News You Can Use
June 12th 2013
If you come to the Central Library next week, expect to see a good bit of moving and shifting of shelves. The plan is to expand the spaces between shelves to 36 inches to better accommodate patrons in wheelchairs. In the meantime, if you have any difficulty finding books or other materials, please ask a librarian.
Please bear with us during this temporary disruption that will make the library more accessible to all the members of our community.
April 16th 2013
We're all stunned and saddened by yesterday's bombings at the Boston Marathon. The attacks were cruel and senseless. The only bright moment yesterday was when people ran towards the blasts to apply tourniquets or help people on to their feet.
It's nice when it's possible to be proud of human beings.
Actually helping others is one of the best things someone can do in a situation like this, not just for the inherent decency of doing so, but also because it reminds us we're not helpless.
The... Read Post
March 4th 2013
The Somerville Public Library is introducing a new collection, Muslim Journeys, which is currently available for browsing and checkout at the Central Branch of the library. This bookshelf collection aims to familiarize residents and visitors with the places, history, faith and cultures of Muslims in the U.S. and around the world. It is intended to address both the need and desire of the American public for trustworthy and accessible resources about Muslim beliefs and practices and the cultural... Read Post
February 16th 2012
The Children's Room at the West Branch in Davis Square is beloved by children and caregivers alike. The home of Babygarten, storytime, and the summer reading club, it's where children discover the joys of reading and serves as a valuable resource for parents and teachers as well. In the past three years circulation of children's materials from the West Branch has increased by 44%. Clearly Somerville Children and parents don't just love and appreciate the West Branch Children's department—they... Read Post
May 21st 2010
Did you know that the Somerville Public Library runs on less than 1% of the City's total budget? Annually, the Library spends less than the cost of one hard cover book per resident to make the entire Massachusetts public library system (370 libraries, networks, and regions) available to everyone in Somerville. These resources include books, movies and music, magazines and newspapers, free Internet access, online databases, friendly assistance from skilled, professional librarians, and much... Read Post
March 14th 2009
The Boston Globe recently selected Wrentham resident Joanna McFarlane as their Most Frugal New Englander (she won the contest they sponsored) and have published 14 of her money-saving tips. Tips #1 and #2 are library-specific:
Find free kids' events: Rather than paying for entertainment, see whether your local library hosts free children's storytime or playtime. McFarlane takes her children, Isabella, 2, and Catherine, 6 months old, to their library's weekly free half-hour children'... Read Post July 30th 2008
Enter Somerville, a city packed with stories larger than itself, to salute a heritage that justifies the fierce pride of its citizens. Share a perch on one of Somerville's celebrated hills with Dee Morris and Dora St. Martin and watch the raising of America's first flag and the stringing of its first telephone line. Strolling from neighborhood to neighborhood, this brief history knocks on the doors of everyone from the father of Fenway Park to Missy LeHand, Franklin D. Roosevelt's private... Read Post