Blog: All Ages

Library Mourns Passing of Long Time Board President Dr. John E. Tramondozzi

Posted on by Dora St. Martin

The Trustees of the Malden Public Library are sad to announce the passing of our President and long-time library supporter Dr. John E. Tramondozzi.

Dr. Tramondozzi served the Malden Public Library as a trustee since 1980 and became President in 2010.  John was proud to be a lifelong native of Malden, born at home in 1942, in the Edgeworth neighborhood.  He graduated Malden Catholic in 1960 and had a 44-year career as a chemistry professor at Curry College.  He was Chair of the Curry College Science Division for 16 years. John was past president of the Malden Historical Commission and the Malden Historical Society.  As chair of the Library’s Art Committee, he was a powerful force in curating and expanding the library’s art collection.  In a past interview, John said, “I do for the whole community, the whole City, not for individual interests.”  He will be greatly missed.

 

 

Family Movie Night: Wed., Oct. 21st: 6:00-8:00pm

Posted on by Stacy Holder
Please join us for Family Movie Night on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 from 6:00-8:00pm. We will be showing a film about The Sheep Detectives featured in and based on the book, Three Bags Full, by Leonie Swann. The film stars Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson and the voices of Patrick Stewart, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Regina Hall.
“In this witty new breed of mystery, George is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.” Rated PG (109 min.) (2026)
Free snacks will be provided. Movie times are approximate.

Outdoor Family Movie Night in the Park at River’s Edge Park

Posted on by Dora St. Martin

Join us for a “Movie Night in the Park at Rivers Edge” on Tuesday, September 22.  The movie will be on The Park at Rivers Edge Great Lawn adjacent to 200 River’s Edge Drive in Medford. The Great Lawn section of the park will be transformed into an outdoor movie theatre where residents and visitors of all ages are welcome to gather and enjoy a free movie night featuring The Halloween Tree. The movie begins at sunset at 7:00 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by Preotle, Lane & Associates and the Malden Public Library. Attendees should bring their own blankets and chairs for use. There will be free snacks and water provided. Wellington Station is just 0.4 miles from Rivers Edge. Free parking is available at the Rivers Edge Garage.

 

 

Special Event: Global To Local: Girls And Education In Afghanistan: The Story Of A Malden Family

Posted on by Stacy Holder

Please join us on Wednesday, September 23, 2026: 6:00-7:00pm for an evening of learning, culture, and meaningful conversation as a part of our Welcoming Week series, “Stories We Share: The Courage To Connect.” Learn more about the journey of one family from Afghanistan to Malden, Massachusetts.

Please join us for some traditional foods and refreshments from Afghanistan.

Co-sponsored by Malden Reads, The Friends Of The Malden Public Library, and The Malden Public Library.

Welcoming Week Special Event: Global To Local: Girls And Education In Afghanistan: The Story Of A Malden Family

Posted on by Stacy Holder

Please join us on Wednesday, September 23, 2026: 6:00-7:00pm for an evening of learning, culture, and meaningful conversation as a part of our Welcoming Week series, “Stories We Share: The Courage To Connect.” Learn more about the journey of one family from Afghanistan to Malden, Massachusetts.

Please join us for some traditional foods and refreshments from Afghanistan.

Co-sponsored by Malden Reads, The Friends Of The Malden Public Library, and The Malden Public Library.

Welcoming Week: Welcome To The Table: A Welcoming Week Storytime

Posted on by Stacy Holder

Please join us on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 6:00pm for our “Welcome To The Table: A Welcoming Week Storytime.” Meet our new Children’s Librarian and hear some great stories like, “Dumpling Day,” which we now have in copies of this book in English, Portuguese, Chinese, Haitian Creole, and Spanish.

We will also have a fun “Take & Make Lunch Box Craft” for ages 3+

Welcoming Week is a global campaign that connects neighbors of all backgrounds in their communities. At the Malden Public Library we celebrate the values that unite us as neighbors.

Welcoming Week: 4th Annual Coffee, Cookies & Conversation: Sat., Sept. 19th: 10-11am

Posted on by Stacy Holder

Please join us for our fourth annual “Coffee, Cookies, and Conversation” Welcoming Week event on Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10:00-11:00am.

Meet your neighbors in a casual setting, for a cup of coffee, some cookies, and relaxed conversation. There will be juice for the kids. Everyone is welcome!

Welcoming Week is a global campaign that connects neighbors of all backgrounds in their communities. At the Malden Public Library we celebrate the values that unite us as neighbors.

Sponsored by The Friends of the Malden Public Library.

Welcoming Week Events: September 14-19, 2026

Posted on by Stacy Holder

Join us at the Malden Public Library for Welcoming Week on September 14-19, 2026. The theme for this year’s Welcoming Week is “Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect.” Celebrated in communities around the globe, Welcoming Week is an annual campaign that connects neighbors of all backgrounds through community-informed activities and events. Welcoming Week provides communities the opportunity to publicly proclaim welcoming values, foster a mutual understanding between immigrants and non-immigrants, and build a deeper sense of belonging for all.

Throughout Welcoming Week we will provide information about local community organizations, including resources for English classes, food & housing information, job information, language learning, and more. We will also have some take & make craft kits for children.

Please join us for our Welcoming Week Movie Night on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 6:00-8:00pm. We will be showing a film about a South Korean immigrant family that moves to a small farm in rural Arkansas during the 1980s to pursue the American Dream.

“A tender and sweeping story about what roots people that follows a Korean-American family that moves to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. Amidst the instability and challenges of this new life in the rugged Ozarks, this film shows the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.” Rated PG-13 (115 min.) (2021) Free snacks will be provided. Movie times are approximate.

On Thursday, September 17, 2026 we will have a Storytime for children of all ages at 6:00pm and a “Take & Make Lunch Box Craft” for children (ages 3+) at the Malden Public Library.

This year on Saturday, September 19, 2026: 10:00-11:00am we will have our 4th Annual “Coffee, Cookies, and Conversation” at the Malden Public Library. Meet your neighbors in a relaxed environment for a cup of coffee and great conversation!

On Wednesday, September 23, 2026: 6:00-7:00pm we will have a very special event called, “Global To Local: Girls And Education In Afghanistan: The Story Of A Malden Family.” Please join us for an evening of learning, culture and meaningful conversation about the journey of one family from Afghanistan to Malden, Massachusetts. Listen to an inspiring presentation on Afghan girls’ education, see a cultural display, and enjoy some traditional foods and refreshments from Afghanistan.

Everyone is welcome to join us. All events are co-sponsored by The Friends of the Malden Public Library.

 

Converse Art Galleries: Ann and Richard Port African Art Collection

Posted on by Dora St. Martin

“Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” President John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961

When President John F. Kennedy was elected President, he quickly had Congress approve the establishment of the United States Peace Corps.

Richard J. and Antionette (Tramondozzi) Port were pioneers of the Peace Corps. They were the first couple to go overseas, serving as part of Ghana Group 1, the very first cohort of Peace Corps volunteers to deploy globally in 1961. They served with 48 single men and women as secondary school teachers in Ghana, West Africa for two years from 1961 to 1963. Richard and Ann later serviced in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The United States Peace Corps is a volunteer program established by Executive Order 10924 by President John F. Kennedy on March 1, 1961. Its founding director was R. Sargent Shriver. Peace Corps volunteers have traveled to over 139 countries in order to maintain its mission: to help people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women, to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served, and to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

In honor of the 65th anniversary of the Peace Corps (2026), the Malden Public Library and Malden Historical Society have collaborated on an exhibition of over 150 pieces of African art and artifacts collected by Mr. and Mrs. Port during their time in service. The collection includes signed carvings, textiles, household items, musical instruments and art. A highlight of the exhibition is four carved figures by Lamidi Olonade Fakeye, a prominent Nigerian Sculptor. In 2008 Mr. Fakeye was named a UNESCO Living Human Treasure.

The exhibition is open Mondays 6-8 pm and Wednesdays 2-4 pm or by appointment through September 30, 2026. For more information, contact the Malden Public Library at 781-324-0218.