Library News

October 2026 Newsletter

Happy October, Montague!

The spooky season is upon us, and we have a variety of events to help you celebrate all month long. You can learn our state’s ghost stories, unexplained phenomena, and creepy lore on Thursday, 10/8 with “Mysterious Massachusetts: A Paranormal History Talk.” On Saturday, 10/10 families and teens are welcome to join us at the Brick House Annex for a costume swap, so we can all look our ghouliest. After that, the Carnegie Library will host two sessions of needle felted pumpkin-making for the crafty folks (registration required). Then, on Monday 10/26, we’ll feature an ekphrastic writing workshop using tarot cards for arcane inspiration. And last, but not least, the Friends of the Montague Public Libraries will post up outside the Montague Center Branch Library on Halloween with bucketloads of candy for Montague’s trick-or-treaters.

For folks who’d like to engage in armchair travel and learn something new, we’re hosting a brand new beginner Italian language program. We’re starting the program at 9:00AM, so you can expect some Italian pastries for a morning nosh.

Work for the new main library plan is moving right along. By the end of this month, the design will be 75% complete, and the Library Building Steering Committee will have selected a brick pattern for the building’s cornice as well as lighting fixtures and flooring.

Finally, I want to acknowledge that, along with numerous other buildings on Avenue A, the Carnegie Library was vandalized with painted messages last month. While the crime was demoralizing, the way that the community banded together to clean the affected buildings and support one another reminded me of why it’s such a pleasure to work here: there’s so much goodwill and care.

 

It’s true that there are real issues to be angry about. It’s also true that Montague’s town staff, local non-profits, and local businesses actively work to make this community a better-resourced, more supportive, inviting, joyful, and sustainable place to live. I’m grateful to have received an apology for the paint and hopeful that we can all move forward from this incident with the intention to do more help than harm.

Happy reading,

Caitlin

To access the September 2026 newsletter as a PDF, click here.