Blog: Featured

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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

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!

It’s Crafting Season!

Posted on by Katie Walsh

As the weather gets colder, now is the perfect time to pick up some new crafting hobbies (especially if you’re thinking of making some of your own homemade holiday gifts as well)! In case you didn’t know, the Malden Public Library offers several great resources to help you get started. From crafting websites with thousands of videos, to knitting kits and sewing machines, check out what we’ve got to offer!

Craftsy

“Craftsy is an online resource for all creative makers, where you can find everything you need – from basic instruction to advanced techniques. It’s a community of enthusiastic makers, from quilters and sewers, to cake decorators and painters, wanting to create beautiful things and express their creativity.

  • Over 1,400 in-depth instructional video classes; covering 20 different creative passions
  • Over 3,500 total hours of detailed commercial-free video instruction
  • Each class includes downloadable class materials to support the video
  • Access to thousands of written articles, projects, and tips”

You can access Craftsy by clicking HERE, selecting “Boston Public Library”, and entering your library card barcode number (without spaces) and your 4-digit pin number.

Creativebug

“Creativebug.com has thousands of award-winning art & craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists. Creativebug is the number one inspirational resource for DIY, crafters, and makers.”

You can access Creativebug by clicking HERE above, entering your library card barcode number (without spaces) and your 4-digit pin number, and creating a free account.

Malden Public Library’s Library of Things

Want to get crafting, but don’t have the equipment? Check out our Library of Things, where Malden residents with a library card in good standing can borrow a number of items for free. To see crafting items in particular, filter by category, select “Crafting/Cooking” and click “Apply Filter”.


 

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

Find Yourself in a Book Challenge 9.1.25-6.30.26

Posted on by Cait Quinn

Summer is over, the Autumn crush has started, and you may be feeling like reading for pleasure isn’t a priority right now. But reading for yourself should always be a priorty! And to give you a little encouragement MPL has set up a low stakes reading challenge.

Step 1: Log in or sign up to Beanstack either on the web or via the Beanstack Tracker app. (Make sure you are signed into Malden Public Library’s Challenge site. Don’t use Beanstack Go)

Step 2: Register for the “Find Yourself in a Book Challenge”

Step 3: Read (at least) one book a month that is strictly for you. Not a school book, something for work, not a side hustle. Just something you think you will enjoy.

Step 4: Collect a stamp from the library that shows you’ve completed the monthly reading. (Bookmarks available at Info and the Children’s desk, so you can log your stamps).

Step 5: Get a stamp for each month between September and June and qualify for a fun enamel pin to celebrate your accomplishment.

That’s it! Just at least one book a month. We know how hard it is to make a reading commitment sometimes. And also how easy it is to let free time slip away without using it to recharge. This challenge is here to combat that with a gentle nudge to do something wholly good for you. And to up the stakes just a little, we are adding a community goal of 10,000 books read by June. The hope is that all the other books you read each month will make their way into our stats and help us celebrate how spectacular our reading community really is. So lets make a commitment together to try to read at least a little bit every month, as a community. It will help inspire the busy library staff to keep up on their reading too, so do us a favor and sign up!

50+ Job Seekers Networking Group – LinkedIn

Posted on by Marita Coombs

The Library 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group meets via Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, from 9:30am to 11:30am. Informal networking takes place from 9am to 9:30am and 11:30am to noon. If you are unemployed and actively looking, underemployed, seeking a new career direction, re-entering the job market after a long employment gap, or recently retired and looking for your “Encore Career,” this networking group program is perfect for you! Remember, 85% of jobs are found through networking!

This week’s topic (September 17) is LinkedIn.

Join us in a professional forum for networking with peers in a safe and comfortable environment conducive to developing new relationships and developing skills and strategies to help in your career transition. Each meeting features a new topic. Meetings include a presentation and interactive workshop on topics relevant to career transition, guest speakers, access to hiring managers, small group breakout rooms to network, and 1-on-1 coaching guidance. Participating on a regular basis will give job seekers the many tools and strategies needed for a successful job search.

Each biweekly meeting is facilitated by Deborah Hope, MBA, PCIC, an experienced executive career coach. Deborah is a former Fortune 500 executive, investment banker and entrepreneur. She transitioned to executive coaching over 12 years ago. Deborah has coached with Harvard Business School Executive Education programs and the Massachusetts Conference for Women. She has been trained or certified in a variety of coaching models and assessment tools. Deborah has facilitated 50+ job seekers networking groups since 2016.

This week’s topic (September 17) is LinkedIn. Register directly on Zoom HERE. This group is sponsored by approximately 50 Massachusetts public libraries.

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

 

 

Housing Assistance Drop-In Hours

Posted on by Katie Walsh

Free legal assistance for those with housing concerns, no appointment necessary! Just come by the Malden Public Library between 10am-12pm to speak with an attorney about eviction, financial assistance, affordable housing, etc. Brought to you by the Malden Office of Housing Stability, and held on the 4th Wednesday of every month in Study Room 1. If you have questions, please reach out to (781) 322-9119 ext. 146, or email housingstability@cityofmalden.org.

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.