MELROSE — Following are some announcements from the staff of the Melrose Public Library.
Friends of the MPL’s annual fall book sale will be Sunday, Sept 8th (Victorian Fair Day) from 11am-2pm in front of the temporary library location at 263 W. Foster St. The rain date is Sept. 15th. We invite you to shop thousands of gently used books, CDs, and DVDs for all ages and interests. All proceeds benefit the Melrose Public Library. Donations are still being accepted when the library is open. Simply deposit your gently used books (no encyclopedias, textbooks, or marked up books), CDs, and DVDs in the clearly labeled rolling bin next to the main circulation desk. Many thanks!
Summer Hours through August: Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (8 p.m. in the children’s room); Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Holiday Hours: The Library will be closed for Labor Day Weekend Saturday, August 31 through Monday, September 2.
Fall Hours: Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (8 p.m. in the children’s room); Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m.
Massachusetts Center for the Book Reading Challenge: Melrose Public Library is participating in the Massachusetts Center for the Book 2024 Reading Challenge. Read twelve books in twelve months, a different challenge each month. In August, read a book whose title starts with the same letter as your birthday month. For the September challenge, we will read a debut book by a Massachusetts author.
ADULT PROGRAMS
Tuesday, August 27, 7:30 p.m. via Zoom, VIRTUAL Tasty Books for Hungry Readers Book Club: Join friends old and new for a lively VIRTUAL book discussion. The meeting will be held through the remote conferencing platform, Zoom. If you would like to join in, please register online by the day before the meeting so the library can send you the invitation link. Stop by the desk to pick up this month’s title, Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang. Limited e-book copies are available through Libby. The library is in its interim location at 263 W. Foster St. Hope to “see” you all there!
Wednesday, August 28, 10:30-11:30 a.m. online, VIRTUAL Mass Audubon Virtual Series: Wildflowers & Insects: The end of summer is very active with lots of wildflowers and insects. From fields and field edges filled with milkweed, asters and goldenrods to wetlands with carnivorous pitcher plants and cardinal flowers, each habitat has its own community of perennials and insects. Learn how these organisms interact and their importance in the ecosystems we live in. Led by Tia Pinney, a Biologist, Lead Naturalist and educator at Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln. Since 1994, when she first started working at the farm, Tia has overseen efforts to maintain New England’s wildlife on our 206-acre property, managing staff and volunteers in planting projects and citizen science. Sponsored by the Tewksbury Friends of the Library and a collaboration of libraries. Please register online.
Thursday, August 29, 10:30-11:30 a.m. online, VIRTUAL Art History Webinar: Henri Matisse, Master of Color, Magician of Modernism: The remarkable career of Henri Matisse, one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century, fundamentally altered the course of modern art. Spanning six and a half decades, his vast creative output encompassed painting, drawing, sculpture, graphic arts and paper cutouts. Examine his extraordinary life and many of his important works. Led by Janet Mandel, a retired 32-year art history teacher, who now presents illustrated talks on a variety of art history topics at colleges and universities, libraries, museums, senior centers and community centers. Sponsored by the Tewksbury Friends of the Library, Corning Community Impact & Investment and a collaboration of libraries. Please register online.
Thursday, August 29, 7 p.m. via Zoom, VIRTUAL Beach Blanket Book Club for Adults: Join in the conversation about the books that you have read this summer. We will each have a chance to talk about two or three of the books that we have enjoyed. Or just listen and get some recommendations. There will be prizes, refreshments and good conversation! Please register on the library website for the Zoom Meeting and you will receive an email with the link.
Wednesday, September 4, 7-8:45 p.m. in person at the Milano Center, 201 W. Foster St., History Book Club: Join a lively discussion group focused on history. Members are asked to read a book or article on the monthly topic and be prepared to tell the group about it, or just listen and learn. New members are welcome to join and experience history from many points of view on one topic. The topic for September is Maritime Disasters. Choose a non-fiction book or article focusing on some sort of disaster on water. This could include an event during wartime or peacetime, stories of survivors from a shipwreck, even disappearances of a vessel at sea. The world is your oyster; there are many ships and events to be discussed. One caveat this month per participants in the book group, aim for finding a disaster that is NOT the Titanic! If you have questions, please contact Erin at melcirc@noblenet.org or call the library at 781-665-2313. Please register online or with a library staff member if you plan on attending. The door will be locked by 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 10, 10:30 a.m. in person at the Milano Center, Tuesday Morning Book Club: Join us for a lively discussion of Dominicana by Angie Cruz. Physical copies are available at the Melrose Public Library. Limited e-books may be available through Libby by Overdrive. Unlimited e-audio books are also available to Melrose residents through the Hoopla platform. Please be sure to register online for the meeting using the Library Event Calendar so the library can accommodate all those planning to participate.
Thursday, September 19, 7-8:30 p.m. in person at the Milano Center, 201 W. Foster St., The Melrose Public Library Book Group: This group meets on the third Thursday of the month September through June and is moderated by our Assistant Director Diane Wall. Physical copies of this month’s title, The Maid by Nita Prose are available for pickup at MPL at the Beebe School. Limited e-book and e-audiobook copies are available through Libby. Doors close promptly at 7 p.m. Please sign up using the Library Events Calendar so the library can accommodate all those planning to participate. Can’t attend in-person? Check out the Virtual MPL Book Group; same book, different date (September 26th) and on Zoom! Please register on the library website for the Zoom Meeting and you will receive an email with the link.
TEEN PROGRAM
Wednesday, September 4, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Beebe Playground, 263 W. Foster St., Teen and Tween Advisory Group (ages 11-18): Join Teen Services Librarian Amanda on the first Wednesday of the month to share your thoughts about teen and tween events, books, displays and more at the Melrose Public Library Teen and Tween Advisory Group! Snacks will be served! Please register online.
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS
Please check the website melrosepubliclibrary.org for updates.