Blog: Month: March 2025

Joseph Jung’s photographs on display in April

Posted on by Marita Coombs

Joseph Jung is a photographer based in Malden.  His images will be on display throughout the month of April and the library will be hosting an Artist Reception on Monday April 7th from 6-7pm.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

These photos were shot on Kodak Ektar 100, a 35mm film known for its high saturation and fine grain. The bold colors and contrast produce an image that is not necessarily faithful to the original scene, but a hyper-rendered version, as if computer-generated. I felt this look was suitable for capturing nights in my hometown in southern California, where the abundance of artificial light in the absence of people gives the uncanny impression of being in an amusement park after hours. The light in these photos comes from various sources – lampposts, neon signage, passing cars, a television. As these are long exposures ranging anywhere from one to thirty seconds, light is shown behaving in ways that aren’t apparent to the naked eye, whose “shutter speed” is much higher.

Malden Reads Film Screening & Discussion: Wed., March 26th:6:00-8:00pm

Posted on by Stacy Holder

Please join us for the Malden Reads Film Screening and discussion about William And The Windmill. We will be showing this film at the Malden Public Library on Wednesday, March 26, 2025: 6:00-8:00pm. This documentary explores the life of William Kamkwamba, author of the book, The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind, Malden Reads’ 2025 selection.

“With only a library book as his guide, 14-year-old William Kamkwamba builds a windmill in his Malawian village that changes his life forever. Using junk parts and an inexhaustible imagination, he harnesses enough energy to power a generator that saves his family from famine and resuscitates his dying farming community. An instant media sensation, the teen soon has the ability to chart a previously unimaginable future of TEDtalks, Ivy League schools, and speaking tours. But despite the help of an American entrepreneur who helps navigate his success, some changes threaten to capsize him. He was once just a kid back home, but suddenly he’s a village leader.” William And The Windmill is directed by Ben Nabors. The film is Not Rated (97 min.) (2013).

Pick up a copy of the book, The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind, at the Malden Public Library or find the digital copy on Libby.

For more details about our Malden Reads Film Screening & Discussion, please contact the Malden Public Library at 781-324-0218. Light refreshments will be served. This event is co-sponsored by Malden Reads and Malden Public Library.

The Copihue Flower Legend – Wednesday, March 19, 6:30pm

Posted on by Rebecca Smith

Join us on Wednesday evening, March 19 at 6:30pm, to celebrate the arrival of spring with a special bilingual storytelling program. We will travel South to Chile and learn about the beautiful legend of their national flower. This tale from the Mapuche land tells the origin of Copihue, a flower symbol of friendship, happiness, and gratitude. This free program will feature storytelling (in Spanish and English), a creative activity, and a dynamic activity.

Recommended for families with children ages 5 and up.

This program is supported by a grant from the Malden Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Book Log Snakes!!!

Posted on by Cait Quinn

To get Sssssstarted…what’sssss thisssss about?

There are snakes at the Malden Public Library! Book snakes! This year we wanted a way to log books and encourage reading that was fun and educational. And thanks to TikTok and the internet we have this cool and crafty project. For this project you will crochet or knit a log of all your reading by assigning colors to genres or themes and then adding them each time you finish a book that matches those categories. In the end you’ll have a cute, plush log of all you’ve accomplished.

Sssssupplies…

We have provided kits with a crochet hook, some eyes, stitch markers, a pattern, and a pre-crocheted head to get you started. We are also stocking the card catalog with loads of yarn for you to choose from and some back up supplies. Stop by the library and get your kit, pick up some yarn, or just get a pattern and start logging your books. You can view the crochet pattern here:

Don’t like to crochet?

No problem…we have a knitting pattern! And you can still use the yarn, the eyes, the stitch markers. You can also bring your knit snake to one of our knitting programs and ask questions or seek assistance.

Need ssssome more help?

The library is hosting our first Book Log Snake Class and Clinic on Thursday, March 13th at 6pm. Stop by to learn how to crochet your snake from scratch. You will need your own 4.5mm hook, but we will provide the rest. There will be other snake clinics as we go and you can email cquinn@maldenpubliclibrary for updates on classes or suggestions for snake resources. In the meantime, here are some free online tutorials the staff found helpful:

And for kids too little to crochet or knit…

We have a coloring sheet. You can ask for copies at the children’s desk or pick them up near the yarn station. You can also print this template at home!

50+ Job Seekers Networking Group – AI in Job Searching

Posted on by Marita Coombs

Next session’s topic (April 2) is Using Artificial Intelligence / Your Job Search Co-Pilot.

The Massachusetts Library Collaborative’s 50+ Job Seekers Group meets via Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, from 9:30am to 11:30am. Informal networking takes place before the session from 9am to 9:30am and again after the session from 11:30am to noon. If you are unemployed and actively looking, underemployed, seeking a new career direction, re-entering the job market after a long employment gap, or recently retired and looking for your “Encore Career,” this networking group program is perfect for you! Remember, 85% of jobs are found through networking!

Join us in a professional forum for networking with peers in a safe and comfortable environment conducive to developing new relationships and developing skills and strategies to help in your career transition. Each meeting features a new topic. Meetings include a presentation and interactive workshop on topics relevant to career transition, guest speakers, access to hiring managers, small group breakout rooms to network, and 1-on-1 coaching guidance. Participating on a regular basis will give job seekers the many tools and strategies needed for a successful job search.

Each bimonthly meeting is facilitated by Deborah Hope, MBA, PCIC, an experienced executive career coach. Deborah is a former Fortune 500 executive, investment banker and entrepreneur. She transitioned to executive coaching over 12 years ago. Deborah has coached with Harvard Business School Executive Education programs and the Massachusetts Conference for Women. She has been trained or certified in a variety of coaching models and assessment tools. Deborah has facilitated 50+ job seekers networking groups since 2016.

Here are the topics for our upcoming sessions.

Mar 19, Resumes / A Pocketful of STARS

April 2, Using AI / Your Job Search Co Pilot

April 16,  Cover Letters / Are They Necessary

May 7, Networking 2.0 / You Must Give to Get

May 21, Interview Strategies

June 4, Second Act Careers / Thinking Outside the Box

June 18, Marketing Plan / Plan Your Work & Work Your Plan

Register directly on Zoom  HERE . This group is sponsored by approximately 50 Massachusetts public libraries.

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

 

Edward Cardini

Posted on by Marita Coombs

The artwork by Edward Cardini will be on display throughout March.

Edward describes his work:

My art is a dynamic interplay of various techniques, combining elements of realism, impressionism, expressionism, and post-cubism.  

Through my art, I aim to create a visual journey that fascinates and resonates with the viewer, inviting them to explore the depths of color, contrast, and composition.

Preschool Storytime – Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

Posted on by Rebecca Smith

Storytime for preschoolers (appropriate for ages 3-5) will be offered weekly on a drop-in basis on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. beginning September 19. Each hour-long program will feature several picture books, songs and rhymes, and a simple craft. No need to register! Just come to the Children’s Room on Thursday and arrive by 10:30 a.m.

(Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate preschool groups in the post-storytime craft activity, but groups are welcome to attend the picture book portion at the beginning of the program.)

Book Bunch – book club for 2nd & 3rd graders

Posted on by Rebecca Smith

Beginning November 7, this book club for 2nd and 3rd graders will meet monthly on the first Thursday of the month at 4:00pm for 50 minutes. The program will include an informal book discussion, some snacks, and a book-related activity when appropriate. Sign up online, at the Children’s Room desk or by calling the Children’s Room at 781.388.0803. Regular attendance is encouraged. Pick up the book from the Children’s Room desk 2-3 weeks in advance and read it before the club meeting.

November 7 selection:  Real Pigeons Fight Crime by Andrew McDonald

December 5 selection:  The Ember Stone by Katrina Charman

January 2 selection: Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott

February 6 selection: Abigail Adams Pirate of the Caribbean by Steve Sheinkin

March  6 selection:  Secret Explorers and the Lost Whales by SJ King

April 3 selection:  Knights vs. Dinosaurs by Matt Phelan

May 1 selection:

Let’s Talk About A Poem with Lloyd Schwartz – March 15, 2025

Posted on by Marita Coombs

Our monthly online poetry discussion group is led by Somerville’s Poet Laureate Lloyd Schwartz.

“The Definition of Love” by Andrew Marvell is the poem we’ll be discussing in March.

Registration is required and the link to join is sent out the day before the event.

To register : Let’s Talk About a Poem March

This program is made possible by the Malden Public Library, the Somerville Arts Council,  and the Academy of American Poets and funds from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Please email Marita if you have questions. mcoombs@maldenpubliclibrary.org