Share your thoughts, shape your library
August 2020 | Events & Updates
Share your thoughts
We are going to complete a NEW 5-Year Long Range Plan later this year, to focus on programs and services from 2021 – 2026.

We would like to get your ideas and input, given the ways that our Library service model has adapted in 2020 to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, we have realized that we have many opportunities to adapt how we serve the residents of Belmont. We can offer much more virtually than we have in the past, and we have realized that there may be the potential for positive permanent changes to the way we serve the Belmont community.

This survey, and the Long Range Plan itself, focuses on programs and services. This is not related to the need for a new Library, or any efforts towards building one.

To thank you for your time, we'd like to offer a free canvas bag with our Belmont Library logo on it to the first 250 survey participants. Take our survey today and secure your free canvas bag!
Events for adults
This summer, our events will be held virtually on Zoom — register to get the link to join! Check the events calendar on our website as we add more online programs.
Trivia Night
Tue. August 11 • 7 pm
Join us for our second Virtual Trivia Night for solo players and teams! Our questions are geared towards adults in challenge rating, but families can play together.
Registration required — details here.
Knitting Club
Fridays • 12:30 pm • Adults
Bring your knitting, crocheting, or any fiber craft to a social afternoon on Zoom with fellow local crafters.
Registration required — details here.
Tai Chi Easy
Level 1: Sat. August 22 • 10 am
Level 2: Wed. August 12 & 26 • 7 pm • Adults & High Schoolers
Tai Chi practitioner and coach, Aisling O'Shea, will guide you through this beautiful and low impact form of martial art and meditation. No equipment necessary; just wear comfortable clothing!
Registration required — details here for Level 1 and here for Level 2.
Nonfiction Book Club
Thu. August 20 • 7 pm • Adults
Discuss Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan, chronicling the author's year of misadventures as she fights her introvert tendencies, takes the plunge, and tries to be a little bit braver.
Registration required — details here.
Creativebug Craftalong: Pop-Up Cards and DIY Envelopes
Mon. August 24 • 6:30 pm • Adults & High Schoolers
Get crafty with us! We'll follow along with a tutorial from Creativebug. You'll end this class with a colorful, one-of-a-kind card! Supplies will be provided.
Registration required — details here.
Bugs Rule! Insects All Around Us with Habitat
Tue. August 25 • 6:30 pm • All Ages
Late summer finds an abundance of insects crawling and on-the-wing, singing and silent. Join Mass Audubon Habitat’s Barbara Bates and find out more about the habits of some of our local insects.
Registration required — details here.
Events for teens
Teen Advisory Board
Thu. August 13 • 4 pm • Gr. 7-12
Meet once a month in the afternoon to work on volunteer projects, help plan teen events, and select teen books, movies, and other materials.
Registration required — details here.
DIY Teen Takeaway: Mask Iron-Ons
Fri. August 14 • 3 pm • Gr. 6-12
Learn how to use Cricut Design Space to create your own iron-on design and apply one to your favorite fabric face-mask. This is a first-come, first-serve event. The activity kits with Zoom link will be available for pickup near the Parking Lot Pickup area, 10am-12:30pm and 2pm-4pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 8/10-8/12 before the event as supplies last.
No registration required — pick up an activity kit to join!
D&D Character Creation Studio
Mon. August 17 • 3 pm • Gr. 6-12
Create a new character for Dungeons and Dragons, 5th Edition, and prepare for our new YA Librarian's debut online D&D game. Learn the basics of the game, duel your friends, and write a backstory for your character.
Registration required — details here.
DIY Teen Takeaway: Nailed It! Krispie Wars
Thu. August 27 • 6 pm • Gr. 6-12
Compete against your friends in an online, timed rice-krispie sculpting competition with supplies provided by the library. This is a first-come, first-serve event. The activity kits with Zoom link will be available for pickup near the Parking Lot Pickup area, 10am-12:30pm and 2pm-4pm on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 8/24-8/26 before the event as supplies last.
No registration required — pick up an activity kit to join!
Events for kids & families
Amate Bark Painting with Pop Up Art School
Tue. August 11 • 6 pm • Ages 8-12
Learn about traditional Amate bark paper which has been used for centuries in indigenous Mexican art with Pop Up Art School. Using basic supplies found around the house, students will draw and paint a bird along with the instructor.
Registration required — details here.
Virtual Children's Concert with Marcos Valles
Thu. August 13 • 10 am • Toddlers & Preschoolers
Join Marcos Valles, founder of Rockabye Beats, for an online concert with a huge variety of musical sounds, and classic and original songs. Come sing, dance, and get a little loco!
Registration required — details here.
Meadow Exploration with Habitat
Mon. August 17 • 3 pm
What’s the difference between the animals living in a grassy meadow compared to a tree-filled forest right nearby? Join Habitat Sanctuary’s naturalist, Paul Kelley, as he gets his knees dirty in search of creatures hopping and flying all around the meadow!
Registration required — details here.
Kids' Yoga with Roxana and Paulina
Tue. August 18 • 4 pm • Ages 7-10
Join Roxana and Paulina, certified children's yoga instructors from Breathe Young Yogi, for a virtual class.
Registration required — details here.
Theater Games for Kids with Ali Coes
Wed. August 19 • 11:15 am • Ages 9-11
Ready to have some fun with Little Spark Theater? This theater game class is perfect for either the theater pro or newbie. We’ll explore the basics of improvisation and acting through games, so get ready for some antics, shenanigans, and a ridiculously fun time!
Registration required — details here.
Virtual Concert with Emily Hall
Tue. August 25 • 10 am • Ages 0-5
Join Parents Choice Award-winning singer and musician Emily Hall for songs old and new and lots of interactive fun for your little one.
Registration required — details here.
Updates from the library
Introducing belhop: Belmont Holds, Personalized
Introducing belhop, the library's new personalized recommendation service! belhop stands for Belmont Holds, Personalized and that's exactly what you'll get! Just fill out the form and one of our librarians will contact you with a list of 5-6 recommendations from our physical and/or digital collections to fit your reading, viewing, or listening needs.

Once you've decided what you want to read, watch, or listen to from the list, request the items from our catalog or one of our digital platforms. As soon as your physical items are ready for pickup, you can schedule an appointment for Parking Lot Pickup.
Friends book donations begin August 14
Beginning on Friday, August 14, the Friends of the Belmont Public Library will accept book donations between 9 am and 12 pm on Fridays only.

To donate, come to the back door of the library, where you will be met by a Friends volunteer. Each donor may bring up to 3 bags or boxes of books. The volunteer will receive your donations and carry them into the room where books are sorted. 

Please wear a mask and remain at least 6 feet from volunteers and other donors. 

Do not put donated materials in the library book drops.

The Friends of the Belmont Public Library greatly appreciates the generous donation of your gently-used books. Please review the Friends donation guidelines before donating.
Welcome our new librarians, Amy and Hannah!
Amy Loustau, Children's Librarian

Amy has lived all over the US and the world, most recently in Brazil on a Fulbright grant, and is excited to return to the Boston area to join Belmont's team!

What are your recent favorite books?
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park and Rick by Alex Gino

How many books do you bring on vacation?
1 per day, especially if they're children's books. My e-reader has made this much less of a hard decision! I still pack more books than shoes, usually.

What's a fun fact about you?
I collect library cards from everywhere I've lived, including Brazil and Australia!

Visit our website to discover programs for kids, children's e-resources, and book lists created by our Children's Librarians.
Librarian Hannah Lee standing in front of shelves of teen fiction.
Hannah Lee, Young Adult Librarian

Hannah is coming to us from Sayreville Public Library in New Jersey, where they were previously the Head of Youth Services and led activities for teens ranging from YA Author Panels to Dungeons & Dragons tournaments.

What are your recent favorite books?
The Fire This Time by Jesmyn Ward and Starsight by Brandon Sanderson.

How many books do you bring on vacation?
None! I always buy a book at a local bookstore wherever I visit or listen to an audiobook on my phone.

What's your hidden talent?
I am a master guesstimator. I can make anything I need the right size without measuring or using a pattern.

Want your teens to get involved in Hannah's new programs and volunteer opportunities? Fill out our Interest Form to get updates!
Stay informed
Everyone entering Massachusetts must follow new travel orders to slow the spread of COVID-19. Effective Friday, August 7, Rhode Island is no longer listed as a lower-risk state.
Learn more here: MA Travel Order

Trusted Health Resources
The Belmont Public Library building is closed to the public, but library staff are available Monday through Friday 9am-5pm to answer questions and connect you to resources.

Need to get a library card or reset your password/pin? Click here .

Questions? Ask A Librarian or call us:
Parking Lot Pickup: 617-993-2871
Reference: 617-993-2870
Circulation: 617-993-2855
Children's: 617-993-2880