COMMUNITY SPACES TOUR: Newton Free Library
Your name/role, and anything you’d like to share about your connections to Newton:
Ellen Meyers, Newton Free Library, Programs and Communications. I have lived in Newton for 33 years and love serving our community through my work at the library
Tell us about your organization - where is it located, when was it founded, what is your mission?
The Newton Free Library is located at 330 Homer St., Newton.
Attached is a document I prepared 10 years ago for our 20th anniversary in the Homer St. building. It covers much of the history of the library system in Newton.
Our mission statement reads as follows:
The Newton Free Library brings the community together to enjoy, explore, create, and discover.
What programs do you offer?
The Newton Free Library offers a wide variety of programs and services for patrons ages 0 to 100+. The services page on our website is a good place to start.
While too numerous to list in their entirety, programs include
A full schedule of programs for kids including storytimes, crafts, book groups, STEAM based programs and more.
A wide variety of programs for Tweens and Teens including crafts, book groups, Maker and STEAM based programs and more.
An array of programs for adults including lectures, Maker programs, panel discussions, concerts and more
We have an extensive ELL program with many volunteer opportunities available
Museum passes are available to our patrons
Free wireless access is available to anyone in the building, or grounds in close proximity
We have two galleries that rotate on a monthly basis and feature New England area artists.
Do you offer scholarships, free programs, or other ways people can access financial support? (if applicable)
All of our programs are free and open to the public.
Do you offer programming in languages other than English?
We do maintain a list of staff members who speak foreign languages.
What is your favorite thing about the village/neighborhood near your building?
I love the Winnie-the-Pooh and Friends sculpture garden on the grounds of the library. Knowing that life-long Newton resident and library patron, Nancy Schon, created the works specifically for us is indeed quite special. And, this fall, when we celebrated our 30th anniversary in the Homer St. building, we were delighted to unveil the Newton Villages Sunflower sculpture that Nancy created.
An added benefit of working in this area are the grounds at City Hall which were designed by the Olmstead firm.
Lastly, the Newton Cemetery is a great place to walk - the park-like grounds abound with trees, small ponds and lovely greenery.
How can people find out about programs or events? How do people stay in touch with your organization?
We encourage all members of the community to apply for a free library card. We send out weekly email updates which keep patrons abreast of our program offerings (by age group). Our Director, Jill Mercurio, sends out a monthly Director's eNewsletter as well. People can decide which of our eNewsletters suit their needs and sign up for them here.