Scituate Library: Scituate Town Library Newsletter May 2026

Scituate Town Library Newsletter

May 2026 Volume 7, Issue 5

"We know what we are, but know not what we may be."

William Shakespeare, Hamlet

Please feel free to contact Jessi Finnie, Library Director, if you have any questions or comments!

Jessi Finnie, Library Director

jfinnie@scituatema.gov

Library Hours

Monday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Tuesday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Wednesday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Thursday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday

October through April

1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.

NEW CATALOG

The Scituate Town Library, along with all of the libraries in the Old Colony Library Network, are migrating to a new library catalog called Aspen Discovery this spring. We’re confident that you’ll enjoy the many new features of this system, and look forward to sharing it with you on April 30.

As part of this process, OCLN services will be offline from Monday April 27 through Wednesday April 29.

Please note: to prepare for this change, the library will be closed between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on April 30.

Things you CAN do from April 27 - April 29:

Check out materials and previously reserved items or holds if you have your library card number (please bring your library card!)
Use the Town of Scituate Wifi to work or study
Return items (they will be checked in on April 30)
Enjoy the space as you normally do

Things you CANNOT do between April 27-April 29:

Use one of the library’s public computers*
Access Libby/Overdrive, Kanopy or any service requiring your card
Book a study room online (call or stop by the library instead!)
Search the catalog
Pay bills or fines
Place new holds
Renew items
Make any changes to an account
Get a new or replacement library card
Reserve a museum pass (you can reserve a pass in advance for those days up until April 27th)
Check out a Library of Things item

TIP: Make sure you download content from Libby directly to your device BEFORE April 27 in order to use it during the three days the system is down.

*Please note: The Library’s public computers will also be offline all day on April 30.

Our new system will be fully available on Thursday, April 30. Please be aware of a few anticipated changes:

Our public catalog ocln.org will have a completely new look and will offer new features.
Any letters in your PIN will be converted to uppercase. Please use uppercase letters when you log in to the new system. (If you have never changed your PIN, it is OCLN.)
If you have difficulty logging in, or have forgotten your PIN / password, you'll be able to change your password by supplying your library card number and email address. New passwords can be created with any combination of numbers and upper and lowercase letters. If you have forgotten or do not have an email address with us, please visit or call the library to have your password changed. The library will be able to assist with password changes according to local policy.
All of your checkouts and holds will be moved to the new system. If you elected to save your reading history, it will also be moved to the new system.

We hope to cause as little disruption as possible, but this is a big change for library staff, so please be patient with us as we all learn and adjust to our new system!

DISCONTINUATION OF HOOPLA

As of April 1st, Hoopla has been discontinued.

The library has made the difficult decision to suspend the service known as “Hoopla.” This service offers a platform to stream movies, music, e-books, and audiobooks that are all available instantly to download. Unfortunately, the library’s budget is more limited each year as we make investments in both e-resources and print resources. E-resources are especially challenging, as they are often two to three times more expensive than their print counterparts. Hoopla is a pay-per-use service, and because of its popularity, the usage has outpaced the library’s budget capacity at this time, even after making a significant reduction to the number of downloads available to patrons per month. If Town or State funding changes significantly, the library may revisit this decision. Please email Library Director Jessi Finnie with any questions or concerns.

MAY CLOSING

The Library will be closed on Monday, May 25th,

in observance of Memorial Day.

SUNDAY HOURS

Sunday hours are 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM.

Please note, the Library's last Sunday of the season is April 26th.

The Library is open on Sundays from October through April

and closed on Sundays from May through September.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY:

ANNUAL ART AUCTION MAY 4-16

The Friends of the Scituate Town Library invite you to participate in the 5th Annual Library Art Auction from May 4-16, 2026. The artwork will be available for viewing at the Scituate Town Library's Art Gallery with bidding on the auction's website: 32auctions.com/Scituate26.

We are grateful for our thirty-two talented local artists who have generously donated their work which includes photography, watercolors, acrylics, and mixed media paintings.

All proceeds from this silent auction will fund the free family-friendly outdoor summer concert series to be held at the library each Wednesday in July. Enjoy samples of the beautiful artwork on display and support your library.

A sample of some of the many amazing pieces available for bidding can be seen below!

SAVE THE DATES: SUMMER READING

We're getting excited for Summer Reading!

Save the dates for the kick-off events!

Kids

Summer Kickoff event with Circus Variety Show Good Trouble

Wednesday, June 24

5:00 - 7:00 PM

Join us as we kick off our Kids Summer Reading program on Wednesday, June 24th from 5PM to 7PM. There will be games and swag bags and a visit from the ice cream truck available starting at 5PM. And that’s not all! Starting at 6PM, enjoy a circus variety show for all our readers! This show features juggling, balancing feats, puppetry, and more!

Ms. Veronica will be visiting the kids at the Scituate Public Schools to get everyone excited about all we have to offer this summer. Help your kids beat the "summer slide" by participating in the summer reading incentive program! Ms. Kate will also be promoting summer reading with the middle schoolers!

Teens

Thursday, June 25

5:00-8:00 PM

Get ready for an unforgettable night at the library! Join us on Thursday, June 25 from 5–8 PM as we kick off our Teen Summer Reading program in style. Think video games, glowing mini golf, and plenty of pizza, plus your first chance to jump into our Summer Reading Raffle. You won’t want to miss this one! More details (and online registration) coming soon…

Adults

And for the adults, we've planned an interactive, garden-themed scavenger hunt: Rooted in the Stacks. Beginning on June 29th and running until August 7th, patrons can drop in anytime during library hours to participate! Details to come soon!

Lastly, we need to deliver a special thank you to the Friends of the Scituate Town Library for their support of the summer reading program! Planning for the summer fun isn't possible without hard work of the Friends Board and the numerous bookstore volunteers!

GARDEN OF THREADS

COMMUNITY ART PROJECT

Stop by the library to view the art installation!

Thanks to the hard work of over 150 participants and Pop-Up Art school, the Garden of Threads art installation is up! We know you'll enjoy seeing it-- each flower, butterfly, and bee is unique. The exhibit is up until the end of May, after which point it will migrate to the Children's Room bulletin board to be enjoyed for the summer.

This project is partially funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and by the Friends of the Scituate Town Library. The project is a collaboration between the Scituate Town Library and Pop-Up Art School. You can learn more about this project here.

LIBRARY ADULT PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Want to see what's happening beyond May?

Visit our online calendar!

FIBER ARTS CLUB

Fiber Arts Club

Tuesday 5/26

6:30-8PM

Book Club Room

Drop-In, No Registration Needed

The Library is excited to offer a new club - Fiber Arts! Hosted by Adult Services Librarian Jen Struzziero, Fiber Arts Club will offer a chill atmosphere to bring your own project and join other fiber crafters in your community! Crochet, sew, embroider, knit, cross stitch, spin, mend, and more at this informal drop-in fiber arts circle. All crafts are welcome!

SCITUATE SLEUTHS

Scituate Sleuths

Tuesday, May 12th | 7 PM

Book Club Room

Join the Scituate Sleuths as we discuss our next read, Unnatural Death by Patricia Cornwell. Pick up a copy of the book at the Library and read it ahead of time! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jennifer Struzziero, Adult Services Librarian at 781-545-8727 or jstruzziero@scituate.ocln.org

ARMCHAIR TRAVELERS BOOK CLUB

Armchair Travelers

Thursday, May 7| 10 AM

Book Club Room

Join us for a book group led by Library Assistant Director Ann Lattinville. Called Armchair Travelers, this book group reads both fiction and nonfiction titles to explore striking and intriguing locales. Pick up the book at the Library and check it out to take home! This month's discussion will be on The Caretaker by Ron Rash. New members are always encouraged to join us! To see a list of titles the group has read in the past, click here.

MEMOIRS & MOCKTAILS

Memoirs & Mocktails

Tuesday, May 19th | 7 PM

Book Club Room

Registration Requested

Do you love reading diverse memoirs and/or celebrity biographies?

Enjoy a non-alcoholic libation (mocktail) while discussing the memoir of the month! This group enjoys a wide variety of memoirs and biographies that explore food, celebrity, travel and historical figures. Whether you're drawn to tales of self-reliance, or narratives of resilience and extraordinary adventures. Memoir book club provides a safe and inclusive place where adult readers can share insights and explore the intricate fabric of human experiences.

Everyone is welcome; enjoy a refreshment and bring your curiosity and passion for compelling life stories to our monthly meetings! Each meeting, we serve a monthly mocktail (with a recipe for you to take home!) and then choose from a list of memoirs to read the following month. For planning purposes, online registration is requested. Please contact Jen Struzziero at jstruzziero@scituate.ocln.org or 781-545-8727 if you have any questions.

This program is generously funded by the Friends of the Scituate Town Library.

Our May Book: Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy

Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

For planning purposes, online registration is requested.

CHILDREN'S ROOM

Highlights of children's programming are below! For a full schedule,

visit our online calendar!

STEM PLAYGROUP

STEM Explorers Playgroup with Ms. Debbie

Wednesdays | MAY 20, 27, JUN 3, 10, 17, 24

11 AM

Community Room

Ages 2-5 years

Registration Required

Big Discoveries for Little Minds aged 2-5! Jump into hands-on fun as preschoolers explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math through playful, everyday adventures. Spark curiosity, build skills, and fuel a love of learning! Registration required through the SSCAC: https://www.sscac.org/ssfn-events

STORYTIME YOGA BEGINS!

Storytime Yoga with Kim Spires

Tuesdays | MAY 5, 12, 19 & JUN 2, 9

11 AM - 11:30 AM

no class 5/26

Ages 2-5 years

Connect with your children through story, music and movement to introduce yoga and mindfulness. Ages 2-5. No registration required, just drop in!

TEEN HAPPENINGS

Visit our online calendar for more info!

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

Dungeons and Dragons

Thursday, May 14th

5:30-7 PM

Community Room

Registration Required

For Students in Grades 5-12

We’re shaking things up in our D&D Club with special Thursday night one-shot events! Led by experienced teen Dungeon Masters, you’ll dive into the legendary storytelling game, Dungeons & Dragons. Whether you’re a seasoned player or brand new to the game, all are welcome to join the adventure. Bring a level 3 character ready to play, or use one we’ll provide for you. Bonus: Pizza will be served for dinner!

Online registration is required to help us plan for pizza and gameplay.

MTG FUN FRIDAYS

MTG Fun Fridays

Fridays: 5/8 & 5/22

3:30-4:30 PM

Program Room

Drop-in Program for Students in Grades 5-12:

Kick off your weekend with a fun-filled afternoon of Magic: The Gathering! Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the game, join us for friendly battles, deck-building fun, and the chance to meet fellow MTG fans. Bring your own cards or use ours. All skill levels welcome! Yummy snacks will be served.

NEW! TEEN ADVISORY TEAM

Teen Advisory Team

Wednesday, May 13th

4-5 PM

Program Room

For Students in Grades 6-12

Registration Required

Want to help shape the future of the Teen Room? Join the Teen Advisory Team a monthly meet-up where your voice helps decide what programs we offer, which new books to add to the collection, and how to make the teen space even better.

Each month, you’ll:

Brainstorm new program ideas
Share your thoughts on books and help with purchasing decisions
Give feedback on the Teen Room
Answer quick “mini questions” that help guide library planning
Work on small creative projects for upcoming events and displays

This is a chance to make a real impact and help create a library that reflects YOU and your interests.

Want to join?
Please fill out this quick Google Form. Space is limited so we can keep discussions focused and productive. Open to students in grades 6–12. Community service hours available. Yummy snacks will be provided to help fuel ideas!

SOCIAL WORK OFFICE HOURS

Town of Scituate

Social Work Office Hours at Scituate Town Library

Every Monday*, 1-3 PM

*Please note that there will be no social work office hours on weeks with a Monday holiday.

Have questions? Contact Erica Souris at esouris@scituatema.gov or 781-741-0062

Why would I reach out to a Town Social Worker?

Short term counseling related to a variety of mental health and psychosocial needs: grief & bereavement, life transitions, domestic violence, substance use, hoarding/clutter, etc.
Assistance with resources like housing, heat and energy assistance, veteran's support, food insecurity, etc.
Helps assist with connection to long term mental health and substance use treatment and resources.

VISIT THE LIBRARY GALLERY

As I See It:

Making the Ordinary Extraordinary
Photography by Bart Blumberg
May 20 to June 18, 2026

As a South Shore resident for over 20 years, Bart has photographed and shown its natural beauty
and iconic features including coastal landscapes, moon rises, sunrises and sunsets. An avid world
traveler, he enjoys the challenge of capturing an area’s people, culture, architecture and natural beauty.

His photos intentionally employ traditional art elements such as composition, light, color, pattern
and texture.

“As I See It” is on display at the Scituate Town Library Gallery with works featuring sky, sea, and landscapes, scenes from his travels, and some of his favorite photos. The show will run through June 18, 2026.

Some samples of his works:

L-R: "Minot Light vs. Storm Riley", "Ted's Red Seat at Fenway", and "Cold Moon at Scituate Light"

FIND YOUR NEXT READ!

Not sure what to read next? Library staff is here for you!

If you've been a long-time reader of our newsletter, you've probably seen the "staff picks" section of suggestions at the bottom. But did you know there are lots of other ways to discover your next great read with the help of library staff and library services? Here are a few ideas for you!

Ask a Librarian! We are always happy to help you find a great book to read. We are available to chat with you about what you've recently read that you've liked and then match you up with some selections we think you'll enjoy! Just ask at the circulation desk and we will be happy to assist.

Follow us on Facebook! to get multiple reading lists a week! These book lists are thoughtfully curated by Scituate Town Library staff.

Request a BookMatch or a Book Bundle/Pack. The Library staff created two services for patrons who would like some help selecting their next great book. BookMatch is available for kids and adults and involves filling out a quick questionnaire about your reading habits. Staff then sends you back a list of titles we think you might like! If you'd like to be surprised by a bag of books to borrow, you can fill out the Book Bundle (kids) or Book Pack (adults) request forms. We'll put titles in a bag for you to pick up! This is a great option if you're in a hurry and want a grab & go experience.

And for teens, we have two services: Books & Bites-- which is a bag with books and snacks; and Book & Movie Night bag. Pick from our selection of book-to-movie adaptation bundles and we'll package up for you a book, movie, and a movie night snack pack.

Have you tried Novelist? NoveList is a powerhouse of a database designed for readers and built by librarians! With NoveList you can really fine tune your reading selections, especially if you enjoy specific genres and subgenres. Try NoveList in order to:

Search for items with just about any search parameters you can think of
Find reading lists and articles created by NoveList's staff of professional librarians
Read reviews and see award winners
Create folders to keep track of any book lists you would like to create

There are two versions of Novelist-- one for adults/teens and one for children.

Novelist for adults, click here.
Novelist for kids, K-8, click here.

STAFF PICKS!

STAFF PICKS: Jen Recommends...

Evergreen: The Trees That Shaped America
by Trent Preszler

A sweeping natural history of the humble trees that built nations, sparked wars, and became the world's most cherished holiday tradition. Every December, millions of people around the globe adorn their homes, offices, and town squares with lavishly decorated Christmas trees to celebrate the holiday season. Yet few pause to wonder: Where did this tradition come from? And in an age of climate upheaval and artificial replicas, will these beloved trees still be here for future generations? In Evergreen, Cornell University professor Trent Preszler weaves together a captivating story of humanity's deeply rooted relationship with evergreens, revealing how the trees shaped economies, launched cultural movements, and propelled America's rise to global prominence. With stunning historical range and lyrical insight, Preszler guides readers from the awe-inspiring evergreen cathedrals of the West to Christmas tree farms in the Midwest, sawmills in the South, the iconic Rockefeller Center spruce in the East, and beyond. Blending cinematic detail with compelling ecological and cultural history, Evergreen explores the hidden tensions between nature, commerce, and spirituality that have confounded humanity for millennia. At once timeless and urgently relevant, Evergreen delivers a stirring reflection on the quiet power of trees, challenging us to reconsider the delicate balance between our restless ambition and the living world that sustains us.

STAFF PICKS: Kathy Recommends...

Brawler: Stories
by Lauren Groff

Ranging from the 1950s to the present day and moving across age, class, and region-from New England to Florida to California-these nine stories reflect and expand upon a shared theme: the ceaseless battle between humans' dark and light angels.

STAFF PICKS: Kelly Recommends...

This Story Might Save Your Life
by Tiffany Crum

Benny Abbott and Joy Moore host one of the most beloved podcasts in the world. Each week, they delight listeners with a different against-all-odds survival story, gleefully finding the weird, life-affirming humor in near-death experiences. Since their first episode on Joy's experience with severe narcolepsy, they've been the best friends everyone wants to befriend - and thanks to the meticulous management of Joy's husband Xander, they've built a lucrative empire. The problem is, their next survival story may be their own. When Benny arrives at Joy and Xander's one morning to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house. The one clue shedding light on the couple's disappearance is the incomplete, previously-unseen first draft of Joy's memoir. Benny is desperate to find them, even when the police soon zero in on him as their prime suspect. Millions of devoted listeners think they know the real Benny and Joy. But as the hours tick by, and the odds seem increasingly stacked against Joy and Xander being found alive, not even the most devoted fans could guess the secrets their favorite famous BFFs have hidden from the world - and from each other.

LET THE LIBRARIANS PICK FOR YOU: GET A BAGFUL!

No time to browse in the Library? Want to just swing by and leave with some fantastic choices just for you? We're happy to provide you with a surprise bag of books for you to check out and return! These requests are so much fun for staff to receive. Use our Book Pack, Books & Bites, and Book Bundles services! We'll pack a bag of books, check it out to you, and put it in our Self-Serve Holds area! Each service is described below. See if it's right for you and request yours today!

BOOK PACKS FOR ADULTS

Can't decide what you want to read? No time to put items on hold? Want to be surprised when you open your bag? Request a "pack" of 5 thematic books chosen for you by the Scituate Town Library staff. We will call you when the pack is ready for pick up! Please allow at least 48 hours for processing.

BOOK BITES FOR TEENS
Get up to three personally picked library books and a yummy snack of your choice! Fill out the form today. Please allow at least 48 hours for processing.

BOOK BUNDLES FOR KIDS
Request a "bundle" of 5-7 thematic titles, chosen for you by the Scituate Town Library Children's Staff. We call you when the bundle is ready for pick up! Picture books, chapter books... you decide! Please allow at least 48 hours for processing.

LET THE LIBRARIANS PICK FOR YOU: GET A LIST!

Would you like a list of titles picked just for you? Fill out our form and we'll pick books we think you might like and send you a list for you to explore at your own pace! Our book lists for adults and children offer a truly personalized, curated reading experience. Since we started these services a few years ago we've provided hundreds and hundreds of lists to our patrons! Get yours today!

BOOK MATCH FOR ADULTS
Use this link to get your very own list!

BOOK MATCH FOR KIDS
Use this link to get your very own list!

INFORMATION ON LIBRARY SERVICES

All of our electronic resources are highlighted on our home page under the dropdown menus of Reading & Entertainment and Research. Look for Overdrive (Libby), Hoopla, Kanopy, and more for downloadable and streaming books, movies, audiobooks and magazines.
Need a card or having trouble with an existing or lost card? Please call or email the Circulation Staff.
Need research assistance? Please call or email our Reference Staff.
Need help with children's or teens services? Please call or email our Youth Services Staff.
Many of our library apps require a PIN. If you have never changed your PIN, the default is "OCLN". If you encounter problems, please call us or email Circulation Staff.

Have questions?

Send us an email at any of the contacts listed above, or contact Library Director Jessi Finnie with questions.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO GET READING IDEAS & MORE!

Scituate Town Library

Follow the Library's main page on Facebook here!

Scituate Town Library Children's Department
To get updates on what's happening in the Children's Room, book news, and more, follow us on Facebook here!

Scituate Town Library Teen Page
See what the Teen Room has going on here!

Scituate Library
85 Branch Street
Scituate, Massachusetts 02066
(781) 545-8727
www.scituatetownlibrary.org