Upcoming SOLA Events

Stoughton Reads Together 2025

Stoughton, are you read to Read Together? SOLA is proud to bring you this annual tradition for 2025. This year's selections are Boston Harbor Islands Adventure: The Great Brewster Journal of 1891 by Stephanie Schorow for adults and The Ship in the Window by Travis Junker, illustrated by Matthew Cordell, for children. The books are available at the Stoughton Public Library, Stoughton Public Schools libraries, and downloadable for free with your Stoughton Public Library card.

Events for Adults

- Virtual Program: "Boston Light: Three Centuries of History" - March 10th, 7:00 PM. Based on Jeremy's book, "Boston Light: Three Centuries of History," this talk focuses on Boston Light Station, the site of the first lighthouse on the North American continent. Registration required.

- Stoughton Historical Society presents: "Female Change Makers in Stoughton History" - March 15th, 2:00 PM. Join Dwight Mac Kerron from the Stoughton Historical Society as he shares the background and historical accomplishments of several Stoughton women who helped create positive change. Registration is recommended but not required.

- Journaling for Adults - March 20th, 6:30 PM. With guided prompts and creative exercises, participants can explore their thoughts, set goals and track progress in a supportive and engaging way. All participants will get a journal to take home. This program is presented in partnership with the Stoughton Youth Commission. Registration required. Click here for more information and registration.

- Stephanie Schorow & the Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands Author Talk and Book Signing - March 26th, 6:30 PM: Join Stephanie and members of the Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands as they share the story behind the book, discusses the beauty and history of the Great Brewster Journal of 1891 and then engage in a lively Q&A session. Copies of the book will be available for purchase that evening. Registration is recommended but not required.

- "Boston Harbor Lighthouse" Paint Program for Adult - March 28th, 2:00 PM. Join Wanita in this step-by-step painting program where you will create your own masterpiece of the Boston Harbor Lighthouse. Registration required. Click here for more information and registration.

- Film Program: Films about Female Friendship - April 3rd, 6:30 PM. Stoughton film historian Frank Mandosa takes a look at popular films and documentaries that depict strong female friendships. Registration required. Click here for more information and registration.

- Scrapbooking for Adults - April 5th, 10:00 AM. Join Christine in learning some basic scrapbooking techniques while creating your own scrapbook to take home. *Participants are asked to bring printed photos with them. Registration required. Click here for more information and registration.

- Book Discussions - April 9th, 7:00 PM on Zoom; April 16th, 11:00 AM; April 17th, 6:30 PM: At Stoughton Public Library, we believe reading is a social activity, best when shared with others. We invite everyone in the community to participate in one or more of these casual conversations about A Boston Harbor Islands Adventure: The Great Brewster Journal of 1891. Click here for more information and registration for the April 9th discussion on Zoom. Click here for more information and registration for the April 16th discussion at the library; click here for more information and registration for the April 17th discussion at the library; and click here for the April 17th discussion at the library.

- "The Hunt for Antique Books" with Ken Gloss - April 10th, 6:30 PM. Join Ken Gloss of Boston based Brattle Books as he talks about some of his favorite rare book finds and describes the joys of "the hunt" in his collection journey. The presentation will include discussion of what makes books and manuscripts rare and valuable as well as an opportunity for an informal Q & A. Registration required. Click here for more information and to register.

- "An Introduction to the Historic & Archaeological Resources of the Boston Harbor Islands" - April 24th, 6:30 PM. Join Jonathan "JP" Patton, staff archaeologist at the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation, for a presentation and discussion about the historic and archaeological resources of the Boston Harbor Islands and National Park. Registration is recommended but not required. Click here for more information and to register.

Events for Teens

- Journaling for Teens - March 25th, 3:00 PM. With guided prompts and creative exercises participants can explore their thoughts, set goals and track progress in a supportive and engaging way. All participants will get a journal to decorate and take home. This program is presented in partnership with the Stoughton Youth Commission. Registration required. Click here here for more information and to register.

- Paper Bag Scrapbooks - April 2nd, 3:00 PM. Christine will teach you how to create, crop and decorate a scrapbook made out of paper bags. Please bring 5-7 printed photos with you. Registration required. Click here for more information and to register.

- "Lighthouse" Painting Party for Teens - April 23rd, 2:30 PM. Wanita will guide you step-by-step to create your own lighthouse painting. Registration required. Click here for more information and to register.

Events for Children

- Seashell Crafting for Ages 7-12 - March 20th, 1:30 PM. Create your own seashell creations with Mandy Roberge of Wicked Good Henna. For ages 7-12. Registration required. Click here for information and registration.

- Story Walk Unveiling & Guided Reading of The Ship in the Window by Travis Jonker at the Bradley Lessa Playground - April 10th, 2:00 PM. Join our children's librarians for a guided story walk of the book The Ship in the Window. A light snack will be provided. The Bradley Lessa Playground is located at 1258 West Street in Stoughton. Registration is not required.

- Drop in Crafts for Ages 2-12 - April 25th, 2:00 PM. Join the SPL and our friends at IKEA for beach themed crafts and activities. Registration is not required.

Past SOLA Events

When you support SOLA you support Stoughton Public Library's programs and events for all ages, like Stoughton Reads Together and the annual Summer Reading Program.

Summer Reading Program 2024 Highlights

Last summer the Stoughton Public Library hosted yet another successful Summer Reading Program, thanks to the generosity of SOLA and other organizations. 450 kids signed up for the Children’s Summer Reading Program and read a total of 217,847 minutes. Families enjoyed another year of Arts in the Park. Participants heard some great music, practiced their juggling, made some fun crafts, tried yoga, met animals, tried their hand at science experiments, and of course enjoyed being read to and reading to others. For the Teen Summer Reading Program, teens planned their own Harry Potter Birthday Party. They also enjoyed a variety of gaming, crafts, and even a mystery. The Adult Summer Reading Program saw another successful series of Historic Hikes with Dwight, lectures, films, and arts programs. A job well done to all participants, and congratulations to the raffle winners!

Stoughton Reads Together 2024 Highlights

Last spring SOLA's support enabled the library once again to shell-ebrate Stoughton Reads Together. For the first time Stoughton Reads Together selected a book for adults, the so-fish-ticated The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration in the Wonder of Consciousness, and an otter-ly adorable one for children, Inky's Amazing Escape: How a Very Smart Octopus Found His Way Home, both by Sy Montgomery. In addition to an ink-redible author talk and book signing as well as book clubs and discussions, the Stoughton Public Library, thanks to SOLA's support, offered fin-tastic events that shore-ly pleased everyone, from arts and crafts workshops, movie screenings, a science lecture, a parenting seminar, and mindfulness breaks to a virtual visit with Mystic Aquarium, a visit from Mystic Aquarium's touch tanks, and even a tour of the New England Aquarium. The Stoughton community o-fish-aly embraced with open arms and tentacles this year's theme with contributions like the sand-ational papier-mache octopus made by local kids with the help of the Stoughton Recreation Department and named Tako by library patrons. Thank you to the Stoughton Public Library and all participants for the Stoughton Reads Together sea-son that made the biggest splash yet!

Stoughton Public Library Events

Please see the Stoughton Public Library's Calendar of Events for more information on upcoming library events. SOLA is proud to support many of the programs, services and events offered at the Stoughton Public Library, including Stoughton Reads Together, the Summer Reading Program and the Adult Literacy Program.