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What's New at Boca Raton Public Library
Get Schooled at the Library!
 
 
School is back in session – and the library is too! Whether you’re eager to learn something new or just looking for a fun way to spend your time, we’ve got a program for you.
 
Step into Travelogue: Boston – Tea Parties and Trolly Rides to discover all about Boston, sharpen your skills in Intermediate Conversational Portuguese II, or grab your wand and prepare for a magical visit from Professor M. of the Wizard School. Don’t forget to also stop by our ESOL Family Open House and learn about the language resources we have to offer.
 
Prefer to kick back and relax? Catch a favorite film at Monday Movies, or dive into great conversations at our Book Talks: Non-Fiction/Biographies.
 
However you like to learn, create, or connect, you’ll find something to love at the library. We can’t wait to see you!
 
Best,
Meagan Hurd 
Program Services Librarian III
August Highlights
Friday Special: Oooga the Cavewoman (all ages)
Friday, July 31, 3:00-4:00pm
Spanish River Library
Oooga is a silly cavewoman who has no idea what this modern world is! The children get to share their knowledge of the modern world and listen to her stories of cave people and dinosaurs, and be amazed by their knowledge. Come join in the prehistoric fun! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
 
Reserve a seat to receive a reminder but all drop-ins welcome.

K-Pop Photocard Trading Night (all ages)
Saturday, August 22, 4:00-8:00pm
Downtown Library
Come to our Photocard trading event!
 
Do you have a bias? Bias wrecker? A new album dropped and you're looking for a specific pre order benefit photocard? Bring your binder(s) and trade with other stans here at the Library!
 
Seat reservation not required; drop-ins welcome.

ESOL Family Open House
Saturday, August 29, 11:00am-1:00pm
Spanish River Library
Join us to explore all the free resources we have to offer for you and your family!
 
Meet our staff, take home a free book, participate in fun activities, browse our collection, and much more. We will help you sign up for a library card, answer your questions, and explain how we can support your English language learning. Come on in -- we want to meet you!
 
Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
 
Refreshments and book giveaway provided while supplies last.
 
Seat reservations required.
Events for Adults 
Draft to Screen
Thursday, August 6, 5:45-7:30pm
Spanish River Library
Draft to Screen is a community-led group for filmmakers, writers, animators, musicians, and artists who want to connect, grow, and find resources to finish their creative work. This group, which meets monthly, is completely free to join and open to all experience levels.
 
Led by Nabil Sealy alongside co-founder Wilandy Castelin, monthly group meetings will feature time for connection and networking, project pitching and a review of the accountability board for those working on projects, and workshops from industry professionals and accomplished creatives.

Seat reservation not required; drop-ins welcome. 

Story Central Storytelling Slam
Sunday, August 16, 3:00-4:30pm
Spanish River Library
It's a community storytelling concert. It's a friendly competition. It's a chance to make new connections and renew old ones. Join us for the delightful cafe atmosphere, coffee and tea, and 5-7-minute true first-person stories (not read or memorized) from the audience. Maximum storytellers: 10. 

Reservations for storytelling preferred but not required. For more information email Caren Neile at cneile@fau.edu
 
Drop-ins welcome to listen in on shared stories.

Migration Stories: Discovering the Experiences of Ordinary People Hidden in Handwritten Letters with Dr. Rose Beiler - Thursday Night Speaker Series
Thursday, August 20, 6:00-7:30pm
Spanish River Library
Cena parata est! Join us at the table of antiquity as we dig in to a selection of recipes and meals from the world of ancient Rome. From the everyday fare of common folk to the most extravagant banquets held by Emperors themselves, we will investigate their historical contexts as well as the significance of certain ingredients and techniques.
 
Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
 
Reserve a seat to receive a reminder, but all drop-ins welcome.

Jigsaw Puzzle Tournament (all ages)
Saturday, August 22, 2:00-3:00pm
Downtown Library
Calling all Jigsaw Puzzle enthusiasts! Join us for a Puzzle Tournament, held in partnership with the Florida Jigsaw Puzzle Association.
 
The tournament will consist of 25 pairs of people, all racing to finish the same 300-piece puzzle—so bring a friend, a family member, or anyone else you’d like to puzzle with and get ready to put the pieces together. The faster you are, the higher your chance of earning a reward.
 
Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
 
Seat reservation required for each pair of participants competing in the puzzle tournament. Drop-in spectators welcome.
Monday Movies - Feature Film: Jackie Brown
directed by Quentin Tarantino 
Monday, August 24, 5:30-8:00pm
Downtown Library
What do a stewardess, a gunrunner, a bailbondsman, an ex-con, a federal agent, and a beach bunny have in common? They're all chasing a half million dollars in cash! The question in this Tarantino hit is who's playing who and who will walk away with the goods? 
 
Seat reservation not required; drop-ins welcome.

Travelogue: Boston – Tea Parties and Trolly Rides
Friday, August 28, 1:00-2:30pm
Spanish River Library
This travelogue follows a curious wanderer exploring Boston’s neighborhoods, from waterfront strolls to cozy cafés tucked along brick-lined streets. It captures the city’s charm through everyday moments, unexpected finds, and the simple joy of discovering a place one corner at a time.
 
Seat reservation required.
Poets on the Fringe (POTF)
Tuesdays in August, 3:30-5:45pm
Spanish River Library
Poets from all walks of life, both established and emerging, are encouraged to share their work and offer positive feedback and support to each other. This weekly series is hosted by Pamela Passaretta, who coordinated this program for 10 years in Washington, DC. Open to ages 18 and up.
 
Seat reservation not required but seating is limited.

Socrates Cafè
Mondays, Spanish River Library, 1:00-3:00pm
Tuesdays, Downtown Library, 1:30-3:00pm
At Socrates Cafe, people from different backgrounds get together and exchange thoughtful ideas and experiences. Gatherings are free and open to any member of the public who wishes to freely discuss a question, which is chosen by vote.
 
Seat reservation not required; drop-ins welcome. 
Know Your Digital Library
Flipster Digital Magazines
Did you know you can access top digital magazines from your tablet or mobile device through our library? In addition to convenient, remote access from any browser, Flipster can also be easily accessed through the enhanced Flipster iOS and Android apps. Through Flipster, you gain instant access to current and back issues of the magazines you know and love. See the collection.
Instructional Classes for Adults
Crochet Workshop
Thursday, August 6, 10:30am-12:30pm
Downtown Library
Join us to practice essential crochet stitches and build your confidence in a supportive, hands-on environment. Learn key techniques like chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet, and use them to create your own unique project. All materials will be provided. Perfect for beginners or those looking to refresh their skills.
 
Seat reservation required.

Cricut Fundamentals Workshop
Thursday, August 13, 10:30am-12:30pm
Downtown Library
Interested in checking out one of our Cricut craft cutting machines, but don't know where to begin? This workshop is your opportunity to get hands-on with some basic Cricut tools and materials, and will cover a range of topics to help you get started with the software and hardware. Your questions are welcome!
 
Library card required for seat reservation. 

Cross Stitch Foundations Workshop
Tuesday, August 18, 1:00-2:30pm
Downtown Library
Are you working on a cross stitch pattern you need help with or do you want to try your hand at a simple craft to learn? Join us in this summer workshop.
 
Library card required for seat reservation. 
Macramé Workshop
Thursday, August 20, 10:30am-12:30pm
Downtown Library
Discover the art of macramé in this hands-on workshop where you'll learn essential knots and techniques to build your confidence. You will master key macramé skills like the square knot, lark’s head knot, and spiral knot, which you'll then use to create your own unique project. Materials will be provided to practice on macramé knots, making it perfect for beginners or those looking to refine their skills.
 
Library card required for seat reservation. 
Intermediate Conversational Portuguese II
Tuesdays, September 1 - November 17, 6:00-7:30pm
Downtown Library
As a continuation of Intermediate Conversational Portuguese I, this course is designed for students with a basic understanding of Portuguese who wish to further develop their communication skills. Classes focus on expanding vocabulary, improving fluency, and enhancing listening and reading comprehension through practical, everyday situations.
 
Students will have opportunities to participate in conversations on cultural topics, current events, and areas of general interest, while reinforcing grammar structures and idiomatic expressions.
 
Library card required for seat reservation.
ESOL Conversation Corner
Tuesdays in August, 11:30am-1:00pm
Downtown Library
Come practice your conversational English skills. We will improve our speaking and reading skills through a variety of everyday conversation topics and fun activities. We meet every Tuesday morning. Recommended for participants with advanced-beginner to intermediate speaking ability.
 
Reserve a seat to receive a reminder but all drop-ins welcome.

US Citizenship Test Preparation
Tuesdays in August, 6:15-7:45pm
Spanish River Library
Do you need help preparing for the Citizenship and Interview Test? This 4-5 class series offers a range of resources and services for those preparing to become a United States citizen and repeats monthly. 
 
Classes are designed to help prepare adult immigrants to successfully complete the naturalization process. This preparation includes developing civic knowledge, learning about form N-400, practicing 100 (2008 Version) and 128 (2025 Version) civic questions, and the naturalization interview one-on-one preparation.
 
Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
 
Seat reservation required.

iPhone/iPad Workshop
Thursdays, 1:30-3:00pm
Downtown Library
Bring your iPhone, iPad, or both. An Apple-trained instructor will answer your questions in a group discussion setting that’s fun for all.
 
Seat reservation required.
Chose your date(s):
 
August 6            August 20 
 
August 13          August 27  

Our Instructional Services team is offering many classes for adults this month. Click on the links below or visit the library calendar to reserve a seat. Seat reservations are required for all programs.
Book Talks for Adults
Book Talks - An Hour to Kill: What We Can Know by Ian McEwan
Tuesday, August 4, 2:00-3:00pm
Downtown Library
2014: At a dinner for friends, renowned poet Francis Blundy honors his wife’s birthday by reading aloud a new poem dedicated to her, ‘A Corona for Vivien’. Little does anyone gathered around the candlelit table know that for generations to come people will speculate about the message of this poem, a copy of which has never been found, and which remains an enduring mystery.
 
Seat reservation not required; drop-ins welcome.
 
Reserve a copy of the book here.
 

Book Talks - Non-Fiction/Biographies: The Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of
Roxie Laybourne by Chris Sweeney
Tuesday, August 18, 2:00-3:00pm
Downtown Library
The fascinating and remarkable true story of the world’s first forensic ornithologist—Roxie Laybourne, who broke down barriers for women, solved murders, and investigated deadly airplane crashes with nothing more than a microscope and a few fragments of feathers
 
Seat reservation not required; drop-ins welcome.
 
Reserve a copy of the book here.

Friends Book Club: Sipsworth
Thursday, August 27, 7:00-8:00pm
Virtual Program
 
Following the deaths of her husband and son, Helen Cartwright returns to her hometown in England after living abroad for sixty years. Her only wish is to die quickly and without fuss, and she retreats from the world into a life of dull routine. Then one winter night, a chance encounter with a mouse sets Helen on a surprising journey.
 
Open to all. No pre-registration required.
 
Join with our dedicated Zoom link: 
 
Presented by the Friends of the Library.
 
Reserve a copy of the book here.
What's New for Children
New StoryWalk Book: The Little Ice Cream Truck (all ages)
August, September & October
at Serenoa Glade Preserve
Everyone smiles when the little ice cream truck, loaded up with tasty treats, shows up at parties, baseball games, parks, and zoos.
 
StoryWalk is a fun, educational activity that places a children’s storybook along a popular walking route in the community. Different books are displayed throughout the year to keep the StoryWalk experience fresh and promote future learning.
 
Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Professor M. of the Wizard School (ages 6-11)
Friday, August 7, 3:00-4:00pm
Spanish River Library
"Broomstick games, anyone?"
 
Professor M. arrives with a wonderful, wizardly show! Of course there is magic, including a potions class. She shares stories related to Harry Potter and Hogwarts and other trivia. Fabulous interactive fun for children, recommended ages 6-11. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
 
Seat reservations encouraged. Drop-ins welcome.
More to Enjoy
New Art Exhibit "Touch of Gold" by Austin Lubetkin
July 20 - August 24
Downtown Library
Austin Lubetkin is a multidisciplinary artist whose work combines digital collage, traditional painting, and other aspects of emerging technology to create bold, immersive compositions. “Touch of Gold” is particularly focused on the idea of transformation as a metaphor for elements of value, memory, desire, and perception, with holographic components and bold colors highlighting these themes.
 
Mr. Lubetkin notes that his “works move between spectral multiplicity and golden stillness, inviting viewers to experience shimmer, change, and emotional resonance.” Read more... 

New Art Exhibit: "Snap the Park"
Coming in August
Spanish River Library
Celebrate the beauty and joy of our local parks during Park and Recreation Month. This exhibit will feature photos taken by Boca residents,  showcasing their favorite spots among the city's natural gems.
Library Team Member Spotlight
Debra Murphy
Library Assistant II
What I Do: As a member of the Instructional Services team, I support patrons with a wide range of needs, from locating books to finding employment resources and community services. My class offerings include Sublimation workshops and Travelogues highlighting destinations such as Dublin, Ireland, and Boston and Salem, Massachusetts. 
 
Why I Love My Job: It allows me to connect people with the resources, stories, and opportunities that enrich their lives. I get to support patrons with everything from finding the perfect book to locating community services that can make a meaningful difference. I also enjoy creating and leading engaging classes—whether it’s hands-on Sublimation workshops or Travelogues. One of my favorite projects is my “The History Behind” series, where I explore the cultural, historical, and social influences behind iconic works.  Every day offers something new, and I feel grateful to play a part in helping patrons learn, grow, and discover.
 
What I’m Reading NowThe River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey, by Candace Millard
Friends of the Library News
The Friends are grateful to the community for generous book donations.  
Volunteers receive book donations Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00am-3:30pm at the Bookstore located in the lobby of the Downtown Library. Please review the book donation policy at the Friends Bookstore Webpage.

Support Indie Bookstores
You can purchase Friends virtual book club picks online at Bookshop.org. Search for the Friends of the Boca Raton Public Library Bookstore to see their list of book club picks, and select them as the bookstore you would like to support with your purchase.
 

Friends' Bookstore Hours & Location
400 NW 2nd Ave., Boca Raton, FL 33432
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00am-4:00pm
Sunday & Monday: Closed
561-544-8596

Library Hours & Locations
400 NW 2nd Ave., Boca Raton, FL 33432
1501 NW Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33431
Monday - Thursday: 9:00am-8:00pm
Friday - Sunday: 9:00-5:00pm
561-393-7852

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Boca Raton Public Library
400 NW 2nd Ave, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: 561-393-7852
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