MELROSE — The following comes from the staff of the Melrose Public Library.
Special Announcement from the Friends of the Melrose Public Library Book donations are not only welcome, they are needed! We need to restock before our next book sale at MPL at the Beebe on Sunday, September 8th. Please bring your gently used books, DVDs, and CDs to the library during open hours and leave them in the designated bin near the circulation desk. No encyclopedias, coloring books, or textbooks please. THANK YOU! Summer hours through August
Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m to 9 p.m (8 p.m. in the children’s room.) Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Massachusetts Center for the Book Reading Challenge Melrose Public Library is participating in the Massachusetts Center for the Book 2024 Reading Challenge. Read twelve books in twelve months, a different challenge each month. In August, read a book whose title starts with the same letter as your birthday month.
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS
Read, Renew, Repeat Summer Reading Program is in full swing! Kids entering pre-kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to join us for the 2024 Summer Reading Program featuring programs for kids of all ages focused around our theme of conservation and restoration. Summer Reading runs until Friday, August 16th.
MONDAY, August 12th 2-2:40PM Beebe Playground Greenspace (behind fenced-in area weather permitting) Book Buddies (ages 4-7) Join the staff of the Children’s Department for a story time program for older kids this summer as we Read, Renew, Repeat. This program will feature books, activities, and songs that will engage and entertain families. Each program will feature something new to learn and explore. This program will feature longer books and activities. It is recommended for kids ages 4-7 and their caregivers. Space is limited and registration is required for all participants. Please register for all who will attend (i.e. register for 3 people if a child and two adults will attend). Please register online. Bring your own blanket or towel to sit on.
MONDAY, August 12th 5-5:45PM Beebe Playground (weather permitting) Family Dance Party (ages 5-10) Join the staff of the Children’s Department for a night of summer fun family-style as we Read, Renew, Repeat. Families will have a chance to show off their moves and learn some new songs and dances while having some fun! This program is recommended for kids ages 5-10 and their family groups. Space is limited and registration is required. Please register once for each family group attending. Please register online.
TUESDAY, August 13th 10:30-11AM Beebe Playground Greenspace (behind fenced-in area weather permitting) Sing Along Stories ( ages 0-4) Join the staff of the Children’s Department for songs and stories this summer as we Read, Renew, Repeat. This program will feature songs and movements that will get little ones wiggling, bouncing, and grooving to the beat. With an early literacy focus, kids and their caregivers will meet new friends, learn new songs, and discover new books. Recommended for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers with their caregivers. Socialize and play together after the program. Register for only one program each week. This program happens twice each week to offer more spaces for families to join. Space is limited and registration is required for all participants. Please register for all who will attend (i.e. register for 3 people if a child and two adults will attend). Bring your own blanket or towel to sit on.
WEDNESDAY, August 14th 3-4PM Beebe Playground Hardtop (next to fenced lot weather permitting) Creative Kids Jr. (ages 5-7) Join the staff of the Children’s Department for an afternoon workshop of creative fun this summer as we Read, Renew, Repeat. Explore new outlets for your creative talents and learn something fun while meeting new friends. This program is for kids ages 5-7. Space is limited and registration is required for all participants. Register separately for each child attending. Caregivers must remain in the vicinity. Meet library staff outside the old main entrance of Beebe School.
THURSDAY, August 15th 10:30-11AM Beebe Playground Greenspace (behind fenced-in area weather permitting) Sing Along Stories ( ages 0-4) Join the staff of the Children’s Department for songs and stories this summer as we Read, Renew, Repeat. This program will feature songs and movements that will get little ones wiggling, bouncing, and grooving to the beat. With an early literacy focus, kids and their caregivers will meet new friends, learn new songs, and discover new books. Recommended for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers with their caregivers. Socialize and play together after the program. Register for only one program each week. This program happens twice each week to offer more spaces for families to join. Space is limited and registration is required for all participants. Please register for all who will attend (i.e. register for 3 people if a child and two adults will attend). Bring your own blanket or towel to sit on.
THURSDAY, August 15th 2-4PM Memorial Hall 590 Main St. (Offsite Location) Whale Mobile (kids ages 5+) Join the Melrose Public Library at Memorial Hall for a final Read, Renew, Repeat summer program with a visit from Cynde McInnis and the Whale Mobile. Kids will meet Nile, a 36-year old humpback whale whom McInnis has seen almost every summer since 1994 off the coast of Massachusetts. They can go inside of the inflatable whale and learn about how whales are similar and different to humans. Kids will learn about Nile’s migratory path, how many calves she’s had, as well as how researchers learned this information. Artifacts such as baleen, teeth and bones are available for children to see and feel. At the end of the presentation, they will be encouraged to become Playground Protectors and see how much trash they can collectively pick up this summer! This program is for kids ages 5 and over. Kids will enter the whale on their own while parents remain in the auditorium. Registration is required and space is limited. Register separately for each child over age 5 who will be going into the whale. Only register for one timeslot.
TEEN PROGRAMS
TUESDAY, August 13th 6-7:30PM Gooch Park-corner W. Foster & Florence Streets (Offsite Location) Mini Field Day (ages 11-18) Celebrate summer with relay races at the park! Water balloon tosses, shoebox races, and other outdoor activities await! Come in clothes you wouldn’t mind getting messy and wet. Register online. THURSDAY, August 15th 6-7:30PM Beebe Playground Bad Art Night (ages 11-18) Test your creativity by making the worst piece of art. Snacks and miscellaneous art supplies will be provided. Let your imagination go wild! Prizes will be awarded to the best worst art. Please register online.
WEDNESDAY, September 4th 3:30-4:30PM Beebe Playground 263 W. Foster St. Teen and Tween Advisory Group (ages 11-18) Join Teen Services Librarian, Amanda, on the first Wednesday of the month to share your thoughts about teen and tween events, books, displays, and more at the Melrose Public Library Teen and Tween Advisory Group! Snacks will be served! Please register online.
ADULT PROGRAMS
TUESDAY, August 13th 10:30 AM in person at the Milano Center Tuesday Morning Book Club Join us for a lively discussion of Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead. Physical copies are available at the Melrose Public Library. Limited e-book and e-audio books may be available through Libby by Overdrive. Unlimited e-book and e-audio books are also available to Melrose residents through the Hoopla platform. Please be sure to register online for the meeting using the Library Event Calendar so the library can accommodate all those planning to participate.
TUESDAY, August 13th 2-3PM online via Zoom VIRTUAL How to Improve Your Recycling Efforts Julia Greene, Municipal Assistance Coordinator from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, will discuss how to cut down on waste and how to recycle correctly. Julia will give practical advice on how you can improve your efforts to reduce, re-use and recycle in your day-to-day life in order to make a positive impact on our environment. Sponsored by the Tewksbury Friends of the Library. Please register at melrosepubliclibrary.org.
WEDNESDAY, August 14th 10:30-11:30AM online VIRTUAL Mass Audubon Virtual Series: Bald Eagles on the Rise The Bald Eagle, formerly endangered, now has a thriving population over much of the country including the northeast. Learn the natural history and life cycle of bald eagle as well as the historic restoration project in Massachusetts resulting in a healthy population and removal of endangered species status. Eagles are seen in the northeast throughout the year, and during fall migration you might be fortunate to see a non-nesting golden eagle. Led by Patti Steinman, the Education Coordinator for Mass Audubon’s Connecticut River Valley Sanctuaries, based out of Arcadia in Easthampton and Northampton. Sponsored by the Tewksbury Friends of the Library and a collaboration of libraries. Please register online.
WEDNESDAY, August 14th 7-8PM online via Zoom VIRTUAL Farm Fresh Tacos, Cooking with Chef Kelcy Join us virtually when Chef Kelcy will present “Farm Fresh Tacos!” Discover how to transform the season’s bounty into delicious, inspired tacos that are perfect for Taco Tuesday or any day of the week. Learn easy, creative ways to use fresh, local ingredients to elevate your taco game and delight your taste buds. Vegetarian and omnivore options will be shared! Recipes will be shared prior to the event so feel free to cook along or make on a different day. Chef Kelcy is a Lowell-based Chef and Educator with a focus on eating with the seasons and supporting her local community through private cooking classes and dinner parties. She is also the Farm Chef at Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester, MA where she runs a variety of educational programming for people of all ages and creates delicious farm-to-table food experiences. This program is generously sponsored by The Friends of the Melrose Public Library. To obtain the Zoom link, please register online.
THURSDAY, August 15th 10:30-11:30AM online VIRTUAL Art History Webinar: Summer Adventures-Art Colonies in New England Explore eight late-19th and early-20th century summer art colonies across New England. Discover the incredible, creative energy that still exists. Led by Martha Chiarchiaro, owner of Seeing History, who has brought history to life through the art of the times for more than 30 years. Sponsored by the Tewksbury Friends of the Library, Corning Community Impact & Investment and a collaboration of libraries. Please register online.
THURSDAY, August 15th 7-8:30PM in person at the Milano Center Beach Blanket Book Club for Adults Come and discuss the books that you have read so far this summer. There will be prizes, refreshments and good conversation! Please register online so we can anticipate the number of attendees. Can’t attend in-person? Check out the virtual meeting on Thursday, August 29th on Zoom!
WEDNESDAY, August 21st 2-3:30 PM in person Milano Center, 201 W. Foster St. Significant Short Fiction Discussion Group This group currently meets on the third Wednesday of every month to discuss short stories. Readers are working their way through The Penguin Book of the Modern American Short Story. This month’s stories are The Reencounter by Isaac Beshevis Singer and Taking Care by Joy Williams. New attendees are always welcome! Please sign up online so the library can anticipate the number of attendees.
TUESDAY, August 27th 7:30PM via Zoom VIRTUAL Tasty Books for Hungry Readers Book Club Join friends old and new for a lively VIRTUAL book discussion. The meeting will be held through the remote conferencing platform, Zoom. If you would like to join in, please register online by the day before the meeting so the library can send you the invitation link. Stop by the desk to pick up this month’s title, Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang. Limited e-book copies are available through Libby. The library is in its interim location: 263 W. Foster St. Hope to “see” you all there!
