Blog: Featured

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When Painting Meets Poetry by Joel and Martine Renfort

Joel and Martine Renfort are freelance artists who produce art linked to the currents of surrealism, realism and abstract art. Their current exhibit When Painting Meets Poetry will be on display throughout the month of May.  Themes of hope, happiness, nature,  and history can be found in their work.

In addition to paintings, they enjoy transforming clothing, bottles, and many other creations. Examples can be found in the glass display case inside the library.

A reception for the artists will be held on Thursday May 15th from 7-8pm, and everyone is welcome to attend. 

World Movie Night: Wed, May 21st: 6:00-8:30pm

Please join us for World Movie Night on Wednesday, May 21, 2025: 6:00-8:30pm at the Malden Public Library. We will be showing a movie based on the bestselling Brazilian memoir, Ainda Estou Aqui, (I’m Still Here), about the life of Marcelo Rubens Paiva. The film stars Fernanada Torres, Selton Mello, and Fernanda Montenegro. The movie won an Oscar this year for Best International Feature Film and Fernanda Torres won a Golden Globe for Best Actress

“While Brazil faces the tightening grip of a military dictatorship, Eunice Paiva, a mother of five, is forced to reinvent herself and her family, resisting the oppression that hangs over the country. From the acclaimed director of Central Station and The Motorcycle Diaries, Walter Salles and based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s memoir, this story portrays an important part of Brazil’s hidden history.” Rated PG-13 (136 min.) (2024) 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

This film is one of the best of the year and not to be missed.

Free snacks will be provided. Movie times are approximate.

 

Industry in Converse Sq.: A walking tour

Lace up your Chuck Taylors, grab a bottle of water, and get ready to learn about the cool and interesting history of our city. Local History at the Malden Public Library is excited to announce a free walking tour! Welcome in Spring by getting outdoors and exploring Malden’s rich industrial history in a guided tour put on by local history librarian, Phillip Wright. The tour is about a mile, and it begins and ends at Malden Public Library’s historic Converse Memorial Building.

There are two sessions:

May 13th (Tuesday) from 5-7pm Sign up here

May 15th (Thursday) from 10am-12pm. Sign up here

Registration is required.
Sign up using the links. You can also register by calling the library at (781) 324-0218.

Board Game Night for Adults! Wednesday, May 14th, 6:30 – 8:30 PM

Adults are welcome to come to the Program Room for a night of friends & gaming as we bring out our collection of board games to play.

Join us on Wednesday, May 14th from 6:30 – 8:30 PM, and play one of our many popular board games or bring your own to play! Board Game Night for Adults is the second Wednesday of the month, so mark your calendars now!

Everyday Creativity with Lisa Sears 5.22.25

Do you walk into a stationary store and see piles of sketchbooks and swoon? Do you love nothing more than the feel of a fresh page waiting to be filled? But do you also have stacks of those same pages waiting for when you feel the moment is right?

We’ve got good news… the moment is now. Join local artist Lisa Sears for this accessible, friendly art program: Everyday Creativity! Commit to a sketchbook with Lisa Sears. 

Start a new habit–a good one! — pick up a sketchbook and get creative. You’ll get to experiment with different, easy to come by art materials to explore a new sketchbook and get your creativity flowing. Lisa will help you with hands-on prompts, ice breakers, visual inspiration, and creative conversations to start you off on your artistic journey. This program is for adults and young adults over 16. It is perfect for anyone who needs to slay some self doubt demons, or just needs a reason to spend an evening learning something fun and creative. This is also the perfect way to kick off an artistic habit and build the skills to keep practicing that habit in their everyday lives. No artistic skills are necessary to start, creativity is a practice and this is a great way to start.
Participants will receive a brand new sketch book as part of the class. You will also have the opportunity to try out that sketchbook in a special bonus class on Saturday, May 24th at 2pm in the Converse Art Galleries of the Malden Public Library

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

Book Log Snakes!!!

To get Sssssstarted…what’sssss thisssss about?

There are snakes at the Malden Public Library! Book snakes! This year we wanted a way to log books and encourage reading that was fun and educational. And thanks to TikTok and the internet we have this cool and crafty project. For this project you will crochet or knit a log of all your reading by assigning colors to genres or themes and then adding them each time you finish a book that matches those categories. In the end you’ll have a cute, plush log of all you’ve accomplished.

Sssssupplies…

We have provided kits with a crochet hook, some eyes, stitch markers, a pattern, and a pre-crocheted head to get you started. We are also stocking the card catalog with loads of yarn for you to choose from and some back up supplies. Stop by the library and get your kit, pick up some yarn, or just get a pattern and start logging your books. You can view the crochet pattern here:

Don’t like to crochet?

No problem…we have a knitting pattern! And you can still use the yarn, the eyes, the stitch markers. You can also bring your knit snake to one of our knitting programs and ask questions or seek assistance.

Need ssssome more help?

The library is hosting our first Book Log Snake Class and Clinic on Thursday, March 13th at 6pm. Stop by to learn how to crochet your snake from scratch. You will need your own 4.5mm hook, but we will provide the rest. There will be other snake clinics as we go and you can email cquinn@maldenpubliclibrary for updates on classes or suggestions for snake resources. In the meantime, here are some free online tutorials the staff found helpful:

And for kids too little to crochet or knit…

We have a coloring sheet. You can ask for copies at the children’s desk or pick them up near the yarn station. You can also print this template at home!

50+ Job Seekers Networking Group – AI in Job Searching

Next session’s topic (April 2) is Using Artificial Intelligence / Your Job Search Co-Pilot.

The Massachusetts Library Collaborative’s 50+ Job Seekers Group meets via Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, from 9:30am to 11:30am. Informal networking takes place before the session from 9am to 9:30am and again after the session from 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!

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 bimonthly 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.

Here are the topics for our upcoming sessions.

Mar 19, Resumes / A Pocketful of STARS

April 2, Using AI / Your Job Search Co Pilot

April 16,  Cover Letters / Are They Necessary

May 7, Networking 2.0 / You Must Give to Get

May 21, Interview Strategies

June 4, Second Act Careers / Thinking Outside the Box

June 18, Marketing Plan / Plan Your Work & Work Your Plan

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

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

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

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: