Transcript: June 2024
In this Issue

Summer Reading Fun for All Ages
Programs for Adults:Author Talks, a Plant Walk, and more
Book Groups for Adults
Programs for All Ages:Gardening, Movie Night, Art Show
Free Beginner U.S. Citizenship Classes
Programs for T(w)eens
Learn Languages Online through our Library
Programs for Children:Stuffed Animal Sleepovers, The Pineapple Project, and more
Baby Lapsit at our Libraries
STAFF PICKS: Celebrate Pride Month
Announcements
Summer Reading is almost here, and this year's theme is Read, Renew, Repeat! Check out the summer reading section below to learn about what we have to offer for each age group.
 
In honor of LGBTQ+ Pride month, come to our Paint Your Pride Tiny Art Show reception on June 15! Community members were busy all May at Paint Your Pride events, and their artwork will be displayed throughout the month.
 
This newsletter lets you know about many of our events, but did you know we have even more? Visit our online calendar to explore them all!
 
Upcoming Closures:
All Somerville Public Library locations will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, for Juneteenth.
Summer Reading Fun for All Ages
Children's Summer Reading
Transcript: 2024 Children's Summer Reading: Read, Renew, Repeat.
June 17 - August 16
 
Sign up at any library location to get your reading log, then check in each week to get a sticker, raffle ticket, and tag for your progress! We have tons of events planned, too, so check out our children's summer events webpage or the calendar for more details!
 
Questions? Contact Keri at kbradeen@somervillema.gov
Teen & Tween Summer Reading
Transcript: 2024 Teen Summer Reading Challenge: Read, Renew, Repeat.
June 10 - August 12
 
Sign up at any library location, then read and submit brief book reviews as you go to get fun stickers, raffle tickets, and more! We have teen and tween events planned for all library locations, so check out our teen and tween summer events webpage or the calendar to learn more!
 
Questions? Contact Ellen at ejacobs@somervillema.gov.
Adult Summer Reading
Transcript: 2024 Adults summer Reading: Read, Renew, Repeat.
June 17 - August 16
 
Stop by any library location or visit our website to pick up your summer reading passport, then check in as you complete challenges to get raffle tickets! To learn more about adult summer reading, click here.
 
Questions? Contact Leo at lrachman@somervillema.gov
Programs for Adults:
Author Talks, a Plant Walk, and more
Transcript: Nourishing Resistance: a conversation with author Wren AwryNourishing Resistance: a Conversation with Author Wren Awry
Tuesday, June 18, 2024 - 6:00 PM
Central Library Auditorium
 
Stop by to hear author Wren Awry talk about the role food plays in movements for social change. Through essays, articles, poems, and stories, their book, Nourishing Resistance, argues that food is a central, intrinsic part of global struggles for autonomy and collective liberation.
 
Questions? Contact Kerry: keodonnell@somervillema.gov
Transcript: Stencil a Statement ToteStencil a Statement Tote
Saturday, June 22, 2024 - 1:30 PM
Central Library Auditorium
 
Join us for a crafternoon to celebrate PRIDE!  Members of the queer community and allies alike are welcome to join us at the Central Library as we decorate reusable tote bags that make a statement! 
Ages 18+.
 
Questions? Contact Kerry at keodonnell@somervillema.gov
Transcript: Medicinal plant walk with herbalist Mo Katz-Christy.
Medicinal Plant Walk at East
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 - 7:00 PM
East Branch
 
Join herbalist Mo Katz-Christy for a stroll about town to meet the plants in our neighborhood! We will explore botany and medicinal uses and have lots of time for questions and conversation.
 
Questions? Contact Liam at lokeefe@somervillema.gov.
Transcript: Adult board game cafe.
Transcript: Bridgerton afternoon tea.
Transcript: Suffrage Song: a conversation with author Caitlin Cass on the haunted history of gender, race, and voting rights in the US.
June 1 -  2 PM
Central Library
Auditorium
June 9 -  2 PM
Central Library
Auditorium
June 10 - 7 PM
Virtual on Zoom
Transcript: Hand sewing for mending.
Transcript: The serial killer's apprentice: a Q&A with authors Katherine Ramsland and Tracy Ullman.
Transcript: Death cafe.
June 13 - 6:30 PM
East Branch
June 24 - 7 PM
Virtual on Zoom
June 25 - 6:30 PM
Central Library
Auditorium
Book Groups for Adults
Transcript: Books and social groups for adults. Between the Covers meets every first Tuesday at 7:00 pm, virtual. Books and Brews meets every second Wednesday at 6:15pm, in-person. CelebriTea Book Club meets every last Wednesday at 6:30pm, in-person. East Branch Book Club meets every fourth Friday at 11:00 am, in-person. Mystery book club meets every last Wednesday at 7:00 pm, virtual. Nonfiction book group meets every second Wednesday at 7:00 pm, virtual. Queer book club meets every third Monday at 6:30 pm, alternating. SPL supper club meets every third Tuesday at 7:00 pm, in-person. Want to learn more? Visit the book club page on our website.
Transcript: Queer Book Club: an LGBTQIA+ book group. Every third Monday at 6:30 pm.Announcing a New SPL Book Group: Queer Book Club
Monday, July 15 - 6:30 PM
Central Library Auditorium
 
Starting in July, come join us every third Monday of the month to read and discuss some great queer fiction, nonfiction, and memoirs. This book club will alternate between meeting in-person at the Central Library and virtually on Zoom.
 
July's book is The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun. Registration is required, and attendance is limited to LGBTQIA+ community members. Ages 18+.
 
For more information about this book club, email Muhl at mhellerwallace@somervillema.gov.
Programs for All Ages:
Gardening, Movie Night, Art Show
A background with stock photos of gardening and garden beds, with the title "gardening workshops" in green in the center.Gardening Workshop with Green City Growers
Saturdays, June 1 & 29, 2024 - 10:30 AM
Central Library Demonstration Garden
 
A Green City Growers farmer will lead these hands-on workshops for all ages designed to teach you when and what to plant, and how to maintain, fertilize, and harvest successful crops in the city.
Registration optional.
 
Questions? Contact Kerry at keodonnell@somervillema.gov
Transcript: Movie and craft night at West. Lisa Frankenstein.Movie and Craft Night - Halfway to Halloween
Monday, June 3, 2024 - 6:30 PM
West Branch Community Room
 
Join us for a scary movie and a creepy craft as the West Branch celebrates "Halfway to Halloween" and gives us some chills in the summer! We'll be watching Lisa Frankenstein and making paper dolls.
 
Lisa Frankenstein is rated PG-13. This event is open to adults and teens.
 
Questions? Email Brigid at bblack@somervillema.gov.
Rainbow color splashes on white in the background, with the title "paint your pride tiny art show: june 2024" on top.
Paint Your Pride: Tiny Art Show
Saturday, June 15, 2024 - 2:00 PM
Central Library Auditorium
 
In May, people attended Library painting programs virtually and in-person, or picked up paint kits and worked on their own to participate in “Paint Your Pride.” The artworks displayed in our gallery this month are the result of those sessions.
 
Please stop by anytime in June to take a look at what our community has created, but we especially hope you will join us for this reception to celebrate the artists and their work!
 
Questions? Contact splgallery@minlib.net
Free Beginner U.S. Citizenship Classes
Transcript: Free beginner US citizenship class. Central library. Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am to 12:30 pm from June 24 through September 25. Learn more and register at tinyurl.com/beginnercitizenshipclass.
Programs for T(w)eens
A graphic of a small book shelf, under which reads "T(w)een Advisory Board."T(w)een Advisory Board
Monday, June 10, 2024 - 6:30 PM
West Branch Children's Room
 
Come discuss the book of the month and have fun with other library activities! June is Reader's Choice. Come prepared to book-talk a book of your choosing (no spoilers, please!).
 
Space is limited and registration is required. Ages 12+.
 
Questions? Contact Alison at amitchell@somervillema.gov
Transcript: Video game hangout for teens and tweens. Mondays at 7 pm.T(w)een Video Game Hangout
Monday, June 17, 2024 - 7:00 PM
Central Library Teen Room
 
Come hang out and play multi-player Nintendo Switch games on the big screen! Try Super Smash Bros or Mario Kart, or bring your own games!
 
Ages 10-18. No registration required. This hangout will meet weekly from June 17 to August 12.
 
Questions? Contact Ellen at ejacobs@somervillema.gov
Transcript: Pride zine workshop.Pride Zine Making Workshop
Saturday, June 29, 2024 - 2:30 PM
Central Library Teen Room
 
Make a zine to show your pride! All materials will be provided.
 
For more information, contact Kyle at kcoston@somervillema.gov.

Learn Languages Online through our Library
Transcript: Learn a new language today with Transparent Language online. 110+ languages at your fingertips; now available through Somerville Public library. Whether you're a beginner or intermediate learner, Transparent Languages Online can help. Available for learning 110+ languages, plus English (ELL) materials for native speakers of 30+ languages.
Programs for Children:
Stuffed Animal Sleepovers, The Pineapple Project, and more
Transcript: The pineapple project.
The Pineapple Project
Saturday, June 8, 2024 - 11:00 AM.
Central Library Auditorium
 
Enjoy a fun and engaging original show that explores gender, creativity, and each child's freedom to be who they are. Ages 3-8. Registration required.
 
Questions? Contact Keri at kbradeen@somervillema.gov
Transcript: Stuffed animal sleepover.Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 - All Day
Central Library Children's Room
 
The Stuffed Animal Sleepover is back at the Central Library! Bring your stuffed animal to the Children's Room between 9 am and 6 pm, then watch the library's social media to see what they do in the library overnight!
 
We will also be having a stuffed animal sleepover later this summer at East Branch and West Branch. No registration required.
 
Questions? Contact Annie at aschapira@somervillema.gov.
Transcript: Music sing-along with Matt Heaton.
Transcript: Drop in LEGO club at East Branch.
Transcript: Good craft-er-noon at the East Branch.
June 10 - 10:30 AM
Central Library
Auditorium

June 24 - 11 AM
East Branch

June 25 - 3:30 PM
East Branch
transcript: LEGO club at West Branch.
Transcript: STEAM at the library.
A picture of a french bulldog with his tongue sticking out, with the title "Read to Waffles the Therapy Dog" on top.
June 26 - 1 PM
West Branch
Children's Room

June 27 - 3 PM
West Branch
Community Room
June 27 - 3:30 PM
Central Library
Children's Room
Registration opens 6/24
Baby Lapsit at our Libraries
Transcript: Baby lapsit for birth through pre-walkers. At Central Library on Tuesdays at 10:30am. At East Branch on Fridays at 10:30am. At West Branch on Thursdays at 11:00am.
STAFF PICKS: Celebrate Pride Month
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month
Explore these stories centering LGBTQ+ voices, hand-picked for you by SPL staff! For personalized suggestions, try out our What Should I Read Next service. Want to keep up with new releases in other genres? Subscribe to our monthly reading recommendation newsletters.
Book cover of "Marley's Pride" by Joelle Retener.
Book cover of "Washington's Gay General" by Josh Trujillo.
Book cover for Becky Chamber's "A psalm for the wild-built."
A transgender child faces their anxiety about the upcoming Pride festivities in this uplifting picture book.
 
- Annie, Children's Librarian
This graphic biography tells the true story of Baron von Steuben, bringing an important gay historical figure back from obscurity.
 
- Carrie, Reference Librarian
A cozy, post-apocalyptic, queer sci-fi story following the paths of a tea monk and a wild robot as they begin to intertwine.
 
- Niki, Substitute Librarian
Book cover for "The mighty heart of Sunny St. James by Ashley Herring Blake."
Book Cover for "Where echoes die" by Courtney Gould.
Picture book cover of Cat Sebastian's "You should be so lucky". 
Twelve-year-old Sunny St. James navigates heart surgery, reconnecting with her lost mother, first kisses, and emerging feelings for another girl in this stunning, heartfelt novel.
 
- Alison, Children's Librarian
After her mother dies, Beck goes looking for answers in the strange town she was researching, but finds only more questions and several strangers with missing memories.
 
- Muhl, Generalist Librarian
A mid-century historical romance about finding love where you didn't think you ever would, and also baseball. 
 
- Brigid, Community Services Librarian
 
Somerville Public Library
79 Highland Ave | 40 College Ave | 115 Broadway, Somerville, Massachusetts 02143
617-623-5000

https://www.somervillepubliclibrary.org/