|
|
September 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 be closed on Monday, September 2nd
| |
|
Dear Library Patrons,
Join us for the Belmont Town-Wide Yard Sale! Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 28th, from 9am to 3pm, as the Belmont Library, Council on Aging and Recreation Department hosts the much-anticipated Town-Wide Yard Sale! This annual event is the perfect opportunity to declutter your home, find unique treasures, and connect with neighbors. Last year, over 125 homes participated. You’re sure to discover fantastic deals and hidden gems. Whether you’re looking to sell or shop, this community event is not to be missed! If you’d like to host a yard sale, please sign up here.
Celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month! September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and there’s no better time to get a card for yourself and your family members. Tell your friends and neighbors who may not know: a library card opens the door to a world of resources, including books, e-books, audiobooks, and much more—all free of charge! Head down to the Belmont Public Library locations this month and make sure everyone in your household is ready to explore the endless possibilities a library card offers.
Calling all students: take advantage of free library databases! As students return to classes, don’t forget about the nearly 100 databases the library offers for free to patrons. These databases are invaluable resources for research, homework, and personal enrichment. Make sure to take full advantage of these tools, made available by your library card!
Many thanks,
Peter Struzziero
Library Director
Belmont Public Library
| |
|
Genealogy One-on-One Appointments
Starting Wednesday, September 4th
Beech Street Center
Reference Room (2nd floor)
Interested in learning about your Genealogy or family history? Starting on Wednesday, September 4th, 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.
Please check the calendar for which session you'd like to sign up for.
Registration is required.
Please note that patrons are limited to one session per month.
Questions? Email Logan at lmanchester@minlib.net.
| |  |
|
How to Become a Better Speechwriter with Barack Obama Speechwriter Terry Szuplat
Wednesday, September 4th, 7pm
Zoom
Author Terry Szuplat, one of President Barack Obama’s longest-serving speechwriters, will discuss his forthcoming book, Say It Well: Find Your Voice, Speak Your Mind, Inspire Any Audience.
In his presentation, Terry will (1) take you behind-the-scenes of the White House to show you what it was like to write speeches for President Obama; (2) share tips on how anyone can become a better speaker and communicator; and (3) answer your questions about writing for a President, today’s political rhetoric, and whatever else you'd like to ask.
| | |
|
Author Kate Schapira:
Lessons from the Climate Anxiety Booth
Thursday, September 5th, 7pm
Zoom
Kate Schapira, author of Lessons from the Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth: How to Live with Care and Purpose in an Endangered World, will share methods for living with our emotional responses to climate realities and using them as guides to connection and action.
In her home town of Providence, RI, Schapira put up a booth to talk about climate change with concerned and anxious members of her community.
Thousands of conversations later, she distills what she's learned into a book that offers both empathy and practical suggestions for addressing climate change with the help of others.
| | |
|
Crafternoon with Rachelle Toth: Wooden Autumn Sign
Monday, September 9th, 2pm
Beech Street Center
Small Multipurpose Room
Rachelle Toth, crafter extraordinaire will be here to teach us how to make a a wooden autumn sign for your home or office! Space is limited, so please make sure to register!
This program is generously funded by the Friends of the Belmont Public Library.
| | |
|
Our Universe, Through Light with Dr. Kimberly Arcand
Thursday, September 12th
6pm, Zoom
Humans can see only a sliver of the full spectrum of light that governs life on Earth and everything in the universe.
In this visual exploration, award winning scientist, director, and author Dr. Kimberly Arcand will present the subject of light, and our Universe, as never before.
From radio waves to infrared light to X-rays, Arcand will discuss important ways that light illuminates and impacts life on Earth and well beyond. Come learn about the beauty of the science of light.
Dr. Kimberly Arcand is an expert in astronomy visualization and has been a pioneer in 3D printing and extended reality applications in this field.
Kim began her career in molecular biology and public health before moving to NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory with the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian in 1998.
| | |
|
Author Donna L. Goolkasian
Dose of Donna: Inspiring Lessons from Everyday Life
Wednesday, September 18th 6pm, Beech Street Center
Classroom A
Donna Goolkasian will be here to discuss her book; Dose of Donna: Inspiring Lessons from Everyday Life.
Dose of Donna is is a prescriptive photo essay of curated life lessons to inspire, encourage, and ignite the mind! Donna will share how she came to write this book, along with the lessons and insights she has accumulated over the years.
| | |
|
Introducing Computer Graphics to the Blind Viewer, One Pixel at a Time
Tuesday, September 24th
6pm - 8pm, Zoom
Join us for a brief look at a new method for presenting computer graphics to the blinder viewer.
Instructor and Python guru Charles (Ray) Smith will describe and demonstrate methods available to aid the completely visually impaired in discovering the world of simple computer graphics.
The presentation will demonstrate several simple figures created by simple python programs plus the extensions we produced to give the visually impaired a view of these figures.
| | |
|
We are looking for a volunteer ELL Teacher!
Are you a reliable, friendly, English speaker? Did you know you can make a difference in your community by leading a small, fun, informal group in practicing and learning English? If that sounds intriguing to you, you may be a perfect fit to join our volunteer ELL teaching team!
Please contact Reference Coordinator Elise Cluster at ecluster@minlib.net if interested.
| | |
Children's & Teen Programs | |
|
Storytime
Starting the week of September 9th! (There will be no storytime Sept. 2nd - Sept. 7th)
Preschool (ages 2-5): Tuesdays at 10am, Benton Library
Check our calendar for more information & updates about our Beech Street Storytime
| | |
|
Little Builders
Monday, September 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, September 19th
Benton Library, 6:15-6:45pm
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, September 23rd
3:45pm - 4:30pm, Benton Library
Sign up and 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. Our September book is Dear Beast by Dory Hillestad Butler. Pick up a copy at the Children’s Space at the Benton Library at 75 Oakley Road.
This program is for kindergarten, first, and second graders and their grownups. Space is limited. Please register.
| | |
|
Teen Advisory Board
Thursday, September 12th, 4pm
Beech Street Center, Classroom A
Alert and resourceful teens, grades 7-12, are invited to tell wizened librarians their brilliant ideas for library activities, books and programs, among other things. Questions? Email Maya Escobar at mescobar@minlib.net.
| | |
|
Pop-Up Teen Space
Wednesday, September 18th
2:45 - 4:30pm
Beech Street Center
Small Multipurpose Room
Teens of Belmont! Do you need a group study spot? Are you looking to procrastinate with a crafty activity or game? Have you seen the big hole at 336 Concord and wondered, "How do I find books now?"
Drop in to our Pop-Up Study N' Procrastinate space! The YA Librarian will be on hand, to answer your questions and celebrate snacks. SNACKS.
Questions? Email askbelmontya@minlib.net.
| | |
|
Wednesday, September 25th, 7pm, Zoom
This program covers current college admissions trends, the changing test-optional environment, admissions strategies, college visits, a timeline and other action steps that can be taken to make this Fall productive and to help reduce the stress around the admissions process. We’ll also discuss the importance of community service in the review process.
The presentation will be led by Ron Feuchs and Jackie Tepper, partners at Stand Out For College, LLC.
| |
Ongoing Programs & Book Clubs | |
|
Virtual Trivia Night
Wednesday, September 18th 7pm, Zoom
Test your knowledge with us on Trivia Night!
Please register for the Zoom link!
| | |
|
Dial M for Movies
Friday, September 27th, 6:30pm
Beech Street Center
Multipurpose Room
Join Director Peter Struzziero and fellow movie aficionados for a movie screening of Stand By Me. We'll bring the concession snacks, you bring yourself!
| | |
|
Practice Speaking English
Mondays or Tuesdays, 11am Zoom
Practice speaking English in a supportive environment! These weekly conversation circles meet on Zoom and begin the week of September 16th and run through the week of December 16th, 2024.
The Monday group will not meet on October 11th (Indigenous People's Day) or November 11th (Veterans Day).
Please send any questions to Elise at ecluster@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.
September 4th: LinkedIn
September 18th: Resumes
| | | | | |
