A pastel rainbow plaid background with text reading "June 2026" in the foreground.
In this Issue

Summer Reading 2026
Programs for Adults
Book a Librarian at the Central Library
Programs for All Ages
Programs for Teens
Learn Languages Online through our Library
Programs for Children
Try Our New WhaZoodles at East or West
STAFF PICKS: LGBTQIA+ Pride
Announcements
The Friends of the Somerville Public Library Book Sale is back on June 13 and 14! Join them in the Central Library Auditorium to find a wide variety of books. Learn more about the sale and when it will be running here (opens new tab).
 
This newsletter lets you know about many of our events, but did you know we have even more? Visit our online calendar (opens new tab) to explore them all.
 
Upcoming Closures:
All Somerville Public Library locations will be closed on Friday, June 19, for Juneteenth.
Note: Asterisks * next to program titles or dates indicate required registration. Click on a cover image to access the full details of that program.
Summer Reading 2026
Plant a Seed, Read!
The Somerville Public Library 2026 Summer Reading program runs from Sunday, June 14 through Saturday, August 15 – for everyone! Learn more about summer reading and how to participate here:
 
Summer Reading for Children (opens new tab)
Summer Reading for Teens & Tweens (opens new tab)
Summer Reading for Adults (opens new tab)
 
Programs for Adults
Example photos of plants growing out of old water bottles and paper tubes, with text reading "BYO container gardening workshop."
BYO Container Gardening Workshops *
Monday, June 8 - 6:00 PM
West Branch Atrium &
Thursday, June 11 - 6:00 PM
Central Library Auditorium
 
Join staff from the Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) and the Division of Public Space and Urban Forestry (PSUF) for a container gardening workshop.
 
Register for West's gardening workshop here (opens new tab).
Register for Central's gardening workshop here (opens new tab).
Hand-drawn trees and tents with a s'mores stick and flashlight, with text reading "adults summer camp crafts: pony bead keychains" and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Adult Summer Camp Crafts *
Monday, June 22 - 6:30 PM
West Branch Community Room
 
All Summer long we'll be making throwback crafts at the West Branch! This month: pony bead keychains!
A purple writing quill in a pink inkwell, with text reading "free write monday night at east branch" and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Jun. 8 - 7:00 PM
 East Branch
Images of an old US flag, cornbread, and green beans, with text reading "in support of the army: MA housewives feeding the army" and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Jun. 17 - 6:00 PM *
 Central Library Auditorium
Groups friends hanging out in front of a rainbow, with text reading "speed friending for queer adults" and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Jun. 20 - 2:00 PM *
 Central Library Auditorium
A photo of a thirteen-star old american flag, with text reading "somerville in the revolution," and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Jun. 22 - 6:30 PM *
 Central Library Auditorium
Coloring pencils and a coloring page on a red background, with text reading "keep calm and color on," and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Jun. 25 - 6:30 PM *
 Central Library Auditorium
Stylized rainbows with a fluffy cloud in front, with text reading "queer craft night at the central library," and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Jun. 30 - 6:30 PM *
 Central Library Auditorium
Book a Librarian at the Central Library
Duos of well-dressed people helping others, with text reading "need extra help? Book a librarian at the central library. We're here to help with your in-depth questions! Request a free appointment to get help with resume formatting, job interview preparation, research assistance, local history and genealogy, and more!" and with link to the webpage to set up an appointment (opens in new tab).
Programs for All Ages
Tie-Dye with Pride *
Saturday, June 6 - 2:00 PM
Central Library Lawn
 
Join us for some summer fun and add a little more color to your world as you make a tie dye shirt that you can wear with pride! 
A psychedelic tie die rainbow spiral, with text reading "tie dye with pride," and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
An illustration of the knight chess piece on a checkerboard, with text reading "chess nights at the library," and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Jun. 1 - 7:00 PM
 Central Library Auditorium
A painted rainbow spectrum, with text reading "paint your pride at east," and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Jun. 5 - 3:30 PM *
 East Branch
Puzzle pieces loose and semi-assembled, with text reading "puzzle challenge and swap," and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Jun. 7 - 1:30 PM
 Central Library Auditorium
Programs for Teens
Photos of various bottles of shimmery liquid, with text reading "make a potion bottle for teens," and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Make a Potion Bottle for Teens
Friday, June 5 - 2:30 PM
Central Library Auditorium
 
Join us and make a decorative potion bottle to add a little magic to you life!
A photo of a bird house with stylized butterflies and birds, with text reading "customize a bird house for teens at the west branch," and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Customize a Birdhouse for Teens
Tuesday, June 23 - 2:30 PM
West Branch Community Room
 
Celebrate the good weather by customizing a birdfeeder! Paint on it, cover it in a collage, draw on it − whatever you can imagine.
Learn Languages Online through our Library
Speech bubbles saying hello in multiple languages, with text reading "learn a new language today with transparent language online. 100+ languages at your fingertips, now available through somerville public library. Whether you're a beginner or intermediate learner, transparent languages online can help. Available for learning 100+ languages, plus English (ELL) materials for native speakers of over 30 languages," and with link to accessing this resource (opens in new tab).
Programs for Children
Spanish Fun Program at West *
Tuesday, June 9 - 10:30 AM
West Branch Backyard
 
Join Esther Gomez from Spanish Fun for singing, dancing, and storytelling OUTSIDE!
Illustrations of various kids dancing to music, with text reading "spanish fun program at west," and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Ready. Set, Grow: Magic with Magician Mike Bent
Monday, June 29 - 6:30 PM
Central Library Auditorium
 
Just in time for our 2026 Summer Reading Program, award-winning entertainer Mike Bent presents a magic show themed around plants and farming!
An illustration of a barn surrounded by hilly farming fields, with text reading "ready set grow: magic with mike bent," and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
A smiling baby sits on lettering while floating hands sign something to them, with text reading "learn to baby sign with baby kneads at east," and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Jun. 1, 8, 15, & 22 - 11:00 AM *
 East Branch
Illustrations of cards, puzzle pieces, LEGOs, and dice, with text reading "game day at east," and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Jun. 10 - 1:00 PM
 East Branch
A random assortment of children's art supplies and projects, with text reading "free choice saturday craft-er-noon," and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Jun. 13 - 2:30 PM
Central Library Children's Room
A photo of a man holding a guitar with a plastic dinosaur toy on his head, with text reading "sing-along with matt heaton at west," and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Jun. 23 - 3:30 PM
 West Branch Children's Room
A picture of a french bulldog with his tongue sticking out, with text reading "read to waffles the therapy dog," and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Jun. 25 - 3:30 PM *
 Central Library Children's Room
Registration opens 6/22
An illustration of a winding board game path, with text reading "make your own board game," and with link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Jun. 29 - 3:00 PM
 West Branch Children's Room
Try Our New WhaZoodles at East or West
A photo of a small bun-shaped speaker with a caricature of a purple cyclops a turquoise mohawk in various poses. Text reads "New to the collection: Wha-Zoodle! Pre-loaded, all-audio speakers. No wi-fi, apps, downloads, ads, or data collection required. Kids can... Explore: contains audio content on a specific topic, including podcasts, music, and short stories. Recess: Encourages kids to exercise, play games, and get creative. Relax: Includes guided meditations and relaxing nature sounds.", with link to the collection in the library catalog (opens in new tab).
STAFF PICKS: LGBTQIA+ Pride
June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
Here are some of our favorite reads centering queer voices to celebrate! Click a book cover to find the title in our catalog and learn more.
The book cover to "When We Love Someone We Sing to Them: Cuando Amamos Cantamos" by Ernesto Javier Martínez, with link to the book in our catalog (opens in new tab).
A reclamation of the Mexican serenata tradition, following the story of a young boy who asks his father if there is a song for a boy who loves a boy.
 
- Meghan, Children's Librarian
The book cover to "Bury Your Gays" by Chuck Tingle, with link to the book in our catalog (opens in new tab).
When faced with killing off his queer main characters, a screenwriter is left to make a choice that will set off a series of horrifying events. Within the horror is a deeply authentic conversation about queer representation in media and Hollywood.
 
- Felicia, Reference Librarian
The book cover to "The No-Girlfriend Rule" by Christen Randall, with link to the book in our catalog (opens in new tab).
Excluded from her boyfriend's tabletop roleplaying game, Hollis joins an all-girl gaming group as a way to share his hobby. In it, she finds true friends, a new self-confidence, and an in-character love story that might just turn into a real-life romance.
 
- Annie, Children's Librarian
The book cover to "It Rhymes with Takei" by George Takei, with link to the book in our catalog (opens in new tab).
This full-color graphic memoir explores the captivating life of LGBTQ+ icon and Star Trek legend George Takei.
 
- Carrie, Reference Librarian
The book cover to "Finistère" by Fritz Peters, with link to the book in our catalog (opens in new tab).
Published in 1951 this gorgeously written novel is considered an early example of unapologetically gay fiction. It is the story of a teenage boy whose family and lover ultimately fail him, with tragic consequences. 
 
- Janet, Library Assistant
The book cover to "Audrey Lane Stirs the Pot" by Alexis Hall, with link to the book in our catalog (opens in new tab).Reeling from a rough breakup, a quirky journalist enters a baking reality show and finds more than a distraction when she connects with the other contestants – and with the show's prickly producer.
 
- Muhl, Generalist Librarian
For more suggestions, subscribe to our monthly book recommendation newsletters. From popular titles to genre fiction, there's probably a list that matches your interests. Subscribe here!
    
Somerville Public Library
79 Highland Ave | 40 College Ave | 115 Broadway, Somerville, Massachusetts 02143
617-623-5000
https://www.somervillepubliclibrary.org/