Bringing Our Community Together
June 2020 | Library & Community News
Parking Lot Pickup is here!
We know you miss getting new books, DVDs, and more from the library. We're happy to announce: Parking Lot Pickup is here!

What is Parking Lot Pickup? The Belmont Public Library's socially distanced appointment-based hold pickup service.

Current appointment hours: Monday through Friday, 10am – 12pm & 2pm – 4pm. We will expand these hours in future phases.

The basics:
  • Request your library materials, get a notice that your materials are ready for pickup, then book an appointment.
  • During your pickup time, come to the library, get your bag, and enjoy your day!

Keep in mind:
  • Due to high demand, requests will take longer than normal to fulfill.
  • Please wear a mask or face covering and remain at least 6 feet from staff and other patrons throughout the pickup transaction.

To learn more and schedule a pickup, visit our Parking Lot Pickup page. Still curious? Read our Frequently Asked Questions or email blmparkinglotpickup@minlib.net .

We appreciate your patience as we work out the details and we can't wait to connect you with your books!
Read Against Racism
The recent events in our country have given us all the opportunity to stop and look inwards, to see what type of people we want to be, and to consider how we might now rise to the challenges set before us. Libraries have traditionally focused on being neutral on political issues — but the reality is, this is not a political issue. For too long have the voices of justice, and the calls for equality gone unheard.

Let's focus on the words of the great Desmond Tutu, who said, "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." We at the Belmont Public Library have chosen to not be neutral.

In support of the protests following the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Riah Milton, Dominique "Rem'mie" Fells, and countless others named and unnamed, the staff at the Belmont Public Library encourages those who want to learn more about the racial climate in the US and how we got here to explore our  Read Against Racism  resources.

We've selected books, documentaries, and articles that reflect the history of racial injustice in our country and illustrate the race-related issues still happening today. We also share hopeful messages about the advocacy and antiracist activism that we want to inspire in all members of our community. Our reading lists include books that can be read by children, teens, and adults of all ages. In addition, we've prioritized books that inspire children to feel pride and joy in who they are.

We hope this list will inspire discussion and learning among families, provide a way to better understand history, and encourage us all to better understand each other. We will continue to add to and update these resources. Our Read Against Racism resources can help us all take a step towards fostering an antiracist culture of learning in Belmont.
Community News
Belmont Farmers' Market — Open for its 15th Season!
Find the Belmont Farmers' Market in the Belmont Center parking lot on Thursdays through October, from 2 – 6:30 pm. (Hours change in October, when closing time is 6:00.)

You’ll find produce from local farms, fresh-caught fish, and pasture-raised meats and dairy products. They also have specialty vendors with empanadas, coffee, spices, hummus, pastries & more! Check the Market website to find when each specialty vendor will be at the Market, and how to preorder to save time.

The Market will look a little different this year because of the pandemic. Read the COVID-19 safety rules for details.

Food Assistance

The Market matches SNAP and P-EBT benefits up to of $20 per shopper each week. They also double WIC FMNP (for moms and infants) and Senior FMNP coupons (for seniors). Most farmers accept HIP (Healthy Incentives Program), which offers free produce to SNAP users. 

About the Farmers’ Market

The Belmont Farmers’ Market is a project of the non-profit Belmont Food Collaborative, Inc., a volunteer-run organization, whose mission is promoting good health, access to fresh and local food, nutrition, and local and sustainable farming. Learn more at BelmontFarmersMarket.org and BelmontFood.org .
Belmont Helps
Belmont Helps , a Winn Brook Parent Teacher Association Committee, is a 100% volunteer organization founded on March 14, 2020 to connect Belmont-area community members in need during the COVID-19 outbreak to resources and volunteers. 

In addition to the Belmont Kindness Rocks Project below, Belmont Helps has several community-focused initiatives . If you need help or resources, visit BelmontHelps.org , email belmonthelps@gmail.com, or leave a message at 617-993-0162.
Spread kindness with the Belmont Kindness Rocks Project
The Beech Street Center and Belmont Helps invite you to join in the Belmont Kindness Rocks Project. Help spread kindness, joy, and words of encouragement around Belmont!

In this video , Elena from the Kindness Rocks Project in Bedford, MA , explains more about the project, materials she uses, and how to paint your rocks at home. The Beech Street Center also shared materials and instructions on Facebook .

The Beech Street Center will provide rocks for you to use! To pick up rocks or learn where to purchase supplies, contact Dana Leavitt at 617-993-2977 or dleavitt@belmont-ma.gov .

After you create your Kindness Rocks, post a photo and tag #BrightenBelmont and #BelmontHelps!
Local election in Belmont on June 23
Belmont's Annual Town Election , originally scheduled for April 7, will take place on Tuesday, June 23.

The Town encourages residents to  vote by mail . The deadline to request an absentee ballot or early voting ballot is noon on June 22. Please file your request early to allow time for your ballot to be mailed to you and for you to return your voted ballot so it reaches Town Hall by close of polls to be counted.

As the Precinct 1 polling location, the library building will be open to Precinct 1 voters from 10am to 2pm. We will not offer Parking Lot Pickup on June 23, but library staff will be available by email 9am to 5pm to answer questions and connect you with resources.
Classics Corner
Six different book covers for Persuasion by Jane Austen.
Welcome to Classics Corner! Every month we'll have a recommendation of a classic book for you to enjoy.

This month's recommendation is Persuasion by Jane Austen.
  
Persuasion  is widely regarded as Austen's most moving novel. The twenty-seven-year old heroine Anne Elliot is a woman of integrity and great depth of feeling. When she was nineteen, she was persuaded by her friend Lady Russell to break off her engagement to Frederick Wentworth, a poor naval officer with no immediate prospects. Years later, Anne and Frederick meet again, and she has the chance to recover the happiness she had forgone.

To read Persuasion by Jane Austen:
News from the Friends & Foundation
The Friends of the Belmont Public Library (FOBPL) was established in 1972 to promote understanding and full use of the Belmont Public Library, and as a separate non-profit organization, to support and enlarge the scope of library services to the community. To learn more, visit the Friends webpage and follow the FOBPL on Instagram and Facebook .

On June 4th, the Friends welcomed their 2020 Board of Directors:
Colleen Bolton, Emily Bowman, Laura Caputo, Kristen Carte-Smith, Kelly Chiu, Diane Coulopoulos, Nancy Dignan, Louise Halstead, Beatrix Kastor, Tony Kastor, Leigh Kenney, Diane Malcolmson, Margery Miller, Robin Ratcliff, Laury Verner, Lynn Zheng.

The Officers are Marie Mabardi and Elaine Westermark as Co-Presidents, Sue Black and Hannah Fisher as Co-Treasurer, and Pamela Delalla as Secretary.

We will kick off the celebration of the FOBPL’s 50th anniversary beginning in 2021 to bring this important milestone to the attention of the Belmont community.
The Belmont Library Foundation  was established to undertake promotional and fundraising activities for the Belmont Public Library, including support for the construction of a new building and creation of an endowment to fund ongoing library needs. To learn more, visit the Belmont Library Foundation website and follow the Foundation on Facebook and Instagram . 

We welcome your feedback and involvement in the Library Building Project . Please email David Stievater , Foundation President, to get involved or volunteer.
Stay Informed
Be wary of news reports that sound dangerous, sensational, or too good to be true. Always check the source, verify the information in other places, and seek advice from trusted experts.

Learn the facts from the World Health Organization with these COVID-19 myth busters .

Read about what didn't happen in the news with weekly updates from the AP in their Not Real News series.

Avoid coronavirus scams — learn more from the FTC .

Dial 2-1-1 or chat online to ask general COVID-19 questions — open 24/7 with translators in multiple languages.

Belmont's COVID-19 informational phone line: 617-993-2222 Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm
The Belmont Public Library building is closed to the public, but library staff are available Monday through Friday 9am-5pm to answer questions and connect you to resources.

Need to get a library card or reset your password/pin? Click here .

Questions? Ask A Librarian or leave us a message and we'll return your calls as soon as possible:
Reference: 617-993-2870
Circulation: 617-993-2855
Children's: 617-993-2880

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