Bringing back book sale, storytimes, and...
September 2020 | Events & Updates
In-Library Holds Pickup
It’s starting to get a little cooler outside, and we have all noticed the sun setting a little earlier the past few weeks. With this in mind, we have decided that it is time to move away from our Parking Lot Pickup program, and bring the pickup of materials on hold and museum passes back inside the Library.

Beginning on Monday, September 21st, you can pick up materials in the Library without an appointment.

First and foremost, to enter the library, you must wear a mask covering your nose and mouth. This is an absolute must and no exceptions will be made. If you are not able to wear a mask for medical reasons, contact the library in advance and we will arrange to serve you outside of the building. If you prefer not to wear a mask for your own reasons, please do not come into the library. For those who enter the library and refuse to wear masks, we will be relying on our friends at the Belmont Police Department to come and help educate library users on the importance of masks. For your safety and ours, masks are mandatory in the library.

If you have questions about this, please contact me directly and I’ll be happy to talk with you about it:
Phone: 617-993-2851

Enter through the front door to:

Enter through the side door on the lower level, next to the Children's Room, to:
  • Check out a children's hold that is ready for pickup on your account
  • Drop off or pick up a pen pal letter
  • Access the elevator to reach the main floor for adult holds, computer appointments, and museum passes

If you need to place a hold, request a museum pass, or schedule a computer use appointment, please do so in advance by calling 617-993-2870 or visiting our website.

Please remember to bring your library card or photo ID to pick up your holds.

Maintain a 6-foot distance from staff members and other patrons. We ask that the elevator be limited to one person at a time whenever possible.

Pickup and computer use hours will be:
  • Monday – Wednesday 9:30am – 6:30pm
  • Thursday 11:00am – 6:30pm
  • Friday and Saturday 9:30am – 4:30pm

This will be the newest stage in our phasing of library services. In the future, we hope to restore browsing, the ability to spend time in the library, in-building programming, and all the other things we all love about our library. We need to be smart about it though, and always put safety among the highest of our concerns. We’ll look to do some of these things as we can in the coming months, but for now, we are pleased to take this step.

General questions? Please call the Reference Desk at 617-993-2870.

Kind regards, 
Peter J. Struzziero
Library Director
Did we say computer use & museum passes?
A white icon of a computer in front of a purple and pink background.
You can now schedule an appointment to use a computer, copier, fax machine, or scanner. Appointments will be for 30 minutes at a time, and limited to one per day. Fill out the form on our website to book your appointment!
A white outline of museum passes on a yellow and green background.
Museum passes are back! Thank you for your patience while we worked with our local museums to offer discount passes safely. Visit our museum passes page to make a reservation or for more information about participating museums.
Featured events for adults
Our events are held virtually on Zoom — register to get the link to join! Check the events calendar on our website as we add more online programs.
Practice Your English
Mondays starting Sept. 21 • Adults
With Maureen • 10 am
With Moira • 11:15 am
This fall we're offering two online conversation circles where you can practice your English speaking skills in a supportive environment. Each group begins on September 21 and runs through November 30.
Registration required — with Maureen here and with Moira here.
Top 10 Tips for Getting Organized
Wed. Sept. 30 • 1 pm • Adults
Do you crave organization, but don’t know where or how to start? Professional organizer Marilyn Cruickshank of Creative Simplicity Organizing & Productivity will lead us through a countdown of tips to help you start your organizing journey.
Registration required — details here.
Tai Chi — Online!
Wed. Sept. 30 • 6 pm
Sat. Oct. 17 • 10 am
Wed. Oct. 28 • 6 pm • Adults & High Schoolers
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 wear comfortable clothing! This class will provide an overview of the basic concepts of Tai Chi and Qi Gong. These movements may be adapted for standing, walking, or sitting. 
Registration required — details here.
Virtual Trivia Night
Tue. Oct. 20 • 7 pm • All Ages
Join us for our next Virtual Trivia Night for solo players and teams! Our questions are geared towards adults in challenge rating, but families can play together.
Registration required — details here.
Featured events for teens
Discover more upcoming teen events here!
Stress Relief Hour
Tuesdays • 4 pm • Gr. 6-12
All you need is a paper and pencil for this hour devoted to your personal creativity. We will begin with creative prompts and themed music. There are no mistakes in this program, only happy accidents.
Registration required — details here.
Read YA Book Chats
Wed. Sept. 23 • 6:30 pm • Ages 14-30
Cozy up with Maureen Johnson's perfect back-to-school mystery, Truly Devious, and discuss what truly makes the YA category what it is. Every book club pick will come with hot chocolate and a craft.
Registration required — details here.
Teen Advisory Board
Fri. Sept. 25 • 5:30 pm • Gr. 7-12
Meet once a month in the afternoon to work on volunteer projects, help plan teen events, and select teen books, movies, and other materials.
Registration required — details here.
DIY Teen Takeaway: Cementables
Wed. Sept. 30 • 6 pm • Gr. 6-12
Learn how to make a succulent planter and coasters out of cement with a take-home kit and craft class.
Registration required — details here.
D&D for Teens
Thu. Oct. 1, 8, & 15 • 5 pm • Gr. 6-12
Play an online game of Dungeons and Dragons, 5th Edition, led by our YA Services Librarian, Hannah Lee. Registration and a completed character sheet is required.
Registration required — details here.
Comix Club
Wed. Oct. 7 • 4 pm • Gr. 6-12
Each month we will be discussing a new graphic novel and series. Takeaway kits will include hot chocolate and a snack.
Registration required — details here.
Featured events for kids & families
Virtual Puppet Show with Leigh Baltzer
Fri. Sept. 18 • 10 am • Ages 2-5
Listen to stories and sing songs with Leigh Baltzer and her puppet friends.
Registration required — details here.
Music and Movement with Rubi
Wed. Sept. 30 • 10 am • Ages 2-5
This active program will get kids (and their grownups) moving, dancing, & having fun!
Registration required — details here.
Farmers' Market Storytimes
Thu. Oct. 1 & 22 • 9:30 am • All Ages
Our children's librarians invite you to virtual storytimes celebrating food, animals, and all the fun we usually have at the Belmont Farmers' Market!
Registration required for each date — October 1 and October 22.
Storytimes are back!
Tuesdays • 10 am • For 1's
Wednesdays • 10 am • For Preschoolers
Thursdays • 10 am • For 2's and 3's
Short stories and songs will be performed for young library patrons.
Registration required for each age — for 1's here, for preschoolers here, and for 2's and 3's here.
Updates from the library
Friends FLASH Book Sales on 9/20 & 10/25
This Sunday, September 20th, from 11 am to 3 pm, the Friends of the Belmont Public Library is hosting an outdoor FLASH Book Sale in the Library Parking Lot, selling hundreds of donated books and records/CDs to support the Library’s adult, teen and children’s programming. Entrance will be limited and face coverings required.

You'll find hundreds of NEW vinyl records and CDs across many genres of indie music. Our thanks to Newbury Comics for their generous support of our Friends Book Sale!
Newbury Comics logo
Rain date is Sunday, September 27. The Friends will have a second FLASH Book Sale on Sunday, October 25 (rain date: 11/1).

If you’ve enjoyed online Tai Chi or free passes to Boston-area museums then you can thank the FOBPL. Come and support this vital and engaging civic organization by making a financial donation, becoming “A Friend”, or shopping at one of our book sales.

We send a huge “Thank You!” to the many dedicated volunteers who are preparing now to make these events possible. Join them and make a positive and direct impact on our Library as 50% of the Friends' annual revenue is gained from these book sales.

Don't forget! The Friends accept book donations between 9 am and 12 pm on Fridays only. Donate at the back door of the library, where you will be met by a Friends volunteer. Each donor may bring up to 3 bags or boxes of books.
Register to vote!
The town encourages residents to vote by mail. See the Town's Vote By Mail page for details about requesting an absentee ballot or early voting ballot for the Presidential Election on November 3, 2020.

CORRECTION: In our last newsletter, we had a typo — we accidentally stated that the deadline to register to vote in November is November 24! The correct date, of course, is October 24. Click here to register, change your information, or check your voter status: Massachusetts Online Voter Registration System.

Curious about becoming a Belmont poll worker, reviewing past election results, or checking the Frequently Asked Questions? Visit the Town Clerk's informational page here.
Homework Hotline
Need help with homework assignments? Students in grades K-10 are welcome to use our Homework Hotline service to get homework help from volunteer tutors from Belmont High School. Tutoring sessions will take place on Mondays, 3pm-5pm, starting September 28th.

If you are a student who wants homework help or a volunteer in grades 10-12, fill out this Homework Hotine form. Curious to learn more? Read about Homework Hotline or email Hannah Lee, YA Services Librarian, at hlee@minlib.net.
Stay informed
Everyone entering Massachusetts must follow travel orders to slow the spread of COVID-19. Review the list of exemptions or lower-risk states before traveling or returning to MA.
Learn more here: MA Travel Order

Trusted Health Resources
Library staff are available Monday through Saturday 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 call us:
Reference: 617-993-2870 or -2871
Circulation: 617-993-2855
Children's: 617-993-2880

NEW: Your librarians are now available by chat! Click the "Chat Us" box on our website and we'll be there to help you.