|
|
Dear Newsletter Readers,
Because it's February - and February is a month when it's acceptable to really show one's love- please consider this our valentine to you, our most active patrons. You probably don't need a video to tell you what we do around here. You might not appreciate, however, the vital role you play in making the Library a place of inspiration, and how much we enjoy helping you discover and learn. Feel free to share this message and video - you know how much we love to share information :)
And a BIG THANKS goes out to the best friends we know, the Friends of the Belmont Public Library, for helping us make this video possible. Please click below to be taken to the video.
|
 |
|
|
Library Director
Peter Struzziero
|
West Wing Update
We'd like to share on an update on the
West
Wing. Departures in staff from our Town Facilities Department have been felt town wide. Delays in the work caused our main floor
West
Wing to be closed longer than anticipated, but we are happy to report that things are getting back on track. We hope to see the
West
Wing reopened shortly, and we appreciate your understanding and patience with the timing of this project.
|
 February PJ Drive
Now through March 15th, the Library has teamed up with the Boston Bruins and Cradles to Crayons for their Annual PJ Drive.
Help us collect pairs of
new pajamas for babies, children, and teens to benefit DCF Kids and Cradles to Crayons.
Patrons who donate new PJs will be entered into a raffle to win a new Kindle Fire!
Coordinated by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) and the Boston Bruins.
Drop off new PJ donations at the Circulation Desk and in the Children's Room.
|
March 2nd-4th at the Belmont Public Library
It has been 150 years since the Town of Belmont decided to open its first Public Library. This anniversary, achieved through the devoted work of all the Library staff throughout these many years, deserves its moment of celebration.
Spring will bloom early in Belmont this year: our sesquicentennial celebration begins with
"Books In Bloom", an exhibit of floral interpretations of popular books, to be held the weekend of March 2nd - 4th at the Library. The weekend is packed with exciting events for the whole family. The Belmont Public Library is
proud to partner with the Belmont Garden Club, Belmont Library Foundation, The Belmont Historical Society, and The Friends of The Belmont Public Library in sponsoring this respite from winter.
Join us at Friday night's "First Look", the opening party on March 2nd from 7-9 PM at the Library, where the floral designers reveal their creations.
Be the first to see these original floral interpretation of books at their freshest, displayed throughout the building. Enjoy wine, beer and light refreshments, meet friends and listen to music as you stroll through the exhibits. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, available now at the Belmont Public Library, Belmont Books (in Belmont Center), The Beech Street Center, and online through
Eventbrite
.
The fun continues on Saturday and Sunday and all events will be open and free to the public.
On Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM, the Belmont Historical Society will open the doors to its historic Claflin Room at the Belmont Public Library. Come learn about the history of Belmont as well as the history of the Library via a continuous media display. See some of Belmont's many historic artifacts housed in the Claflin Room and learn many fun facts about Belmont history from members of the society.
Also on Saturday afternoon from 1 - 2 PM, two Garden Club expert flower show judges will present a free flower arranging demonstration, focusing on using flowers anyone can purchase at the supermarket or local farm stand. The resulting arrangements will be awarded to individuals in attendance, by a ticket drawing.
The weekend events will conclude on Sunday, March 4th with a family oriented 150th Birthday, hosted by the Friends of the Library. Come sing Happy Birthday to the Library in the Assembly Room and enjoy crafts, activities, and of course, a birthday cake. The Friends of the Belmont Public Library will also be selling gently-used children's books in the Flett Room just
down the hall from 1-4 PM.
View our informational flyer for the event
here.
|
Library Hours and Contact
The Library will be
closed Monday, February 19th, in observance of Presidents' Day
Regular Hours:
|
Library
|
Children's
|
| M-Th: 9-9 |
M-W: 9-8 |
| Fri & Sat: 9-5 |
Th: 9-6 |
| Sun (Oct-May): 1-5 |
Fri: 9-5 |
| |
Sun (Oct-May): 1-5 |
|
|
EVENTS & PROGRAMS
|
 International Valentine's Day Celebration
Sunday, February 10th
1-3pm, Library Assembly Room
Be our valentine and join us for an international celebration!
Belmont Public School ELL teachers will give a short presentation on Valentine's Day customs around the world, read a book, and lead valentine-making activities. Children can make valentines for family members, classmates, or three different groups: veterans receiving medical care at the Jamaica Plain VA Hospital, seniors at the Beech Street Center, and recent immigrants receiving health care at MGH Chelsea.
Refreshments will be served. The event is co-sponsored by the Belmont Public Schools, The Friends of the Library, Belmont Against Racism, and the Human Rights Commission. For more information contact the Reference Desk, 617-993-2870.
|
AUTHOR TALKS
 Melanie Brooks at Books & Bites
Writing Hard Stories: Celebrated Memoirists Who Shaped Art from Trauma and on her memoir in progress A Complicated Grief
Monday, February 12th
11am, Library Assembly Room
As Melanie Brooks worked on a memoir about her father's death, she sought guidance from the memoirists who most moved her. She interviewed eighteen of them--including Andre Dubus III (Townie: A Memoir) and Michael Patrick MacDon ald (All Souls: A Family Story from Southie)--for her book Writing Hard Stories: Celebrated Memoirists Who Shaped Art from Trauma.
Greg Stone: 50 Lessons from Creative Geniuses
Thursday, February 22nd
7pm, Library Assembly Room
What does Michelangelo have to do with marketing and Botticelli with branding?
Belmont Author and Media Strategist Greg Stone will show you how to spark your creativity with tips from great artists. You'll learn how to liberate yourself from logjams -- while viewing sumptuous slides of masterpieces. This presentation is based on Greg's acclaimed book,
Artful Business: 50 Lessons From Creative Geniuses.
 Mara Prentiss: There Is More Than Enough Renewable Energy
Tuesday, March 6th
7pm, Library Assembly Room
On average, renewable energy can supply more than 100% total current and future US energy consumption, but at each moment we need the actual supply to meet the actual demand. Moving toward an all electrical energy economy can make this dream a reality. Author and Harvard Physics professor Mara Prentiss will discuss her book, Energy Revolution.
Olivia Hoblitzelle: Aging with Wisdom 
Thursday, March 15th
7pm, Library Assembly Room
Author Olivia Hoblitzelle will discuss her book Aging with Wisdom.
"Drawing deeply on her own experiences as well as stories and studies about aging from other cultures, Hoblitzelle (Ten Thousand Joys & Ten Thousand Sorrows) explores the ways that readers can nourish their inner lives and spirit even as their bodies age and facilities diminish." -
Publisher's Weekly Review
The Friends Author Series and Books and Bites are made possible by the Friends of the Belmont Public Library. Click here to learn how to join the Friends or renew your membership. All are welcome to attend these free events. The Assembly Room is handicapped accessible.
And in case you missed it...
Gish Jen came to speak earlier in the month, what a presentation, and what a crowd!
|
 Friends Music on Saturday
Beijing Opera
Beijing Opera by the Boston Beijing Opera Association
Saturday, February 17th, 3pm
Library Assembly Room
Come experience the crown jewel of traditional Chinese culture - Beijing Opera. This magnificent art form combines music, vocal performance, dance, and acrobatics.
You'll see intricate costumes,
character-defining head pieces, and dazzling
makeup artistry
.
Professional Beijing Opera performers will showcase selected costumes, props, roles, singing, orchestra, and percussion instruments; as well as introduce to you the history of Beijing Opera.
Proudly brought to you the Boston Beijing Opera Association and the Friends of the Belmont Public Library.
|
Be an Effective Climate Citizen
A discussion by Prof. Dan Cziczo
Monday, February 12th
7pm, Library Assembly Room
Dan will discuss how to be an effective climate citizen, including
- What you should know about climate change
- Effective way s to shape climate policy
- Effective actions to take individually
Brought to you by the Belmont Public Library & Science for the Public.
Associate Professor Atmospheric Chemistry at MIT and founder of the Cziczo Research Group, Dan and his team are interested in the interrelationship of particulate matter and cloud formation.
It has been known for over a century that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane warm the planet by trapping heat. What is not as well known is that particles can cool the planet by reflecting sunlight into space and by acting as the seeds on which clouds form. Particles and clouds are also of contemporary interest because it has been suggested they might affect climate by interacting with cosmic rays or be used to manipulate the Earth's temperature.
Cziczo's research group utilizes laboratory and field studies to elucidate how small particles interact with water vapor to form droplets and ice crystals, which are important players in the Earth's climate system. Experiments include using small cloud chambers in the laboratory to mimic atmospheric conditions that lead to cloud formation and observing clouds in situ from remote mountaintop sites or through the use of research aircraft.
Current specific research interests include chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols with an emphasis on their effect on cloud formation mechanisms, Earth's radiative budget, and meteoritic debris and launch vehicle emissions in the atmosphere. More information at
http://cziczogroup.scripts.mit.edu/wp/.
|
|
|
-"Alexa, are you there?"
|
The Internet of Things
Cyber Security Fireside Chat
Tuesday, February 27th
7-8pm, Library Assembly Room
Smart devices are on the rise - we'll discuss what you need to know about the Internet of Things. Scott Donnelly, VP Technical Solutions at Recorded Future, and Detective James Siracusa of the Belmont Police Department will discuss voice activated home assistants (Alexa), remote cameras and smart technology like Wi-Fi enabled thermostats. Moderated by IT Advisory Committee's Glenn Wong.
|
Knitting Club
Fridays, 12:30-2:30pm
Do you enjoy knitting or would you like to learn how?
Drop in to the Library's Knitting Club, anytime
Fridays
between
12:30-2:30pm
in the Library Flett Room. Bring your knitting, or other portable crafts or projects, and we can get to know each other as we knit.
Jocelyn Milton
, club leader, will be available for informal instruction. No sign up or registration necessary,
just bring needles and yarn
and we'll get you started!
|
Movie Club
This fall we started a new club for film lovers,
DIAL M FOR MOVIES, hosted by Library Director, Peter Struzziero. Watch the film on your own or at the Library on our Film Screening Night with popcorn and drinks, and then join Peter and other film buffs for a lively discussion!
Film Discussion: Tuesday, February 13th, 7pm
Library Flett Room
|
Future Movies & Dates
|
|
|
Film Viewing
March 9th, 6:30pm
|
Film Viewing
April 13th, 6:30pm
|
 |
|
|
Fake News, No More
Thursday, March 1st
7PM, Library Assembly Room
Librarian Nancy McColm will demonstrate, step-by-step, how to get news from trusted sources like the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Boston Globe, delivered right to your email, easy, and free with your Belmont library card!
No registration necessary.
|
Tai Chi at the Library
Saturday, February 24th, 10-11am
Library Assembly Room
Registration optional but appreciated
Join us for tai chi at the Library. 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 bring yourself and wear comfortable clothing.
Tai Chi in March:
Saturday, March 10th, 10-11am, Library Assembly Room
|
 |
|
|
FEATURED SERVICE - BOOK CLUB KITS
|
New Book Club Kits are Here!
Has your book club wanted to read a hot title - like Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere or Amor Towle's A Gentleman in Moscow - but you couldn't get your hands on enough copies? We've got your back. The library has just added seven best-sellers to its collection of book club kits.
Book club kits contain 8 copies of the same book, along with a notebook filled with discussion questions and suggestions for finding reviews of the book and information about the author. Kits can be checked out for 6 weeks with one renewal.
New book club kits include:
Ann Patchett's Commonwealth
Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale
J.D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy
Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing, and
B.A. Shapiro's The Muralist.
For a complete list of titles, search the catalog for Belmont book club kit. To request a kit, please go the reference desk or call a reference librarian at 617-993-2870. Kits should be returned to the circulation desk at the Belmont Public Library.
|
|
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
|
|
|
|
Raffle winner Linda R.
|
Over 70 kids and adults had a fabulous time at the first concert in our Music on Saturday Series. To kick off the season, we held a raffle. Our lucky winner, Linda Rodi, received a shopping spree at the Friends Everyday Book Shop, located near the circulation desk. We hope to see you this month for the Boston Beijing Opera Association's performance of Beijing Opera.
Have any children's books (in excellent used condition) you've been meaning to donate to the Friends? Now is the time! The Friends will be hosting a children's used book sale on March 4 in the Flett room. Bring your donations to the service entrance at the back of the Library and leave them inside, any time during regular Library hours. We'll turn your gently used books into funds for more Library programs for you and other patrons to enjoy.
|
|
CHILDREN'S EVENTS
|
Weekly Events
Infant Storytime: Wednesdays at 10:30
For infants up to 12 months and pre-walkers
Storytime for 1's: Now with 2 sessions! Thursdays at 9:30 & 10:30 am
For walkers and toddlers under 24 months
Storytime for 2's and 3's: Now with 2 sessions! Tuesdays at 9:30 & 10:30 am
For 2 and 3 year olds
Preschool Storytime: Wednesdays at 9:30 am
For 3-5 year olds with a longer attention span
Early Literacy Playgroup: Fridays at 10:30 am
You'll play, read, sing and take home new ideas to support your child's language and literacy development! Presented by educators from the CFCE grant program; for children age 4 and under. Playgroup will not meet February 23.
February Vacation and other Special Events
Saturday Playgroup: Saturday, February 10 at 10:30 am
Enjoy playing, tinkering, singing, and reading in this new Saturday morning playgroup. Recommended for children age
4 and under.
Maker Club for 2nd and 3rd Graders: Monday, February 12 at 3:30 pm; Registration required
Join the Duct Tape Network for an afternoon of creating. Use materials such as cardboard, wood, tape, and LED lights to bring your ideas and inventions to life while learning new design skills!
Kids in grades 2-4 are invited to explore LEGO WeDo robotics in this monthly program.
I
nfant-Toddler Sing-Along with Matt Heaton: Thursday, Feb 15 at 10:30 am
Join local musician Matt Heaton for this sing-along for babies and toddlers up to 24 months.
Reading is Magic with Ed the Wizard: Wednesday, Febrauary 21 at 10:30 am
Get a taste of the magic that comes from reading and see Ed the Wizard perform all kinds of magical feats during this special February break vacation program. For kids ages 5 and up, families welcome.
Imagination Station Craft Program: Thursday, February 22 at 10 am
Bring your creativity and enjoy using the library's collection of craft supplies to make all sorts of works of art. For kids ages 4 and up.
Music and Movement with Rubi: Monday, February 26 at 9:30 & 10:15 am (Assembly Room)
For children ages 2-5, this program will get kids (and their grownups) moving, dancing, and having fun!
|
|
TEENS
|
Teen Advisory Board
Friday, February 16th, from 3:00 to 4:30 pm
Flett Room
Attention teens, grades 9 and up! Looking for a new community service opportunity? Join the teen advisory board. Meetings are held once a month during the school year on Friday afternoons, but you don't have to attend every month. We eat pizza, work on a volunteer project, and plan upcoming teen programs.
Super Smash Bros. @ the Library
Tuesday, February 20th, 3 to 5 pm
Flett Room
Come hang out with us and play some Super Smash Bros. on the library's Wii U! Whether you main Kirby in all his cute fury, consider yourself more of a Mario master, or haven't ever played before, we've got a controller waiting for you. For teens in grade 6 to 12.
Girls Who Code
Mondays, February 5th, 12th and 26th, 4:15 to 6:15 pm
Flett Room
We still have some space in the new semester of Girls Who Code! Girls Who Code clubs equip girls in grades 6 to 12 with concrete technical skills that will provide the foundation for futures in technology. Email teen librarian Rachel Moir at
rmoir@minlib.net to sign up.
Please note: there will be no Girls Who Code club on February 19th, as the library will be closed for President's Day.
Creative Writing
Wednesdays, February 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th, 2:30 to 4 pm
Flett Room
Join Lynette Benton, published writer and writing instructor, to begin or move forward on writing stories, poetry, or novel excerpts in a fun and informative class at Belmont Library. The class will run for six-weeks, ending February 28th; attendance at all sessions is preferred.
|
|
COMMUNITY EVENTS
|
Chinese Cultural Festival
Sunday, February 11th
2-4pm, Chenery Middle School Cafeteria
Celebrate the Year of the Dog at the Chinese New Year with the Belmont Chinese American Association. There will be demonstrations of Peking Opera costumes, traditional Chinese instruments, Kungfu, calligraphy, paper cutting, dough figurine, specialty food and snacks will be for sale. All profits of the snack sale will benefit the Belmont Food Pantry. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information, view the flyer.
Come say hi to your friendly librarians, We'll have a table at the festival!
|
|
| |
|
|
