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“The Regulars are Coming”

Posted on by Dora St. Martin
Born in Malden about 1750, Aaron Oliver, a free black farmer, answered the revolutionary alarm and marched to Cambridge on April 19, 1775. Officially enlisted on April 23, Private Oliver fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill attached to Captain Ezra Towne’s Company of the 3rd New Hampshire, alongside Nathan Hale. In July 1777, Oliver was taken prisoner at Battle of Hubbardton (Vermont) and held on a British prison ship anchored in Wallabout Bay in New York. Some 11,000 prisoners died aboard these prison ships over the course of the war, many from disease or malnutrition. Private Oliver was released from captivity in April 1778, but died less than a month later, at the age of 28.
Aaron and Abigale Oliver had three surviving children Luther (1772), Ezra (1774) and Aaron (1776). In 2017, an exhibit at the Hubbardton Battlefield displayed Aaron Oliver’s possessions including a priming horn, cartridge pouch, shaving mirror, and a small wooden object used as a canteen.
Private Oliver is one of five enslaved and free Black soldiers listed in Deloraine Corey’s History of Malden. https://archive.org/…/historymaldenm…/page/n180/mode/2up

Museum Passes are Back!

Posted on by Caron Guigli

We have added back six passes to area institutions. Procedures have changed for most passes. Please see below for special instructions.

Book all passes online through library website, then follow the institution-specific instructions below:

Zoo New England (Stone & Franklin Park) (paper pass): $9 adult, $6 child (up to 6 people).

  1. Pick up paper pass from library up to three weeks in advance. We recommend at least 1 week in advance.
  2. Purchase timed tickets through zoonewengland.org (Zoo charges $2 additional fee per ticket).
  3. Bring pass and Zoo confirmation to the Zoo for your visit.

New England Aquarium (paper pass): 50% off (up to 4 people).

  1. Pick up paper pass from library up to three weeks in advance. We recommend at least 1 week in advance.
  2. Call the Aquarium at 617-973-5200 (Reservations) to purchase timed tickets by phone. You must call. Promo code is not eligible for online booking.
  3. Bring pass and Aquarium confirmation to the Aquarium for your visit.

Museum of Science (e-pass): 50% off (up to 4 people)

  1. Call the Museum of Science at 617-723-2500 to reserve a time slot on the day you selected. You must call. Promo code is not eligible for online booking.
  2. Bring library e-pass confirmation and Museum of Science ticket confirmation to the Museum for your visit.

Museum of Fine Arts (e-pass): $10 (up to 2 adults, children are free)

  1. Visit mfa.org, click Tickets, select the date and type of ticket, and enter the promo code you received when booking the discount pass on the top right corner of the next page, which will activate the reduced admission rate. 
  2. Bring library e-pass confirmation and Museum of Science ticket confirmation to the Museum for your visit.

USS Constitution Museum (paper pass): Free (up to 9 people)

  1. Pick up paper pass at the library up to three weeks in advance and bring it to the USS Constitution (no timed ticket needed: first come, first served).

Massachusetts State Parks (pass needs to be returned): Free Parking (1 vehicle)

  1. Pick up pass day before or morning of reserved date. If not picked up by noon the day of reservation, the pass is forfeited).
  2. Return by morning of the next day (for Saturday & Sunday reservations, return the pass by Monday morning).

If you have any questions about passes, please call the library at 781-324-0218.

YA Craft: Duct Tape Bracelets

Posted on by Patrick Brennan

Craft bags with instructions and two rolls of patterned Duct Tape are available in to-go bags at the Malden Public Library starting today.

In order to secure yours while supplies last please call 781-324-0218 and place a reservation under your name today. There is a limit of one bag per household, but feel free to supplement this with Duct Tape you have lying around the house as well!

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Duct-Tape-Bracelet

Celebrate National Library Week

Posted on by Dora St. Martin

April 4-10, 2021 is National Library Week, a time to highlight the essential role libraries, librarians and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening communities. The theme for this year’s National Library Week is “Welcome to your library,” which promotes the idea that libraries extend far beyond the four walls of a building and that everyone is welcome to use their services. Whether people visit virtually or in person, libraries are accessible and inclusive places that foster a sense of belonging and community through learning, discovery and exploration.

This National Library Week, the public can show their appreciation and support for libraries by visiting their library’s website, following them on social media and using the hashtag #NationalLibraryWeek.

Jazz for Kids with Mr. Frank, Music Play Patrol: April 21 & 22

Posted on by Rebecca Smith

For school vacation week, we have two wonderful music programs to offer:

THE JAZZ GREATS FOR GRADES 1-5
Wednesday, April 21, 3:00 pm
Learn about some of the greatest Jazz musicians of all time and discover new favorites! Featuring activities and songs inspired by Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock, and more. Mr. Frank from Music Play Patrol will present this fun 30-minute virtual music program. Visit the library’s online event calendar for the Zoom details.

INTRO TO JAZZ FOR AGES 3-5
Thursday, April 22, 11:30 am
Let’s put on our dancing shoes and begin our exploration of Jazz music! Featuring jazz versions of our favorite songs, how to swing, and more! Mr. Frank from Music Play Patrol will present this fun 30-minute virtual music program. Visit the library’s online event calendar for the Zoom details.

 

Celebrate Arab American Poets!

Posted on by Caron Guigli

Celebrate Arab American Poets in honor of Arab American Heritage Month and Poetry Month! Check out these wonderful collections from our catalog: https://mpl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1052065137_maldenmapubliclibrary/1870204299_arab_american_poets

MPL TO GO: New Extended Curbside Pickup Hours

Posted on by Caron Guigli

The Malden Public Library offers curbside pickup: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 10-6, Wednesday from 10-7, and Saturday from 10-2.  Curbside hold pickup means you will be asking for items either from our website or over the phone.  We are looking forward to helping you.

Library staff will collect materials, contact patrons when holds are ready, and check out materials when the pickup time has been scheduled.

Follow these simple steps to pick up items:

  • Place an item on hold through the library’s catalog (https://mpl.bibliocommons.com/)  or by calling the library (781.324.0218).
  • When your items are ready, you will  be notified by email, phone or text (whichever method you chose when you signed up for a card).
  • Call 781.324.0218 to arrange a pickup, once you have received notification that your hold(s) are ready. Make sure you have your library card number handy! Calling ahead cuts down on your wait time.
  • Drive or walk to the library and wait in the designated curbside area.
  • Call 781.324.0218 to let library staff know you are now at the library to pick up your items.
  • We will place your items on a cart for pickup.  Please wait until the staff has re-entered the Library before taking materials. Enjoy your books!
  • When you’re done with your items, please return them in the book drop.

Materials can only be returned using the library’s book drops to ensure patrons and staff safety. Returned materials will be quarantined for 72 hours before check-in, as recommended by the CDC. During the quarantine period, books will remain on the borrower’s card. For further safety, concerned patrons can avoid opening checked out materials for 24 to 72 hours after retrieving them from the library.

The Library continues to recommend the many online resources available at our website at www.maldenpubliclibrary.org, including 24/7 access to the digital library,

The library has a reopening plan in place, but no date has yet been set for the various stages in the plan.

For more information about the Malden Public Library’s programs and services, please call the library at 781-324-0218.

Make Way for Ducklings

Posted on by Caron Guigli

Make way for Duckling! The weather is getting warmer, flowers and buds are forming, and Panda’s friend duckling is making his grand entrance. Call now to reserve a take and make kit to have a duckling friend of your very own. Call for curbside pick up at 781-324-0218.

YA Game Bags: Learn to play Magic The Gathering

Posted on by Patrick Brennan

Young Adults in the 5th through 12th grade are invited to learn a new game by picking up their Magic the Gathering game bags at the Malden Public Library.

Each bag has hundreds of Magic cards, enough to make two standard 60 card decks, or one large 100 card commander deck. Learn the ins and out of the game via the printed rules and play with friends online.

Call the library during business hours at 781-324-0218 and reserve your game bag today. Please there is a limit of two bags per household, so call and reserve yours starting on Thursday, March 25th.