Holiday/Library Closures
Saturday, May 25th & Monday, May 27th: Closed for Memorial Day.
 
Closure reminders will be posted to our Facebook, Instagram, and Website.

Library News
 
Poetry Contest - Winners Announced!
 
The Kingston Public Library's annual Poetry Contest has come to a close, and what a contest it was! With over 56 submissions, which included 29 children’s poems, seven teen poems, and 19 adult poems from 11 different communities, our judges had their work cut out for them. After paging through the incredible submissions, choosing just three winners per age group was proving to be quite the task- but nothing that the judges couldn't handle.
 
A hearty congratulations to our winners: Hazel, a fifth-grader from Halifax who earned top honors in our 2024 Kingston Public Library Poetry Contest in the Children’s category for the poem, “Nature's Beauty”, Eli, a ninth-grader from Kingston, who placed first in the Teen category for writing the poem, “The Water Princess”, and our adult winner, Laura Schluckebier of Plymouth, for her poem, “Estuary.”
 
You can check out the winning poems by clicking or tapping here or on the image above.
 
We would like to thank our always-incredible Friends of the Kingston Public Library group for the funds to purchase our prizes.
 
 
Museum Passes
 
Did you know that your library card grants you access to discounts for many of New England's favorite museums and zoos? From the Museum of Science to the New England Aquarium, and even the Museum of Fine Arts, a wonderful day awaits with the help of the Kingston Public Library!
 
To see what the Kingston Public Library has to offer, click or tap on this link, or on the image above. To navigate to our museum listings on our website, simply visit us at https://www.kingstonpubliclibrary.org, hover your mouse over Catalog, click on Museum Passes, and scroll down on the page until you are able to click on Check availability and reserve passes. Our staff is also happy to help you reserve a pass, which can be done by calling (781) 585-0517 and speaking to the Circulation Department.

Kingston Public Library Foundation News
 
A huge thank you is in order for our community: the Endless Possibilities Gala was exactly what we were hoping for, and we could not have done any of it without you. You are all constantly showing up in so many ways to show your support for your library and we see it all, every day. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
 
If you were unable to make it to our event but still wish to donate, you can do so by following this link.
 
The Kingston Public Library Foundation raises funds throughout the year to support programming and services at the Kingston Public Library. Supporting efforts of the KPLF helps make the library a vibrant community resource for all ages and continues to be crucial for filling in budget gaps. Thank you for your continued support!

Kingston Public Library Events

Active Parenting Workshops
Every Tuesday in May starting May 7th - 1:00pm-1:45pm
In the Children's Room
 
Active Parenting Mid-Day Mingle: The First Three Years is a three-week series moderated by Susan West, LPN. Susan West is a Certified Active Parenting Coordinator and a strong supporter of families with young children. Topics include Ages & Stages of Development, Your Child's Growing Brain, Using Mindfulness to De-stress, and Behavior Management. Parents, caregivers, and children are all welcome.
 
This program is sponsored by the South Shore Family Network, a division of the South Shore Community Action Council. More information about them can be found by clicking or tapping on this link.
 
To register, please click or tap the button below and search "Active Parenting", you can register for individual classes by clicking the links displayed.
 
 


Mosquito & Tick Prevention
Wednesday, May 8th - 6:00pm
At the Adams Center
 
Learn how you can prevent mosquito and tick-borne diseases and bites, life cycles, effective repellents, eliminating stagnant water, and reducing the mosquito population.
 
The program is presented by Erin Morrill, who is the Community Liaison for the Plymouth Mosquito Control project, which educates the public about mosquito control resources and services available to the community. Blake Dinius is an Entomologist from Plymouth Extension, who will discuss the tick population. The pair will also present tick and mosquito myth-busting during their presentation.
 
To register, please click or tap the button below.
 

Teen & Tween Craft: Plant Pot Painting
Thursday, May 9th - 4:00pm
In the Teen Room
 
Come paint your own terracotta pot! Each artist will leave with a bag of dirt and some seeds to plant in their newly-painted pots. Watch your plant grow as the weather gets warmer!
 
To register, please click or tap the button below.
 

Leigh & Friends Pajama Storytime
Wednesday, May 15th - 5:30pm
In the Children's Room
 
Leigh & her friends are putting on a show at the library for our 2-6 year olds! Puppets, songs, and stories abound- come join in on the fun!
 
To learn more about Leigh & Friends, please click or tap here.
 
To register, please click or tap the button below.
 

Big Ryan's Tall Tales
Monday, May 20th - 10:30am
In the Children's Room
 
Join us for a show from Big Ryan's Tall Tales! This program features puppet play, music and movement, and a whole lot of fun for ages 2 and up! Registration is required.
 
To learn more about Big Ryan's Tall Tales, please click or tap here.
 
To register, please click or tap the button below.
 

D&DIY: Paint Your Own Tabletop Miniature
Wednesday, May 22nd - 5:00pm
In the Teen Room
 
Paint a provided mini figure, or bring your own, and chat with fellow Dungeons & Dragons fans about your awesome character! Perfect for teens that love fantasy and tabletop games!
 
This program requires no registration- we have plenty of minis to paint!
 
To learn more about how to get started in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, please click or tap here.

Essential Pollinators with Joy Marzolf
Wednesday, May 22nd - 6:00pm
At the Adams Center
 
Far beyond the non-native European honeybee, learn about our native New England pollinators and the important role they play with our native plants. Bees, butterflies, beetles and other insects all provide essential pollinator services while visiting our apple orchards, backyard gardens and many other flowering trees and plants. Take closer looks at some of our smallest and hardest workers.
 
In addition to a BA in Biology, Marzoff has been conducting animal-related education programs in her professional life for over 20 years. Her experience includes working with reptiles in the wild and in captivity, live animal education programs in Oregon, across the Western United States, and in Alaska. She has also worked with marine mammals in rehab/rescue programs in Massachusetts and with the Oregon Zoo.
 
To learn more about Joy Marzolf, please click or tap here.
 
To register, please click or tap the button below.
 

Local History Interest Group
Thursday, May 23rd - 7:00pm-8:00pm
At the Adams Center (First Floor Meeting Room)

This unique discussion group focuses on topics related to local history, with an emphasis on history related to Kingston and the surrounding area.
 
The aim of this group is to provide patrons with a hands-on opportunity to explore and cultivate an interest in local history on a deeper level and to facilitate dialogue around the various aspects of local history. Also, this discussion group will at times focus on specific materials held in the KPL Local History Collections.
 
The discussion topic for the group’s meeting will be on historic horticulture, with a focus on Kingston's own unique horticulture.

To register, please click or tap the button below. 
 

2024 May Library Events Calendar
  
 PDF Calendar | Online Virtual Calendar

Click on the links above to view the rest of our activities during the month of March.


May Art Exhibit:
Joanne Jesse
 
Our featured artist for May is Joanne Jesse, with an exhibit titled, “Miscellaneous Beginnings.” Jesse’s art features oil paintings on canvas.

Jesse’s love of art and painting first started in her formative years, as her mom would drive her and a fellow childhood artist, Karen, to a weekly art class held in Squantum, MA in Quincy.
 
“I’ve always loved painting,” said Jesse. “The class was held in an old storefront, where Mrs. Vivarro held her Friday after school oil painting class as I attended through my middle school years.”
 
Despite being introduced to new media during her high school years, Jesse still preferred oil painting. But then life got in the way and it was some time before she returned to the easel.
 
“I did not pick up another oil brush for about 50 years,” said Jesse. “Upon retirement, I discovered that the Kingston Council on Aging offered an oil painting class taught by the very talented Violet Berry.”
 
Jesse notes that she becomes so captivated with her paints, palette, and canvas that she loses track of the time on the clock.
 
“When I work, I get totally absorbed in whatever I am painting and time simply flies by,” said Jesse. “This is my first exhibit and I am very grateful to the Kingston Public Library for allowing me to showcase my works.”

The exhibit will be on view in the library's gallery throughout May. The library is open Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays 10am to 5pm and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 10am to 8pm.


 

Kingston Public Library
6 Green Street
Kingston, Massachusetts 02364
781-585-0517

www.kingstonpubliclibrary.org