LibraryAware April 2025

In this Issue

Programs for Adults

Book Groups for Adults at our Libraries

Programs for All Ages

Programs for Teens

Cultural Passes for Spring

Programs for Children

Storytimes at Our Libraries

STAFF PICKS: Poetry

Announcements
April is Fair Housing Month! Please join us, in partnership with the Somerville Fair Housing Commission and the Department of Racial and Social Justice, as we come together in conversation about housing in Somerville. Scroll for details.

This newsletter lets you know about many of our events, but did you know we have even more? Visit our online calendar to explore them all!

Upcoming Closures:

All Somerville Public Library locations will be closed on Monday, April 21, for Patriots' Day.

Programs for Adults

Socially Conscious Film Series

Wednesday, April 9 - 6:30 PM

West Branch Community Room

Join us for a series of films with a focus on how film can impact the world, highlighting diverse filmmakers and viewpoints with a discussion from local film scholar Daniel Moore. This month's selection is the documentary Her Socialist Smile. Registration required.

Fair Housing Month: Film Screening and Discussion

Thursday, April 10 - 7:00 PM

Central Library Auditorium

Join us to discuss our past and the future of our city’s housing with the Somerville Fair Housing Commission, the Department of Racial and Social Justice, and local experts in the field of housing. We will be screening the short film Segregated by Design, followed by a conversation around fair housing and discrimination in Somerville. Registration required.

Fair Housing Month: Tenants and Landlords and Section 8

Thursday, April 17 - 7:00 PM

Central Library Auditorium & Zoom

Housing continues to be the hot-button issue in Somerville. Join us for a hybrid (virtual + in-person) conversation with the Somerville Fair Housing Commission, in partnership with the Department of Racial and Social Justice, about your rights as tenants and landlords. This meeting will focus on how to legally handle Section 8 vouchers. Registration required.

Apr. 3 & 17 -

10:00 AM

East Branch

Apr. 3 - 6:30 PM

Central Library Auditorium

Apr. 15 - 7:00 PM

Virtual on Zoom

Apr. 19 - 10:00 AM

East Branch

Registration opens 4/1

Apr. 24 - 7:00 PM

Central Library Auditorium

Apr. 28 - 6:00 PM

West Branch Community Room

Book Groups for Adults at our Libraries

Programs for All Ages

Learn to Make Bengali Ghugni With Chef Afruza

Saturday, April 5 - 11:00 AM

East Branch

Join the SPL and Chef Afruza Akther for a live, in-person cooking demonstration and sampling of traditional Bengali Ghugni. This dish is gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, and vegan. Registration required.

Craft Supply Swap at Central

Saturday, April 26 - 2:00 PM

Central Library Auditorium

Find your next craft obsession at our craft supply swap! We’ll have gently used items for any kind of crafting. It will be the perfect chance to try out a new hobby.

For those only interested in clearing space, supply drop off starts on April 22. No registration required.

All April

All Locations

All April

All Locations

Apr. 16 - 5:30 PM

West Branch Atrium

Programs for Teens

T(w)een Advisory Board

Monday, April 14 - 6:30 PM

West Branch Children's Room

In West Branch TAB, you'll read, discuss books, and do other library activities. At our April meeting, we will test craft projects that the library will be hosting this summer! Ages 12+. Registration required.

Dungeons and Dragons

Saturdays, April 5 & 19, 2025

1:00 - 4:00 PM

Central Library Director's Office

Join us for a new adventure every session, run by professional Dungeon Master Dragoneye Zach! Registration is required for each session. Registration opens March 29 and April 5.

Cultural Passes for Spring

Programs for Children

Half Day Wednesdays at West

Wednesdays, April 2025 - 2-4 PM

West Branch Children's Room

If it's a Half Day Wednesday, then something fun is happening here! Join us for LEGO Club on April 2 & 16, and for Good CRAFTernoon on April 9 & 23. Ages 5+, under 8 with a grownup. Registration encouraged, but not required.

Weaving Workshop With The Beautiful Stuff Project

Saturday, April 5 - 2:30 PM

Central Library Auditorium

Create a woven mini masterpiece with your own mini loom made just for you by The Beautiful Stuff Project. Materials will be provided, and TBSP staff will be on hand to coach you through the process. Ages 5-9. Registration required.

April 1 - 10:30 AM

East Branch

April 3 - 10:00 AM

West Branch Children's Room

April 14 & 28 - 10:30 AM

East Branch

April 16 - 2:00 PM

Central Library Children's Room

April 24 - 3:30 PM

Central Library Children's Room

Registration opens 4/21

April 26 - 10:30 AM

East Branch

Storytimes at Our Libraries

STAFF PICKS: Poetry

April is National Poetry Month

Here are some of our favorite poetry collections and novel in verse to celebrate! Click a title to learn more about it in our catalog.

After her mother dies, Nora and her father are exploring a slot canyon when a flash flood separates them. Can Nora conquer her fears, her history, and save herself and her father?

- Alison, Children's Librarian

This collection of imagist poetry by Boston-born poet Amy Lowell is bound in a vibrant new edition that truly celebrates the vivid imagery and dancing cadence of the poetry found within its pages.

- Carrie, Reference Librarian

A laugh-out-loud funny poetry collection for little kids and big kids alike!

- Muhl, Generalist Librarian

Stevens wrote poems (endlessly inventive and often mind-bendingly baroque) infused with enthusiasm for the sounds of words and a profound love of the physical world.

- Kevin, Reference Librarian

If you have a dinosaur-obsessed kiddo in your life, what could be better than a picture book of dinosaur poems?

- Karen, Deputy Director

I am and will forever be an unrepentant Chowderhead. To have someone put to verse with beautiful prose the majesty of the place I love, that's a wicked good poet.

- Greg, Library Assistant

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!