A cover image of white leaves over a dark green background, reading "May 2024".
In this Issue

Paint Your Pride
Programs for Adults: Poetry, Art, and Staying Organized
Book a Librarian at the Central Library
Programs for All Ages
Programs for T(w)eens
Take Advantage of Creative Classes Online
Programs for Children: Clubs, Crafts, and Waffles (the therapy dog)
Storytimes at our Libraries
STAFF PICKS: Celebrate AANHPI Voices
Friends of the Somerville Public Library Book Sale
Announcements
The Friends of the Somerville Public Library will be hosting a book sale to benefit the library on May 3rd-5th at the Central Library.
 
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 Monday, May 27, for Memorial Day.
Paint Your Pride
Rainbow color splashes on white in the background, with the title "paint your pride: may 2024" on top.
Paint Your Pride Take-Home Kit
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - All Day
All Library Locations
 
This May, "Paint Your Pride!" in a joy-filled series of Community Art events! The completed works will be displayed in the Library's Gallery @ SPL for Pride Month (June 2024)!
 
Pick up a "Paint Your Pride" Kit and attend a virtual painting program, or create a piece of artwork on your own!
 
Questions? Contact Kerry at keodonnell@somervillema.gov
Dark rainbow clouds in the background with the title "Get your brushes ready: Virtual paint night: paint your pride" on top.
(Virtual) Paint Night: Paint Your Pride!
Thursday, May 2, 2024 - 7:00 PM
Zoom
 
For this Virtual Paint Night event, you are welcome to use your own supplies, OR you can pick up a "Paint Your Pride" Kit from one of the Somerville Public Library locations. Register to receive the Zoom link, then join us online to chat as we all paint together! Ages 18+
 
Questions? Contact Kerry at keodonnell@somervillema.gov
A rainbow spectrum of colors featuring a photo of Alex and their pet rabbit with the title "Paint your Pride with Alex Makes Art" on top.Paint Your Pride with Alex Makes Art!
Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 7:00 PM
Central Library Auditorium
 
Alex Makes Art will be leading a mixed media experience in PAINT! We will work our way through tempera sticks, paint markers, and good ol' acrylic paint with a pairing of alternative techniques for application. Registration required. Ages 18+
 
Questions? Contact Kerry at keodonnell@somervillema.gov
A watercolor rainbow background with the title "paint your pride family paint day" on top.Paint Your Pride Family Paint Day
Sunday, May 19, 2024 - 2:00 PM
Central Library Auditorium
 
Join us for a family paint day! Canvases and painting supplies will be provided at this event. This program is intended for children, tweens, and their families. Registration required.
 
Questions? Contact Keri at kbradeen@somervillema.gov 
A rainbow assortment of paint splotches, with the words "Queer Craft Night: Paint Your Pride Edition".
Queer Craft Night at Central Library
Thursday, May 30, 2024 - 6:30 PM
Central Library Auditorium
 
Using acrylics or watercolors, attendees will make a painting that expresses who they are and have the option to participate in our Gallery @ SPL's "Paint Your Pride" Tiny Art Show. Ages 18+. Registration required.
 
If you identify as queer or LGBTQ, this event is for you! If you do not, but you still want to connect through your art, keep your eyes peeled for other upcoming craft events.
 
Questions? Contact Kerry at keodonnell@somervillema.gov
Programs for Adults: Poetry, Art, and Staying Organized
A black print floral wreath with an orange background, with the words "Poetry Reading with Local Poets" centered inside.Poetry Reading with Local Poets
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 7:00 PM
West Branch Community Room
 
Join local poets Holly Guran, Gloria Mindock, and Timothy Gager as they read from some of their recent work.
 
Questions? Contact Brigid at bblack@somervillema.gov
A background stylized to look like an art museum wall with several Asian art pieces included, with the title "Asian Art Series: Glorious Civilizations: An Exploration of Southeast Asia" on top.
A background of magenta, yellow, and turquoise paint mixing together, with the title "Bad Art Night at the West Branch" on top.
A mishmash of random tan-shaded shapes in the background, with the event title "Ibbetson Street Press Poetry Event at the East Branch" on top.
May 5 - 2:30 PM
Virtual
May 13 - 7 PM
West Branch
Community Room
May 16 - 6:30 PM
East Branch
A picture of a well-organized closet in the background in pastel colors, with the words "develop the habits for staying organized" in bold font on top.
Illustrations of craft notions in the background, with a title on top. Transcript: Creativity collective - a meetup for arts and crafts makers. Occurring on the last monday of every month.
A background of sage green and ivory swirls, with the title "Death Cafe at the East Branch" on top.
May 16 - 6:30 PM
Virtual
May 20 - 6:30 PM
Central Library
Auditorium
May 23 - 6:30 PM
East Branch
Book a Librarian at the Central Library
Transcript: Need Extra Help? Book a Librarian at the Central Library. We're here to help with your in-depth questions! Request a free appointment to get help with resume formatting, job interview preparation, research assistance, or local history and genealogy.
Programs for All Ages
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
Saturday, May 4, 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
A studious-aesthetic background with a globe and pen, with the title "navigating college admissions successfully in 2024" in the center.Navigating College Admissions Successfully: Creating a Compelling College Application
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - 7:00 PM
Virtual on Zoom
 
Attention, high school juniors and parents! Learn how to use the summer productively to create a compelling college application. This talk will cover current admissions trends, writing the personal statement essay and supplemental essays, navigating teacher recommendations, and how students can position themselves to increase their chances for admission.
 
Questions? Contact Kerry at keodonnell@somervillema.gov
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, May 13, 2024 - 6:30 PM
West Branch Children's Room
 
Come discuss the book of the month and have fun with other library activities!
Our May book is Forever This Summer by Leslie C. Youngblood.
Space is limited and registration is required. Ages 12+.
 
Questions? Contact Alison at amitchell@somervillema.gov
A pale yellow and teal background with a photo of bottles filled with various colors of glitter and water, with title text reading "DIY Calming Sensory Bottles."DIY Calming Sensory Bottles
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - 3:00 PM
Central Library Auditorium
 
May is Mental Health Awareness month, so teens and tweens are invited to make sensory bottles, simple devices that can help provide a calming and relaxing experience for people who are feeling anxious or overwhelmed.
This is a drop-in program, and registration is not required.
 
Questions? Contact Ellen at ejacobs@somervillema.gov
Various simple crafts featured on top of an orange background, with the title "Saturday Afternoon Tween Craft Hang Out" on top.Craft Hangout for Tweens
Saturday, May 25, 2024 - 2:30 PM
Central Library Teen Room
 
Join us for a Saturday afternoon of crafting! Shrinky dinks, friendship bracelets, duct tape wallets, mini stuffies, stress balls, perler beads, paracord, origami… so many possibilities!
This is a drop-in program, and registration is not required.
 
Questions? Contact Ellen at ejacobs@somervillema.gov

Take Advantage of Creative Classes Online
Transcript: Creativebug: Unlimited, Anytime, Anywhere. Stream free creative classes and workshops online. Watch thousands of online art and craft classes on: Art and design, sewing, quilting, paper, knitting, crochet, food and home, jewelry, holiday and party, and kids. Brought to you by Somerville Public Library.
Programs for Children: Clubs, Crafts, and Waffles (the therapy dog)
A green background with a small bookshelf icon in blue on top, reading "Chapter Chatter: a kids' book club at Central Library. Ages 9-11."
Chapter Chatter Book Club
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - 3:30 PM
Central Library Children's Room
 
Chapter Chatter is a book club for ages 9-11, meeting the second Tuesday of the month. For this meeting, you may choose to read one of the following titles: Bhai for Now by Maleeha Siddiqui | Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee | Shakti by SJ Sindu | You Are Here: Connecting Flights edited by Ellen Oh.
Registration encouraged.
 
Questions? Contact Annie at aschapira@somervillema.gov
A background stylized to look like lined paper with a typewriter and stack of books in the foreground, reading "West Branch Library Book Publishing Program: Book Launch Party" on top.Book Launch Party
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - 6:30 PM
West Branch Atrium
 
Join us for the West Branch Library's Book Publishing Program Book Launch Party, featuring The Mr. Platypus Treasury by Veronica Kemmett, Macaroni & Tofu’s Sweet Life by Felix Groth, Natural Selves by Ola Guziewicz, The Dragon Drought by Eliora Indrawidjaja, and Bug Wars by Jacob Tompkins. Their books will be available for checkout at the West Branch.
 
Questions? Contact Alison: amitchell@somervillema.gov
A light pink background with various children's craft supplies scattered on top. The text on top reads "Craftastic Kids at the Central Library for ages 5 plus."
A golden background with floral overlays, with text reading "Bilingual storytelling: La Verdadera Historia de Cinco de Mayo: the real Cinco de Mayo story" on top. Two women in colorful Jalisco dresses are featured in circle frames at the bottom.
A pale yellow background with faux tiled game board border, featuring the title "board games for kids" in Scrabble-esque letters, with the subtitle "every half-day wednesday" underneath.
May 2 - 4 PM
Central Library
Children's Room
May 7 - 6:00 PM
Central Library
Auditorium
May 8 & 22
12:30 PM
Central Library
Children's Room
A picture of musician Matt Heaton with a title suspended above, reading "Music Sing-Along with Matt Heaton."
An icon of a baby having fun with a little drum in front of a turquoise guitar, and an image of a man in sunglasses playing guitar, with the event title "Rock-a-bye Beats" stylized on top.
A picture of a french bulldog with his tongue sticking out, with the title "Read to Waffles the Therapy Dog" on top.
May 18 - 11 AM
West Branch
Children's Room
May 22 - 11 AM
East Branch
May 30 - 3:30 PM
Central Library
Children's Room
Registration opens 5/27
Storytimes at our Libraries
Transcript: Storytimes at Somerville Public Library. West Branch: Cuentos en Español on Mondays at 11am, Singalong with Alison on Tuesdays at 10am, Singalong with Cathy on Tuesdays at 11am, and Storytime on Fridays at 11am. Central Library: Toddler Storytime on Fridays at 10:30am, and Pajama Storytime every 2nd Monday at 6pm. East Branch: Storytime on Wednesdays at 11am.
STAFF PICKS: Celebrate AANHPI Voices
May is Asian American, Native Hawai'ian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Explore these stories centering AANHPI characters and people, suggested by SPL staff! For more suggestions, subscribe to our monthly book recommendation newsletters. From popular titles to genre fiction, there's probably a list that matches your interests. Subscribe here!
 
Book cover of "Year of the Tiger: An Activist's Life" by Alice Wong
Book cover of "Cook Real Hawai'i" by Sheldon Simeon
Book cover for Kai Cheng Thom's "Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars: a Dangerous Trans Girl's Confabulous Memoir"
In this series of essays, conversations, photographs, and previously published works, the reader is presented with an inspiring collage of Wong’s accomplishments as a community organizer.
 
-Carrie, Reference Librarian
This book mixes enlightening history lessons, stirring family stories, and of course a ton of great and authentic recipes together, to make a cookbook that you can't help but read cover to cover.
 
-Greg, Library Technician
This novel is dark and glittering and dreamlike. It delves into real issues affecting trans women but not in a way that ever felt didactic or heavy-handed.
 
-Cathy, Children's Librarian
Stock zine cover for "Moon Eaters" by the Moon Eaters Collective
Book Cover for "The Ones We're Meant to Find" by Joan He
Picture book cover of Shar Tuiasoa's "Punky Aloha" 
Feng-Li's American vacation turns into an indefinite stay when her parents are forced to return to Taiwan, leaving Feng-Li and her two teenage siblings to care for themselves and each other. 
 
- Annie, Children's Librarian
A climate-fiction novel about sisters Cee and Kasey. Cee is stranded on an abandoned island, and Kasey must escape her eco-city to find her sister. 
 
-Keri, Children's Librarian
Punky searches for her inner bravery and travels all over O'ahu to find ingredients for her grandmother's special banana bread.
 
-Alison, Children's Librarian
Friends of the Somerville Public Library Book Sale
Transcript: Friends Biannual Book Sale! Brought to you by the Friends of the Somerville Public Library. Saturday May 4th from 9:15am-3pm and Sunday May 5th from 1:15pm-4pm. Event will be held at the SPL Central Library Auditorium at 79 Highland Avenue. All items only one dollar. Proceeds benefit library programming and cultural passes. Plus, attend the pre-sale power hour on Friday May third from 5-6pm by donating fifty dollars to get first dibs on all the books. Or, buy a FSPL tote on Sunday May fifth from 3-4pm for fifteen dollars and fill it for free. For more info about getting involved with the Friends, visit linktr.ee/friends_spl.
 
Somerville Public Library
79 Highland Ave | 40 College Ave | 115 Broadway, Somerville, Massachusetts 02143
617-623-5000

https://www.somervillepubliclibrary.org/