Library Latest
We’re bringing the shelves to you! Each post highlights new materials or a part of the collection our staff thinks you should check out!
December 10, 2024: Spend some time learning a new craft or hobby this winter. Also check out our database Creativebug for more crafting ideas and lessons.
November 26, 2024: November is National Picture Book Month! Check out some of the Children’s Staff’s favorite picture books over the years. Come back next month to see what we have chosen for this year’s Best of 2024 list!
November 12, 2024: November is Native American Heritage Month! Check out these fiction and nonfiction books to learn about the history as well as experiences of the indigenous peoples of North America.
October 22, 2024: October is Dyslexia Awareness Month! Check out some of our children’s books that either feature a dyslexic character or are written in dyslexia friendly font.
October 8, 2024: September 15th to October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month. Explore some of these spooky books by Latinx authors leading up to Halloween and Día de los Muertos.
September 24, 2024: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th to October 15th) with a selection of children’s books by Latinx authors handpicked by the Children’s Staff.
September 10, 2024: As Fall approaches, celebrate the harvest with a variety of apple themed books. From cozy mysteries to cookbooks there are many books featuring apples to check out.
August 27, 2024: Looking for a new book to read before the end of summer? Check out these books that all have one word titles.
August 13, 2024: Looking forward to watching the Paralympics? Check out these books to learn more about the history of the games and the athletes who compete in them.
July 23, 2024: Spend your summer exploring the oceans through these books about the wide variety of life under the sea as well as the many adventures of people traveling above the waves.
July 9, 2024: Looking forward to watching the Olympics? Check out these books to learn more about the history of the games and the athletes who compete in them.
June 25, 2024: Did you enjoy watching the newest season of Bridgerton? Check out these titles for some more Regency romances and books similar to the Bridgerton series.
June 11, 2024: June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month! Enjoy this selection of books celebrating the lives and histories of the LGBTQIA+ community.
May 28, 2024: May is Jewish American Heritage month! Check out these fiction and nonfiction books by Jewish authors to celebrate the American Jewish experience and history.
May 14, 2024: May is Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month! It also happens to be National Mystery Month. Celebrate both by checking out these mystery books by Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander authors.
April 23, 2024: Today would have been Shakespeare’s 460th birthday! This year celebrate the Bard’s birthday with some modern retellings of his famous plays.
April 9, 2024: April is National Arab-American Heritage Month! Celebrate by checking out these books by a variety of Arab-American authors.
March 22, 2024: March is National Reading Month! This month discover a variety of books that celebrate a love of books and reading.
March 12, 2024: March is Women’s History Month! Also coming up, March 14 is both the International Day of Mathematics and Celebrate Scientists Day. Check out these books highlighting and celebrating the contributions of Women in Stem.
February 27, 2024: Yesterday was National Tell a Fairy Tale Day! You can still celebrate by exploring these retellings of classic Fairy Tales.
February 13, 2024: Year of the Dragon has just begun! The Lunar New Year was celebrated on February 10th and Valentine’s Day is coming up on February 14th. Celebrate both holidays by exploring these Romance books set during the Lunar New Year.
January 23, 2024: January 2nd was National Science Fiction Day! It’s not too late though to explore some of these science fiction books that have come out in the last year and enjoy watching some science fiction movies on Kanopy.
January 9, 2024: Now that 2024 has started lets take a look back at some great fiction and nonfiction books that came out in 2023. All of which can be checked out from the Beech Street Center (266 Beech Street) in Belmont.
December 19, 2023: Looking for a new series to watch? Check out the many options available on Hoopla. All free with your library card!
December 5, 2023: As the days keep getting shorter, enjoy spending time inside watching some Short Films through Kanopy, all free with your library card!
November 21, 2023: Learn some secrets from the library this November. Check out these titles on the secret lives or histories of various people, animals, and things through these ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and TV shows. All accessible through the links below and with a current Minuteman library card.
November 7, 2023: November is National Nonfiction month! Explore this wide genre and learn more about a variety of interesting topics with some of these books.
October 10, 2023: October is National Cookbook Month! Check out some of these books and the many other cookbooks in the library for some inspiration on recipes and good food as the days get colder.
September 26, 2023: September 15 – October 15 is Hispanic and Latino American Heritage Month! Celebrate with these titles from our Children’s Collection, all by and/or about incredible Hispanic and Latino Americans! Looking for even more options? We have so many more in the Children’s Room! Feel free to stop by to ask for recommendations!
September 12, 2023: September 12th is the National Day of Encouragement and it is followed the next day by Positive Thinking Day. Be encouraged and inspired by both days to start your Fall on an optimistic note. Check out these books featuring positive thinking philosophies from around the world.
August 22, 2023: Did you know that August 26th is National Dog Day? Check out these some of these paw-fect reads from the Children’s Room, and get even more recommendations on books about these furry friends from our Children’s librarians!
August 15, 2023: Next week is World Water Week! Water is a vital resource here on Earth. Explore some of these books to discover more about the impact it’s had on history, the benefits it brings, to perils it causes, and our fragile relationship with this precious liquid that makes up 71% of the planet.
August 8, 2023: Today is International Cat Day! Around the world cats are beloved occupants of our homes. This month read some books with cats featured as sassy magical creatures, mystery solving detectives, and emotional supportive side characters. Also discover more about the history of these animals and what we can learn from them.
July 25, 2023: July is Disability Pride Month! Learn about some powerful figures and their stories with these books!
July 18, 2023: July is Disability Pride Month! Did you know that the first ever Disability Pride Day was held in Boston in 1990 the same year the Americans with Disabilities Act became a law? Explore more books about trailblazing activists and stories that center the lives of people with a variety of disabilities.
July 11, 2023: July is National Outdoor Month! Find time to do some exploring this summer whether it’s a just walk in the neighborhood, a camping trip, or an outdoors adventure, there is nature to discover everywhere.
June 27, 2023: June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month! Enjoy this selection of books featuring characters from the LGBTQIA+ community and their stories throughout history and the present.
June 20, 2023: June is Pride Month! Celebrate LGBTQ+ lives and histories by checking out some of these fiction and nonfiction books.
June 6, 2023: June is African American Music Appreciation Month! Check out these books to learn more about some celebrated musicians as well as the long history of African American musical creativity.
May 23, 2023: May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Learn about some historical events and incredible people with these books! Want to read more? Come to our Children’s Room and check out our AAPI Month Display!
May 9, 2023: April showers have brought May flowers to the library! Come check out these flower related books and enjoy the Spring plants in bloom.
April 25, 2023: April is National Poetry Month and April 22nd is Earth Day! Enjoy these poetry books about the Earth and its many wonders! To learn more about Earth Day and National Poetry Month, please visit our Children’s Room!
April 11, 2023: This month enjoy spending some time gazing up at the stars with these star related books! Especially since April is Global Astronomy Month.
March 28, 2023: March is Women’s History Month! Celebrate by reading about important women throughout history! Want to read more? Please come to our Children’s Room and check out our Women’s History Month Display!
March 14, 2023: March is Women’s History Month! Check out some of these books written by or about local women from Massachusetts.
February 28, 2023: February is Black History Month! Celebrate by learning about some powerful figures and reading some of their works! Want to read more? Please come to our Children’s Room to browse our Black History Month display!
February 14, 2023: February is Black History month and today is Valentine’s Day! Celebrate both by checking out some of these Black Romance books.
January 24, 2023: It’s a snowy week! Lean into January’s chilly weather with these new and old favorites from the Children’s Room!
January 17, 2023: January is National Hot Tea Month! Cozy up this month with one of these books and your favorite hot beverage.
January 3, 2023: Get the new year started right with one of the most popular books for Belmont readers in 2022!
December 27, 2022: Looking for your next favorite Children’s read? Check out some of our Children’s Best of 2022 selections — we’ve got picture books, fiction, graphic novels, and non-fiction!
December 13, 2022: Need a last minute gift idea? Check out these recommendations from Belmont Public Library staff!
November 29, 2022: November is all about picture books! Check out these picture book biographies to learn more about all sorts of incredible people and their stories! Stop by the Children’s Room to get even more recommendations of great picture book biographies from our librarians!
November 8, 2022: In honor of Veterans Day on Friday, please consider these selections: whether about “The War to End All Wars” or honoring those who serve in the US Armed Services, there is surely something to learn!
October 25, 2022: Did you know that November is National Picture Book Month? Check out these awesome new picture book titles, and feel free to stop by the Children’s Room to get even more recommendations!
October 11, 2022: Get in the Halloween spirit with these horrifying tales!
September 27, 2022: September 15 – October 15 is National Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month! Celebrate with these selections from the Children’s Room, all by and/or about people with Hispanic and Latinx heritage! You can also stop by the Children’s Room to check our display or ask for more recommendations from our librarians!
August 23, 2022: Did you know that August 24th is National Waffle Day AND National Peach Pie Day?! AND that August 25th is National Banana Split Day?! It’s a sweet time! Check out these Children’s books themed around these yummy foods and other delicious desserts!
August 9, 2022: Huzzah! It’s National Book Lovers’ Day! This is a post that was very easy to begin and very difficult to end 
Check out one of these particularly bookish books, stop in to chat with a librarian, or fill out a belhop form for even more personalized reading recommendations!
July 26, 2022: Have you stopped by to check out our different zones in the Children’s Room this summer? We’ve got Picture Book Park, The Forest of Fiction, and Graphic Novel Grotto! This Library Latest suggests just a few of the fantastic new titles from each of the zones!
July 12, 2022: Get ready for your next adventure with one of these travel guides we’ve added to our OverDrive collection!
June 28, 2022: Summer is here! Celebrate with these ocean-themed offerings from the Children’s Room! And stop by to check out the Ocean of Non-Fiction zone in the library this summer as part of our Read Off the Beaten Path Summer Reading theme!
June 14, 2022: June is National Oceans Month and we’ve rounded up a few reads that wade into the water all around us!
May 31, 2022: X marks the spot… Check out these offerings from the Children’s Room, filled with cool maps, exploring, and all sorts of adventures! And mark your calendar! Starting on June 22nd, you can sign up for our Summer Reading Program, which is themed Read Beyond the Beaten Path!Trade in your number of minutes read (including being read to!) for bundles of fun beads! Stop by the Children’s Desk to learn more.
May 10, 2022: This post offers just a taste of all the fantastic AAPI Heritage Month themed reads you can get at the library. Start here and then drop in to checkout our display, booklist, or get even more personalized recommendations from the librarians at the reference desk!
April 26, 2022: April showers bring May flowers…Check out these offerings from the Children’s Room featuring flowers and other things that grow!
April 5, 2022: There are lots of different ways to celebrate Earth Month. This Library Latest has some books that will help, whether your goal is to get inspired, get motivated, or just enjoy!
March 22, 2022: Looking forward to National Poetry Month? Get ready for April with these selections in verse from the Children’s Room!
March 8, 2022: Happy International Women’s Day! Check out these nonfiction reads featuring some real rad women.
February 22, 2022: It’s Tuesday and the date is 2/22/22! A super Twosday! Celebrate this once in a lifetime event with these Children’s books all about favorite pairs, partners, and pals!
February 8, 2022: Expand your knowledge of Black history and stories with one of these compelling reads!
February 1, 2022: Today marks the Lunar New Year, the beginning of the Year of the Tiger! Celebrate by picking up one of these 8 books highlighting Asian heritage.
January 25, 2022: Looking to escape the cold and dreary weather? Check out these selections from the Children’s collection! You can armchair travel across the world, to fantastical lands, and even to strange places!
January 11, 2022: Start off 2022 by checking out one of the highest circulating books or films from 2021!
January 4, 2022: Did you make a resolution to read more this year? These eight books are two biographies for the price (free, of course) of one!
December 14, 2021: Did you know that those awesome, cheesy, awesomely cheesy tv holiday movies come out on DVD? They do and we’ve got ’em!
November 30, 2021: Have you seen the new Staff Selects display in the library? Check out what staff are currently reading and recommending!
November 23, 2021: Check out this year’s Staff Holiday Gift Guide!
November 9, 2021: We’re halfway through International Games Week (Nov. 5 – 12). Pick up one of these books for on theme reading material when you’re taking a break from all the gaming!
November 2, 2021: Looking for some reads to help you dive into Native American Heritage Month this November? Check out this selection of riveting Native voices – emerging and classic, fiction and nonfiction!
October 19, 2021: It’s Knit Lit season! Check out these titles to keep company with some of fiction’s most famous knitters.
October 6, 2021: Cozy up for fall with one of these cozy mysteries. (Warning: puns ahead!)
September 29, 2021: Sept. 26 – Oct. 2 is Banned Books Week. Take a look at some of the most challenged books of 2020 as compiled by the American Library Association.
September 22, 2021: This week we’re going apple picking! Hope you find a juicy one.
September 14, 2021: In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month kicking off tomorrow (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15), here are some titles to add to your TBR list!
August 31, 2021: Couldn’t ask for nicer weather for National Eat Outside Day! Here are some quick and easy cookbooks for picnic inspo…
August 24, 2021: Football season is almost here! Get ready for it with one of these titles!
August 17, 2021: Children’s Librarian Bethany is here to recommend some beachy kid’s reads!
August 10, 2021: Around here we know that a beach read is any book you want to bring to the beach. Check out some titles staff have been putting in their beach bags this year!
August 3, 2021: YA – it’s not just for teens and offers more than just gorgeous covers, too! Check out these great reads that defy age restrictions 
July 27, 2021: Pick up one of these great reads in celebration of disability visibility and pride!
July 20, 2021: Looking for some inspiration to join the Plastic Free July movement? We’ve got you covered!
June 29, 2021: Check out our entire Pride Month Booklist in this week’s Library Latest!
June 22, 2021: Looking for some great LGBTQ historical fiction? We’ve got you covered!
June 15, 2021: Our Pride themed suggestions continue – this time with fantasy! Explore a new world in one of these page-turners.
June 8, 2021: We’re back with another Pride themed mini-booklist, this time featuring some witty, swoony romances!
June 1, 2021: In this week’s Library Latest we’re kicking off Pride Month with a selection of highly readable memoirs. Take your pick!
May 25, 2021: Read it before you watch it! The books (and play) featured here are all scheduled for film or tv adaptations in 2021. We’re generally “the book was better” people around here, but check these out to decide for yourself!
May 18, 2021: Looking for some inspo for your (it FINALLY feels like) spring cleaning? Look no further than these helpful reads.
May 11, 2021: Like the song says – Brush Up Your Shakespeare! with one of these Shakespeare remixed novels. From Pulitzer Prize winners to Oprah’s Book Club picks, there’s a new twist on a twice-told tale for everyone.
May 4, 2021: May is Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Celebrate with some (or all!) of these Own Voices stories, histories, and memoirs.
April 20, 2021: He’s got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is a recipient of Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun, a GLAAD Award winner, and NASA named an asteroid after him. That’s right, today is lovely human George Takei’s 84th birthday! Check out some highlights from his astonishing career.
April 13, 2021: Got a favorite classic story? Instead of (another) rereading, why not try one of these retellings?
April 6, 2021: April is Earth Month! Take some time to delve into the inextricable relationship between humans and our planet with any one (or more!) of these compelling titles.
March 30, 2021: Close out #MindfulMarch with one of these reads spanning meditation, resilience, & simply being.
March 23, 2021: Did you know there’s such a thing as National Puppy Day? We didn’t, either. But apparently it’s today, March 23rd, so here are some reading selections to celebrate all the great doggos out there!
March 16, 2021: Saint Patrick’s Day inspired reading picks for history and fiction lovers alike!
March 9, 2021: Looking for some interesting Women’s History Month reads? We’ve got you covered…
March 2, 2021: Children’s Librarian Amy is here with the latest Children’s fiction titles!