Library Hours

Monday through Friday, 9:30-5:30 with extended hours on Tuesday until 7:00pm

Closed on Saturdays in July & August

Check our website for the most up-to-date information and to register for programs:  https://baconfreelibrary.org

Children’s Programs

All Together Preschool Storytime -- Mondays and Tuesdays @ 10am -- Join us for stories and songs! We’ll be outdoors, weather permitting. Bring along a blanket to get comfy.

Note: if the weather is wet or below 55 degrees, we’ll move this storytime indoors. The historic nature of our building limits accessibility. This program is also offered in an accessible location at the Morse Institute Library (check their website for dates, times, and more information). 

Baby Time -- Wednesdays @ 10am --  Stories, bounces, and songs for babies 0-24 months and their grownups!  This program is held indoors. The historic nature of our building limits accessibility. This program is also offered in an accessible location at the Morse Institute Library (check their website for dates, times, and more information).

Jammin with You -- Fridays, July 18th & 25th @ 10:30am -- Be prepared to laugh, dance, sing, and jam your way through 30 minutes of non-stop family fun! We›ll be outdoors, weather permitting. Bring along a blanket to get comfy. Note: if the weather is wet, this program will be rescheduled.   

The Poop Museum! -- Friday, July 11th @10:30am --   At the Poop Museum, Susie Maguire will teach us many fantastic, fabulous, and fun facts about human, animal, and insect poop.  Science meets silliness in this program geared toward ages 5-10.  Outdoors at the BFL. If it rains, the program will move indoors to the Morse Institute Library.

Goats & Giggles -- Monday, July 14th @11am -- Play and cuddle with some curious and friendly baby goats outside on the library lawn! The Farmer’s Helpers program from Chip-in Farm will be bringing their goats to the BFL for a visit.  All ages are welcome. Please note that participants may be required to wait in line, as the number of people interacting with the goats at a time will be limited for the animals’ comfort and safety. We’ll provide coloring pages and some farm-themed books to browse while waiting.

Adult Programs

“Heal the Beasts -- A Jaunt through the Curious History of the Veterinary Arts” with author and veterinarian Philipp Schott   --- Virtual program, Monday, July 7th @ 7pm on Zoom -- This history of veterinary medicine provides an abundance of bizarre, funny, surprising, and heartwarming anecdotes. Heal the Beasts chronicles human efforts to treat animal illnesses from 14,000 BCE to today.    Register for the Zoom link.

In Conversation with Romance Author Rachel Reid -- Virtual program, Weds, July 9th @ 7pm on Zoom --  Do you love sports romances?  Are you intrigued by the behind-the-scenes of this romance sub-genre?  Well then, join us for a virtual conversation with Rachel Reid, Canadian author and hockey fan who explains “I like to write cute smut about hockey players and other people.”  Rachel has been dubbed “the queen of M/M hockey romance” by Ashland Public Library’s romance book club (this is a dedicated crew who knows this genre well!).  Listen in on the conversation with Rachel that is bound to be revealing.   Registration for the Zoom link.

Drop-In Plein Air Art Studio -- Mondays, July 14th & 28th @1:30pm at the BFL -- Join Natick landscape artist Barbara Levine for drop-in plein air painting on the grounds of the Bacon Free Library.  All levels of painters, and all mediums are welcome. Supplies will not be provided, so please bring your own equipment including. Barbara will be on hand to offer suggestions during this weekly 2-hour program. Come to as many sessions as you like and please arrive by 1:30pm in order to have time to set up. Please register for the sessions you will be attending, so that we have an idea of how many artists to expect each week and so we may contact you if the program is canceled due to inclement weather. This program is for adults only. Register on our website.

“Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal” with Author Samuel Marquis -- Virtual program, Monday, July 14 @ 7pm on Zoom -- We are excited to chat with author Samuel Marquis about his most recent book, Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal,  which is both thrilling and tragic.  Behind the legend is a real man woven into the tapestry of early America, rendering him a unique colonial hero and scapegoat whose life story was fascinating, exciting, bizarre, and heartrending.  Doesn’t that sound fascinating? We hope you can join us!  Register for the Zoom link. 

Gardening and Water Conservation -- Virtual program, Thursday, July 17th @ 6pm on Zoom -- As the summer heats up, how do you keep your garden well hydrated without wasting water?  The experts at Blackstone Valley Veggie Gardens are here to show you how.  In this virtual program they’ll explain several techniques to hydrate your garden to manage droughts and/or dry, summer conditions.  Register for the Zoom link. 

The Wisdom of Morrie with Author (and son) Rob Schwartz -- Virtual program, Monday, July 21st @ 7pm on Zoom --  For 30 years, Morrie Schwartz’s wisdom has resonated with people around the world largely due to the beloved, best-selling memoir, Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom.  Now we have the opportunity to speak with Morrie’s son, Rob Schwartz, about the book The Wisdom of Morrie.  Written by Morrie himself and edited by Rob, The Wisdom of Morrie: Living and Aging Creatively and Joyfully is a profound and beautiful book by Morrie from a previously unpublished manuscript.  Its theme is how to experience aging as a positive, creative, and connected experience.  Morrie taught people how to live fulfilling lives with love.  “It is by facing fears of death that we learn how to live.”  Rob has got some great stories about his dad and the profound impact Morrie had on his family and the world.    Register for the Zoom link.

Q&A with Historical Fiction Author Camille Di Miao -- Virtual program, Weds, July 23rd @ 7pm on Zoom -- We will be chatting with bestselling author Camille Di Maio.  Camille’s work, including The Memory of Us and Until We Meet, is described as “historical fiction with heart.”  Her most recent book, Come Fly With Me, is set in 1962 at the dawn of the jet-set era: hope takes flight for two Pan Am stewardesses navigating an adventurous new life in this novel about love, friendship, and escape. Register for the Zoom link.

“Dinner with King Tut” Author Sam Kean -- Virtual program, Monday, July 28th @ 7pm on Zoom -- This one is for our history buffs out there!  Join author Sam Kean as he discusses his book, Dinner with King Tut: How Rogue Archaeologists Are Recreating the Sights, Sounds, Smells, and Tastes of Lost Civilizations, an archaeological romp through the entire history of humankind—and through all five senses—from tropical Polynesian islands to forbidding arctic ice floes, and everywhere in between. We hope you can join us for this fascinating talk!  Register for the Zoom link. 

Adult Book & Film Clubs - registration required for all clubs; please visit our website for details

https://baconfreelibrary.org/clubs-programs/

Mystery Book Club -- Thursday, July 10th  @ 1pm on Zoom

Tuesday Book Club -- Tuesday, July 22nd @ 6:30pm at the library

Nonfiction Book Club -- Saturday, July 26th @10am on Zoom

Cinephile Mondays -- last Monday of the month @ 4pm on Zoom; watch and discuss films. Check the BFL website for the film of the month and to register. 

Museum Passes

The Bacon Free Library and Morse Institute Library offer passes for free or reduced-admission to 30 local museums.  Check one out and plan your next day trip!