News & Notes from the Blanding Library

Coming up at the Blanding
The Blanding Library staff is busy planning events for 2022. (In these uncertain times, it’s always best to check with the library first to see if any changes have been made to our schedule). “I Spy” will be a fun activity for all ages during the month of January. See what hidden items you can locate around the Blanding.

Looking ahead, the library will once again offer A Blind Date with a Book Feb. 1-14. Come and pick out a gift-wrapped library book to borrow. The cover will be hidden but you can find a hint on the wrapped package.

In March, the Blanding will be having another used jewelry sale. We need donations for this event. All types of jewelry are welcome, so now is good time to clean out your jewelry box and donate unused items. Date and time to be announced soon.

Great Book Hunt & Town-wide Read
Artists are needed to create images of book covers for our “Great Book Hunt” event. Any medium, any size is acceptable. The art work will be transferred to panels that will be placed throughout Rehoboth for people to locate. This promises to be a fun event for all ages. For more information or to contribute art to this event, call the library at 508-252-4236.

Our town-wide read, “Rehoboth on the Same Page”, will return this year with the featured book being Michael Blanding's “The Map Thief”. More information to follow soon.

Nature Talk on Amphibians in Feb.
The Friends of the Blanding Library will present a talk by Rehoboth resident Carol Entin on “At-Risk Amphibians of Rehoboth” on Wed. Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. During this slideshow presentation, learn about some of our common species and also two state-listed threatened species, the Blue-spotted Salamander and the Eastern Spadefoot, a toad-like amphibian.  Using  photos acquired from the last six seasons of her citizen scientist field work for MassWildlife, our speaker will introduce you to amphibian behaviors, life cycles, habitats and challenges.  Carol says, “Learn about captive-rearing efforts and habitat restoration work happening right here in Rehoboth.  Amphibians become active as early as the last week of February, so get to know these fascinating animals, and if you spot some in Rehoboth, you can contribute your data to our survey work!”

The Friends of the Blanding Library would also like to thank everyone who renewed their membership in this volunteer organization for the coming year, with special thanks to those who donated at the contributing and supporting level, and to those who made additional donations. Your donations help us fund a number of library programs, so that the Blanding can then offer them for free to our community.

Winter Fun for Children

• Story Time for little ones continues on Tuesday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30. Children and caregivers are invited to come to the hall for a fun interactive program of movement, books, music and games. For children through age 4; siblings are welcome. Registration is required for these programs.
• There is a Winter Wonderland theme going on in the children's library. Young visitors are encouraged to choose or create their own snowflake to add to the "snowy wall" alongside a large polar bear.   Supplies will be at tables along with instructions to make a snowflake.
• Winter Take & Make crafts will be available as well.
• A New Year brings a new 'StickTogether' bulletin board activity for children and parents to work together, one sticker at a time, to create a surprise pixel picture.

The Blanding Public Library (www.blandinglibrary.net) is located in Goff Hall, 124 Bay State Rd., (phone: 508-252-4236). It is open Monday through Thursday from 10 until 8, and on Friday and Saturday from 10 to 4. Closed Sundays and holidays. The library will be closed on Monday Jan. 17 for Martin Luther King Day.