Blog: Author: Cait Quinn

Friends Wine Tasting 5.9.25 Tickets On Sale Now

Posted on by Cait Quinn

The Friends of the Malden Public Library is holding their Annual Wine Tasting Gala to benefit the Malden Public Library on Friday, May 9, 2025 from 7 – 9 pm in the historic Converse Memorial Library and Art Galleries. The event will include wines and mocktails courtesy of Kappy’s Fine Wine and Spirits, Malden, music, food from local Malden establishments, and a silent auction.

This year’s theme will honor renowned artist and Malden native, Frank Stella. Attendees are welcome to wear styles reminiscent of their favorite Stella decade.

Tickets are $50 general admission and the $75 includes a VIP gallery tour beginning at 6:30 pm. Tickets can be bought online by clicking the link below. Or in person at the Friends of the Malden Public Library Book Sale on Friday April 4th 6-9pm or Saturday April 5th 10-2pm. Or at the Circulation Desk any time there after. For paper tickets purchased at the library please have cash or check available.

 

Buy Tickets

Friends Spring Book Sale: 4.4.25 and 4.5.25

Posted on by Cait Quinn
Support the library and stock up for this seasons reading material!
Members-Exclusive Sale Fri 4/4 6pm-9pm
(You can renew your membership now at the library!)
At the members-only sale, get the first look at our new stock, and the latest literary treasures we’ve collected over the past few months!
Public Sale Sat 4/5 10am-2pm. At the public sale you will get to visit with a fire truck courtesy of the Malden Fire Dept. We’ll also have coffee available while supplies last.
Be sure to stop by the Medford Friends of the Library Sale that same weekend- we’ve got different collections, but we all love the library!

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!

Odyssey Puppetry Workshop with the ART 2.20.25

Posted on by Cait Quinn

Do you love the Odyssey? Or Puppetry? Or would like to learn more about the inner working of theater?
Then join A.R.T’s Engagement Team for an introductory, hands on workshop that explores puppetry design and shadow work and how they can advance theatrical storytelling. This interactive workshop will allow participants to learn by doing and engage with thematic elements from the production.The workshop experience runs for two hours. A.R.T.’s Engagement workshops allow community members from across Greater Boston to deeply engage in the themes, questions, and ideas sparked by our productions through theatrical frameworks, generative dialogue, and community building activities.

RSVP is required, recommended for ages 13+. You can sign up here.

Refreshments will be provided.

The workshop begins at 6pm and runs until 8pm and will meet in the Macarrio Room of the Malden Public Library.

Local History Trivia Night 1.13.25

Posted on by Cait Quinn

Join Local History Library and quizmaster, Phillip Wright, when he tests your Malden knowledge at this fun and illuminating trivia night. Prizes will be awarded as will local bragging rights to all those who can answer the most who, what, when, and wheres of Malden history. This event starts at 6pm on Monday, January 13th in the historic local history room of the Converse Memorial Building. This event is for single competitors and champions. No teams. And we will award prizes. Please kindly preregister at this link: bit.ly/lh-trivia

Origami with Carol 1.14.25

Posted on by Cait Quinn

Origami with Carol is back for2025! If you are looking to de-stress or make a little something to add color and texture to your month, then join Tuesday, January 14th, from 6-8pm. This month we are learning how to fold an origami flower. Hint: this is a great piece to liven up any room in the dead of winter.
Space is limited, so please call 781-324-0218 to sign up, or register at the information desk. This program is best for adults and crafty teens. Supplies are limited and we ask that you bring a ruler to help sharpen the folds.

January Programs for Kids and Teens

Posted on by Cait Quinn

Happy New Year! We are very excited to kick of the year with some warm and cozy programs at the the library. You can pick up a copy of are calendar at the Circulation desk or see our digital calendar on the bottom of the homepage. But here is a list of our special programs we are looking forward to this month.

For Kids

Aside from our usual story, song, and craft times; we have some fun and educational programs this month that you shouldn’t miss.

  • Tuesday January 14th at 3pm: Winter Crafting for Kids. Spend an afternoon letting your creativity guide you with this fun craft program. We’ll provide the supplies and you can cut, paste, glitter and design something fun and unique. This program runs until 4pm and is best for kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade.
  • Saturday January 25th at 3pm: We are very excited to welcome back Nicola McEldowney and her puppet pals for a Winter Puppet Show with Nicola McEldowney. A fun, interactive, themed puppet show best for ages 4-10, no registration required.
  • Thursday January 30th at 3pm: Lego Club is back. We’ve got bins of Legos, nice big work spaces, and an hour and a half set aside so you can let your builder’s imagination go wild. This program has small pieces, so participants must be Kindergarten age or older. 

If you are looking for more to do, check out our weekly chess club, monthly book clubs for kids, and also our storytimes, Panda crafts, and Song and Rhyme time.  All the dates and times are in this months calendar. Follow the link to see what is happening.  (Note: On January 8th Chess club is cancelled. Please join us at our other Wednesday Chess clubs this month)

For Teens

This month for the older kids we have movies, magic, and maybe a little mayhem. Here is a list of the programs we are most looking forward to…

  • Thursday January 9th from 3-5pm: Say his name once, maybe say it twice, but never say it three times. We are bringing you the sequal about the ghost with the most…Beetlejuice!
  • Tuesday January 14th from 3-5pm: We have Perler Beads craft time. We’ll give you the beads, the iron, glue gun, and you bring your imagination. Sign up is required so please check out the calendar for necessary sign up links when they become available.
  • Thursday January 23rd from 3-5pm: Get your dice ready because we are going to be playing Magic the Gathering. No sign up and no familiarity with the game. Just come with an open mind and imagination. Make friends, make a character, make magic. See you there!
  • Thursday January 30th from 3-5pm: Join Patrick in making DIY Lip Balm. You’ll get to choose flavors and add in and then load a tube of your homemade concoction. Sign up is required. When the link is live it will be found on the calendar here.
    Keep an eye out for updates due to weather and room changes. And as soon as links are available for sign up, we’ll promote them on social media and the calendar. Also don’t forget our teen book club which is now a weekly roleplaying group that meets Mondays at 3pm.

Happy January!!!

Upcoming Children’s Programming December 2024

Posted on by Cait Quinn

December can be a chaotic month; with holidays, school breaks, winter weather. So we have some fun programs to help entertain your children and give you a little break to enjoy the season.

First up on Wednesday, December 11th at 6pm: we have the very family friendly movie “the Wild Robot”. This movie is still in theaters, but we are able to show it absolutely free. Come by and watch it on our new projection system. It looks great!

Next on Thursday, December 12th at 4pm: we are welcoming back “Teeth Time”. Help your little one feel good about cleaning their teeth. This program has an activity, and approaches the topic in a fun and engaging manner. No registration, just come and enjoy.

On Saturday, December 14th at 3pm: we are hosting performer Steve Blunt for a “Winter Sing-a-long”. Steve will lead us all in fun holiday and winter themed songs. This program is open to children of all ages.

Wednesday, December 18th at 2pm: we are opening the galleries for arts and some crafts. Come make ornaments while looking at the beautiful art the Converse building has on display. It is the perfect space to relax and be inspired. This is an all ages event. The whole community is welcome.

And while you are planning for your holidays please remember that the library takes a short break around Christmas. We strongly encourage everyone to pick up their holds before close on Saturday December 21st as we will be closed on Monday December 23rd-Wednesday December 25th. We will be back and ready to go for December 26th, so if you miss us please stop by then!

Happy Merry December everyone!

Introducing My China Roots: A New Database for Researching Chinese Ancestors Livestream at MPL

Posted on by Cait Quinn
Thursday November 21st at 3pm on Zoom and  via Livestream in the Local History Room of the Malden Public Library. The Boston Public Library is hosting a program introducing a new Chinese Ancestry database available to library card holders: My China Roots. This program offers an introduction to the database and is led by researcher and Head of Global Collections for MCR, Clotilde Yap. She will provide a brief introduction to Chinese family history research, including how to get started, key challenges, and what clues to look for both at home and online. Finally, Clotilde will provide a live demo of the database, highlighting some of the new records and features that have recently been added.
 
In partnership with the BPL, the local history department will provide an interactive live stream. If you are interested in using My China Roots or are curious about the program join us at the Malden Public Library. We will handle the technology and even provide an opportunity to ask questions.
 
Of note: this program is conducted in English, but viewers from home can select live translation via their Zoom account. To join from home you can register with the BPL on their site or use this: https://bit.ly/MPL-LH-My-China-Roots
Clotilde Yap has assisted families from around the world in tracing their Chinese family history since joining My China Roots in 2017. As the Head of Global Collections for MCR, she researches untapped archives of Chinese communities across the globe, partnering with libraries, museums, and community organizations to preserve their collections for posterity.