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.
- HYBRID: Smithson’s Gamble: The Incredible History Behind the World’s Largest Museum
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 2:00—3:30 PMGrady RoomLaptopProjectorThomas RoomSmithsonian Curator Emeritus, Tom Crouch, will discuss his book Smithson’s Gamble: The Incredible History Behind the World’s Largest Museum. This virtual discussion may be viewed at the library on our 9-foot screen or at home. There will be a question and answer period. This presentation is through Library Speakers Consortium. This talk will be recorded and will be available to view 24 hours after the event. From Penguin Random House: Discover the incredible history of the Smithsonian as it grew to meet the needs of a nation. Follow the fascinating growth and development of the world's largest museum and research complex during its first 60 years. The English chemist and mineralogist James Smithson never visited the United States, yet he bequeathed his estate to the country to establish the Smithsonian Institution. The rest is history, told in rich detail in Smithson's Gamble. This book reveals how, as it defined a role rooted in curiosity and exploration, the Smithsonian helped to shape the nation's developing identity. The Smithsonian evolved from a small, narrowly focused organization into an institution leading the way in fields from astrophysics to zoology. Smithsonian researchers, and the hundreds of citizen scientists who they recruited, created a collection that documented the natural and human history of a continent. The American conservation movement and a national weather service are rooted at the Smithsonian. Smithson's Gamble is filled with fascinating characters, twists and turns, and moments of triumph and tragedy, complete with political machinations, a bit of backstabbing, accusations of murder, and the occasional scandal. Tom D. Crouch, a Smithsonian veteran of almost 45 years, paints a robust picture of a unique American establishment and its lasting legacies. He chronicles the trials and errors of an increasingly complex institution and all the incredible joys and innovations resulting from Smithson's gamble. Register online between 1/24/2026 10:00 AM and 2/24/2026 6:00 PM.
- Cookbook Club
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 6:00—7:30 PMGrady RoomThomas RoomCheck out a copy of the chosen cookbook for the month, make a recipe within the cookbook & bring it to the meeting for members to sample. This is required to attend. This month's cookbook is Indulge: Delicious and Decadent Dishes to Enjoy and Share by Valerie Bertinelli. Register online between 1/24/2026 10:00 AM and 2/24/2026 6:00 PM.
- Indoor Walking Group
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 12:15—1:00 PMAdult Off-SiteOld Saybrook Park & Rec308 Main St., Old Saybrook, CT, 06475WALKING GROUP WILL BE AT 12:15 TODAY! Join Cindy for an indoor walk at the OS Park & Rec. upstairs track. Register online between 12/7/2025 10:00 AM and 3/25/2026 11:00 AM.
- CANCELED - Mystery Book Club
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 1:00—2:00 PMGrady RoomDue to weather, this program is canceled. Please join us next month for Mystery Book Club! This group meets the fourth Wednesday of the month. This month's book is Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn.
- Acton Compassion-Knits
Wednesday, February 25, 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.
- YA : Drop-In Games Day
Thursday, February 26, 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.
- YA : Drop-In Games Day
Thursday, March 5, 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.
- YA: Dungeons and Dragons Club
Friday, March 6, 2026 2:45—4:45 PMThomas RoomD&D club returns! Dungeons and Dragons - Our campaign is back. (now twice a month) Our regular adventurers took some side quests. ...we need some new ones Come join us for all things D&D. Want to make a new character? Discuss Best Tips for DMing? Join or Run a One Shot? Learn about running your own homebrew campaign? Access our growing reference Library of texts and tomes? Drop ins of New/Returning players are always welcome. Ages 10 + Under 12 requires Adult supervision on site Register online between 2/11/2026 9:00 AM and 3/6/2026 2:00 PM.
- YA : Library Advisory Board - Planning Meeting
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 3:30—4:30 PMFriend's Conference RoomDo 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 Register online between 11/12/2025 10:00 AM and 3/10/2026 3:00 PM.
- YA : Drop-In Games Day
Thursday, March 12, 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.
- CANCELED - Storytime
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 10:30—11:30 AMGrady RoomThomas RoomDue to weather, Storytime is canceled today! Be sure to check out one of our apps, Libby or Palace for a fun audio or ebook! Story 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.
- CANCELED - Imaginary Tails with Izzy
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 3:30—4:30 PMChildren's RoomDue to weather, Izzy will be staying home today. If you need an Izzy boost, here’s a short video of Izzy enjoying the snow! Chasing a snowball! Come 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!
- Grub Club
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 3:30—4:30 PMGrady RoomThomas Room Winter Series - January 7th - February 25th. NO CLASS ON FEBRUARY 18TH. Calling all Junior Chefs! Grub Club is a popular after-school cooking club where young chefs can learn basic cooking skills and fun new recipes to make for the family. All supplies are provided. Please disclose any allergies upon registering. Funded by the Old Saybrook Public Health Nursing Board and presented by Kathy Cobb, MS, RDN,Public Health Nutritionist. Registration now closed.
- Grab & Go Crafts
Friday, February 27, 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, February 27, 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
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