Athol Public Library to Close Friday in Observance of Juneteenth

The Athol Public Library will be closed all day Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth, with the building at 568 Main Street returning to its regular schedule next week just in time for a packed start to summer programming.

COMMUNITY & ARTS

The Juneteenth closure is a full-day observance of the federal holiday; patrons who need the library Friday should plan ahead. The first major program of the summer follows quickly: the Summer Reading Kickoff — themed "Plant a Seed, Read" — runs Tuesday, June 23 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The event opens the library's seasonal reading initiative for all ages.

Teen programming follows in the same week. Potted Pixel Art Plants is set for Thursday, June 25 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Later in the month, on Tuesday, June 30, the library hosts both a Teen Book Swap and Stickerpalooza, each from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Looking further out, the Anime 5E Teen RPG program begins on select dates starting July 9; registration is required.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

No new coverage from Patch, MetroWest Daily News, or The Boston Globe in this cycle.

COMING UP

- **Friday, June 19** — Athol Public Library closed all day, Juneteenth observance - **Tuesday, June 23** — Summer Reading Kickoff: Plant a Seed, Read; 4–5:30 p.m., Athol Public Library, 568 Main St. - **Thursday, June 25** — Potted Pixel Art Plants; 3:30–5 p.m., Athol Public Library