Playground Construction is Underway!
Starting on March 15, construction for the Central Hill playground will start on our Central Library grounds. We will still be open for contactless pickup!
Upcoming Programs
Sunday, March 7 at 2 pm on SPL YouTube
Ellen is back with more great pantry recipes! In this episode, learn to make a super simple chocolate cake - no eggs, no creaming butter and sugar. And it can be topped with a sprinkle of powdered sugar if icing is too much of a bother. Delicious!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get reminders!
Thursday, March 11 at 7 pm on Zoom
The growing season is just around the corner! Come join us for a talk with Lindsay Allen, the rooftop farm manager at Boston Medical Center. This talk will focus on the history of urban agriculture and how that has shaped our cities current food systems. Attendees will learn about the history of urban gardening, food justice, rooftop farming and innovative ways to grow food at your home, including tips for your home garden.

This program is made possible with funding by the Friends of the Somerville Public Library.
Tuesday, March 16 at 11 am on Zoom
 During this "Build a User Friendly Website with Wix", you will learn how to navigate; make pages and posts; add photos; and customize the appearance of your website. Students will also explore how to create contact forms, custom menus, photo galleries, how to add additional users and integrate social media on your website.

This class is in collaboration with the Somerville Media Center.
Tuesday, March 16 at 4 pm on Zoom
Explore different writing themes, prompts and techniques, and write about your very favorite fairytales and folklore!

Regina Hansen is the author of the YA novel "The Coming Storm" (Atheneum/Simon and Schuster due May 2021). She teaches at Boston University and has written regular articles for the nationally circulated children's magazine "Dig into History", her essays have also appeared in the Wall Street Journal Review, Science Fiction Film and Television, and the Conversation.

To register, email Ann at acassesso@minlib.net.
Wednesday, March 17 at 3 pm on Zoom
Plant a Mini-Greenhouse and Learn How to Grow Your Own Food
with Green City Growers!

*Free mini-greenhouse kit provided to first 30 registrations.*

Get a leg up on the growing season and join us for a seed starting workshop with a professional vegetable farmer, who will also answer your home gardening questions. No experience necessary, this is a great way to get started for any gardening skill level. 

This program is made possible with funding by the Friends of the Somerville Public Library.
Sunday, March 28 at 2 pm on Zoom
Back by popular demand! Have you had a chance to try this wonderful meditative drawing class with our certified Zentangle instructor Lori Champine?  

No experience is necessary, although registration is required and kits will be provided for contactless pickup.

This program is made possible with funding from the Friends of the Somerville Public Library.
Here's What's Cooking at the SPL!
Enjoy some of our favorite cookbooks and food related recipes in honor of National Nutrition Month!
Looking for more? Try our What Should I Read Next? service!
This cookbook and the related blog feature Deb’s wonderfully humorous writing and absolutely wonderful recipes! Lots of ideas for substitutions to make meat dishes vegetarian, or to switch out cheeses, or suggestions for what to serve with her recipes. Truly, the joy of cooking is in this book!

Favorite recipe: If you’re a mushroom fan, look up Mushroom Bourguignon – fancy and flavorful, yet easy to make!

Recommended by Mary, Reference Librarian
Everyday Pasta by Giada DeLaurentis
This is one of Ann's favorite cookbooks.

It has lots of healthy and delicious recipes. Giada's soups and pasta dishes will satisfy even the fussiest eaters.

Favorite recipe: Penne Pasta Baked with Roasted Vegetables

Recommended by Ann, Children's Librarian
The Corleone Family Cookbook, by Liliana Battle, with photography by Stacey Tyzzer
A gorgeous Italian cookbook with full-page color photos accompanying every recipe,with each recipe either tied to an actual scene from The Godfather Trilogy films,or suggestive of what could have appeared in one of those movies: Every recipe is a delight!

Favorite recipe: Orecchiette ["small ears" pasta] with Broccoli and Sausage

Recommended by Jim, Head of Circulation
Ansel takes a building block approach to baking with recipes for components (bases, fillings, and finishings) that can be mixed and matched to create cakes, tarts, cookies and more - using one of your own unique combinations or one of Ansel's recommendations. Ample photographs to guide you through steps and inspire your creativity.

Favorite Recipe: She couldn't resist the salted caramel chocolate tart combination!

Recommended by Meg, Generalist Librarian
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
The place is Mexico, the time is around 1910, the genre is magical realism. The subtitle tells you all the rest: "A Novel in Monthly Installments with Recipes, Romances, and Home Remedies.

Recommended by Ellen, Teen Librarian
Roll With It by Jamie Sumner
Ellie, 12, has cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair, and plans to be a professional baker. When Ellie and her mom move so they can take care of her grandfather, who has dementia, everything becomes a little more difficult -- until Ellie makes an unlikely group of friends.

Recommended by Alison, West Branch Children's Librarian
Discover a New Read Today!