleborolibrary.org