Author Archives: Erin Lewis

Relocation Dates

The construction phase of the Melrose Public Library renovation project is finishing up!

We will close the interim Beebe library location at 5pm on Saturday, March 22 and anticipate opening at the West Emerson library at 10am on Tuesday, April 15.

Live Virtual Tour of Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Live Virtual Tour of Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

9:30 AM via Zoom

Register online!

Explore the enchanting city of Siena, one of Tuscany’s most celebrated destinations, rich in history, art, and vibrant traditions rooted in its 17 districts, or “contrade,” and the world-famous Palio di Siena. Join a virtual walking tour and travel back in time to uncover the city’s medieval glory!

Guided by Patrizia, a local expert guide, experience the highlights of this historic gem, including the iconic Piazza del Campo and the breathtaking Siena Cathedral.

Sponsored by the Tewksbury Friends of the Library and a collaboration of public libraries.

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

Peanut Butter Valentines

Peanut Butter Valentines: February 1-28, 2025

All are invited to give a special “valentine” to their neighbors by donating a jar of peanut butter or jelly for A Servant’s Heart Food Pantry and Pantry of Hope.

Drop off your donations in the marked box at the Library during the month of February.

Virtual Visit with the Seashore Trolley Museum & National Streetcar Museum

Virtual Visit with the Seashore Trolley Museum & National Streetcar Museum

Friday, February 21, 2025

2:00 – 3:00 PM via Zoom

Register online!

All aboard! Learn about the history of the trolleys in America in this visit from the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine and its satellite location, the National Street Car Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts. Founded in 1939, the Seashore Trolley Museum is the world’s first and largest electric railway museum. The museum is operated by the New England Electric Railway Historical Society, which works to preserve knowledge, context, and resources for future generations by collecting, restoring, operating, and exhibiting significant public transit vehicles and artifacts.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library and a collaboration of public libraries

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

Fun on Creativebug

February Fun on Creativebug!

This month there are fresh classes to inspire your crafting and bring a little extra love to your projects! Explore the newest Creativebug classes!

Using your library card and PIN, create your own account for FREE and nurture your creative side with 1000+ video classes in painting, knitting, crafting, sewing & more!


Embroidered Sampler Passport Book: A Daily Practice – February 1

Feeling stuck in your embroidery routine or unsure which stitch to try next? Let Rebecca Ringquist, the artist and designer behind Dropcloth Embroidery, lead you through a dynamic collection of twelve embroidery stitches and their many variations. Each sampler is perfectly sized to fit into a five-inch hoop, making it an ideal project to take on the go. Once you’ve completed all twelve samplers, Rebecca shows you how to transform them into a cloth-bound embroidery reference book. This beautiful, handmade book will serve as a lasting guide to the most essential stitches in the embroidery lexicon. This 16-day practice will be released every other day this month.

Make a Tinted Lip Balm – February 5

Make your lips feel soft as rose petals! Arina of BellaCreme is here to show you how to make an all-natural lip balm with a subtle hint of color using alkanet root to create a soft, rosy hue. Learn how to melt down beeswax and add invigorating essential oils, such as eucalyptus, to create a wholesome remedy for dry, chapped lips. You’ll want to make one for each of your friends which is easy with this step-by-step and the inexpensively priced organic and natural products. Arina explains how to make it with or without the colorant, giving you the option for a truly customized product.

How to Fold an Origami Heart – February 12

Hearts can symbolize strong emotions such as love, strength, and happiness. Artitst Courtney Cerruti shares how easy it is to fold an origami heart. Even if you’ve never folded paper like this before, your origami self-confidence will go up the charts with this very easy piece. Make it for Valentines, Mother’s Day, or any occasion to share some love.

Knit a Bow Scarf – February 26

Add a touch of retro charm to any outfit with this easy-to-knit bow scarf. Knitter Faith Hale has returned to this classic pattern over and over again and is excited to share with you this simple yet clever design. Featuring increases, decreases, a long garter panel and two ribbed tubes, this versatile accessory knits up quickly and makes for a satisfying gift. Her formula can be adapted for virtually any size yarn so you can use it to knit up a special skein in a weekend.

Explore Creativebug printables!

“Begin” Embroidery Pattern

Mass Center for the Book 2025 Reading Challenge

How it Works:

  1. Choose a book that fits the monthly challenge. If you are stuck, please ask a library staff member for some ideas!
  2. Each month, after you read, fill out a short form to tell us about the book.
  3. That’s it!
    • Mass Center for the Book will host a year-end party to celebrate participants committed to the challenge.
    • There will be monthly drawings for free books.
    • If you read a book in each of the 12 months, you will be entered in a drawing to win a tote filled with books and other bookish goodies.

January: A book published or about the year you were born


February: A book with the name of a city in the title

March: A book about someone with a marginalized identity

April: A book about books, bookstores, or libraries


May: A book with a first sentence of eight words or less


June: A book that spans multiple generations

July: A book you were drawn to by its cover


August: A book with a protagonist who is a teenager or senior citizen


September: A book told in non-chronological order


October: A book published by a Massachusetts press


November: A cookbook or book about food


December: Another book by an author you’ve already read   

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