Newton Free Library's Digital Newsletter

This year, Newton Free Library made many improvements while also lending so many materials that we've nearly returned to full pre-pandemic borrowing levels. To improve your library experience, we brought the new books back into the Atrium, expanded our Speed Read Collection, launched a new website, debuted new self-check machines, and opened the new Children's Room among other service changes and improvements.

Thank you for making us the busiest Library building in all of Minuteman Library Network! Read our annual report to learn more and discover the top circulated items this past year. A sincere thank you goes out to the City of Newton, our generous donors and supporters and the dedicated staff and volunteers who made this year’s revitalization of services possible.

Sincerely, Jill E. Mercurio, Director

DiNovember in the Children's Room

Did you know, our new state dinosaur is Podokesaurus holyokensis, which means "swift-footed lizard of Holyoke" was discovered in western Massachusetts in 1910 by Mount Holyoke College professor Mignon Talbot. Talbot was the first woman to find, discover, name and describe a dinosaur!

Come see what this dinosaur looks like in the Children's Room during DiNovember. Children and families are invited to enjoy a full month of exciting activities and interactive displays.

We are also sponsoring an all ages online Roaring Contest, now through November 30th. Prizes will be awarded to winners in each age category. Open November 1st- November 30th.

Library Parking Lot Construction Complete!

The need for more Library parking and better lighting in the lot has been our most common comment card topic for years! Our lot also flooded during heavy rain storms. To address these issues, the City of Newton developed a plan to reconstruct the Library parking lot to increase capacity and accessibility, improve drainage, and add solar canopies as part of the City’s Climate Action Plan.

Last summer, solar canopies were installed in our parking lot which produce 40% of the Library's electricity!

Reconstruction of the parking lot started in June, and now, after months of construction, the lot has reopened and is beautifully repaved and striped.

We hope the expanded parking makes your next Library visit even more pleasant!

Meet Julie - our New Assistant Supervisor of Youth Services!

Julie joined the Newton Free Library team in September as the Assistant Supervisor of Youth Services for Children. She has a decade of experience working with kids in public libraries and is very excited to work with the amazing youth services team in Newton. She especially loves finding new and creative ways for kids of all ages to engage with the library in programming whether it's a toddler sensory time or a month-long celebration

of dinosaurs. When not at the library Julie loves to explore new places from coffee shops to hiking trails. Here are some of Julie's recent favorite books for kids and adults:

November Event Highlights

The Friends of Newton Free Library are hosting a special sale featuring a large selection of:

- board games (great for holiday giving for Tweens, Teens and Adults),
- oversized art and specialty books,
- and recent fiction / non-fiction titles

Please note, payment must be made by cash or check only.

Thank you for supporting the Friends! All proceeds benefit the Library!