Aging in Place includes access to resources, community involvement, and community support.

RESOURCES

In-person library resources:

• Books, Music, Movies, Magazines & Newspapers
• Computers & Tech Help
• Library of Things

At home access to resources:

• Home Delivery Service
• ebooks: Libby or Hoopla
• eaudiobooks: Libby or Hoopla
• Music: Freegal or Hoopla
• Movies: Kanopy or Hoopla
• Periodicals: Libby, Wall Street Journal, Consumer Reports, Economist
• Other resources: Morningstar, Value Line, Heritagequest

Both in-person and at home:

• “Ask a Librarian” Reference Service
• Book Bundles and Reading Recommendations

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The Library creates opportunities for community involvement through in person and virtual activities.

• Book Groups
• Poetry Group
• Speakers
• Craft workshops
• Special Events
  • Great Pumpkin Spectacle
  • Pride events
  • Black History month events
  • Art at the Gleason
• Friends of the Gleason Library activities
  • Book Swaps
  • Poetry Contest
  • Annual Meeting Speakers
• Volunteer Opportunities

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

The Library creates opportunities for community support through collaboration with other town organizations with a focus on outreach.

• Mini-fairs like Aging in Place
• Shared events
  • COAHS Movies @ the Gleason
• Plays host to groups like the Gleason Knitters
• Host talks with Garden Club, Conservation Foundation, Environmental Sustainability Committee, etc.
• Meeting room space for community groups
• Partnerships with schools and PTO

FRIENDS OF THE GLEASON LIBRARY

The Friends are a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization of volunteers dedicated to supporting Gleason Library through fund raising for programs, museum passes, book clubs, and events.

Contact the Friends by email at fogpl.carlisle@gmail.com

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Volunteer with the Friends

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Come celebrate love, inclusion, and community at the Carlisle Pride Celebration on Friday, June 12, from 3:00–6:00 PM at the Carlisle Town Common & FRS Union Hall.

Enjoy an afternoon featuring live music from local band The Local Ward, games and crafts, a FREE Kona Ice truck, photo booth, and a community speaking program.

Schedule Highlights:
• Speaking Program: 3:45–4:15 PM
• Live Music: 4:30–6:00 PM

All are welcome as we gather to celebrate Pride and the vibrant spirit of Carlisle. Rain or Shine!

Sponsored by DEICAC, Gleason Public Library, COAHS, Carlisle Cultural Council, and The First Religious Society, with support from CPS, CCHS Spectrum Club, and CPS Pride Club.

More information at www.carlislemapto.org/carlisle-pride-2026.html

This event is supported in part by a grant from the Carlisle Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

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When our library was renovated 27 years ago, we lived in a different world. Internet was on dial-up, music was on CDs, and the library was a book repository. Life has evolved, and so have our libraries. Renovating the Gleason will provide flexible spaces for the whole community: space for events, exhibits, meetings, quiet work and enjoyment, accessible for everyone.

Click here to read more about the renovation designs and progress.

Additional CPA funding approved!

On Monday, May 18th, Carlisle’s Town Meeting approved an additional $500K of CPA funding. We are now preparing to finalize contracts for the construction and temporary library space. Construction is projected to begin this summer and last 9-12 months. A huge thank you to all of our supporters.

Capital Campaign

While we have reached our fundraising goal for construction, we continue fundraising towards furnishings and signage for the library when construction is completed.

Any donation is greatly appreciated. Donations over $5,000 will be recognized in a plaque at the library.

Partner: $5,000+
Pillar: $10,000+
Curator’s Circle: $25,000+
Director’s Circle: $50,000+
Trustees’ Circle: $100,000+
Benefactor: $500,000+

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Gleason Public Library water has high levels of nitrate

DO NOT GIVE THE WATER

TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD.

DO NOT USE IT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA.

Water sample results received on 4/28/2026 and 4/30/2026 showed nitrate levels of 12.5mg/L and 12.0mg/L respectively. The average of the initial and confirmatory result is above the nitrate standard or maximum contaminant level (MCL), of 10 mg/L. Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than six months old.

What should I do? What does this mean?

• DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS. Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome. Blue baby syndrome is indicated by blueness of the skin. Symptoms in infants can develop rapidly, with health deteriorating over a period of days. If symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately.

• Water, juice, and formula for children under six months of age should not be prepared with tap water. Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used for infants until further notice.

• DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not reduce the nitrate level. Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated, because nitrates remain behind when the water evaporates.

• Adults and children older than six months can drink the tap water (nitrate is a concern for infants because they can not process nitrates in the same way adults can). However, if you are pregnant or have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.

What happened? What is being done?

Nitrate in drinking water can come from natural, industrial, or agricultural sources (including septic systems and run-off). Levels of nitrate in drinking water can vary throughout the year. We will let you know when the amount of nitrate is again below the limit.

All appropriate corrective actions are being taken to address the elevated nitrate levels, and bottled water is being provided in the meantime on the 1^st floor near the restrooms. The system is working with MassDEP and Small Water Systems Services, LLC to investigate the cause and evaluate treatment conditions. Additional corrective measures will be implemented as needed, and the public will be notified when sampling confirms the water meets applicable drinking water standards. Coordination with these partners will continue until the issue is resolved, and updates will be provided as they become available.

For more information, please contact Nicholas Shea at 978-486-1008 or 80 Taylor Street, Littleton MA.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by Gleason Public Library       PWS ID#: 3051018      Date distributed: 5/4/2026

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First place winners will receive a $100 cash prize and the first place poems will be printed in the Carlisle Mosquito. Honorable mention will receive Kimball’s gift cards!

Entries will be judged based on use of language, use of poetic techniques (such as rhyme, rhythm, repetition, alliteration, and more), originality, evocation of emotion in the reader, and connection to the theme of “Hope”.

Contest Guidelines:

• Open to anyone who lives or works in Carlisle.
• Contestants may submit one original, unpublished poem.
• Collaborations and anonymous works are not eligible for prizes.
• Poems may not exceed 45 lines in length (including title) and must fit on a single 8.5”x11” page.
• Poems should address the theme “Hope.”
• All entries must include a cover sheet with the contestant’s name, age group, and contact information; to facilitate blind judging, names and contact information should not appear on the poem.
• If you prefer that your poem not be included in a compiled archival book to be kept at the Gleason Public Library, please indicate this preference in your entry email or cover sheet.
• Entries will be accepted by email to director@gleasonlibrary.org (PDF or Word document) or in-person at the library.
• All entries must be received by 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 30^th

Supported by the Friends of the Gleason Public Library.

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Join us for a rocking good time on Wednesday, February 18th, at 2 p.m.! This 45-minute program is high-energy and engaging, mixing original songs with familiar favorites, plus a little Spanish sprinkled in! Perfect for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, but all ages are welcome. Registration is strongly encouraged as space is limited.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Carlisle Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. 

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Read one book (at your reading level) for the challenge on each page. When you’ve completed your booklet, bring it in for a prize! The challenges runs from January 5th through February 28th; completed booklets must be submitted by the Library’s closing time of 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 28th.

The 2026 Gleason Public Library Winter Reading Challenge is generously brought to you by the Friends of the Gleason Public Library. If you have questions, please email us at info@gleasonlibrary.org.

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Starting January 6th, we will have four drop-in storytimes with Miss Jill each week!

Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.: Once Upon a Baby
Once Upon a Baby is a 30-minute interactive story time experience for our youngest library users and their caregiver. Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and bounces that are developmentally appropriate for children from ages 0-2. This Lapsit program is just for you and the baby! Enjoy time together with other parents, caregivers and babies to learn, play and develop language, early literacy, and motor skills. Come prepared to sit on the floor one-on-one with your baby in your lap.

Tuesdays, 11 a.m.: Wiggle Giggle Storytime
Wiggle Giggle Toddler Storytime is a 30-minute interactive story time experience for our young library users and their caregiver. Join us for stories, songs, movement, and fun best suited for children ages 3+. Enjoy time together with fellow parents, caregivers and little ones to learn, play, and develop language and early literacy.

Last 2 Thursdays, 4 p.m.: Evening Story Time
The Evening Storytime designed for ages 0-6 that incorporates stories, songs, dances, finger rhymes, and lapsit bounces. Children will be able to interact with and learn from peers of their own ages, as well as those who may be younger or older. 

Fridays, 10:30 a.m.: Tots and Tales
Tots and Tales is a storytime designed for ages 0-6 that incorporates stories, songs, dances, finger rhymes, and lapsit bounces. Children will be able to interact with and learn from peers of their own ages, as well as those who may be younger or older.

Please contact Jill at childrens@gleasonlibrary.org or 978-369-4898 with any questions!

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This book swap will accept donations of nonfiction books for adults, and children’s and teen books of all genres. No textbooks, travel guides, or encyclopedias.

Books will be available for browsing on Saturday afternoon 1/25 from 1 to 4 p.m. Please drop off donations ahead of time during any of the following hours:

• Thursday 2/5, 3 to 7 p.m.
• Friday 2/6, 3 to 5 p.m.
• Saturday 2/7, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Please limit donations to 3 boxes per household.

The Friends is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation made up of volunteers interested in supporting and enhancing the programs, services, and materials available to our community through the Gleason Public Library.

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The Gleason will be closed on Wednesday, December 24th, and Thursday, December 25th for Christmas.

We will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31st, and be closed on Thursday, January 1st, 2026.

Regular library hours will be in effect on all other days:

• Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 1 to 9 p.m.
• Fridays and Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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