NEWS & UPDATES
Summer Hours
The Library has suspended its Sunday hours until October. Saturday hours will switch to 9am-1pm beginning Saturday, July 7th.
 

For normal hours of operation, please visit our website
150th Anniversary Proclamation
At May 30th's Town Meeting, Adam Dash, Chair of the Board of Selectmen, read the following proclamation in honor of the Library's 150th anniversary:
150th Anniversary June Celebration: Summertime!
The seasons might not officially change until June 21st but here at the Library, we are starting summer, and our summer reading program, a little early. Beginning Monday, June 18th children, teens, and adults can participate in this year's "Libraries Rock!" Summer Reading Program. Check out our "rock'n" all-ages summer programming below; all are invited to our kick-off party, " Don't Worry, Be Hippie " on Friday, June 22nd. Until then, read out June's installment of 150 Things to Do! to see if you're making the most of your library card.
   
150 Years, 150 Things to Do at the Library! Cont'd from May
26.  Check out our online collection of Belmont High School Yearbooks, 1922 to present;
 
27.   Try out our Online Book Club by receiving first chapters via email;
 
28.   Check out a tote to carry home all of those books, audiobooks, DVDs, and games;
 
29.   Got a hero? Find his/her biography!
 
30.   Use one of our catalog computers to access millions of materials available through the Minuteman Network;
 
31.   Find resources to write or rewrite your resume;
 
32.   Visit our Digital Display to see what's happening;
 
33.   Host a meeting for a group of up to 130 people;
 
34.   Catch up on the latest news and gossip with our extensive periodical and magazine collection;
 
35. Consult consumer guides online and in the library to make informed decisions on your next big purchase;
36.   Use our language learning resource, Mango Languages, to learn French, American Sign Language, even Pirate!

37.   Take home the newest Blu-ray;

38.   Use Biography In Context to find great resources for that assignment;

39.   Visit the fish tank and make some new fishy friends;

40.   Try out our self-checkout machines;

41.   Attend one of our weekly playgroups;

42.   Buy a gently used book for your home collection at the Friends Everyday Book Sale;

43.   Sign up to volunteer with the Friends of the Library;

44.   Take a look at this month's newsletter (check!);

45.   Visit the Memorial Garden;  
 

See the full list of Things to Do! so far on our our website.

And let us know what you like to do at the library by emailing [email protected] with the subject: 150 Things to Do! 
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY 
Donate!
Are you an Amazon shopper? If you are, Amazon will donate .5% of everything you spend to the Friends of the Library. Here's all you need to do to make that happen: 
  •  Visit smile.amazon.com and sign in (same as your amazon.com login information);
  •  Search for and select "Friends of the Belmont Public Library" under the "Pick your own charitable organization";
  •  Remember to go to smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com whenever you shop. That's it! There is no difference in price or selection. The only difference is the Library benefits from your Amazon spending.J
Volunteer!
 
Are you willing to help out occasionally at Friends events like book sales, Town Day, etc?  If so, we'd love to add you to our "no commitment necessary" volunteer list. When we need help, you'll hear from us by email and you can choose whether to help on that particular occasion or not. If you are willing to give it a try, email us at [email protected] and let us know you are willing to hear from us when we need some one-time help.
EVENTS & PROGRAMS 
Saving the Environment through the Law
Using our Legal System to Strengthen Environmental Regulations
Thursday, June 21st
7pm, Assembly Room
 
Join Wendy Jacobs, Director of the Emmett Environmental Law and Policy Clinic at Harvard Law School, for a discussion on the current state of environmental law affairs and how citizens can utilize the law to restore protective regulations. Part of our Citizen Literacy Series, science-media-civic literacy for a more informed public, sponsored by the Belmont Public Library, Belmont Media Center and Science for the Public.
Lights! Smartphone! Action!
Using Your Cellphone to Share Your Life Story
Tuesday, June 5th & Thursday, June 7th
7pm, Assembly Room
 
This class is designed for beginners who want to learn how to use their smartphones to share events, personal stories, or make documentaries to share with family and friends. Taught by Emmy award winning videographer/editor/producer and Belmont resident, Bob Craigue, you'll learn simple techniques and practice shooting video with an awareness of lighting, composition, and sound. Students will use in-camera editing to trim video, and will explore simple editing software such as iMovie or Microsoft Movie Maker to edit and add effects.
Don't Worry, Be Hippie: All Ages 1960s/1970s Summer Reading Kickoff Party
Friday, June 22nd
6-8pm, Assembly Room
 
Join us for the kickoff of our Libraries Rock! Summer Reading program with this 60s and 70s extravaganza! There will be trivia, crafts, snacks, and a groovy photo booth, so put on your best bell bottoms and most righteous shades. It's time to party on at the library, man!    
Farmers' Market
Pop-up Library at the Farmers' Market
Thursdays: June 7th, July 5th, August 2nd, September 6th, and October 4th
2-5pm, Community Tent

This summer, we're back at the Farmers Market once a month to bring you bestsellers, fun activities, and information about all our resources.
 
The Children's Department will also be at the market every week to read stories at 4pm.
Tai Chi at the Library 
Saturday, June 23rd  
10-11am,  Assembly Room

Join us for tai chi at the Library. Tai chi practitioner and coach, Aisling O'Shea, will guide you through this beautiful and low impact form of martial art and meditation. NO equipment necessary, just bring yourself and wear comfortable clothing.  
   
Movie Club: The Fugitive (1993, PG-13)
Viewing: Wednesday, June 13th 
6:30pm, Assembly Room 
Discussion: Tuesday, June 19th 
7pm, Flett Room 
 
Dial M for Movies is the Library's movie club, hosted by Library Director Peter Struzziero. Join Peter for the film viewing - with popcorn of course - then come back later in the month to discuss the film. This month's movie stars Harrison Ford as Dr. Richard Kimble, on the run from the law (Tommy Lee Jones) after being wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife.  
Knitting Club  
Fridays, 12:30-2:30pm 
Flett Room
 
Do you enjoy knitting or would you like to learn how?
Drop in to the Library's Knitting Club, anytime Fridays between 12:30-2:30pm in the Library Flett Room. Bring your knitting, or other portable crafts or projects, and we can get to know each other as we knit. Jocelyn Milton, club leader, will be available for informal instruction. No sign up or registration necessary, just bring needles and yarn and we'll get you started!
BOOK DISCUSSIONS, DISPLAYS, & LISTS
Senior Book Discussion Group
Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell
Friday, June 8th
11am, Beech Street Center
266 Beech Street
The senior book discussion group will discuss the nove Mary Barton  by Charlotte Bronte.  The senior book discussion
group is co-sponsored by the Belmont Public Library and the Belmont Council on Aging.  All are welcome to attend.
   
 
Belmont Book Discussion
The Whip by Karen Kondazian
Wednesday, July 18th 
3pm, Flett Room
 
On Display, or on a List
This month, we've added two new display areas: one in the Reference Room, with a display celebrating Pride month, and one in the West Wing Reading Room with some groovy 1960s and 1970s literature and non-fiction, in honor of our "Don't Worry, Be Hippie" Summer Reading kickoff party. Check them out the next time you're in the library!
 

 

Looking for a themed, curated list of books? Our staff librarians are hard at work, compiling book lists that relate to our programming, the time of year, or just for fun! See what's new this month, or visit our Book Lists page to see all of the lists.

 

 

Pride Month 

Planting Ideas 

Birds & Bees 

FEATURED RESOURCES
Online Book Club
Sign up for an Online Book Club and get a few pages of a book in your email every day. Start a new book on Monday, and by Friday you will have read a few chapters, enough to decide whether you want to check out or request the book. You have a choice of subjects and genres, such as nonfiction, business, romance, science fiction, and prepublications. There is even an "author buzz" option that includes a note to readers from the author, book giveaways, and in some cases information about author tours. Access Online Book Club through our Reader's Corner page on our website, belmontpubliclibrary.net/services/readers-corner.
Summer Reading (and Listening, and Watching) with Hoopla
Find fun summer reads with hoopla.  Hoopla has digital audiobooks, ebooks, movies, and more. There are no waitlists and it's free to Belmont residents with a library card.  Get started on our website at Subject Guide: Ebooks and Audiobooks.

CHILDREN'S EVENTS    
Early Literacy Playgroup: Ages 4 and Under
Fridays, June 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
10:30am, Flett Room
This parent and child group supports your child's language and literacy development. You'll play, read, sing and take home new ideas! Presented by educators from the CFCE grant program.
 
Farmers' Market Storytime
Summer Thursdays, starting June 7th
4pm, Events Tent,
Town Center parking lot 
Channing Road and Cross Street
Join the library's Children's Librarians for these fun, all-ages storytimes at the Market!
 
 
Neighborhood Babies & Toddlers Sing-a-long
Wednesday, June 6th
10:30am, Assembly Room
Children's librarians, Adrienne and Rachel, will sing, dance and play their ukuleles along with your favorite songs, old and new. 
Recommended for ages 2 and under.
 
Summer Songfest with Jeannie Mack
Thursday, June 28th
10:30am, Assembly Room
Calling all 2 to 6 year-olds! Have fun singing, clapping, dancing, and acting out stories with your hands and fingers. Celebrate summer with songs about waves, sea creatures, ice cream cones, bikes, swimming, and lots more.
 
Summer Reading Program 
Starts June 18th
Beginning June 18, kids are invited to join the library's summer reading program, Libraries Rock! Kids set their own reading goal and, when they reach their goal, get a book as a prize. Pre-readers can join in the fun with a special program just for them. Sign up in the Children's Room!
TEENS  
Roborama! Presented by Record Robotics and First Lego League
Saturday, June 9th 
10am-12pm & 2pm-4pm, Flett and Assembly Rooms
BHS's Robotics team, Record Robotics, and the First Lego League are coming to the library to show kids ages 8 to 12 what robotics are all about! Join us for on of our two sessions, where we'll have tables of cool activities, a build-it-yourself robot obstacle course, information about how you can join a robotics team, and a demonstration of Record Robotics' big competition robot!
 
Teen Tinker Tuesdays 
Want to see the library's 3D printer in action? Want to create something with our craft supplies? Want to try your hand at an electronics project? Just want to tinker? Join us for Teen Tinker Tuesday, starting this month! For teens in grades 6 to 12.
 
Exam Week Snack & Study 
Wednesday, June 13th: 3-6pm 
Thursday, June 14th: 3-6pm 
Friday, June 15th: 3-4:45pm 
Monday, June 18th: 3-6pm 
Assembly Room
Need a place to study for exams? Not enough space in your usual library study spots? No worries, the library will be opening the Assembly Room to teens from 3:00 to 6:00 pm, with light snacks provided.
 
Anime Club
Wednesday, June 20th
1:45-3:00pm,  Flett Room
Sign-ups encouraged but not required
J oin us for episode screenings, crafts, discussions, and tasty snacks! Grades 6-12. Sign-ups encouraged but not required. 
 
Collegewise: Write Great College Essays
Monday, June 25th
7pm, Assembly Room
Collegewise advisors will show you what admissions officers really look for in great college essays, and offer suggestions for finding and sharing your best stories.
 
Teen 
LG B T Q I A+ Drop In
Tuesday, May 29th
6-7pm, Flett Room
Are  you a lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, queer, intersex, or asexual teen? Or are you a teen ally? Join us for our first LGBTQIA+ drop in, where you can meet and hang with like-minded teens in a safe, welcoming environment! For grades 6-12

Teen Advisory Board (TAB)
Friday, June 29th
3pm, Flett Room
Teens, grades 9 and up join TAB and get comm unity service.  TAB meets once a month during the school year, but you don't have to attend every month.  We eat pizza, work on a volunteer project, and plan u pcoming teen volunteer programs. Email [email protected] for more details.
COMMUNITY EVENTS  
The Belmont Cultural Council and Carol Berney Present:
Guided Bird Walk
Saturday, June 9th
Bee Safari
Saturday, July 14th
Saturday, June 9th (rain date June 10th)
9:30-11am, Habitat Education & Wildlife Sanctuary
Register online, in person, or call 617 993-2870 
Saturday, July 14th (rain date July 15th)
9:30-11am, Habitat Education & Wildlife Sanctuary
Register online, in person, or call 617-993-2870

All programs run by the Library are free and open to the public. The Assembly and Flett Rooms are accessible to persons with disabilities.

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