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Marjorie E. Hattersley Children's RoomMarjorie E. Hattersley served as children’s librarian from September 1953 until her retirement in March 1994. The children’s room was renamed the Marjorie E. Hattersley Room on March 27, 1994.
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Contact
Menu
Programs
Young Child Programs - Daily
No registration required.
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B.A.S.H. (Bancroft After School Hangout)Monday - Thursday
2:30pm - 4:00pm Students Grade 4 - 6 Students are welcome to come in after school to the Program Room to hang out with friends and play Wii or some board games or quietly finish their homework or study. We'd love to have them visit. |
Young Child Programs - Weekly
No registration required.
See event calendar for select programs on specified days and times.
See event calendar for select programs on specified days and times.
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Infants (Ages newborn - 18 months old)For our infant community, Tummy Time Play will deliver story time, engage in sensory interaction, use developmentally appropriate toys for some fun that encourages gross motor development.
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Toddlers (Ages 18 months - 3 years old)For our toddlers, Toddler Tunes will begin with a short story time and work on gross motor skills as we play a movement game, play with balls, a parachute, instruments, bean bags, scarves and chase bubbles.
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Young Child Programs - Monthly
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Saturday SpecialsOn the first Saturday of each month, the library will host a special activity for the community.
See event calendar for specific activity details and times. Registration may be required! |
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Builder SaturdaysOn the second Saturday of each month, the library will host Lego Day.
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Movie MatineeOn the third Saturday of each month, the library will host a family friendly movie in the Program Room.
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Digital Resources for Kids
Explore streaming media (books and movies), activities, databases, and more for kids offered through BML.
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In partnership with the 1000 Books Foundation, the Bancroft Memorial Library, Bright Beginnings Center, Friends of the Hopedale Library and the Middlesex Savings Bank are pleased to introduce the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program, free for children birth - 5 years.
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Kanopy Kids features films and TV series that entertain and educate children from preschool age to teens. Offerings include animated storybooks from Weston Woods, PBS Kids shows, and animated and live action videos for the whole family.
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The MA Library Database for Children from Gale contains several databases of information designed for children.
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Safe Child Policy for Parents
Bancroft Memorial Library – Unattended Children Policy
We care deeply about the safety and well-being of our young visitors. While Library staff strive to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all, it is essential that parents and caregivers take an active role in supervising their children. Library Staff is not able to monitor unattended children or assume responsibility for their safety. That responsibility belongs to parents, guardians, caregivers, and teachers. Please help us keep your children safe by following these guidelines:
Children Under Age 8:
Due to the layout of the building downstairs, which includes two exterior exits (one that opens automatically), shared hallway restrooms, and an interior door to the upstairs, Library Staff cannot monitor all areas all the time. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, teacher, or responsible caregiver age 14 or older at all times, both upstairs and downstairs. They may not be left in the care of other children who are unwilling or unable to provide adequate supervision. The only exception is during a Library-sponsored program held in the Program Room. In that case, the supervising adult must remain downstairs for the duration of the program.
Children ages 9 and older:
Children ages 9 and older may use the Library without an adult present at the discretion of a responsible adult. If there are any concerns about the child’s ability to be safe and responsible while at or traveling to/from the Library they should not be left unattended. Children must be able to contact a parent, guardian, or caregiver in case of emergency and demonstrate appropriate behavior while in the Library. Children who are disruptive will receive one warning. If the behavior continues, they will be asked to leave. If a responsible adult is not available and the child cannot leave safely, the Hopedale Police Department will be contacted. At closing time, any child left at the Library without an adult may be referred to the police for safe escort.
Please Note:
-- Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees - January 26, 2009 (updated September 9, 2025)
We care deeply about the safety and well-being of our young visitors. While Library staff strive to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all, it is essential that parents and caregivers take an active role in supervising their children. Library Staff is not able to monitor unattended children or assume responsibility for their safety. That responsibility belongs to parents, guardians, caregivers, and teachers. Please help us keep your children safe by following these guidelines:
Children Under Age 8:
Due to the layout of the building downstairs, which includes two exterior exits (one that opens automatically), shared hallway restrooms, and an interior door to the upstairs, Library Staff cannot monitor all areas all the time. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, teacher, or responsible caregiver age 14 or older at all times, both upstairs and downstairs. They may not be left in the care of other children who are unwilling or unable to provide adequate supervision. The only exception is during a Library-sponsored program held in the Program Room. In that case, the supervising adult must remain downstairs for the duration of the program.
Children ages 9 and older:
Children ages 9 and older may use the Library without an adult present at the discretion of a responsible adult. If there are any concerns about the child’s ability to be safe and responsible while at or traveling to/from the Library they should not be left unattended. Children must be able to contact a parent, guardian, or caregiver in case of emergency and demonstrate appropriate behavior while in the Library. Children who are disruptive will receive one warning. If the behavior continues, they will be asked to leave. If a responsible adult is not available and the child cannot leave safely, the Hopedale Police Department will be contacted. At closing time, any child left at the Library without an adult may be referred to the police for safe escort.
Please Note:
- Library Staff is not responsible for children once they leave the building.
- The Library is not liable for any consequences resulting from a parent, guardian, caregiver, or teacher choosing to leave a child unattended.
- The Children’s Room is reserved for children, their parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers. Adults in the Children’s Room who are researching children’s literature and are unaccompanied by a child will be offered assistance and will then be requested to move to another area of the Library, in accordance with Library policy.
-- Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees - January 26, 2009 (updated September 9, 2025)
