Upcoming Programs for Adults


Book Bingo for Adults:  A January to June Program

January 2nd to June 1st

Please join us in celebrating the large variety of books offered by our library by participating in The Conant Public Library’s Book Bingo. Book Bingo is a self-directed reading challenge for adults with opportunities for prizes - receive a raffle ticket for each Bingo you complete for chances to win a gift certificate to a local restaurant. Pick up your Bingo sheet at the circulation desk or click here to find out all the details! Book Bingo is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

No registration required.


Seed Library

The Sterling Public Library Seed Library is a collection of open-pollinated and heirloom seeds that you can borrow from to plant and grow at home. Our seed collection includes veggies, herbs, and flowers.  Simply come into the library and  browse our seed card catalog. Then, come to the circulation desk to check out seeds.  No need to return anything! If you happen to have extra seeds, share with a neighbor or a friend.  We ask that you only take what you can use. Our seed library is about encouraging our community to experience the joys of gardening!  It’s a fun, rewarding, and nutritious activity for the whole family. This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Conant Public Library.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the library at 978-422-6409.


Summer Reading Program Needs Prize Donations

Summer is coming soon! The Conant Public Library in Sterling seeks donations of new items for youth ages 0-18 to be awarded as prizes in our Children’s Summer Reading Program Raffles. These prizes make our interactive Summer Reading Program even more fun and children really get excited about them! Popular prizes in the past have included Squishmallows, candy, gift cards, toys, and craft kits. Please consider making a donation to help this program succeed! All donations may be dropped off at the Conant Public Library.

Please call the library at (978) 422-6409 with any questions.


No-Bake Birds Nest Cookies

Thursday, March 28th at 1:00 pm

Adults are invited to make Birds Nest Cookies. These adorable no-bake cookies will look and taste great for your Easter celebration or as a simple springtime treat. All ingredients will be provided. Please bring a large spoon for mixing.

Registration is required - Please click here or call 978-422-6409 to register.


80’s Mall Murder Mystery for Adults

Thursday, March 28th at 6:00 pm

Do you like a good whodunit? Are you nostalgic for 80’s fashion?  You’ve come to the right place!  Join us in character to solve the latest mystery. This time around, the opening of a great mall went as planned, but after that things took a rather slippery turn when the high and mighty entrepreneur was found dead in the mall’s fountain. Who could it be?  Come play and find out!

Registration is required - Please click here or call 978-422-6409 to register.


40 Whacks: The Lizzie Borden Case

Wednesday, April 3rd at 6:30 pm at the Sterling Senior Center

The Conant Public Library and the Sterling Senior Center welcome historian Christopher Daley as he conducts a one hour in-depth retelling of the famous double homicide of Andrew and Abbie Borden in August of 1892. The performance will rely upon extensive archival research to create an entertaining and informative presentation which recounts the police investigation, the suspicion placed on Lizzie, the Grand Jury hearings, and the trial. In the end different theories on the murders will be set forth, and the audience will be invited to participate in a discussion of “Who done it?” This program is supported in part by a grant from the Sterling Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

For those unable to attend, this program will be recorded and aired on Sterling Lancaster Community Television at a later date.

Registration is required - Please click here or call 978-422-6409 to register.


April Adult Craft:  Spring Hat Door Hanger

Thursday, April 4th at 1:00 pm or 6:30 pm

Make your own pretty hat door decoration to welcome Spring!  Only a few materials and a little glue will result in a gorgeous decoration to hang on your front door.  

Registration is required - Please click here for 1:00 pm or here for 6:30 pm, or call 978-422-6409 to register.


Adult Coloring

Wednesday, April 10th at 1:00 pm

Adult coloring is back at the Conant Public Library - with a twist! Join us to color beautiful greeting cards. All supplies are provided.

No registration required.


Minimizing (or Eliminating!) Food Wastage For Families with Sarah Robertson-Barnes

Thursday, April 11th at 7:00 - 8:00 pm via Zoom

We'll be discussing how to minimize or eliminate food waste in your family, especially with kids. Sarah will have all kinds of ideas to take baby steps to save, use, or compost food scraps so none (or little) goes into landfills! All ages are welcome. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library in partnership with the Ashland Sustainability Committee, GreenUp Ashland.

Registration is required - Please click here to receive the zoom link in the confirmation and reminder emails.


Dip Night

Tuesday, April 16th at 6:30 pm

Who doesn’t love dip? Join us as we sample dips - sweet, savory and everything in between!  Choose a dip recipe along with your favorite accompaniments, prepare it at home, then bring it to the library to share with others. Please let us know which dip you have chosen so we can avoid duplicates and ensure a variety.

Registration is required - Please click here or call 978-422-6409 to register.


Puzzle Race

Wednesday, April 17th at 6:00 pm

How quickly can you assemble a 500 piece puzzle? Teams of up to four people (all ages welcome!) are invited to race the clock - and other teams - to see who comes out on top! Teams will each put together the same puzzle - a minimum of two teams are needed to hold the program.

Registration is required - Please click here or call 978-422-6409 to register your team.


Fighting Spring Allergies Naturally

Thursday, April 18th at 6:30 pm

Join us as Meri Jo Bierig, LSW, Nutrition Response Testing Practitioner and Certified Whole Health Educator from Health Unlimited in West Boylston, presents some natural ways to mitigate seasonal allergies this Spring. There are many natural ways to ease your suffering and we are excited to learn what we can do with Meri Jo.

Registration is required - Please click here or call 978-422-6409 to register.


Scrabble and Snacks

Tuesday, April 23rd at 1:00 pm

Do you love to play Scrabble, but have trouble finding opponents to play with? Adults are invited to show off their wordsmithing skills. Snacks will be provided.

No registration required.


April Cookbook Club

Wednesday, April 24th at 6:30 pm

Find fast but delicious recipes this month at the Conant Public Library's Cookbook Club! Join us as we sample recipes from Piecemeal by Kathryn Pauline. Piecemeal offers 120 recipes built on 30 main components, each taking anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes to make.  Choose a recipe from the cookbook, prepare it at home, then bring it to the library to share with others. Cookbooks are available at the library for checkout; please let us know which recipe you have chosen so we can avoid duplicates.

Registration is required - Please click here or call 978-422-6409 to register.


Find More Birds: 111 Surprising Ways to Spot Birds Wherever You Are

Wednesday, April 24th at 7:00 - 8:00 pm via Zoom.

Please join us as we celebrate Earth Month (really, year!). We thought this would be the perfect time to bring author Heather Wolf to you. Heather Wolf will be discussing her latest book "Find More Birds: 111 Surprising Ways to Spot Birds Wherever You Are". It will be a fascinating conversation about being in the moment and noticing the wonderful and varied birds around us. And, this time, we'll focus more on Q&A, although we hope that Heather will share amazing pics of her neighborhood birds with us! This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library and in partnership with a multitude of MA libraries.

Registration is required - Please click here to receive the zoom link in the confirmation and reminder emails.


True Crime Book Club 

Thursday, April 25th at 6:30 pm

Do you love a true crime thriller? Join your fellow true crime enthusiasts for this true crime book club. We’ll once again take a deep dive into a book, this time into Lost Girls by Robert Kolker, which is one of Slate’s Best Nonfiction Books of the Past 25 Years.  Kolker provides a  literary account of the lives and presumed serial killings of five “Craigslist” prostitutes, whose bodies were found on the same Long Island beach in 2010. Based on the New York Magazine cover story.

No registration is required.


Fit Lit Book Club

Tuesday, April 30th at 6:00pm (weather permitting) at the Cider Mill entrance of the Sterling Rail Trail

Enjoy a fun book discussion while also getting some exercise! Participants should read The Midnight Library by Matt Haig prior to the walk. We will enjoy a discussion of this number one best-selling book that explores the choices that go into a life well-lived. Books are available at the library for checkout.

No registration is required. 
 


Nibbling on Native Plants

Wednesday, May 1st at 6:30 pm

Have you ever been in your backyard or in the surrounding woods, and wondered, “Can I eat that plant?” We welcome expert forager Russ Cohen as he presents a slideshow featuring native edible wild plants suitable for nibbling on and for planting in your own backyard. In addition to providing identification keys and foraging guidelines, Russ will bring samples of foraged goodies and drinks to try. This program will be held at the Sterling Senior Center.  This program is supported in part by a grant from the Sterling Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Registration is required - Click here or call 978-422-6409 to register.


Adult Felting - Beehives

Tuesday, May 7th at 1 pm and 6 pm

Create an adorable felted beehive at the Conant Public Library! Join instructor Laura Darrow as we create this fun spring project from felt. This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Conant Public Library.

Registration is required - Click here for 1 pm or here for 6 pm, or call 978-422-6409 to register.


Adult Coloring - Color by Sticker

Wednesday, May 8th at 1pm

Adults are invited to take their coloring to the next level with Color-by-Sticker! Enjoy fun, vibrant designs while chatting with others.

No registration required.


No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie

Thursday, May 9th at 1:00 pm

Adults are invited to make Lemon Icebox Pie. This refreshing dessert will provide a festive way to welcome the warmer spring weather. All ingredients will be provided. Please bring a bowl and large spoon for mixing. 

Registration is required - Click here or call 978-422-6409 to register.


Last Name Meal

Tuesday, May 14th at 6:30 pm

Looking for a fun way to discover new recipes? Join us as we enjoy a Last Name Meal - every participant brings a dish that begins with the first letter of their last name! Prepare your dish at home, then bring it to the library to share with others. We will send out recipes following the program. Please let us know what dish you have chosen so we can avoid duplicates and ensure a variety. 

Registration is required - Click here or call 978-422-6409 to register.


Spoon Carving with Owl Eyes Wilderness Survival

Wednesday, May 15th at 5:30 pm

We welcome back Tim Swanson of Owl Eyes Wilderness Survival as he teaches patrons the art of spoon carving. This special two and a half hour class will cover knife safety, sharpening techniques, carving methods, and aftercare. During the program each participant will carve their very own spoon to take home with them. Please do not register if you participated in the February Spoon Carving Program in order to give other patrons a chance to attend. If attendance or waiting list spots are available a week prior to the program, February attendees will be permitted to register at that time. This program is sponsored by the Mass Cultural Council.

Registration is required - Click here or call 978-422-6409 to register.


May Adult Craft: Citronella Candle and Candle Holder

Thursday, May 16th at 1 pm and 6:30 pm

The late spring and summer months are the perfect season to spend time outdoors, soaking up the sun. But come evening, there’s just one tiny problem: mosquitoes! Come join us to make your own citronella candle and DIY tin candle holder to keep the pests away naturally.

Registration is required - Click here for 1 pm or here for 6:30 pm, or call 978-422-6409 to register.


Classics Book Club

Thursday, May 16th at 6:30 pm

This month we will discuss For Whom the Bell Tolls, Ernest Hemingway’s novel set during the Spanish Civil War. Copies of the book will be available at the library.

No registration required. 


Scrabble and Snacks

Tuesday, May 21st at 1:00 pm

Do you love to play Scrabble, but have trouble finding opponents to play with? Adults are invited to show off their wordsmithing skills. Snacks will be provided.

No registration required.


May Cookbook Club

Tuesday, May 21st at 6:30 pm

Get ready for summer with healthy, no-fuss recipes at the Conant Public Library's Cookbook Club! Join us as we sample dinner recipes from Skinnytaste One & Done by Gina Homolka and desserts from Sweet Enough by Alison Roman. Choose a recipe from either cookbook, prepare it at home, then bring it to the library to share with others. Cookbooks are available at the library for checkout; please let us know which recipe you have chosen so we can avoid duplicates.

Registration is required - Click here or call 978-422-6409 to register.


Family Trivia Nights

Wednesday, May 22nd at 6:30 pm

Calling all trivia lovers! Gather your closest friends and family to create your own super team and show off your collective knowledge. 

Registration is required - Click here or call 978-422-6409 to register your team.

 


DIY Lip Balm

Thursday, May 23rd at 1 pm

Come to the library and make some homemade lip balm with friends! This lip balm contains a simple combination of coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, and zinc oxide for spf. We will also add some essential oils to give it a nice scent.

Registration is required - Click here or call 978-422-6409 to register.


Cheers to Summer Succulents!

Monday, June 3rd at 1 pm and 6:30 pm

Adults are invited to join the Sterling Garden Club to create a summertime-inspired succulent margarita glass. Each participant will receive three succulents, assorted dirt and sand, and a choice of other items to decorate their little garden! This program is sponsored by a grant from the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. 

Registration is required - Click here for 1 pm or here for 6:30 pm, or call 978-422-6409 to register.


Introduction to Birds and Birdwatching

Tuesday, June 4th at 6:30 pm

Please join us at the Sterling Senior Center for an Introduction to Birds & Birdwatching presented by Kathy Kennedy of Mass Audubon Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. Come find out what makes birds unique within the animal kingdom, where and how to locate birds in different settings, and basic bird biology and behavior. Questions are welcome and encouraged! This program is sponsored by a grant from the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.  

Registration is required - Click here or call 978-422-6409 to register.


Fit Lit Book Club

Wednesday, June 5th at 6:30 pm

Enjoy a fun book discussion while also getting some exercise! The Conant Public Library’s Fit Lit Book Club will meet at the Cider Mill entrance of the Sterling Rail Trail (weather permitting). Participants should read A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham prior to the walk. We will enjoy a discussion of this debut thriller while getting some fresh air and exercise! Books are available at the library for checkout.

No registration is required. 


June Adult Craft: Patriotic Blocks

Thursday, June 6th at 1 pm or 6:30 pm

Get ready for Flag Day and July 4th with this fun patriotic wooden block painting to welcome your summer visitors.

Registration is required - Click here for 1 pm or here for 6:30 pm, or call 978-422-6409 to register.


No-Bake Crispy Pretzel Bars

Tuesday, June 11th at 1:00 pm

Adults are invited to the library to make Crispy Pretzel Bars. These salty and sweet bars make for a great on the go summer snack that the whole family will enjoy. For those with nut allergies, please note that these contain peanut butter. All ingredients will be provided. Please bring a bowl and large spoon for mixing.

Registration is required - Click here or call 978-422-6409 to register.


Houseplant Swap

Tuesday, June 11th at 6:30 pm

Have a houseplant that you no longer need and wish to trade, or do you want to share cuttings from some of your plants? Drop by our Plant Swap to meet fellow plant enthusiasts and find the perfect new plant for your home.

Registration is required - Click here or call 978-422-6409 to register.


Adult Coloring - Summer Window Clings

Wednesday, June 12th at 1pm

Make your windows sparkle this summer! Color your own window clings at the Conant Public Library while chatting with others.

No registration required.


Family Trivia Nights

Monday, June 17th at 6:30 pm

Calling all trivia lovers! Gather your closest friends and family to create your own super team and show off your collective knowledge. 

Registration is required - Click here or call 978-422-6409 to register your team.


Scrabble and Snacks

Tuesday, June 18th at 1:00 pm

Do you love to play Scrabble, but have trouble finding opponents to play with? Adults are invited to show off their wordsmithing skills. Snacks will be provided.

No registration required.


Cookie Swap

Tuesday, June 18th at 6:30pm

Cookie swaps aren’t just for the holidays! Bake seven dozen of your favorite cookies; leave 14 loose for sampling and make 14 packages of 5 cookies each to swap.

Registration is required - Click here or call 978-422-6409 to register and let us know what kind of cookie you are making.


Planning For Medicare: Countdown to 65

Thursday, June 20th at 6:30 pm

Brian Guagnini from Blue Cross/Blue Shield Outreach will present on how to plan for retirement and medicare.  The agenda will include discussion of original medicare, medicare supplement, medicare advantage, comparison charts, case studies, prescription drug coverage, things to consider, additional resources, and any questions you might have in planning. 

Registration is required - Click here or call 978-422-6409 to register.


June Cookbook Club

Wednesday, June 26th at 6:30 pm

Discover fast and fabulous recipes at the Conant Public Library's Cookbook Club! Join us as we sample recipes from The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinner’s Ready by Ree Drummond. Choose a recipe, prepare it at home, then bring it to the library to share with others. Cookbooks are available at the library for checkout; please let us know which recipe you have chosen so we can avoid duplicates.

Registration is required - Click here or call 978-422-6409 to register.