Scituate Library: Scituate Town Library Newsletter December 2025

Scituate Town Library Newsletter

December 2025 Volume 6, Issue 12

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers."

-Charles W. Eliot

Please feel free to contact Jessi Finnie, Library Director, if you have any questions or comments!

Jessi Finnie, Library Director

jfinnie@scituatema.gov

Library Hours

Monday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Tuesday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Wednesday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Thursday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday

October through April

1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.

DECEMBER HOLIDAY HOURS

The Library will observe the following hours for December holidays:

Christmas:

Wednesday, December 24th: Closing Early at 12:30 PM

Thursday, December 25th: CLOSED

Friday, December 26th: Open 9-5

New Year:

Wednesday, December 31st: Closing Early at 5 PM

Thursday, January 1st: CLOSED

SUNDAY HOURS

Sunday hours are 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM.

The Library is open on Sundays from October through April

and closed on Sundays from May through September.

ANNUAL FRIENDS of the LIBRARY

DONOR DRIVE

The Friends of the Library's annual donor drive is going on now!

If you've enjoyed programs or museum passes over the years, you might consider a donation to the Friends of the Library. Through the Friends' annual donation drive and proceeds from the 2nd Chapter Bookstore, the Friends of the Library fund all museum passes, programs for children, teens and adults, and special events such as the summer concert series! We are very fortunate to have the support of this organization.

For more information about the Friends of the Library, please visit their website.

LIBRARY CRAWL THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone for visiting the Scituate Library during the month of October for the 2025 Booktober Library Crawl! We enjoyed seeing the many familiar faces and new visitors here at our library. And congratulations to the winner of our literary-themed gift basket!

We hope you enjoyed participating in this engaging, collaborative event. We'll see you next time!

MULTI-GENERATIONAL PROGRAMS

CRAFT TOGETHER: CREATE AN ORNAMENT!

Craft Together: Create an Ornament!

Thursday, December 11th

2 Sessions: 2-3 PM or 3-4 PM

Community Room

Registration Required

Create a holiday ornament that you can give to a family member or friend or add to your tree! All ages and abilities are welcome at this fun craft! There is a 40 person per session limit, with a first session running from 2-3 PM, and a second session running from 3-4 PM.

Please limit to one ornament per attendee, and there will be three options for various skill levels:

1. Create a snowman! Build a unique and fun snowman with our helpful guide! (Best for kids, may need caregiver help)

2. Puff paint patterns! Use a variety of styles to create a fun and unique ornament. (Best for older kids, teens, and adults)

3. Book paper ornaments! Utilize a curling method to create a fun and whimsical book paper ornament. (Best for teens and adults)

Online registration is required. To register, click on the session time you’d like to attend below (please register for only one session).

PUZZLE RACE

Puzzle-Off: Winter Edition!

Tuesday, December 30

2:00 - 4:00 PM

Community Room

Ages 6+
Registration Required

Join us for a fun puzzle competition! Sign up with a group of up to six players, or we will pair you with other participants to form a team to compete in a race to complete a 500-piece puzzle! There will be a prize for first place, and every team will have their choice of a (gently used) puzzle from a selection from the Friends Bookstore. Light refreshments will be provided. This is a multigenerational event, but we recommend ages 6 and up for this competition. We look forward to seeing you there!

Registration is required and opens on December 9th.

INTRO TO DIAMOND PAINTING

Introduction to Diamond Painting

Saturday, January 3rd

1-2:30 PM

Community Room

Ages 12+

Registration Required

Do you want to try a fun new craft? Join us to learn about the art of diamond painting, and take home a festive (winter-themed) coaster!

New to diamond painting? This craft is most similar to paint by numbers or cross-stitch. Utilizing a prepared canvas with a sticky surface, you will adhere "diamonds" in a pattern that creates a sparkly, shimmering image.

Some hand dexterity is required.

Teens (ages 12 and up) and adults welcome. Registration is required for this event, and will open at 1 PM on Saturday, December 13th.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PATRONS

NEW LOT PAGES

The Library of Things page on our website has had a makeover!

This fall, we reorganized the Library of Things (LOT) page on our website to make it easier for you to browse! Each item has a link directly to the OCLN Catalog so you can place a hold when you find an item you'd like to take home. We've organized all of the items into six categories, including:

Visit the new page to find out more about our awesome collection of non-traditional items for you to borrow and enjoy! From the practical to the pure fun, we've got something for everyone!

E-MAGAZINES

Enjoy a digital magazine!

Did you k

now that with your OCLN Library Card and a valid email address, you can enjoy unlimited access to over 3,000 magazines with unrestricted viewing 24/7! No borrowing limits and years of back issues at your fingertips! Read full digital editions on your computer or laptop via a web browser, or on your mobile device with the Libby app installed. You'll find titles like Prevention, The New Yorker, People, Time... and so many more!

To use Libby on your tablet or smartphone, download the Libby app today. If you've already downloaded the Libby app, you're all set to begin enjoying access to a huge catalog of titles! Libby is available for use on computers through the website libbyapp.com.

ATTENTION AUDIOBOOK FANS!

Try a Playaway!

Are you looking for new audiobooks? Would you like a low-tech option? Why not try a Playaway! With Playaway you can relax and cut down on screen time. Listen while you walk, drive, or lounge.

You can find Playaway in all areas of the library, for all age ranges: Children, Teens, and Adults!

Fun facts:

Did you know that 70% of adults who listen to audiobooks said it made them feel less stressed or anxious! And that 67% of listeners agree that one of the reasons they enjoy audiobooks is to reduce screen time.

Playaway are easy to use. All you need is a set off headphones! You can even connect a Playaway to your car's sound system with an auxiliary cable-- which we have available for you to check out with your Playaway!

MEESCAN APP: CHECK OUT ON YOUR PHONE

Checking out your own items is as easy as 1,2,3 with the OCLN MeeScan App!

1. Install the OCLN meeScan app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store

2. Open the app and log in with your library card number and PIN

3. Start checking out your items!

LOOP ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

At the service desk: Loop Assistive Technology

We are excited to let you know about a device that was purchased for the library by the Scituate Commission on Disabilities, called a “Loop." The Loop is a device that works to amplify sound for patrons who are hard of hearing. If you have a telecoil device (T-coil) in your hearing aid, you can easily connect it to the loop using its "T" setting. The Loop will also work for patrons who do not have a hearing aid by using headphones connected to the Loop. To learn more about this device, you can read here.

LIBRARY ADULT PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Want to see what's happening beyond December?

Visit our online calendar!

NEW CLUB! FIBER ARTS

Fiber Arts Club

Tuesdays: 12/30, 1/27, 2/24, 3/31, & 4/28

6-7:30 PM

Book Club Room

Drop-In, No Registration Needed

The Library is excited to announce a new adult club starting this autumn - Fiber Arts! Hosted by Adult Services Librarian Jen Struzziero, Fiber Arts Club will offer a chill atmosphere to bring your own project and join other fiber crafters in your community! Crochet, sew, embroider, knit, cross stitch, spin, mend, and more at this informal drop-in fiber arts circle. All crafts are welcome!

SCITUATE SLEUTHS

Scituate Sleuths

Tuesday, December 9th | 7 PM

Book Club Room

Join the Scituate Sleuths as we discuss our next read, Fair Play by Louise Hegarty. Pick up a copy of the book at the Library and read it ahead of time! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jennifer Struzziero, Adult Services Librarian at 781-545-8727 or jstruzziero@scituate.ocln.org

ARMCHAIR TRAVELERS BOOK CLUB

Armchair Travelers

Thursday, December 4th| 10 AM

Book Club Room

Join us for a book group led by Library Assistant Director Ann Lattinville. Called Armchair Travelers, this book group will read both fiction and nonfiction titles to explore striking and intriguing locales. Pick up the book at the Library and check it out to take home! This month's discussion will be on Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jared Hosein. New members are always encouraged to join us!

MEMOIRS & MOCKTAILS

Memoirs & Mocktails

Tuesday, December 16th | 7 PM

Program Room

Registration Requested

Do you love reading diverse memoirs and/or celebrity biographies? This book club is for you!

Enjoy a non-alcoholic libation (mocktail) while discussing our monthly memoirs. We will enjoy a wide variety of memoirs and biographies that may explore food, celebrity, travel and historical figures. Whether you're drawn to tales of self-reliance, or narratives of resilience and extraordinary adventures, this memoir book club will provide a safe and inclusive space where adult readers can share insights and explore the intricate fabric of human experiences.

Everyone is welcome! Enjoy a refreshment and bring your curiosity and passion for compelling life stories to our monthly meetings! Each meeting, we will serve a different mocktail (with recipe included!) and then choose from a list of memoirs to read the following month.

Our December Book: Free Read! Read any memoir of your choosing!

Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

For planning purposes, online registration is requested.

CHILDREN'S ROOM

December sees the continuation of regularly scheduled children's programming, including Pattycake Place, Sensory Storytime,

Crafternoons, Miss Rebecca, and more! See below for highlights!

Visit our online calendar to check out all of the fall fun or get a printable calendar here!

NOON YEAR'S EVE!

Noon Year's Eve Beach Party

Wednesday, December 31st

11 AM - 12 PM

Community Room

Drop-In

We're having a New Year's Eve Beach Party at the library! Enjoy fun crafts, a festive beach ball drop, and capture the moment at our photo wall. It’s a splash of fun for all ages—come celebrate with us!

Crafts start at 11, ball drop at 12PM!

PATTYCAKE PLACE WITH MS.V

Pattycake Place with Ms. V

Wednesdays: 12/10, 12/17, 1/14, 1/21, and 1/28

10 AM

Community Room

Drop-in Program for Children Ages 0-5 along with their Caregiver:

Join us for songs, rhymes, fingerplays, and stories geared towards your little readers. We will continue to develop your child's early literacy skills, and you'll get to meet other parents and caregivers!

This storytime is best suited for ages 2-5, but all ages are welcome! Storytime for the first 30 minutes, free play for the last 30 minutes.

*Please note there will be no Pattycake Place on 12/24 or 12/31 due to the holidays.

Noon Year's Eve will stand-in for Pattycake Place on 12/31.

POKÉMON!

Pokémon: Trading Card Club Friday

Friday, December 12th

3:30 - 4:30 PM

Grades 3 and Up

Program Room

Drop-In

Are you ready for a fun-filled afternoon of Pokémon: The Trading Card Game? Join us to meet fellow Pokémon fans. Bring your own cards or use ours. All skill levels welcome!

This program is generously funded by the Friends of Scituate Town Library. Visit the Friends' Bookstore on the lower level of the library! Proceeds help the Friends fund museum passes and special programs for all ages.

LEGO CLUB

LEGO Club

Mondays: 12/1, 12/15, & 12/29

4-5 PM

Program Room

Drop-in Program for Students in Grades K -5:

Led by our fantastic Master LEGO Builders (aka Teen Volunteers!), come build for an hour with the library’s collection of LEGOs! Each session will offer a different and fun building challenge for you and your friends to try. We’ll display your creation in the children’s room between meetings!

Guardians are required to stay in the Library while kids attend Lego Club.

MAMASTEPH

Music with Mamasteph

Friday, December 19th

10:00-10:30 AM

Community Room

For Children Ages 0-5 Along with Their Caregivers*

Mamasteph brings her traditional children's songs for sing-alongs and musical stories to the Scituate Town Library!

*We are no longer requiring tickets for this program*

*Please note: To ensure everyone’s comfort and safety, this room has a strict capacity limit. We kindly ask for your cooperation in adhering to this policy and to arrive early to ensure you will be able to attend the event. Thank you!

TEEN HAPPENINGS

Visit our online calendar for more info, or get a

printable calendar of all of the Teen Programs here!

POP-UP ART SCHOOL: SNOWY HOUSE LUMINARIA

Teen Pop-Up Art School: Snowy House Luminaria

Tuesday, December 2nd

4-5:30 PM

Community Room

Registration Required

For Students in Grades 5-12:

Design your very own cozy house luminaria using pages from old books and needle felting techniques! In this creative mixed media workshop led by Pop Up Art School, you'll craft a glowing wintery scene perfect for adding warmth and charm to your space.

Registration is required.

HOT COCOA & GAME LOUNGE

Hot Cocoa & Game Lounge

Monday, December 29th

2-3:30 PM

Community Room

Drop-In

For Students in Grades 5+:

Take a break from the post-holiday slump and have fun at our Hot Cocoa & Game Lounge! Come sip hot chocolate from our DIY cocoa bar while playing board games with friends. We’ll have snacks, music, and a mix of games for you to enjoy!

SOCIAL WORK OFFICE HOURS

Town of Scituate

Social Work Office Hours at Scituate Town Library

Every Monday*, 1-3 PM

*Please note that there will be no social work office hours on weeks with a Monday holiday.

Have questions? Contact Erica Souris at esouris@scituatema.gov or 781-741-0062

Why would I reach out to a Town Social Worker?

Short term counseling related to a variety of mental health and psychosocial needs: grief & bereavement, life transitions, domestic violence, substance use, hoarding/clutter, etc.
Assistance with resources like housing, heat and energy assistance, veteran's support, food insecurity, etc.
Helps assist with connection to long term mental health and substance use treatment and resources.

LIBRARY OF THINGS SPOTLIGHT

HAPPY LIGHT

This December, bring sunshine inside with the Happy Light from the Library of Things! The Happy Light is a light therapy lamp that mimics sunlight in order to improve mood, sleep, energy, and focus.

To place a hold on this item, visit this direct link, or call the Library at (781) 545-8727.

RESERVE A STUDY ROOM ONLINE

Reserve a Study Room Online with Your Library Card!

Book a library study room using your computer, tablet, or phone! Visit the link and provide your library card number, name, email, and phone number to secure a reservation. Library staff are still able to make reservations for you, please call (781) 545-8727 for assistance. The full policy for study rooms is available on our website.

Study rooms may be reserved up to one month in advance. Please note, you may book three (3) times per week for up to two (2) hours at a time. Study rooms can accommodate up to six patrons.

Study room users must be at least 13 years old. Because study rooms are in high demand, your reservation will be released if you do not arrive within 15 minutes of your booking time.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

Shop the Holiday Sale at the 2nd Chapter Bookstore

Friday, Dec. 12 to Monday, Dec. 22

10 am-2 pm

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday

50% off: Holiday Books $.50-$1.50; CDs and DVDs $.50 Holiday Puzzles $1

The bookstore’s other fabulous collections of books at regular prices also make great gifts.

All proceeds from the book sales fund library programs.

The bookstore accepts donations in good condition: Paperback and Hardcover Adult fiction and Nonfiction books, Children’s and Young Adult books. CDs, DVDs and Puzzles in original packaging.

VISIT THE LIBRARY GALLERY

Meet the Front Street Art Gallery Artists - “Art of Giving”

November 12th - December 29th

Come Meet the Front Street Art Gallery Artists “Art of Giving Show” in the Scituate Library Gallery. Gallery Artists will feature smaller works suitable for gift-giving from November 12th to December 29th. All works can be purchased by using the QR Code which will be posted in several locations. You will be sent an invoice and can use PayPal for your purchase. Susan Kerrigan, Bart Bloomberg, Jody Reagan, Janet Cornacchio, Peggy Roth M Major, Maureen Brookfield, Michelle Clark, Marianne Buckley-Curran, Kathy Mogayzel, Paul Tenaglia, Cathy McCarthy, Kristen Barr and Rich Foley are participating.

Below are a few examples of their works:

L-R: Kristen Barr's "Fall Over Peggoty Marsh," Marianne Buckley-Curran's "Just a Drop," and Paul Tenaglia's "Egypt Gale."

NONPROFIT CORNER:

SCITUATE FOOD PANTRY

HOW YOU CAN HELP THE SCITUATE FOOD PANTRY

Together, we make sure no neighbor goes hungry.

The Scituate Food Pantry relies on the generosity of our community to provide food, resources, and support to local families in need. Whether you donate cash, food, volunteer, or spread the word, your help makes a real difference right here in Scituate. Please read on to for a message from the Food Pantry.

How to Donate Funds

A monetary gift is one of the most immediate and impactful ways to help. Your donations help in purchasing fresh and shelf-stable foods, supplies and paying operating expenses to keep the Pantry running year-round. Even a small gift helps the food pantry buy exactly what’s most needed, often at bulk or discounted prices.

Give online via Paypal.
Mail a check to The Scituate Food Pantry, PO Box 120, Scituate, MA 02066
Check with your employer to see if they’ll match your donation.

How to Donate Food

The Food Pantry welcomes donations of non-perishable and shelf-stable items. The most-needed items change monthly. You can always view the latest list on the website’s What We Need page. In addition, there are items the Food Pantry always needs, including:

Canned ham, spam and hash
Canned fish (tuna, sardines, clams, salmon and crabmeat)
Canned chicken
Beef stew and clam chowder
Microwave popcorn

You can drop off food during Pantry business hours: Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. & Thursdays 2:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Donation bins are also located outside at the rear of the Food Pantry.

The Food Pantry has additional drop-off locations around town for non-perishable items:

Scituate Town Library: 85 Branch Street
Village Market: 71 Front Street
St. Mary's of the Nativity: 1 Kent Street
Shaw's Supermarket Cohasset: 739 Chief Justice Cushing Hwy

FIND YOUR NEXT READ!

Not sure what to read next? Library staff is here for you!

If you've been a long-time reader of our newsletter, you've probably seen the "staff picks" section of suggestions at the bottom. But did you know there are lots of other ways to discover your next great read with the help of library staff and library services? Here are a few ideas for you!

Ask a Librarian! We are always happy to help you find a great book to read. We are available to chat with you about what you've recently read that you've liked and then match you up with some selections we think you'll enjoy! Just ask at the circulation desk and we will be happy to assist.

Follow us on Facebook! to get multiple reading lists a week! These book lists are thoughtfully curated by Scituate Town Library staff.

Request a BookMatch or a Book Bundle/Pack. The Library staff created two services for patrons who would like some help selecting their next great book. BookMatch is available for kids and adults and involves filling out a quick questionnaire about your reading habits. Staff then sends you back a list of titles we think you might like! If you'd like to be surprised by a bag of books to borrow, you can fill out the Book Bundle (kids) or Book Pack (adults) request forms. We'll put titles in a bag for you to pick up! This is a great option if you're in a hurry and want a grab & go experience.

And for teens, we have two services: Books & Bites-- which is a bag with books and snacks; and Book & Movie Night bag. Pick from our selection of book-to-movie adaptation bundles and we'll package up for you a book, movie, and a movie night snack pack.

Have you tried Novelist? NoveList is a powerhouse of a database designed for readers and built by librarians! With NoveList you can really fine tune your reading selections, especially if you enjoy specific genres and subgenres. Try NoveList in order to:

Search for items with just about any search parameters you can think of
Find reading lists and articles created by NoveList's staff of professional librarians
Read reviews and see award winners
Create folders to keep track of any book lists you would like to create

There are two versions of Novelist-- one for adults/teens and one for children.

Novelist for adults, click here.
Novelist for kids, K-8, click here.

STAFF PICKS!

STAFF PICKS: Kathleen Recommends...

Narrow the Road
by James Wade

With his father missing and his mother gravely ill, William Carter is struggling to keep his family's cotton farm afloat in the face of drought and foreclosure. As his options wane, William receives a mysterious letter that claims to know his father's whereabouts. Together with his best friend Ollie, a mortician in training, William sets out to find his father and bring him home to set things right.

STAFF PICKS: Kristina Recommends...

Vagabond: A Memoir
by Tim Curry

There are few stars in Hollywood today that can boast the kind of resume Emmy award-winning actor Tim Curry has built over the past five decades. From his breakout role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' to his iconic depiction as the sadistic clown Pennywise in It to his critically acclaimed role as the original King Arthur in both the Broadway and West End versions of Spamalot, Curry redefined what it meant to be a 'character actor,' portraying heroes and villains alike with complexity, nuance, and a genuine understanding of human darkness. He's had dozens of roles across movies, TV shows, and musicals; lent his instantly recognizable voice to dozens of voice roles, audiobooks, and videogames; and he's changed the lives of countless fans in the process. Now, in his memoir, Curry takes readers behind-the-scenes of his rise to fame from his early beginnings as a military brat with difficult family dynamics, to his formative years in boarding school and university, to the moment when he hit the stage for the first time.

STAFF PICKS: Kristen Recommends...

Muscle Man
by Jordan Castro

Harold, a middling literature professor at a liberal arts college, lives in a state of dissatisfaction and fear. His colleagues and students evoke nothing but disgust and disdain. None of them understand strength, power, and spiritual actualization like he does. His university's campus--seemingly picturesque--constantly threatens to reveal something sinister. Over the course of a single afternoon, he wanders the halls, sits in meetings, steals from a student, and goes to the gym--all while reflecting on his professional and existential situation. With every line of Harold's frenetic consciousness, his mundane routine transforms into something more foreboding, culminating in an ingenious twist.

LET THE LIBRARIANS PICK FOR YOU: GET A BAGFUL!

No time to browse in the Library? Want to just swing by and leave with some fantastic choices just for you? We're happy to provide you with a surprise bag of books for you to check out and return! These requests are so much fun for staff to receive. Use our Book Pack, Books & Bites, and Book Bundles services! We'll pack a bag of books, check it out to you, and put it in our Self-Serve Holds area! Each service is described below. See if it's right for you and request yours today!

BOOK PACKS FOR ADULTS

Can't decide what you want to read? No time to put items on hold? Want to be surprised when you open your bag? Request a "pack" of 5 thematic books chosen for you by the Scituate Town Library staff. We will call you when the pack is ready for pick up! Please allow at least 48 hours for processing.

BOOK BITES FOR TEENS
Get up to three personally picked library books and a yummy snack of your choice! Fill out the form today. Please allow at least 48 hours for processing.

BOOK BUNDLES FOR KIDS
Request a "bundle" of 5-7 thematic titles, chosen for you by the Scituate Town Library Children's Staff. We call you when the bundle is ready for pick up! Picture books, chapter books... you decide! Please allow at least 48 hours for processing.

LET THE LIBRARIANS PICK FOR YOU: GET A LIST!

Would you like a list of titles picked just for you? Fill out our form and we'll pick books we think you might like and send you a list for you to explore at your own pace! Our book lists for adults and children offer a truly personalized, curated reading experience. Since we started these services a few years ago we've provided hundreds and hundreds of lists to our patrons! Get yours today!

BOOK MATCH FOR ADULTS
Use this link to get your very own list!

BOOK MATCH FOR KIDS
Use this link to get your very own list!

INFORMATION ON LIBRARY SERVICES

All of our electronic resources are highlighted on our home page under the dropdown menus of Reading & Entertainment and Research. Look for Overdrive (Libby), Hoopla, Kanopy, and more for downloadable and streaming books, movies, audiobooks and magazines.
Need a card or having trouble with an existing or lost card? Please call or email the Circulation Staff.
Need research assistance? Please call or email our Reference Staff.
Need help with children's or teens services? Please call or email our Youth Services Staff.
Many of our library apps require a PIN. If you have never changed your PIN, the default is "OCLN". If you encounter problems, please call us or email Circulation Staff.

Have questions?

Send us an email at any of the contacts listed above, or contact Library Director Jessi Finnie with questions.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO GET READING IDEAS & MORE!

Scituate Town Library

Follow the Library's main page on Facebook here!

Scituate Town Library Children's Department
To get updates on what's happening in the Children's Room, book news, and more, follow us on Facebook here!

Scituate Town Library Teen Page
See what the Teen Room has going on here!

Scituate Library
85 Branch Street
Scituate, Massachusetts 02066
(781) 545-8727
www.scituatetownlibrary.org