Events
The Acton Library provides educational programs for all ages. Our events are free and open to the public. Some programs have age recommendations. Please look at the event calendar to see if you need to register for a seat.
- Shoreline Civil War Roundtable
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 6:15—7:30 PMGrady RoomThomas RoomThis group meets the first Tuesday of the month. This month Steve Chatlas will present Bleeding Kansas, Chapter 2.
- Wednesday Book Discussion Group
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 10:30 AM—12:00 PMGrady RoomThis group meets the first Wednesday of the month in the library. This month's book is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.
- Acton Compassion-Knits
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 3:30—4:30 PMFriend's Conference RoomThis group, led by Acton Public Library staff members, will knit and/or crochet items to be donated to a cause. Needles, yarn & patterns will be provided for charity projects. You may also bring your own supplies to work on a project of your own.
- APL Poetry Writing Group
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 6:00—7:30 PMFriend's Conference RoomWriting in community creates community. Gather together with Old Saybrook’s new poet laureate Sandra Yannone to write together and share your new creations monthly. All welcome regardless of writing experience. Bring your notebook or laptop or use our supplies. Register online between 4/6/2026 10:00 AM and 5/6/2026 6:00 PM.
- Outdoor Walking Group
Thursday, May 7, 2026 10:30—11:30 AMAdult Off-SiteJoin Cindy for a 45-minute walk around the neighborhood. Register online between 3/16/2026 10:00 AM and 6/11/2026 10:30 AM.
- Peace Crane Folding
Thursday, May 7, 2026 1:00—2:00 PMSelf-directedJoin us each week to fold Origami Peace Cranes. The purpose is to bring people together and find inner peace while folding the cranes. Once we reach 1,000 cranes, the cranes will be donated to a charity of the group's choosing. Directions and materials provided. No experience needed.
- YA : Drop-In Games Day
Thursday, May 7, 2026 3:00—4:30 PMTeen Space YA : Open Game Day 3:00 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. Join us this afternoon for some new and favorite tabletop or video games. Free and open to all, Ages 12-18.
- ALL AGES: Patriotic Jigsaw Puzzle Competition
Saturday, May 9, 2026 1:00—4:00 PMGrady RoomThomas RoomJoin us for an ALL AGES Patriotic Jigsaw Puzzle Competition. You may join as a team (4 max.) or as an individual (to be added to a team with less than 4). Each team will receive the same 500-piece puzzle. This event was rescheduled from May 2. Sponsored by the Friends of Acton Public Library. Register online between 4/9/2026 10:00 AM and 5/9/2026 12:00 PM.
- YA : Library Advisory Board - Planning Meeting
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 3:30—4:30 PMFriend's Conference RoomTeen SpaceDo you want to help at the library? Have a club you'd like to run ? help decide on games, displays, programs and collections Join us! Once a month- Service credit available for active participation - Last one of the School Year ! Register online between 4/14/2026 10:00 AM and 5/12/2026 2:30 PM.
- Peace Crane Folding
Thursday, May 14, 2026 1:00—2:00 PMSelf-directedJoin us each week to fold Origami Peace Cranes. The purpose is to bring people together and find inner peace while folding the cranes. Once we reach 1,000 cranes, the cranes will be donated to a charity of the group's choosing. Directions and materials provided. No experience needed.
- Storytime
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 10:30—11:30 AMGrady RoomThomas RoomStory time for all! Children and caregivers are welcome to join us for stories, fingerplays, bounces, and so much more. Enjoy free play after the stories and songs. What to expect: *large, open room space with windows *room is arranged with chairs around a large playmat, facing the reading chair, and tables are behind the reader that hold a felt board and covered boxes with items for free play *hour starts with music and movement activities, followed by sitting for the stories (typically 2-3), then ends with more music, singing, and movement activities, including bubbles *free play begins after the bubbles *quiet music is played during free play Free and open to all. Registration is preferred, but not required. Register online between 4/3/2026 10:00 AM and 9/21/2026 8:00 PM.
- Imaginary Tails with Izzy
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 3:30—4:30 PMChildren's RoomCome read your favorite book with Izzy, our friendly certified reading dog! Sign up at the Children's Desk for 10-minute reading spots. Izzy, is a 2 year-old Golden Retirever that loves belly rubs and snuggles. Izzy greets new friends with a gentle sniff and is a great listener! She can't wait to hear all the stories that library kids and their grown ups will read to her! Izzy's human grown-ups, Liz & Jody Moss are excited to sit with Izzy and listen to stories too!
- Peace Crane Folding
Thursday, May 7, 2026 1:00—2:00 PMSelf-directedJoin us each week to fold Origami Peace Cranes. The purpose is to bring people together and find inner peace while folding the cranes. Once we reach 1,000 cranes, the cranes will be donated to a charity of the group's choosing. Directions and materials provided. No experience needed.
- Grab & Go Crafts
Friday, May 8, 2026 12:00 AM—11:59 PMChildren's RoomStop by the library each week to pick up one of Ms. Aliza’s Grab & Go craft kits. Available while supplies last.
- Sing & Stomp
Friday, May 8, 2026 10:30—11:30 AMGrady RoomThomas RoomJoin us for a song and dance party for children of all ages and their grown-ups! Sing & Stomp is a noisy half hour of songs, dances, and fingerplays. Cool down afterwards with toys and music. Free and open to all, no registration required. What to expect: *large, open room space, with windows *large playmat is centered in the room *use of musical props throughout the program, including bells, tambourines, shaker eggs, and rhythm sticks *occasional use of dancing scarves and a large parachute *loud music is played *participants sing and dance *free play begins after the cool down and includes blocks and toys *quiet music is played during free play Free and open to all. No Registration Required
Why Hasn’t Construction Started?
While the funding is liquid and accounted for, the State Bond Commission must approve the release of the 2 million-dollar Connecticut State Library Construction Grant monies that was awarded in November 2023. Once their meeting convenes and the grant funds are released we can start contracting with architects and construction companies. The Acton Public Library Foundation is still currently fundraising for contingencies such as building construction cost increases and also for an endowment for future building projects. We appreciate all the supporters who have donated to get us to this point and hope the State Bonding Commission meets soon so that we can deliver an exciting new space for our community.
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