Blog: Featured

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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.

Congratulations to all our summer readers !

Posted on by Dora St. Martin
Congrats to our top readers this summer!  Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday’s End of Summer Award Ceremony and to everyone who’s been participating in our summer reading, whether by joining our reading challenge, our programs, or simply being part of our library community.
Special thanks to Mayor Christenson for helping us award our grand prizes!
Also, the summer fun isn’t over yet! You can still log your minutes on Beanstack and pick up your prizes.  bit.ly/BeanstackMPL

Welcome Back to School Night 8.26.26

Posted on by Cait Quinn

Welcome back to school to Malden’s 1st through 5th graders, and a big special welcome to our Pre-K and Kindergarten friends going for the first time! Malden Public Library welcomes you all to come participate in making personalized backpack charms, and some first day of school crowns for the Pre-Ks and Kindergarteners in preparation for their first day back September 2nd!

For our older kids, we will also have a Library Scavenger Hunt to help you familiarize yourself with the library for the upcoming school year! This will help all school age kids navigate the space and become familiar with using the Dewey Decimal System to complete any upcoming assignments! Completing the Scavenger Hunt will win you a special prize!

So join us August 26th from 6-7PM in the Program Room. The Scavenger Hunt will run an additional thirty minutes in the Children’s Room to allow for all students to participate in both!

No registration required!

Introducing updated Children’s Room hours and a New Children’s Librarian!

Posted on by Pixie Rose

Hello Malden Library Community! My name is Pixie (they/them) and I would like to introduce myself as the new Children’s Librarian! I come to Malden Public Library from being a substitute teacher with Newton Public Schools, but I have worked in libraries since my very first page job in 2013. Since then, I have worked in libraries academic and public, including serving as the ALA Sustainability Round Table Coordinator for a term! I am excited to continue in the tradition of accessibility and diversity that lifts up the Malden Library Community as well as the history of fun, creative programming that brings joy and excitement to your children.

Favorites:
Dinosaur: Deinonychus
Disney Princess: Aurora
Kids Movie: The Emperor’s New Groove
Iconic Friendship: Frog and Toad
Fairy Tale: Twelve Dancing Princesses
Food: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

Some of my favorite children’s books include:
Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard
Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
The Day You Begin by Jaqueline Woodson
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Half Magic by Edward Eager
Witchlings by Claribel Ortega
The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine
Root Magic by Eden Royce
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths by Ingri D’Aulaire
The Flicker by H.E. Edgmon

Favorite programs:
Book clubs
Story time dance party!
Nature based programming
Crafts, especially paper or fiber arts

Please tell me about what books and programs YOU would like to see at the library!

Additionally, the Malden Public Library Children’s Room has updated hours! We are now open on Thursday nights through 8:45pm! Come by and say hello!

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

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

 

Memory Kits from the Library of Things

Posted on by Katie Walsh
Now available from the Library of Things: Memory Kits! Memory kits are designed for people with dementia and other cognitive impairments (and their caregivers/loved ones) to help inspire memories on favorite topics, encourage conversation, or promote quiet enjoyment. Each kit comes with a combination of books, a CD/DVD, an activity, and an object to engage with, and each kit will have a different theme, including gardening, fishing, classic cars, birdwatching, and baking/cooking. More kits will be added soon, but we’re excited to offer our first memory kit, which is all about the Red Sox! This kit includes:
• Red Sox Matching Card Game (36 pieces)
• “The Boston Red Sox: Essential Games of Fenway Park” (6 full games, ranging from 1967-2007 on DVD)
• Baseball glove
• “The Hometown Team: Four Decades of Boston Red Sox Photography” by Steve Babineau & Mike Shalin
• “The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide for Caring for People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias” by Nancy L. Mace & Peter V. Rabins
• Resources folder
Memory kits can be checked out for 3 weeks at a time by patrons with a Malden library card in good standing. Be sure to keep an eye out as we add more memory kits, and you can place a hold on the “Let’s Go Red Sox! Memory Kit” now by calling 781-324-0218, or visiting this link:

Tech Help Drop-In

Posted on by Marita Coombs

Do you need help setting up an email account, figuring out your new phone, or updating your laptop?

Come to our tech help drop-in, where a librarian can assist you with technology related questions.

2-3pm, every Thursday!

Assistance will be on a first come, first served basis.  Please bring any relevant usernames, passwords, or devices.