Happy Holidays!

December 2024 | Events & Updates

Library Hours:

Beech Street Center

Monday – Thursday: 9am – 7:30pm
Friday: 9am – 5pm
Saturday: 9am – 3pm

Benton

Monday: 9am - 12:30pm & 1:30pm - 5pm
Tuesday: 9am - 12:30pm & 1:30pm - 7:30pm
Wednesday & Thursday: 10am - 12:30pm & 1:30pm- 7:30pm
Friday: 9am - 12:30pm & 1:30pm - 5pm
Saturday: 9am - 3pm

We will either close early or be closed on the following dates:

Tuesday, December 24th: Closing at 12pm

Wednesday, December 25th: Closed

Tuesday, December 31st: Closing at 2pm

Wednesday, January 1st, 2025: Closed

Email: askbelmont@minlib.net

Phone: 617-489-2000

Letter from the Director

Dear Library Patrons,

The Belmont Public Library is branching out in fresh and innovative ways to bring library programs closer to you! Starting in 2025, we will be hosting library events in the programming spaces of our town's churches. While details are still being finalized, this expansion reflects our mission to provide dynamic library services to every corner of our community. Stay tuned for updates!

We are immensely grateful to the Beech Street Center for continuing to host many of our library services. And, we’re committed to ensuring the space is prioritized for seniors during the day. By offering additional programming outside the Center, we can better serve Belmont residents of all ages while honoring that priority.

In other exciting news, we’re thrilled to announce that the Library has been approved for its own monthly column in The Belmont Voice! Titled News from the Stacks, this column will be a new go-to source for library updates, events, and resources. Keep a look out for the first installment!

Finally, join us for a milestone moment in the library’s building project - the "Topping Off Ceremony!" On December 6th, the final beam will be lifted into place at around 12:30 PM. This exciting event marks significant progress toward our new library, a space designed to inspire learning, connection, and community for generations to come. Thank you for your continued support as we help to write the next chapter in Belmont's Story.

Kindest Regards,

Peter J. Struzziero

Library Director

Belmont Public Library

Adult Programs

Local Author: Len Abram

Thursday, December 5th, 6pm

Beech Street Center

Classroom B

Local Author Len Abram reads from his latest book, Killers App, a thriller and mystery set in Boston!

This third installment in Abram's crime series features Detectives Schwartz and Di Natale on the trail of killers, one with a pistol, and another using a computer program as a weapon for murder.

Holiday Bough Decorating with Suzie Canale

Monday, December 9th, 6pm

Beech Street Center

Classroom A

Suzie Canale returns! This time we will be decorating holiday boughs! Give as a gift or keep for yourself. Space is limited so please make sure to register!

Why New Clothes are Kinda Garbage

Wednesday, December 11th, 7pm, Zoom

Have you noticed that new clothes just aren't as good as they used to be? From low quality synthetic fabrics to zippers that are a problem from the very first wear to lack of detail and poor fit...new clothes are kinda garbage these days. The low quality and short lifespan of this clothing is creating an environmental and ethical crisis for the planet and its people.

Why are these clothes just so bad?

Amanda Lee McCarty (she/they) wanted to be an art teacher, but somehow ended up with a career in fashion that began as a seasonal part-time sales associate in the fitting rooms at a fast fashion retailer. They have worked in the buying departments of some of the most iconic (fast fashion) brands, where they saw the “fast fashion-ification” of the entire industry play out. Her employers bought stuff faster and faster. The product was cheaper and cheaper. And the quality/fit was worse and worse, year after year.

Two weeks into the pandemic, Amanda lost their job working for a rental brand owned by a large fast fashion company. Then they realized their mission: to decode and demystify the fashion industry.

Amanda is currently working as a consultant, small business coach, content creator, and rabble rouser. They are host of Clotheshorse and the co-host of The Department, a podcast about trends and taste.

Children's & Teen Programs

Storytime

Littlest Ones (ages 0-2): Wednesdays at 9:30am

Beech Street Center

Multipurpose Room

All Ages: Thursdays at 10am

Beech Street Center

Multipurpose Room

Preschool (ages 2-5): Tuesdays at 10am, Benton Library

There will be no storytimes December 23rd - January 3rd

Storytime will resume the week of January 6th.

Little Builders

Monday, December 9th, 10am

Benton Library

Come build with us! We will provide building toys of all kinds for your little ones to play and create with. Recommended for ages 2 to 5.

Toys courtesy of the Friends of

the Belmont Public Library.

Pajama Storytime

Thursday, December 12th

6:15 - 6:45pm

Benton Library

Wind down with pajama storytime!

Children of all ages and their caregivers are welcome as we curl up with some cozy books and relaxing rhymes.

Don’t forget to bring a favorite stuffed animal to join in the fun!

Joey’s Junior Book Club for Kindergarten Through Second Grade

Monday, December 16th

3:45 - 4:30pm

Benton Library

Join our monthly book club just for new readers and their grownups! Read the book at home, and then gather at the library to discuss the story and do fun activities.

This month's book is The Zebra's Great Escape by Katherine Rundell.

This program is for kindergarten, first, and second graders and their grownups. Space is limited. Please register.

Mike Bent's Abrakidabra Family Magic Show

Friday, December 27th, 11:15am-12pm

Town Hall Auditorium

455 Concord Avenue

We are thrilled to host Belmont resident Mike Bent's magic show for our school vacation week program! AbraKidabra!™ combines amazing magic, big laughs, audience participation and hilarious surprises for a one-of-a-kind, interactive experience.

This program will be held in the auditorium of the Belmont Town Hall, located at 455 Concord Avenue in Belmont, MA, easily accessible by the 74 and 75 buses and the commuter rail. Please RSVP to help us estimate the number of people to expect.

Teen Advisory Board

Thursday, December 12th, 4pm

Belmont Town Hall

Conference Room #1

455 Concord Avenue

The Teen Advisory Board is open to teens in grades 7-12. Come meet with other teens and your adorable young adult librarian to help brainstorm new programs, activities, and volunteer opportunities. This is a Community Service Opportunity. Questions? Email Maya Escobar at mescobar@minlib.net or

askbelmontya@minlib.net.

Ongoing Programs & Book Clubs

Virtual Trivia Night

Wednesday, December 18th, 7pm

Zoom

Test your knowledge with us on Trivia Night!

Please register for the Zoom link!

Genealogy One-on-One Appointments

Wednesdays starting at 12:30pm

Beech Street Center

Reference Room

Interested in learning about your Genealogy or family history?

Meet with our Reference and Local History Librarian, Logan, to learn more about how to use the library’s online genealogy databases to discover your family’s history.

In these sessions Logan can help you get started with genealogy research, learn about the library's digital resources, or help you research a particular family member.

Registration is required, so please check our calendar for a date and time to sign up.

Please note that patrons are limited to one session per month.

Questions? Email Logan at lmanchester@minlib.net.

50+ Job Seekers

1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 9:30am

Zoom

Join us in a professional forum for networking with peers in a safe and comfortable environment conducive to developing new relationships and developing skills and strategies to help in your career transition.

Each meeting features a new topic. Meetings include a presentation and interactive workshop on topics relevant to career transition, guest speakers, access to hiring managers, small group breakout rooms to network, and 1-on-1 coaching guidance.

Participating on a regular basis will give job seekers the many tools and strategies needed for a successful job search.

December 4th: Interview Practice

December 18th: Marketing Plan

Cookbook Club

Tuesday, December 10th, 6:30pm

Beech Street Center

Classroom A

Join the Cookbook Club as we cook through a title together each month! We will be reading Go-To Dinners by Ina Garten.

Copies of the book are available in the display across from the circulation desk. Participants should each cook a recipe of their choosing and bring it ready to eat to Classroom A at the Beech Street Center at time of the meeting.

Email Ellen Girouard at egirouard@minlib.net with any questions.

This event is a potluck as defined under the Massachusetts Potluck Law.