Acton Public Library

Family Paint Night

Delayed Opening May 15

May Acoustic Storyteller Series

The Web They Wove

Social Justice Group May

Design a Bookmark

Outdoor Walking April 16

Information:

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Opening at 1 PM: Friday, May 15

Regular Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 10am to 8pm
Friday & Saturday: 10am to 5pm
Sunday: Closed

60 Old Boston Post Road
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Tel: 860-395-3184

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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.

Calendar

Adult Events

The Web They Wove
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 6:00—7:30 PMGrady RoomThomas Room The Web They Wove: Women & Their Wardrobes During New England’s Revolution will be presented by Amanda Flynn Rumney & Rebecca Bayreuther Donohue of the Dirty Blue Shirts. Underpinning the sensationalism of battle reports & broadsides is the often-silent steadiness of women’s work with textiles. The choices they made every day about fashion and fabric consumption & creation drove the course of Revolution just as determinedly as any congress. As southern New England commemorates the 250th anniversary of the War for Independence, it is these local lives dressed in fulled wool or spun silk that continue to inspire creativity, resilience, and empathy in us today. From the mythology of homespun to legends of midnight rides in red cloaks & calashes, the Dirty Blue Shirts share stories of women who waged war on multiple fronts as well as a look at what they wore as their worlds turned upside down. This program is presented by costumed historians and includes reproduction clothing pieces & fabric samples as well as a PowerPoint presentation with images of extant originals. Sponsored by the Friends of Acton Public Library. Register online between 4/12/2026 10:00 AM and 5/12/2026 6:00 PM.
Acton Compassion-Knits
Wednesday, May 13, 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.
Books on Tap Book Club
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 6:00—7:00 PMAdult Off-SiteMyrcene Ale Co.39 Ragged Rock Rd, Old Saybrook, CT, 06475Join Emily, Acton Library's Head of Circulation, to discuss The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer. This group will meet at Myrcene Ale Co. Register online between 4/13/2026 10:00 AM and 5/13/2026 6:00 PM.
Outdoor Walking Group
Thursday, May 14, 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.
Tech Time with Rebecca G. @Acton Library
Thursday, May 14, 2026 1:00—4:00 PMTech Time TableNeed assistance using your laptop, iPad, Kindle, or other device? Take advantage of Tech Time! Meet with a tech-savvy librarian for a 20-minute one-on-one session to discuss your technology needs. Free and open to all. Reserve your spot by calling the library at 860-395-3184 or by emailing Rebecca G. at rgraebner@actonlibrary.org. THIS SERVICE IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. WE CANNOT FIX YOUR DEVICE. Categories Adult

Teen Events

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.
YA : Drop-In Games Day
Thursday, May 14, 2026 3:00—4:30 PMThomas Room 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, May 15, 2026 3:00—4:45 PMFriend's Conference Roomtwice monthly gathering of young adventurers. D&D 5e . Ages 12+ Register online between 4/15/2026 10:00 AM and 5/15/2026 2:00 PM.
Peace Crane Folding
Thursday, May 21, 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.

Children's Events

Storytime
Tuesday, May 12, 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 4/10/2026 10:00 AM and 9/28/2026 8:00 PM.
CANCELED - Imaginary Tails with Izzy
Tuesday, May 12, 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 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.
Grab & Go Crafts
Friday, May 15, 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.
Cupcake Decorating
Saturday, May 16, 2026 10:30—11:30 AMGrady RoomThomas RoomCome decorate cupcakes with us! We will have cupcakes, frosting and some candy for decorating. Feel free to bring additional items to share. For Children ages 0-11. This program was made possible by the Friends of Acton Library. Register online between 4/16/2026 10:00 AM and 5/15/2026 10:00 AM.

Why Hasn’t Construction Started?

April 23, 2026

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.