It may seem that the news is all bad—COVID-19, hurricanes, forest fires–but by no means should we give up. Climate Preparedness Week is coming September 24-30, and the Massachusetts Library System has partnered with CREW (Communities Responding to Extreme Weather) to host free virtual programs on the intersections of climate resilience and social and racial justice. In keeping…
Hello from the West Branch! We miss you, and can’t wait to see you soon — either for contactless pickup, Storytime, Kids Book Club, or just by chance in the grocery store or at CVS (yes, West Branch librarians run into library patrons all over the place!). We feel strongly that libraries are a vital…
September, here we are! We miss seeing our patrons. Miss Meghan has been putting together some wonderful children’s book bundles, some are themed and some are personalized. The feedback has been touching: “Our daughter has been downstairs reading as soon as we got home, she is SO HAPPY and so am I – thank you,…
Did you know that there is a house in Somerville that was built before the Revolutionary War? The “Oliver Tufts House” sometimes referred to as the “Peter and Oliver Tufts House” is believed to have been built on a parcel of farmland back in 1714. According to a June 26, 1935 Somerville Journal article by…
The pandemic has left many of us depressed, lonely or a little traumatized. To cope with the anxiety and the loss of most of their normal activities, many people are taking comfort in books. They’ve intuitively stumbled upon what’s called bibliotherapy: reading to promote mental health. In that spirit, we at SPL decided to put together…
Even though you can’t come inside, you can still visit the Central Library. Check out the SHS construction – it’s impressive! Make your way up the ramp (you never know who you’ll meet!) and hang out to play chess or use the wifi. Have a peek at the garden and see what we’ve got growing….
I remember the good old times when I was filled with lively teens because I was a fun place for them to be with their friends. They always made me feel like I was a good place to be in and to work in. Without the youth of Somerville, I’ve become really quiet and sometimes…
The theme of this year’s ArtBeat (July 10-18) is chance, featuring virtual performances and real life art installations exploring the unexpected and unplanned. In honor of the festival—and the uncertain times we’re living in—we at SPL decided to recommend some books that engage with the risky and unpredictable. Our first stop is New Orleans in the early…
Next time you are out and about by the West Branch Library in Davis Square – since we can’t yet go in – take a moment to appreciate the details of the entrance to the building that has welcomed readers for more than 100 years. Lamps are positioned on either side of the staircase, and on the…
April 23 is the day observed as Shakespeare’s birthday throughout the world. Normally the occasion would be marked by live play performances, open-air celebrations, sonnet slams and Shakespeareaoke. Due to COVID-19, events have been postponed, or cancelled altogether, and others have moved online. So this year (or this month at least), celebrations of the bard’s birth will…
