Foxborough's Boyden Library Children's Programs and Renovation Plans

This week I had the pleasure of speaking with Mrs. Margi Rossetti, Children's Librarian at Boyden Library, and attending the Awesome Robb Magician Show, one of this weeks special programs. Mrs. Rossetti gives us all the inside scoop about what will be happening over the summer in the Children's Department.

Tell us about the Boyden Library Children’s Department?

The Boyden Library Children’s Department serves children from infancy to about age 12, parents, caregivers, and adults who work with children.  We carry books, music, movies, puppets, audio books,  multimedia kits and more.  We also provide regular weekly story programs for children up to age 5 along with fun, family oriented special events. 

The Children's Department has some great programs, tell us what you have planned for May and June?

Springtime Story Time and Mother Goose on the Loose  sessions will begin the week of April 25 and run through the week of May 30. Sessions are offered on a drop-in basis and registration is not required. Children who are ages 3-5 can participate in a story program, which meets on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. or on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.  Activities include stories, songs, finger plays, and a simple craft.  Youngsters must be 3 by the first meeting. 

Children who are infants through age 3 are invited to participate in Mother Goose on the Loose story programs which meet Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. or Thursdays 10:30 a.m.  These programs feature Mother Goose on the Loose themes and activities including nursery rhymes, stories, songs, musical instruments, and much more.  Mother Goose on the Loose is an early literacy program designed to get young children ready to read and learn.  In addition to our regular weekly programs, a Saturday Mother Goose on the Loose program will be held on May 14 at 10:30 a.m. for working parents who are unable to attend during the week.  All are invited.  Children must be accompanied to these programs by a parent or a caregiver who will participate and help guide children through the activities.  Story programs meet in the Fuller Room and there is no charge to attend.

Ashli Phillips from  Foxboro Invensys YMCA will join us and introduce some fun physical activities and games in between stories on Tuesday, April 26.  Ages 3-5 are invited to attend.  Registration is not required and attendance is free.

We have heard the Library is undergoing a renovation, please tell us how this will impact the Children's Department and what we can expect? 

Not only will the Library undergo a renovation, but a 14,000 square foot addition will expand the 10 Bird Street building.  While that is happening, adult and children’s library service will be provided at  temporary quarters located at the Offices of Chestnut Green. Our address for the duration of construction will be 16 Chestnut Street, Suite #210, Foxboro.  That is where you’ll find the adult and children’s staff, public computers, and those collections that  we are able to bring.  Weekly Story Time and Mother Goose on the Loose programs will take place at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall (lower level) at 116 South Street, Foxboro.

When the renovation and addition is complete, the Children’s Room will be housed on the top floor of the new addition.  We will have a bright new space for children’s collections and, best of all, a room that will be dedicated to story programs and small group activities.  

Will Children's programs continue through the summer?

Each Tuesday, beginning June 28-August 2, Story Time will take place at 10:00 a.m. for children who are 3-5 years old.  Mother Goose on the Loose will follow at 11:00 a.m. for children who are infants to age 3.  Again, Story Time and Mother Goose on the Loose will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (lower level) at 116 South Street in Foxboro.

We are also planning the annual Teddy Bear Picnic on Foxboro Common in July. The date and time will be available shortly.

As in the past, we are planning to offer a summer reading program, complete with reading incentives  This year’s theme is “One World Many Stories”.  We will put out more information as it becomes available.

Since there's so much still being figured out where should families go to find out about the renovations and changes taking place at the library?

The Boyden Library has a column that appears every- other week in the Foxboro Reporter.  As things really get percolating, information will appear in that column.  Also, the library web site at www.boydenlibrary.org will contain information regarding the move, program times and places, as well as construction updates and new pictures of library renderings.  Of course, we will be happy to keep Foxboro Patch informed of all our latest activity.  People with questions can call the library at 508-543-1245 or 508-543-1246.

What is the expected completion date?

We expect to be in our temporary location from 14-18 months after construction begins.

Can you please share with us what you have planned for Earth Day? Do you have any reading suggestions for families & children about Earth Day? 

People will be able to browse an Earth Day display of books in the Children’s Room this week.  New books and some old favorites include: “Ants in Your Pants, Worms in your Plants” by Diane DeGroat, “Every Day is Earth Day” by Jane O’Connor (Fancy Nancy), “Biscuit’s Earth Day” by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, “It’s Earth Day” by Mercer Mayer, and “Earth Day Escapade” by Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew Mystery).  These books can checked out from the library or placed on hold through the ibistro catalog (www.boydenlibrary.org). 

Thanks for all this great information, thank you Mrs. Rossetti. Patch will continue to bring you periodic updates from the Children's Department throughout the summer months.