In this Issue

Programs for Adults: Poetry, Propagation, Emergency Preparedness, Puzzles, and more!
Monthly Curated Booklists from the Library
Programs for All Ages
Programs for Teens and Tweens
Homework Help Online through our Library
Programs for Children: Music, Crafts, Puppets and more!
Baby Lapsit at Our Libraries
STAFF PICKS: We're With the Banned
 
Announcements
The Central Library will be opening under temporary amended hours starting September 3:
  • Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays: Closed from 2 to 4pm
  • Wednesdays: Closed from 11:30am to 2pm
Saturday and Sunday hours at the Central Library remain unchanged. East and West Branch hours remain unchanged.
 
For more information about Central Library's temporary hours, please click here.
 
Upcoming Closures:
All Somerville Public Library locations will be closed on Sunday, September 1, and Monday, September 2, for Labor Day.
 
The Central Library will be reopening on Sundays from 1 to 5pm starting on September 8. The East Branch is now closed on Sundays.
Programs for Adults:
Poetry, Propagation, Emergency Preparedness, Puzzles, and more!
Transcript: Generative poetry writing workshop.
Generative Poetry Writing Workshop
Tuesday, Sept 10, 2024 - 6:30 PM
Central Library Auditorium
 
Join award-winning poet and instructor Dana Alsamsam in closely reading poems for inspiration, engaging with writing prompts, sharing, and discussing ideas and approaches to poetry writing to build an at-home practice.
 
This workshop is open to poets of all levels; some familiarity with poetry is helpful but not required. Space is limited and registration is strongly encouraged.
 
Questions? Contact Kerry: keodonnell@somervillema.gov.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Somerville Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Transcript: Plant propagation with Massachusetts Horticultural Society.Plant Propagation with Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Saturday, Sept 14, 2024 -2:00 PM
Central Library Auditorium
 
There's nothing better than plants for free! In this lecture, you'll learn how to garden for less by making new plants from established ones through seedlings, divisions, cuttings, and seeds.
 
After the lecture, Melissa will share propagations of her own. If you already know what you're doing, bring your own propagations to pass out!  
 
Questions? Contact Tim: tpiligra@somervillema.gov.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Somerville Public Library.
Transcript: How to make your own emergency preparedness kit.How to Make Your Own Emergency Preparedness Kit
Thursday, Sept 26, 2024 - 6:30 PM
Central Library Auditorium
 
Get ready for extreme weather of all types with us, by creating your own Emergency Preparedness Kit. 
In this workshop, we'll cover the basics of what you need and how to make sure you have it all in a place you can ask. Be prepared for all kinds of extreme weather!
 
Questions? Contact Kerry: keodonnell@somervillema.gov.
Transcript: Gluten free grocery aisle taste test.
Transcript: Puzzle palooza.
Transcript: Hand embroidery with Jessamy Shay.
Sep. 7 - 2:30 PM
Central Library
Auditorium
Sep. 8 - 2:00 PM
Central Library
Auditorium
Sep. 11 - 6:30 PM
West Branch
Community Room
Sep. 18 - 7:00 PM
West Branch
Community Room
Sep. 19 - 10:00 AM
East Branch
Sep. 24 - 6:30 PM
Central Library
Auditorium
Transcript: Death Cafe at the Central Library
Transcript: Stir frying to the sky's edge with Grace Young.
Transcript: Mud flat studio pottery workshop.
Sep. 24 - 7:00 PM
Virtual on Zoom
Sep. 30 - 6:00 PM
East Branch
Sep. 30 - 6:30 PM
Central Library Auditorium
Monthly Curated Booklists from the Library
Transcript: Reading recommendation newsletters. Get curated book lists in your inbox monthly. Available book lists: biography and memoir, books for kids and tweens, fantasy and science fiction, fiction A to Z, historical fiction, history and current events, horror, must-read books, mystery, nature and science, page to screen, picture books, romance, spirituality and religion, thrillers and suspense, and young adult books. Some lists only available bi-monthly.
Programs for All Ages
Transcript: Puzzle swap at West Branch.Puzzle Swap at West
Thursday, September 5, 2024 -2:15 PM
West Branch Community Room
 
Join us at West for a puzzle swap! Exchange puzzles you've completed for new puzzles from other members of the community. 
 
Questions? Contact Brigid : bblack@somervillema.gov.
Transcript: Navigating college admissions successfully in 2024Successfully Navigating College Admissions
Wesnesday, Sept. 25, 2024 - 7:00 PM
Virtual on Zoom
 
Families approaching the college admissions process are invited to join this presentation to learn how to successfully navigate its recent changes! There will be a discussion of current college admissions trends, admissions strategies, a timeline with action steps to help reduce the stress around the college admissions process, and more.
 
Questions? Contact Kerry: keodonnell@somervillema.gov.
Transcript: Music speaks. Take flight on wing of song.Music Speaks: Take Flight, on Wing of Song
Monday, September 16, 2024 -7:00 PM
East Branch
Sunday, September 29, 2024 -2:00 PM
Central Library Wellington Hall
Saturday, October 5, 2024 - 1:00 PM
West Branch Atrium
 
An educational and evocative mixture of live violin performance and stories about the composers and music, Joshua Peckins’ “Take Flight, on Wing of Song” concert ranges from Bach’s glorious, final Partita for Solo Violin, to cutting-edge modernism that combines the violin with recorded bird song, a fresh take on a centuries-old chord progression that drove medieval audiences wild, and Spanish guitar music transcribed for Classical violin.
 
Questions? Contact Kerry: keodonnell@somervillema.gov.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Somerville Public Library.
 Programs for Teens and Tweens
Transcript: Tween advisory board.T(w)een Advisory Board
Monday, September 9, 2024 - 6:30 PM
West Branch Children's Room
 
The West Branch T(w)een Advisory Board includes reading, book discussions, and other library activities, and is intended for ages 12+. Our September meeting is a Book Tasting and collaborative art project.
 
Questions? Contact Alison: amitchell@somervillema.gov.
Homework Help Online through our Library
Transcript: Back to school with the Somerville Public Library. Get online homework help from these digital databases! Featuring Gale in Context for elementary, middle, and high school, and both Britannica School and Britannica Library.
Programs for Children:
Music, Crafts, Puppets and more!
Transcript: Half day Wednesdays at West.Half Day Wednesdays at West
Wednesdays, Sept 2024 - 1-3 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 September 4 & 18, and for Good CRAFTernoon on September 11 & 25. Ages 5+, under 8 with a grownup. Registration encouraged, but not required.
 
Questions? Contact Alison: amitchell@somervillema.gov.
Transcript: Read to Waffles the therapy dog.Music with Little Groove
Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 - 10:30 AM
Central Library Children's Room
 
In this fun and interactive 40-minute concert, children ages 0-5 and their caregivers will move and sing along with a musician from Little Groove. This is the top voted music class for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in Boston!
 
Little Groove classes are tailor-made to help your little ones learn and interact with music. Children use real instruments such as drums, shakers, and tambourines, giving them a hands-on experience and fostering a love for music.
 
Questions? Contact Annie: aschapira@somervillema.gov.
Transcript: Creative drama workshop.
Transcript: Music with Little Groove.
Transcript: LEGO club at Central.
Mondays - 4:00 PM
Central Library
Auditorium
Sep. 14 - 10:30 AM
East Branch
Sep. 16 - 10:30 AM
Central Library
Auditorium
Transcript: Music sing-along with Matt Heaton.
Transcript: Free choice craft-er-noon.
Transcript: Music and movement with Miss Jules.
Sep. 18 - 1:30 PM
Central Library
Children's Room
Sep. 23 - 10:30 AM
Central Library
Children's Room
Sep. 25 - 11:00 AM
East Branch
Baby Lapsit at Our Libraries
Transcript: Baby lapsit for birth through pre-walkers. At Central Library on Tuesdays at 10:30am. At East Branch on Fridays at 10:30am. At West Branch on Thursdays at 11:00am.
STAFF PICKS: We're With the Banned
Banned Books Week is September 22-28
Here are some of our favorite banned or challenged books. Click here to learn more about Banned Books Week from the American Library Association.
A moving read authored by a veteran of the Vietnam war, writing about his experiences through the lens of an unreliable narrator.
 
- Niki, Substitute Librarian
A graphic novel series about two boys growing up, falling in love, and facing the world together.
 
- Ellen, Teen Librarian
This sweet picture book tells the true story of Roy and Silo, two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo, who raised a penguin chick named Tango as their own.
 
- Annie, Children's Librarian
 
At camp the summer before high school, Aiden discovers that he's gay and tries to navigate his complicated feelings.
 
- Magenta, Substitute Librarian
 
A coming-of-age romance set against the backdrop of a rural, evangelical society.
 
- Carrie, Reference Librarian
There are many different kinds of families, of all shapes and sizes. Join the author in celebrating how special they all are!
 
- Alison, Children's 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/