May the Fourth Be With You
May 2021 | Events & Updates
Pickup hours:
Monday – Wednesday | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday | 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday & Saturday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Holiday Hours:
Closed Monday 5/31 for Memorial Day
Joanna Schaffhausen - Live Online!
We are thrilled to collaborate with a number of MA libraries to bring you a virtual author talk by Joanna Schaffhausen on Thursday, May 20 at 7 pm. The killers are the ones whose stories become infamous, but for every serial murderer, there are survivors, family members, and law enforcement personnel whose lives are transformed by their brush with evil. Please join us as Ms. Schaffhausen highlights a few of these people and talks about how our knowledge of serial killers has changed over the years.

Joanna Schaffhausen is the award-winning author of the Ellery Hathaway series. She has a doctorate in psychology, which reflects her long-standing interest in the brain―how it develops and the many ways it can go wrong. Previously, she worked as an editorial producer for ABC News, writing for programs such as World News Tonight, Good Morning America, and 20/20. She lives in the Boston area with her husband, daughter, and an obstreperous basset hound named Winston.
Free and open to all. This event is co-sponsored by the Belmont Public Library, the Watertown Free Public Library, the Brockton Public Library, and the Wellesley Free Library. Registration is required.
Pen Pal Program is back!
Calling all letter-writers! Beech Street Center/Council on Aging and Belmont Public Library's Pen Pal Program is back! Sign up to be matched with a pen pal to write about favorite books, discuss hobbies, and create a friendship even if you can't see each other in person.

Fill out the form on our website (or request a paper one at the library or Beech Street) by Sunday, May 23, and we will match you with a pen pal. We’ll even give you a free Pen Pal Kit with cards, envelopes, ideas for what to write in your letter, and more! Be prepared to commit to sending your pen pal at least 3 letters by the end of August 2021.

This program is open to anyone age 7 and up, including teens and adults of all ages. It is generously funded by the Friends of the Belmont Public Library and the Beech Street Center/Belmont Council on Aging. 
Updates from the Library
Holds Pickup: Holds pickup is now back inside the Library. As before, adult and teen holds can be picked up at our Main Circulation desk, while Children’s holds can be picked up in the Jane Gray Dustan Children’s Room. Patrons will be allowed to pick up museum passes on hold in the Reference Room too. Additionally, we are offering 45-minute computer appointments, including the use of the printers and photocopiers. Everyone must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth when they are in the building and maintain 6 feet of distance with others. More information here.
Announcing Study Buddies! Need an extra hand keeping your child’s brain busy this summer? Students in Belmont entering Grades 1-6 can request a free volunteer tutor as part of Belmont Public Library’s growing initiative to create an environment for lifelong learning. Each registered student will be paired with a volunteer from the high school to practice reading, math, science, and whatever other school subjects you need assistance with once a week for as many weeks as they need during the summer. To register, fill out the form here to begin the matching process.
Hoopla Bonus Borrows are back! Through May 31, get ebooks, movies, and audiobooks that won't count towards your monthly hoopla limit. Click to discover your Bonus Borrows.
AcornTV is ending on May 14. Any patrons with an active token/pass for AcornTV as of May 14 will continue to have access for the time remaining on their 7-day token/pass.
Featured Events for Adults
Sat., May 8 • 7:45 am
& Sat, May 8 • 10 am
Wed., May 19 • 6 pm
Tues., May 11 • 7 pm
Sat., May 15 • 6 am • All Ages
Tues., May 18 • 6 pm
Wed., May 26 • 7 pm
Featured Events for Teens
Fri., May 7 and 14 • 3:30 pm
Wed., May 26 • 4 pm
Featured Events for Kids
Thurs., May 6 & 27 • 10 am Ages 2-5
Thurs., May 6 • 4 pm
Ages 8+
Fri., May 14 • 11 am
Ages 2-5
News from the Friends
The Friends of the Belmont Public Library is pleased to announce our Spring Book Sale and Star Wars Family Fun on Sunday, May 2nd (rain date May 16th). 

Leisurely browse the gently used books of all genres and catch a glimpse of galactic characters from a galaxy far far away. All are invited to dress as a favorite character to join the force-filled fun.

Kindly consider volunteering for this fun fundraising event on May 2nd (Rain date May 16th) through this Sign-Up Genius.
 
Want to learn the latest FOBPL news? Click this link for our latest Newsletter.

Belmont Library Spring Clean-up scheduled for Sunday, May 16th
For more info and sign up details email Sue at susan_black02478@yahoo.com or click https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0d4caca9238-library4
 
FOBPL June Elections
Join our leadership team and continue the FRIENDS mission of supporting the library and library programs into the future. Our June elections are approaching, and we are seeking a Co-president and Treasurer (or co-treasurers). Interested? Please contact kristencartesmith@gmail.com or ebowman09@gmail.com
Learn About the Belmont Library Foundation
In 1902, Henry J. Underwood donated the money to build a new library for the town of Belmont. Recognizing the need for a new building, he donated the funding and worked with the Town to build a library in honor of his parents.

In 2004, the Belmont Library Foundation was established to continue Underwood’s work of creating a public and private partnership between the Town and the residents of Belmont to build a new library for our community.

Today, the Belmont Library Foundation is leading the effort to raise private funds for a new building and to create an endowment to support ongoing capital improvements. We are working in partnership with the Library administration, Trustees, Library Building Committee, and the Friends of the Belmont Public Library to keep the Belmont Public Library as a valued resource in our community.

To learn more about the Foundation and library building project, please visit our website or email us.
Stay Informed
Locate COVID-19 testing sites across the state on this interactive map.

Trusted Health Resources
We're available Monday to Thursday, 9 am-6 pm and Friday and Saturday, 9 am-5 pm to answer your 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:
Reference: 617-993-2870 or -2871
Circulation: 617-993-2855
Children's: 617-993-2880

Click the "Questions?" box on our website to reach your librarians!