Do you miss us? We're getting ready to see you soon!
May 22, 2020 | Special Edition
Letter from the Library Director
Thank you so much for your support of the Belmont Public Library during this time. We have enjoyed connecting with many of you virtually over the past two months. We are looking forward to getting library materials back into your hands soon!

We are finalizing a phased reopening plan for the Library based on the  guidelines from the Reopening Advisory Board created by Gov. Charlie Baker, as well as recommendations from the Town’s Health Department and State Library organizations. Our goal is to fully restore Library services over the next several months, while continuing to prioritize the health and well-being of patrons and staff.

We hope to see staff return to the Library in early June and will be working on preparing the building, collections, and technology for reopening safely. We plan to begin offering contact-free holds pickup to you in mid-June. More information, including the specific date that this service will start, will be announced soon.

We’d prefer that you keep your library materials at home still, but will be willing to receive them in our outside book drops if it would be inconvenient for you to continue to hold them for us. Due dates for items currently checked out are extended until June 30 so there is no rush to bring your returns back. The Friends of the Belmont Public Library are unable to accept book donations at this time, and we appreciate your patience.

Please contact me at  pstruzziero@minlib.net  with any questions or comments. Stay well!

Sincerely,
Peter J. Struzziero
Belmont Public Library Director
Virtual Events
Check the  events calendar  on our website as we add more online programs.
Tai Chi Easy
Level 1: Sat. May 23, June 6 & 20 • 10 am
Level 2: Wed. May 27, June 10 & 24 • 5 pm
Tai Chi practitioner and coach, Aisling O'Shea, will guide you through this beautiful and low impact form of martial art and meditation.
Registration required — details here for Level 1 and here for Level 2 .
Cooking Class with Chef Meryl MacCormack
Thu. May 28 • 5:30 pm
Discover how to bake bread at home, with or without yeast.
Registration required — details here .
Knitting Club
Fridays • 12:30 pm
Bring your knitting, crocheting, or any fiber craft to a social afternoon on Zoom with fellow local crafters.
Registration required — details here .
Matt Heaton Virtual Concert
Tue. May 26 • 11 am • Ages 2-5
Sing and dance along at home with Matt's classic and original songs
Registration required — details here.
Habitat: Raising Baby Animals
Wed. May 27 • 3 pm • Ages 9+
What do animal babies need in order to survive and how do they get it? Join us as we learn about baby animals with Mass Audubon Habitat’s Barbara Bates.
Registration required — details here.
Music & Movement with Rubi 
Wed. June 3 • 10 am • Ages 2-5
This active program will get kids (and their grownups) moving, dancing, and having fun!
Registration required — details here .
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Text reads Asian Pacific American Heritage Month on a blue green background.
To celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month this May, read about the experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in fiction and nonfiction. 

Here are some titles for your to-be-read list: Must-Read Books for APAHM and 25 Amazing Books by AAPI Authors — you can find many of these titles available to borrow on OverDrive or hoopla .

In our community, the Belmont Chinese American Association has donated over 30,000 masks and 10,000 N95 respirators to Belmont Manor Nursing Home, Belmont first responders, and local medical facilities . Now, the BCAA is supporting Face Shields By Teens , a group of local teen volunteers who are making face shields for healthcare providers.

Learn more about AAPI history, representation, and culture from the Massachusetts Asian American Commission on Instagram and Twitter . Find additional information about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month here .
Messages from you
Blue quotation marks on a yellow background
"Thank you so much for everything you are offering us virtually. This uncertain time would have been so much worse without all of you!" — Tony & Beatrix Kastor

"It was absolutely wonderful to join the cookbook club for the first time last month."

Thank you for sharing your messages with us during this time. We love hearing from you! If you'd like to send us a note, email Peter Struzziero, Library Director, at pstruzziero@minlib.net .
Just for fun
Quotes, crafts, & ice cream
This week, staff are sharing some of their favorite quotes. We've also been crafting, reading, and cooking!
Quote from The Neverending Story by Michael Ende that starts "Once someone dreams a dream, it can't just drop out of existence. But if the dreamer can't remember it, what becomes of it?"
Quote from Steven Wright: "You can't have everything. Where would you put it?"
Quote by Bob Marley: You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
Book cover for The Neverending Story
Myles suggests this classic kids book by Michael Ende. Listen to The Neverending Story on audio from hoopla!
Handmade felt animals and other crafts.
Libby was busy making felt storyboards, needle-felting, weaving, making paper bracelets , and sewing masks.
A clear jar of homemade ice cream.
NYTimes posted a homemade ice cream recipe. Nancy says it's more or less frozen whipped cream — still looks yummy!
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 until further notice. Library staff will be unavailable on Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day, but you can use our digital collection anytime, anywhere.

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

Trusted Health Resources