Welcome to SOLA!

The Support Our Library Association, Inc. (SOLA) is a non-profit organization that supports the program and service needs of the Stoughton Public Library of Stoughton, Massachusetts. Formed in 2011, SOLA provides funds for new and existing activities, programs and other services for children and adults at the Library.

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.

Stoughton Public Library Museum Passes

Did you know that thanks to SOLA the Stoughton Public Library is able to offer a variety of passes and discount coupons for local attractions and activities? Take the family to the Easton Children's Museum or Boston Children's Museum; the Buttonwood Park Zoo, Roger Williams Zoo or Zoo New England (Franklin Park and Stone Zoos); and the New England Aquarium or the Museum of Science. Stroll through history at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, the Salem Witch Museum and the USS Constitution Museum. Enjoy getting out into nature with the Boston Harbor Islands Ferry, the Mass Parks Pass (DCR) and the Trustees of Reservations. Spend some time contemplating art and more at the Christian Science Publishing Center, Institute of Contemporary Art, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. And check out one of the newest offerings: a 1-week family guest pass to Old Colony YMCA! All you need to reserve a pass is an active Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) adult library card. Only one reservation may be made per family per day and must be used for the day of reservation. The museum passes offered, admission fees and attraction hours are subject to change without notice; please confirm admission hours, fees and offers by contacting the museum or attraction directly. Reserve your pass in person at the circulation desk, by calling the library at 781-344-2711 or online.

Library Visitor Information

The Stoughton Public Library is fully open to the public during normal library hours: 9 am - 9 pm Mondays through Thursdays and 9 am - 5 pm Fridays and Saturdays. (The Library is open on Saturdays from September to the middle of June.) Reserved materials are available at the library circulation desk only. To request library items, place holds online using the card catalog, call in requests with your library card ready or send an email with your request and library card information. Bookdrops are open 24/7 for library item returns only. The library is only accepting the following donations at this time: 1 bag or 1 small box of donated books and/or DVDs that are in excellent condition (clean, no smell or damage) and recent bestsellers that can be sold on the ongoing sale table. The library does not accept textbooks, magazines, newspapers, old books, encyclopedias or dictionaries.