Food and Puzzles, Gifts and Gratitude
November 2020 | Library & Community News
Pickup and computer use hours:
Monday – Wednesday | 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
Thursday | 11:00 am – 6:30 pm
Friday and Saturday | 9:30 am – 4:30 pm

Holiday Hours:
Closed Thursday 11/26 & Friday 11/27 for Thanksgiving
Food for Friends
  • Beef / Chicken Stew
  • Chili / Spaghetti O's
  • Pasta / Macaroni and Cheese
  • Rice / Dried Beans
  • Tomato Sauce / Paste
  • Canned Beans
  • Canned Vegetables
  • Tuna Fish
  • Canned Fruits
  • Pancake Mix / Syrup
  • Cereal, Hot and Cold
  • Hot Chocolate
  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Juice
  • Condiments
  • Evaporated Milk
  • Baking / Cake Mixes
  • Sugar
  • Flour
  • Facial Tissue
  • Sanitary Napkins
  • Toilet Paper
  • Bars of Soap
  • Deodorant
  • Toothpaste
  • Shaving Cream
  • Toothbrushes
  • Dishwashing Detergent
  • Laundry Detergent
Visit the Library — Online!
Do you miss discovering books in the Children's Room? See what new titles we have to offer in the Belmont Children's Virtual Library! You can easily browse each category, click on the book covers you're interested in, and then put the book on hold so you can pick it up at the library. Don't miss our Best of 2020 selections!
Spoiler Alert is a book review blog for teens by teens. Students in grades 7-12 can request review copies of books to read and evaluate for their peers. For each book review they complete, teens receive 2 hours of community service time — and they can keep the book they've reviewed! Curious to see what our teen reviewers have said so far? Click to read our blog!
We're bringing our shelves to you with Library Latest. Each post highlights new materials or a part of the collection our staff thinks you should check out! Our most recent updates have featured technology manuals from our nonfiction collection, graphic novels on hoopla, picture book biographies, and Broadway showtunes.
At the Library...
You must wear a mask covering your nose and mouth at all times when you are in the library. Please maintain at least 6 feet of distance from library staff and other patrons. Thank you!
Meet Lauren Pfendner!
Lauren Pfendner, Coordinator of Reference and Public Services
Lauren Pfendner is our new Coordinator of Reference and Public Services. You may have already met her, though, since she's been our Technology Librarian for the past year! A true Philadelphian at heart, she loves cheesesteaks and libraries — Philadelphia is the home of the first successful lending library in the United States, after all! In her first year here, Lauren has come to love the kind and intellectually inquisitive Belmont community and looks forward to serving you further in her new role.

What are your recent favorite books?
The Hilarious World of Depression by John Moe (his podcast of the same name is illuminating, heartbreaking and yes, hilarious); Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell (though Cloud Atlas will always be my favorite of his work.)

How many books do you bring on vacation?
At least 2 audiobooks and 1 print book — better safe than sorry!

What's a fun fact about you?
I love owls — they are both adorable and fierce, a winning combination.
Great Belmont Puzzle Takeaway
A bookcase with puzzles and a sign saying The Great Belmont Puzzle Takeaway
We are happy to announce the Great Belmont Puzzle Takeaway, a free spot at the library where you can find a gently used puzzle to take home and enjoy at your leisure. These puzzles are not part of the collection so feel free to take what you like and keep them for as long as you want.

Pick up a new-to-you puzzle on the display directly inside the front entrance of the library.

Looking to rehome some completed puzzles of your own? The Friends of the Belmont Public Library will accept puzzle donations on Fridays from 9 am to 12 pm — no games please, just puzzles! What better way to fight the winter blues than with a fresh, new-to-you puzzle — check out the Puzzle Takeaway spot today.
Book Clubs, Craft Kits, & More
Did you know? You can sign up for our online book clubs, movie discussions, or author talks, then come pick up your materials for these events at the library. We have a bookcase designated for the book clubs and Dial M for Movies — just visit the library, find the bookcase, and bring your book or DVD to the Circulation Desk to check out.

Bonus: If you register for our Creativebug Craftalongs or DIY Teen Takeaways, we'll let you know when your craft supplies are ready for pickup, too. Find all of our upcoming events on our calendar.

In addition, we've curated some select displays where you can browse for new books and films, holiday movies, cookbooks, and Staff Selects. Find these in the library's lobby!
Use a Computer
You can visit the library to use a computer, printer, copier, fax machine, or scanner. Sessions will be for 30 minutes at a time, and limited to one per day. Fill out the form on our website to book your appointment! You can also walk in during the following hours to check if a computer is available:

Monday – Wednesday | 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
Thursday | 11:00 am – 6:30 pm
Friday and Saturday | 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Oh, And One More Thing...
bring all returns to the outside dropbox
When visiting the library, please bring all returns to the outside dropbox. We cannot accept returned library items at our service desks. Returned library items will be quarantined for 72 hours before we check them in, so items will remain on your library account for a few days after you return them.

Of course, there are a couple of exceptions! If you are returning items from the Library of Things or vinyl LP records, bring them to the Reference Room.

Do you have books or puzzles to donate? The Friends of the Belmont Public Library accept donations on Friday mornings only, between 9 am and 12 pm.
A Message from the Friends
Highlighted events — click to register!
Virtual Concert with Marcos Valles of Rockabye Beats • Fri. December 4 • 10 am • Toddlers & Preschoolers
The Nonfiction Book Club Presents... War Fever by Randy Roberts and Johnny Smith • Thu. December 10 • 7 pm • Friends Author Series
Untold Stories Book Club • Wed. December 16 • 5:30 pm • Teens
Holiday Gift Guide Sneak Preview
Got a book, music, or movie lover on your holiday gift list but not sure what to get them? Check out these suggestions from Belmont Public Library staff. Here are a few titles to get you started, then click to view the full list. And we have holiday picks for YA readers and our Best of 2020 from the Children's Room, too!
by Erin Gardner
Get it for: That family member who can’t seem to stay on task.
by Jane Igharo
Get it for: The person with a big family and a stack of romance novels on their nightstand.
by Rebecca Roanhorse
Get it for: Your friend who won’t stop talking about the Game of Thrones finale.
The Belmont Library Foundation is Grateful
This November, we are planning to fill our hearts! It has been a hectic nine months full of the adjective “unprecedented,” so we are taking a moment this November, the month of Thanksgiving and gratitude, to pause and give thanks.

We are thankful for the Belmont community, our committed Board of Directors and volunteers, and we are very thankful for the Belmont Public Library, especially all of the resources the Library has provided to help Belmont residents get through quarantine, social distancing, and remote learning during these unprecedented times.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving from all of us at the Belmont Library Foundation.
Community Thanks
Navy blue quotation marks on a photo of yellow and orange autumn maple leaves.
We love hearing from our Belmont community. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we want to thank you for sharing these thoughtful notes.

"Hope this finds you well! I just wanted to let you know that today, for the first time in over six months, I entered the hallowed halls of our favorite library. It was a joy! I had some books on hold and was delighted to learn that the library was open now for picking them up. I was filled with emotion... and felt catapulted back to a time before the pandemic. A time when I took my weekly library visits for granted — I’m guessing that won’t happen again! Anyway, sorry for the over sharing. It just felt momentous to be there today. I really really have missed it." — Lisa

About the library's belhop: Belmont Holds, Personalized service: "Thank you! These are fantastic! I restrained myself and only picked about half of the picture books so that you can share some of these great recommendations with the next client. It's so hard to not be able to browse the shelves, so this is so helpful." — Katherine


"You folks are all essential to my life during this insane time! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for ALL you do to keep us facing each day!! Stay healthy!!" — Diane

"Here is a big thank you for acquiring the book that I wanted and making it available to me so promptly. And what a thrill to walk into the library to pick it up! Trusting all goes well with you and yours and the library plans." — Jane 

If you'd like to send us your thoughts, email Peter Struzziero, Library Director, at pstruzziero@minlib.net or send us some snail mail at 336 Concord Ave, Belmont, MA 02478.
hoopla Bonus Borrows
Through November 30, get ebooks, movies, and audiobooks that won't count towards your monthly hoopla limit. 

What is hoopla? hoopla is like free Netflix for ebooks, PLUS so much more. Just set up an account with an email address and your library card number, then you can get 5 titles a month — and as many Bonus Borrows as you want!

Stay informed
Massachusetts residents are advised to stay home between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am. Read more: MA Stay-at-Home Advisory

Read the state's guidelines on holidays during COVID-19.

Locate COVID-19 testing sites across the state on this interactive map.

Trusted Health Resources
We're available Monday to Thursday, 9 am-7 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!