LibraryAware February 2025

In this Issue

Programs for Adults

Learn a New Language Online with Your Library Card

U.S. Citizenship Preparation Class

Programs for All Ages

Programs for Teens

Learn a New Business Skill with Your Library Card

Programs for Children

Storytimes at Our Libraries

STAFF PICKS: Our Favorite Audiobooks

February is...

...National Library Lovers' Month

The Friends of the Somerville Public Library is a not-for-profit organization that celebrates their love of libraries year round through programming support, sponsoring cultural passes, hosting book sales, and more! Learn more, get involved, and lend your support here.

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, February 17, for Presidents' Day.

Programs for Adults

Character and Worldbuilding Workshop
Wednesday, February 5 - 6:00 PM

West Branch Community Room

In this two-hour Writing Workshop led by multi-award-winning novelist, noted critic, and leading writing instructor Michael Marano, we will explore the relationship between character development and the creation of a setting. Registration required.

Seed Packing Party
Monday, February 10 - 6:00 PM

West Branch Community Room &

Saturday, February 15 - 2:00 PM

Central Library Auditorium

In March, Somerville will be introducing a Seed Library at all three of our locations! Help us as we prepare for the launch of this collection by packing seeds into take-home sized packets. Registration encouraged.

Transcript: penning the perfect obituary.

Transcript: getting cozy at the library.

Feb. 5 - 7:00 PM

Virtual on Zoom

Feb. 6 & 13 - 10 AM

East Branch

Feb. 9 - 2:00 PM

Central Library Auditorium

Transcript: explore the Black heritage trail with the Boston African American national historic site.

Transcript: West Branch open sewing hours.

Transcript: The good mother myth. a discussion with author Nancy Reddy.

Feb. 19 - 7:00 PM

Virtual on Zoom

Feb. 24 - 6:00 PM

West Branch Community Room

Feb 25 - 7:00 PM

Virtual on Zoom

Learn a New Language Online with Your Library Card

Transcript: 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.

U.S. Citizenship Preparation Class

The Somerville Public Library in partnership with St. Mark Community Education Program is offering a free, 10 week U.S. Citizenship Preparation class. The class will prepare students for the citizenship interview including the 100 civics questions, the reading & writing sections, and interview questions based on the filed N-400 application.

Requirements: Beginner level of English and 5 years as a U.S. permanent resident (green card holder) or 3 years, if married to a US citizen.

Registration Required: tinyurl.com/splcitizenshipclassspring2025

Please note: By registering, you are registering for all 10 weeks. If you cannot attend all 10 weeks, please let us know.

For questions 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

Programs for All Ages

Chess Nights at the Library
Monday, February 3 - 7:00 PM

Central Library Auditorium

Want to challenge yourself? Love the game of chess? We welcome players of all skill levels to join us at the Central Library on the first Monday of each month.

(Virtual) The History of Love Songs
Thursday, February 13 - 7:00 PM

Virtual on Zoom

Take a look into the origin of some of your favorite love songs while we enjoy a performance of some of history’s best. Registration required.

Programs for Teens

Dungeons and Dragons
Saturdays, February 8 & 22

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 and opens two weeks beforehand.

Learn a New Business Skill with Your Library Card

Transcript: Learn new business skills with Linked-In Learning. Free with your SPL Library card! Courses include career development, marketing, leadership and management, software, web design, animation and illustration, graphic design, music production, and more!

Programs for Children

Goodnight, Hairiette Puppet Movie Musical
Friday, February 7 - 11:00 AM

West Branch Community Room

Wednesday, February 12 - 2:00 PM

East Branch

Saturday, February 22 - 11:00 AM

Central Library Auditorium

Goodnight, Hairiette is puppet musical movie following 7-year-old Hairiette as her sleepless night becomes a timeless tale full of surprises about courage, community, and the power of being yourself. Meet Hairette and friends as she accompanies educator Tanya Wright for the showing!

No registration required.

Kids Yoga at West
Thursday, February 27 - 10:30 AM

West Branch Community Room

Join local yoga teacher Rachel Estes for mindful movement and fun! Suggested for kids age 3+ and their grownups.

Kids Yoga will also meet on 3/6, 3/13, & 3/20. No registration required.

Transcript: Sing along with music at the blissful.

Feb. 5 & 19

1:00 - 3:00 PM

West Branch Children's Room

Feb. 10 - 10:30 AM

Central Library Auditorium

Feb. 15 - 11:00 AM

Central Library Auditorium

Transcript: music and movement with rock-a-bye beats.

Feb. 19 - 11:00 AM

East Branch

Feb. 22 - 2:30 PM

Central Library Children's Room

Mar. 3 - 6:30 PM

West Branch Children's Room

Storytimes at Our Libraries

Transcript: Story times at Somerville public library. Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays, and fun! At the central library, toddler story time is every friday at 10:30 am and pajama story time is every fourth monday at 6 pm. At the east branch, storytime is on wednesdays at 11 am. At the west branch, singalong with Alison is on tuesdays at 11 am and story time is on fridays at 11 am.

STAFF PICKS: Our Favorite Audiobooks

February 5 is World Read Aloud Day!

At the library, we love audiobooks! Yes, audiobooks are real books and they help promote literacy with language acquisition and fluency, vocabulary, and socioemotional learning. Here are some of our favorites!

This novel-in-verse about an Afro-Latina girl's struggle to find her own voice is brought to life with energy and authenticity by the author, Elizabeth Acevedo, an award-winning slam poet.

- Karen, Deputy Director

A fantastical adventure for all ages! A childhood favorite, narrated beautifully by legendary talent Jeremy Irons.

- Greg, Library Associate

Listen to the books the movie was based on! David Tennant's narration brings so much life and character to the story!

- Niki, Generalist Librarian

Written, read, and all about Demi Moore, this "surprisingly intimate" and "emotionally charged" memoir is the February choice for our Celebritea Book Club!

- Brigid, Community Services Librarian

When Tip's mom vanishes during an alien invasion, she must team up with a rogue alien to rescue her! Bahni Turpin is a talented narrator, and her alien voice is perfection.

- Muhl, Generalist Librarian

Narrated by the author in his iconic Scottish accent, Baggage is a delightful, honest, and deeply funny collection of vignettes from the life of Alan Cumming.

- Jake, Library Social Worker

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!