Blog: Community resource

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.

New (and Returning) Resources for the New Year

Posted on by Katie Walsh

Just in time for the new year, we have one new and one returning resource coming to the Malden Public Library!

Educate Station

“Educate Station content is created by a team of experienced and passionate educators from across the United States. Our educators bring vast subject-matter expertise, teaching credentials, and many years of experience as classroom teachers and curriculum developers. Through the content we create, we aim to provide ready-to-use, hands-on activities for kids to do at home or at school. The Educate Station team is committed to inspiring joyful learning and supporting kids, teachers, and parents.”

Educate Station provides a large number of free lesson plans and worksheets for students from Pre-K through 5th grade, aligned to state and national standards. Ideal for learners who need a little extra practice at home, or for caregivers who are choosing to homeschool.

To access Educate Station from home, you will need to use the link above and enter your library card number. If you would like to access Educate Station from one of the library computers, you can use the link above, without entering a library card number. Using either method will require that you create an Educate Station account.

Transparent Language

“Transparent Language Online provides an effective and engaging experience for language learners looking to build their vocabulary, practice their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, and maintain what they learn.  With courses and supplemental resources in 110+ languages, Transparent Language Online can be accessed anytime, anywhere, on almost any device.”

Transparent Language was previously available to Malden Public Library card holders through state funding, and is now available again! One fantastic feature is their American Citizenship Test materials, which have been updated to reflect changes made to the test in 2025. To access Transparent Languages, click the link above, select “Sign up”, enter your library card number, and get started creating an account.

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

Welcoming Week: September 12-21, 2025

Posted on by Stacy Holder

Join us at the Malden Public Library for Welcoming Week on September 12-21, 2025. The theme for this year’s Welcoming Week is “Stories We Share.” 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 and adults.

The Malden Public Library will have some resources and information for the Welcoming Week Kickoff which will be at Malden City Hall on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 215 Pleasant Street, City Hall Plaza. You can find out more information here: https://www.cityofmalden.org/1130/WELCOMING-WEEK-2025

On Tuesday, September 16, 2025 we will have a Story Time for children (ages 4-8) at 3:00pm and a “Take & Make” craft for children (ages 3+) at the Malden Public Library.

And don’t miss our Movie Night on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 6:00-8:00pm. We will be showing a “hidden gem” of a movie about Peace By Chocolate. “When a Syrian family flees civil war to small-town Canada, the son is torn between his dreams of becoming a doctor and helping his father rebuild his suddenly burgeoning chocolate business. Based on the incredible true story.” Not Rated, All Ages (96 min.) (2021) Free snacks will be provided and movie times are approximate.

This year on Saturday, September 20, 2025: 10:00-11:00am we will have our 3rd 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! The Welcoming Week theme this year is “Stories We Share.”

All events are co-sponsored by The Friends of the Malden Public Library.

 

Summer Hours Start Saturday June 21st! Saturdays 9-1pm

Posted on by Cait Quinn

Summer is back! And this year we are open on Saturday. Starting Saturday, June 21st the library will open from 9am-1pm. This will give you and your family time to stop by and pick up your beach reads, audio books for the long car ride, or movies for a rainy weekend. For the rest of the week our hours will be the same, and packed with lots of summer reading special events. Check out our calendar to see what is going on! And don’t forget to sign up on Beanstack to log your reading minutes!

Pride Screening: Gen Silent 6.4.25

Posted on by Cait Quinn

The Malden Public Library in conjunction with the City of Malden, Councillor Ari Taylor, the Malden office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Malden Pride Coalition will have a special screening of Gen Silent in honor of Pride month. On Wednesday, June 4th at 6pm, at the library, we will show this very important documentary about LGBTQIA+ elders and the hurdles they face as they navigate later life care and medical concerns. Gen Silent follows the lives of 6 seniors in and around Boston who are trying to navigate aging and care in a system that is often hostile or at a minimum not equipped to embrace and support their needs.

Join us for this very important film and share your perspectives with our community. Elder care is an issue that each of us will have to face in some form. But for our queer elders that can be even more daunting. SAGE Advocacy and services for LGBTQ+ Elders provides some startling figures facing the community. “53% of LGBTQ+ older people report feeling isolated from others. 50% of all Americans living with HIV are over 50 years old. 65% of older transgender respondents felt there would be limited access to care as they aged… 55% from the same 2015 national survey feared they would be denied medical treatment. 70% of LGBTQ+ elders fear having to “re-closet” themselves when seeking elder housing. 41% of LGBTQ+ older people report having a disability, compared to 35 percent of heterosexual older adults.” With these figures it is essential to have conversations around what we can do to better support people in our neighborhood, family, and systemically through government support.

Following the screening there will be a discussion and light refreshments. There will also be representatives from Mystic Valley Elder Services and the Wicked Queer Film festival there to join the discussion. And for those who wish to learn more about services available for themselves and elders in their community we’ll also have in information table with materials from local organizations and a book list for further reading.

Community Resources for New Arrivals

Posted on by Katie Walsh

Being an integral part of the Malden community, the Malden Public Library provides the following community links and a resource to our local population. Here are some updated links and resources that may be useful to community members who are new to Malden and/or the United States, and those who wish to support them!

Click the name of the organization to be taken to their website; when available, direct contact information for the organization will be listed beneath their description. Descriptions in quotations come directly from the organizations linked.

New Arrivals Resources

Brazilian Workers Center

“The Brazilian Worker Center is a non-profit organization that capacitates immigrant workers to learn about workplace rights, immigration, and health equity. We empower immigrants with knowledge and skills to promote economic, social, political and racial justice for all.”

The Family Welcome Center at the Allston BWC provides assistance and resources (including emergency housing) to new arrivals from many countries.

The Everett Haitian Community Center

“The Everett Haitian Community Center (EHCC) is proud to have been serving immigrant and marginalized communities in Everett and Greater Boston for the past 7 years.” EHCC offers assistance with housing, food, citizenship classes, employment, and more.

MIRA Resources (Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition):

“MIRA is the largest coalition in New England promoting the rights and integration of immigrants and refugees. With offices in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, we advance this mission through education and training, leadership development, institutional organizing, strategic communications, policy analysis and advocacy.”

MIRA Citizenship Application Assistance

MIRA Immigration Advocate Legal Helpline

“This helpline number is open to all Massachusetts-based providers serving immigrants and refugees and accepts voicemails 24/7 at (508) 293-1871. This helpline operates as a non-emergency service.

  • Callers are asked to leave a voicemail with their contact details and their inquiry (without disclosing any client-specific information).
  • The MIRA Helpline staff will review voicemails to assess urgency, directing urgent inquiries to our Staff Attorney for immediate response.
  • If a caller seeks resources, these will be sent via email.
  • For all other matters requiring an attorney’s response, the Helpline staff will arrange a callback and provide further instructions.
  • For expedited service, providers are encouraged to fill out the online intake form. Once the form is submitted, providers don’t need to call the helpline, the team will reach out to them with a response to their inquiry.”

Immediate Resources for Immigrants (MIRA): Links and contact information for emergency assistance shelter, Family Welcome Centers, Food/Nutrition/Medical Resources.

Immigrant Support Alliance, Melrose, MA (website under construction)

“A nonprofit coalition of volunteers that partners with resettlement agencies to provide food, housing, financial, and social support to our clients, helping them on their journey towards becoming independent, contributing members of our communities.”

  • info@immigrantsupportalliance.org

The Immigrant Learning Center, Malden, MA

The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. (ILC) is a not-for-profit organization. The English Language Program provides free, year-round ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes to help immigrant and refugee adults in Greater Boston become successful workers, parents and community members.

  • (781) 322-9777

Rian Immigrant Center

“Rian empowers immigrants, refugees, and international exchange visitors on the path to opportunity, safety and a better future.” Rian provides immigration legal services, English classes, citizenship classes, resource and support services, education & career services, International Exchange Visitor Visa Program, community building opportunities, and advocating for just and humane immigration policies.

  • (617) 542-7654

 

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.

Clean Water Action

Posted on by Stephen Deloney

Getting the lead out

Join us at the Malden Public Library for a presentation by Clean Water Action and the Mystic Valley NAACP on the status of lead piping here in Malden, the effects this has on our community, and how you can be part of the solution. Registration is not required but is requested.

*Earlier advertisements listed the availability of Free Child Care at this event. Unfortunately we are unable to make this accommodation.

 

https://maldenpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/clean-water-action/

 

For more information about Clean Water Action’s work in the Malden area:

https://cleanwater.org/2024/09/12/bringing-lead-service-lines-surface-malden

Artificial Intelligence in our Daily Lives.

Posted on by Marita Coombs

 

On Saturday Sept 28th  from 2-4pm the Malden Public Library will be hosting a unique workshop exploring the impact and implications of Artificial Intelligence in our daily lives.  We will discuss beneficial, real-world applications and how to safeguard against the risks posed by AI enabled deep fakes, scams and misinformation.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Malden Public Library.

Everyone is welcome to attend and registration is encouraged.

To Register at :  https://bit.ly/malden-ai