What’s new at the Uxbridge Free Public Library? New bestsellers including “I Will Find You” and “The London Séance Society,” and new movies: “A Man Called Otto,” “M3GAN” and “The Walking Dead Season 11.”

The library thanks all who helped make a recent appearance by Nathaniel Philbrick a success: The Uxbridge Historical Society, the Uxbridge Police Department, Barry Giles at Uxbridge Community Television, the First Evangelical Congregational Church and the many volunteers who assisted. “Great to speak to a standing room only crowd on behalf of the Uxbridge Historical Association, which owns the bed George Washington slept in while visiting the town in 1789,” Mr. Philbrick said.

Tote bags available at the WSL

The Friends of the Whitinsville Social Library organization is now selling tote bags. Visit the library during business hours to acquire one. The Friends exist to support the goals and mission of the WSL. The Friends meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Historical Room.

May’s book club pick is now available for patrons of the WSL, “Wrong Place Wrong Time,” by Gillian McAllister. The Fiction Book Club meets on Tuesday, May 16th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the book.

With daffodils in bloom at the WSL, now is a good time to pick up some spring and gardening books, and check out the library’s seed library.

On March 15, library directors and library advocates from all over the Commonwealth converged on the State House to build legislative support for public libraries with an eye on the next fiscal year’s budget. Rebecca from the WSL met with Sen. Ryan Fattman’s office to request his support for state aid and proposed legislation on limiting ebook costs for libraries.

Library fundraising hits $18,000-plus in 2022

Carolyn S. Dorval, president of the Friends of the Simon Fairfield Public Library in Douglas, reports that fundraising efforts generated $18,136.51 in 2022 for handicapped accessibility “and we are hoping to match or exceed this goal in 2023. We are planning a Memorial Day plant and book sale and look forward to seeing you there. Also, please keep in mind our online auction which is coming this fall. We would appreciate items in good condition, gift cards or services that would benefit the auction.

Library Director Justin Snook adds “I am ever so grateful to our core group of Friends for all they do. The Friends pay for book delivery, our website and newsletter, programs, supplies and snacks for story times, and a lot more that would be harder to manage through the town’s financial process.

“In recent years the Friends have made phenomenal contributions to the library’s capital campaign, stepping up in a way that fills me with awe and humility. So thank you so much to the Friends who give so much time volunteering on the board, sorting books, preparing the auction, and managing book sales. And thank you to all the Friends who give of your resources to make all of that possible.”