A repeating red apple pattern. Text reads "september 2026."
In this Issue

Programs for Adults
New English for U.S. Citizenship Classes
Learn a New Language Online with Your Library Card
Programs for All Ages
Programs for T(w)eens
Get Free 1-on-1 Tech Help
Programs for Children
Storytimes at our Libraries
STAFF PICKS: Back to School
Announcements
We are celebrating the launch of our new strategic plan! The Somerville Public Library Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027-2031 was informed by an abundance of community and employee feedback and serves as our guide for developing library services for the next five years. Please take a look! 
 
Upcoming Closures:
All Somerville Public Library locations will be closed on Monday, September 7, for Labor Day.
 
The Central Library will REOPEN on Sundays starting on September 13, and the East Branch Library is now CLOSED on Sundays until next summer.
Note: Asterisks * next to program titles or dates indicate required registration. Click on a cover image to access the full details for that program.
Programs for Adults
A simple white and blue background. Text reads "overdose prevention training." Includes link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Overdose Prevention Training
Tuesday, September 8 - 6:00 PM
Central Library Auditorium
Thursday, September 24 - 6:00 PM
East Branch
Monday, September 28 - 6:00 PM
West Branch Community Room
 
Learn about overdose prevention with the Somerville Health and Human Services Department.
A red first aid bag. Text reads "until help arrives. with somerville emergency management."
Until Help Arrives
Thursday, September 17 - 5:30 PM
East Branch
Monday, September 21 - 5:30 PM
West Branch Community Room
 
Learn about responding to everyday emergencies with Somerville Emergency Management.
 
Learn More About Until Help Arrives at East on 9/17.
Learn More About for Until Help Arrives at West on 9/21.
A photo of a person reading poetry aloud. Text reads "word on the street. the poetic record." Includes link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Word on the Street: Poetry as Record *
Mondays starting September 14
6:00 PM - West Branch Atrium
 
A poetry workshop focused on studying the craft of contemporary poets, learning new writing tools and exercises, sharpening observation skills, and documenting local communities. The cohort will craft an anthology together.
Groups of friends hang out among multicolored stripes and stars. Text reads "speed friending for adults." Includes link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Sept. 13 - 2:00 PM *
 Central Library Auditorium
A purple writing quill in a pink inkwell, with text reading "free write monday night." Includes link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Sept. 14 - 7:00 PM
 East Branch
A photo of a pile of pokemon cards. Text reads "pokemon card bookmarks." Includes link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Sept. 24 - 6:30 PM *
 Central Library Auditorium
New English for U.S. Citizenship Classes 
Fall 2026 English for U.S. Citizenship *
Mondays starting September 14 or
Tuesdays Starting September 15
10:00 AM - Central Library Auditorium
 
The English for U.S. Citizenship class is for beginner English Learners who would like to apply for U.S. Citizenship. It will help you improve your English and also learn about U.S. civics.  ESOL/Civics Workbooks will be provided.
Requirements: Basic English skills (reading, writing, speaking) and a green card in order to attend.
 
Register for Monday classes here.
Register for Tuesday classes here.
A red, white, and blue pattern. Text reads "fall 2026 english for u.s. citizenship."
Attendance: By registering, you are expected to attend the majority of the classes.
For more information or help with registration, please contact:
Brigid Pigott, Literacy & Volunteer Coordinator
Email: bpigott@somervillema.gov
WhatsApp: +1 617.366.7684
Office: 617.623.5000 x.2935
Learn a New Language Online with Your Library Card
Abstract funky shapes. Text reads "Learn 70+ languages online with your library card. Immerse yourself in everyday conversation skills from the start. Including Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Tamil, Thai, Vietnamese, and 50 plus more! Brought to you by Somerville Public Library." Includes link to access resource (opens new tab).
Programs for All Ages
Gardening Workshop with Green City Growers
Saturday, September 12 - 10:00 AM
Central Library Lawn
 
Join us as a Green City Growers farmer leads a hands-on workshop designed to teach you when and what to plant, and how to maintain, fertilize, and harvest successful crops. 
A photo of hands tending to sprouting lettuce in the dirt. Text reads "gardening workshops with green city growers." Includes link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Puzzle Palooza + Swap at the Central Library
Sunday, September 27 - 1:30 PM
Central Library Auditorium
 
Puzzle fans are invited to stop by with old (gently used) puzzles and swap them out for new ones! We will also be holding a community speed puzzling challenge.
Puzzle pieces float on a dark background. Text reads "puzzle palooza and swap." Includes link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Programs for T(w)eens
A photo of someone's college admissions letter next to a laptop. Text reads "successfully navigating college admissions." Includes link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Successfully Navigating College Admissions *
Wednesday, September 16 - 7:30 PM
Virtual on Zoom
 
Join us for an online presentation aimed to help families of underclassmen better understand the college admissions process.
A notepad with a writing pen icon. Text reads "writer's den." Includes link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Writers' Den
Thursday, September 24 - 6:00 PM
Central Library Director's Office
 
Write alongside your peers in a chill, laid-back atmosphere. We'll have snacks, creative prompts, and (if you want it) feedback from your fellow writers.
Book Publishing Program: Info Session at West
Monday, September 28 - 6:30 PM
West Branch Children's Room
 
Young writers ages 11-18 and their grownups are invited to learn more about the West Branch Library Book Publishing Program.
A stack of colorful books on a notepaper background. Text reads "west branch library book publishing program info session." Includes link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Get Free 1-on-1 Tech Help
A photo of someone typing at a computer. Text reads "Free 1 on 1 tech help at the Central Library. Are you struggling with how to operate a new phone, computer, or other device? Book an appointment to connect with a librarian who can help! Book now by calling 617-623-5000 extension 2955, or emailing spltech@somervillema.gov." Includes link to view resource on our website (opens new tab).
Programs for Children
Paper Engineering 101: Learn to Make Simple Pop-Ups
Saturday, September 19 - 2:30 PM *
Central Library Auditorium
 
Come to the library to learn a few different ways to make simple pop-ups. Ages 6-12.
A photo of two paper animals popping out of a tropical-themed paper, with a folded airplane whizzing by. Text reads "paper engineering 101: learn to make simple pop-ups." Includes link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Various crafts supplies and abstract shapes. Text reads "free choice craft-er-noon." Includes link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Sept. 2 - 2:00 PM
 Central Library Children's Room
A photo of a musician holding a guitar with a dinosaur toy on his head. Text reads "sing along with matt heaton." Includes link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Sept. 5 - 10:30 AM
  Central Library Auditorium
Three floating LEGO heads on a yellow LEGO plate. Text reads "LEGO club at central." Includes link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Sept. 10 - 4:00 PM
 Central Library Children's Room
A magnifying glass, fossil, and other science tools. Text reads "STEAM team discovery play time for ages 2+." Includes link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Sept. 22 - 11:00 AM
 West Branch Children's Room
A photo of a french bulldog who seems to be smiling. Text reads "read to waffles the therapy dog." Includes link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Sept. 24 - 3:30 PM *
 Central Library Children's Room
A many-pointed comics-style star in the background. Text reads "comic crew. a graphic novel book club." Includes link to a detailed calendar listing (opens in new tab).
Sep. 30 - 6:30 PM
 West Branch Children's Room
Storytimes at our Libraries
An open story book with a castle, unicorn, and T-rex sticking out of it, with text reading "storytimes at somerville public library. join us for stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays, and fun. At the central library every friday at 10:30 am for toddler story time and every fourth monday at 6:00 pm for pajama story time. at the east branch on wednesdays at 11:00 am for story time. at the west branch on fridays at 11:00 am for story time." and with link to more details on our website (opens in new tab).
STAFF PICKS: Back to School
Go back to school with us this September
... by checking out some of our favorite reads featuring characters at school!
The book cover to "I Have Some Questions for You" by Rebecca Makkai. Includes link to book details in the catalog (opens in new tab).
Invited to teach an intensive winter course in podcasting at her alma mater, Bodie must confront her memories of the murder of a fellow student.
 
- Karen, Deputy Director of Libraries
The book cover to "Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution" by R. F. Kuang. Includes link to book details in the catalog (opens in new tab).
Magic, imperialism, and rebellion all intersect in the hallowed halls of an alternative-reality Oxford.
 
- Jake, Library Social Worker
Book cover for "Gooney Bird Greene" by Lois Lowry. Includes link to book details in the catalog (opens in new tab).
Second grade was changed forever, after Gooney Bird Greene arrived in town.
 
- Alison, Children's Librarian
Book cover to "If We Were Villains" by M. L. Rio. Includes link to book details in the catalog (opens in new tab).
After finishing his sentence for a murder he might not have committed, Oliver Marks shares his story: an elite arts college, a group of people studying Shakespeare together, and soured friendships turned deadly.
 
- Felicia, Reference Librarian
Book cover for "A Deadly Education" by Naomi Novik. Includes link to book details in the catalog (opens in new tab).
El, evil destiny looming and aura of doom lingering despite good intentions, teams up with golden boy Orion to save their magic boarding school from being completely (rather than just mostly) overrun with monsters.
 
- Anna, Teen Librarian
Book cover for "The Broken Girls" by Simone St. James. Includes link to book details in the catalog (opens in new tab).
At a (haunted?) girl's boarding school in Vermont, a girl mysteriously disappears in the 1950s, and a journalist investigates her sister's murder in 2014. A fun, quick dark academia ghost story!
 
- Liz, Reference 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/