From it's humble beginnings at the corner of Essex and Emerson streets in Melrose, the Melrose Public Library has gone through many changes to become the modern information center it is today. In March of 1871, the library was born at a town meeting and has been housed in the town hall, the Y.M.C.A., and thanks in part to Andrew Carnegie, in a new building that was erected on the site of the former high school at 69 West Emerson Street. By 1963, the library had grown enough to need an addition and now has a variety of resources, including building-wide wireless internet access, to serve area residents.
Book Groups
The library has a variety of book clubs to offer local residents. "Our book groups are very popular with Melrose citizens and people in the surrounding areas," says Diane Wall, Assistant Director. "You can join at any time, so come check out one that interests you."
The History Book Club is led by Bill Tobin, retired history and economics professor at Cambridge Ringe and Latin School and covers a different history topic each month. This group usually meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., but July's date has been changed to July 8th. July's topic is Radicalism in American History.
The Red Scarf Book Club was born of a desire to have a daytime club. Meetings are held on the last Friday of every month at 1:00 p.m. You can pick up a copy of the latest book being discussed at the circulation desk. July's book is To Kill a Mockingbird.
Tasty Books for Hungry Readers meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. and has the added attraction of enjoying snacks related to the monthly book. Book selections can include memoirs, fiction and nonfiction titles.
For additional information and more book group choices, please visit www.melrosepubliclibrary.org/library-events/book-groups/.
Summer Reading Programs
The library's summer reading program kicked off on June 24th and will run until Aug. 13th. The theme this year is "Every Hero has a Story". The summer program includes all ages: preschool, elementary, teens and adults. Included is a Read to Me club for preschoolers, BAM, POW, READ! Wednesdays for kids in kindergarten through second grade, and an Unmask! summer program for middle school and high school students.
Although there is a lot of reading going on, there are also other activities included with the summer reading program. There will be songs, crafts, games, picnics and movie nights. Want to build with Legos or create your own superhero? If so, then the library is the place to be!
Dewey the Therapy Dog
One of the more unique programs offered at the Melrose Public Library is the opportunity to read to Dewey the therapy dog. A child can sit down with Dewey for ten minutes and practice reading in a calm atmosphere. It is relaxing to pet Dewey while reading, and there is the added bonus of associating reading with something pleasant.
Many of the programs, including reading to Dewey, require registration so please visit the website at www.melrosepubliclibrary.org or call 781-665-2313 to get more information and to register.
Summer Museum Passes
The Melrose Public Library offers museum passes to many area museums and attractions. This summer, we are happy to offer two new passes! The first pass is to
The Sports Museum at TD Garden in Boston. The Sports Museum uses Boston's rich sports heritage to help build character in kids. The other pass is for
Boating in Boston at Stoneham's Spot Pond and Wakefield's Lake Quannapowitt. Boating in Boston offers camps and classes for those who are crazy about boating. These museum passes are available to Melrose residents only. For more information, and to see a complete listing of current passes, please visit
www.melrosepubliclibrary.org/services/museum-passes/. or call 781-665-2313.
Special Services
There are many helpful extras at the library. It houses an extensive number of large print books for visually impaired people. Seventeen public computers are available that have a magnification tool to increase the font size for easier reading. Like many other libraries, Melrose Public Library has a large collection of books on CD for patrons who are hearing disabled. The OverDrive program for North of Boston Library Exchange has a digital catalog where library clients can download books. They can be downloaded as e-books and you can adjust the font size, or you can download it as an audiobook. Please click here to learn more
http://overdrive.noblenet.org.
Melrose History and Maps
An extensive history collection is housed in the history room of the Melrose Public Library. The resources there include books on Melrose history, old Melrose High School Yearbooks, Melrose newspapers and city directories. A resident can even find out the previous owner(s) of their home and look at old maps to discover land ownership. "Some of our resources in the history room are becoming digitized," states Shelley O'Brien, Resource & Local History Librarian. "We are pleased to be getting this done and hope to get much done in the coming year."
Upcoming Events
There is always something going on at the Melrose Public Library. On July 14th, the library staff is excited to host Wendy Johnston and hear her presentation Reflections from the Pacific Crest Trail. Wendy backpacked the entire 2,700 mile long trail in 2013 and has much to share from that experience.
Adults and teens 16 and older will certainly enjoy Library Tai Chi, Health and Longevity from the Mountain with Paul and Rosalie Dicrescenzo on Aug. 13th. This presentation has a short PowerPoint to go along with the learning of basic Tai Chi and Qigong moves.
To access times for these programs and to view all of the library's other upcoming events, please look at the monthly calendar at www.melrosepubliclibrary.org. You can also check out our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Melrose-Public-Library/118999511490600?fref=ts where we list many of our events and post fun photos. Currently our Facebook page has photos of artwork by Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students that are displayed in our newly renovated teen zone.