Blog: Author: Cait Quinn

Malden Reads Book Discussion with Mayor Christenson 3.11.26

Posted on by Cait Quinn

The Malden Public Library and Malden Reads invite you to join Mayor Gary Christenson to discuss this year’s book selection Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. The discussion will take place on Wednesday, March 11, from 6:30–7:30 pm in the beautiful art galleries at the Malden Public Library. Light refreshments will be served.

Set in a near-future America marked by fear, censorship, and division, Our Missing Hearts explores what happens when a society built on democratic ideals begins to fracture. The novel follows a young boy searching for his missing mother—a poet whose words have been deemed dangerous by the government—and examines how art, storytelling, and human connection can resist oppression and ignite hope.

Malden Reads is a community reading organization run by residents in collaboration with the Malden Public Library. Each season, we invite the city of Malden, Massachusetts to read a selected book and participate in a program of events, projects, and community initiatives centered around the themes of the book. We look forward to having you join Mayor Christenson and the Malden community to discuss this book.

Copies of both the physical book and downloadable versions are available at the Malden Public Library and copies may be purchased at The Gallery@57.

Can’t attend in person? Join via Zoom

Library closed due to snow 2.24.26

Posted on by Cait Quinn

As the snow blankets our surroundings and the news is saying things like “bomb cyclone” and “thundersnow”; the library will remain closed in order to give the DPW time to clear the streets and make Malden as accesible as possible. Hopefully, this will give you all extra time with your library books, and you have plenty of titles to keep you cozy and indoors. Check back to see if we’ve dug out successfully on Tuesday!

This is also a great time to participate in the Love Your Library Selfie Campaign. Use the link to upload a picture with your snow day read and give us a shout out about why you love the library. Follow the link to send us your selfie now: https://bit.ly/Love-MPL-Selfie

Love Your Library Selfie Campaign

Posted on by Cait Quinn

February is love your library month! 2025 was not an easy time for American libraries and so we would like to encourage our community to show the love with a “Love your Library” campaign. We are asking members of the community to submit a selfie holding a book or their library card with one or two sentences on why they love their library. Pictures can be submitted online via FB or Instagram by tagging the library @maldenmalibrary. Your selfie can be uploaded to our Google Form: https://bit.ly/Love-MPL-Selfie Or can be emailed to cquinn@maldenpubliclibrary.org for inclusion in our wall of library love display and for promotion on social media. You can also stop by the Information Desk and ask about having your photo taken with our Instant Camera, ask for Cait, she would love to take your photo!

This campaign signals to people both in our community and in other places just how important libraries are to residents. It also demonstrates how vital public institutions are to thriving cultural life. Please consider supporting us and all libraries by snapping a photo and saying a few words. It would mean the world to us.

Thank you for your support!

Malden Reads Opening Celebration 2.9.26

Posted on by Cait Quinn

Free community celebration on Feb. 9 features protest music, art, and activities for all ages

MALDEN, MA — Malden Reads invites residents of all ages to kick off its 2026 communityreading program with a free celebration on Monday, February 9, 2026, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Malden Public Library, 36 Salem Street.

This year’s book selection, Our Missing Hearts by bestselling author Celeste Ng, explores themes of love, resistance, and belonging. The kickoff event will bring together literature, history, art, and conversation through interactive activities and experiences for all ages. No need to read the book in advance – everyone is welcome.

Event Highlights

● Musical Performance: The band Tale Spin, fronted by chef and musician David Stein and his wife Sue, will perform acoustic protest music of the last century, including a community singalong. David and Sue have deep connections to Malden as former residents, and David is a former Malden Reads committee member who created memorable programs including a pop-up restaurant and music club event featuring his band Soulshine.

● Yarn as Protest Art: Exploration of how fiber arts can be used as tools for peaceful protest and self-expression

● Art Exhibition: View prints by Corita Kent (also known as Sister Mary Corita), the artist best known for her art on the Boston Gas tanks along Route 93 southbound in the 1970s as well as the Love stamp in the 1980s. Corita’s work and her messages of peace and social justice reflect her understanding of the power of language, just like in Our Missing Hearts, and continue to resonate today.

● Revolutionary Photo Stations: Step back in time with colonial costume photo opportunities and a model of a Boston Tea Party ship where participants can toss tea bales overboard, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and Malden’s role as the first town to declare independence.

● Video Screenings: Short videos by Malden Revolution’s Mark Linehan showcasing Malden’s revolutionary history and drawing connections between past and present acts of civic engagement

● Arts & Crafts for All Ages: Led by Malden High’s Love 4 Kids club, offering creative projects that encourage connection and creativity

● Heart-Shaped Cookie Decorating: A fun and delicious hands-on activity for participants of all ages

● Refreshments: Food and drink will be available throughout the evening.

● Books Available: Attendees can borrow Our Missing Hearts from the library circulation desk with their Malden Public Library card. Volunteer support for the evening will be provided by the Malden High YMCA Leaders.

About the 2026 Malden Reads Program Now in its 16th year, Malden Reads will explore themes from Our Missing Hearts related to civic ideals, revolution (including one’s own personal revolution), resistance and courage. The program purposefully coincides with the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and will highlight Malden’s unique role as the first town to declare independence from Britain in 1775.

Age-appropriate companion books for younger readers and English learners will be announced soon and will be available to borrow from the Malden Public Library and donated to the Malden Public Schools and community organizations.

Our event season is planned to run into spring to provide opportunities for conversation and connection during the cold months and will include book discussions, film screenings, and other special programs. For more information on why we chose Our Missing Hearts visit maldenreads.org and follow along on social media. The event schedule will be added as details become available.

About Malden Reads “What if all of Malden reads the same book?” Malden Reads is a community reading program that seeks to answer that question. Organized by volunteers in collaboration with the Malden Public Library, the program invites the entire community to read the same book and participate in events related to its themes. The goals are to promote literacy, a love of reading, appreciation of city resources, and—most of all—to build community.

Volunteers are always welcome. For more information or to get involved, email maldenreads@gmail.com or visit maldenreads.org.

This program is funded in part by a grant from the Malden Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency

Wonder Community Workshop

Posted on by Cait Quinn
You are invited to the rescheduled Wonder Community Workshop at the Malden Public Library on Thursday, January 29, 6-8 PM.  We hope to see you there. Please click here to RSVP for free.
Join us for hands-on workshops to unlock empathy and understanding inspired by A.R.T.’s world premiere new musical, Wonder. Participants will use theater skills and tools to engage with the story’s themes of kindness, empathy and accepting differences to create collages that visually represent the production’s essential question of “How can we change the way we see?” For ages 8+. Free and open to the public, RSVPs are encouraged.
 
The new musical Wonder is based on R.J. Palacio’s bestselling novel and Lionsgate & Mandeville Films’ critically-acclaimed hit film adaptation. It features music and lyrics by A Great Big World and a book by Sarah Ruhl. Learn more at AmericanRepertoryTheater.org/Wonder.
Malden Public Library: Thursday, January 29, 6- 8 PM (36 Salem St., Malden, MA 02148)

Tech on Your Terms: a panel discussion about making technology more intentional 1.7.26

Posted on by Cait Quinn

Want to use technology more intentionally? The Malden Public Library presents a free event featuring top experts on digital wellness and critical thinking. Learn practical tools to navigate tech on your own terms. Open to youth, parents, and all community members. Doors will be open at 615pm and the program will start at 630pm. We are joined by local resident and moderator: Shaleen Title, who will direct the panel and public Q&A session.

 

Our Panel:

 

 

* Dr. Susan Linn is a lecturer in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a ventriloquist who appeared on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Among other books, she is the author of “Who’s Raising the Kids? Big Tech, Big Business, and the Lives of Children”.

 

* Dr. Joan Donovan is a Malden-based professor and researcher who explores media manipulation. She helps people to detect, document, and debunk media manipulation campaigns.

 

 

* Liza Hirsch is the Director of the Children’s Justice Unit at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office where she works to advance justice and equity for Massachusetts children and youth through civil investigations, litigation, policy, and community engagement.

 

 

 

Please register to stay up to date on this event. Registration link

About the group:

Reconnect Malden is a community alliance dedicated to increasing our connection to each other and reducing our dependence on technology. We believe that technological devices can behelpful, but they should serve as a tool, not something that controls us.

Community Food Resources 2026

Posted on by Cait Quinn

As of November 1st members of our community lost one essential government service that keeps them and their families fed. Many organizations, community leaders, neighbors and friends are coming together to fill in the gaps while we wait for the government to fulfill its obligations to the SNAP food assistance program. If you or someone you know is looking for food access, here are some resources that should help.

 

SNAP Resources by Caitlin Quinn

Creature Feature on the Library Lawn 10.25 @ 6pm

Posted on by Cait Quinn

POSTPONED TO SATURDAY, OCT. 25! Join us on the lawn for a Halloween creature feature. We’ll be showing Creature from the Black Lagoon on a blow up movie screen. There will be warm drinks and of course Halloween candy. Please remember to dress for the weather as October nights get chilly. Also plan for the main library building to close at 6pm. So bathroom breaks may rely on local business generosity. Movie run time is a crisp 79 minutes. So unlike the current movies, it will be over before you know it. Sundown is at 5:45 and we should be rolling at 6pm. So bring your blankets, chairs, and love of old monster makeup because this is the movie night you shouldn’t miss. Costumes are encouraged but not necessary. Cait, your host, however will be dressed to impress.