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Judy Heumann
UPDATED March 18: Judith “Judy” Heumann, renowned advocate for the rights of disabled people and author of the memoirBeing Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of Disability Rights, was to have been the featured speaker for the annual Arlington Reads Together (ART) program later this month. But she has died, NPR has reported.
She is being honored at Robbins Library this afternoon. See the program >>
In a statement issued Sunday, March 5, Anna Litten, libraries' director, wrote under the headline 'Arlington Mourns Death of Judy Heumann' that “Arlington joins those across the nation and world mourning the death of Judy Heumann, lifelong advocate for disability rights and author of the 2023 Arlington Reads Together title,Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist.”
Heumann died Saturday, March 4, at age 75. She had been hospitalized the previous weekend in Washington, D.C., with breathing problems, the National Public Radio account says.
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Sunday hours: Robbins Library is open
on Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m.
from October through May.
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The Friends of Robbins Library accepted donations to the Children's and Young Adult Book Sale, set for Saturday, Feb. 25. Contributors may bring gently used items to the Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave., whenever it is open; look for the big blue bin near the circulation desk on the ground floor.
On Feb. 25, readers can support Arlington’s libraries by attending the event and purchasing children’s and teen books, movies and music at the sale, held in the Community Room (lower level) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. That day there also will be craft activities to help keep children occupied as parents search for picture books, early readers, chapter books, books for teens, puzzles and games.
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Charles Dickens in 1838. / Samuel Laurence drawing
"The Dickens You Say," a show about Charles Dickens and his characters, will be presented on Thursday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. in the Community Room (lower level) of Robbins Library.
The program, a creation of the Delvena Theatre Company, is sponsored by the Friends of the Robbins Library. It is free and open to all.
Charles Dickens wrote some of the most powerful, imaginative and adored novels of all time. Using lots of humor, the actors will take the audience on a journey into the life and loves of the great man.
Through the use of monologues and scenes, the actors will embody the ridiculous, the romantic and the frightening characters that Dickens so richly created. They will also explore with the audience some of Dickens's romantic adventures, and how he loved with every “chink and crevice” of his being.
There’s a bit of scandal, and a whole lot of worship for the great man who loved Boston profoundly. The cast will open up after the show for a lively discussion regarding Dickens.
"The Dickens You Say" is supported in part by a grant from the Arlington Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
This news announcement was published Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, based on information from Amy McElroy of the Friends of Robbins library. YourArlington volunteer Kim Haase prepared it for publication.
A comedy set during the London Blitz of World War II is scheduled to be performed at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave., in Arlington Center. The title is "A Cup of Tea, A Crumpet and a Gas Mask."
In the story, despite harsh wartime conditions, Mrs. Henderson, an upper-class British woman has been keeping one little theater alive in a unique way. Her friend Margaret Rutherford comes to visit, and they discuss matters of the heart and how to make dreams come true. The theme is that to get through difficult times, you need a lot of laughter and a good friend.
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It’s time again for one of Arlington’s venerable Town Day traditions -- the Friends of the Robbins Library’s Town Day Book Sale.
The sale will take place in the parking lot behind the library as well as in the library’s Community Room. There will be thousands of books at affordable prices. Shoppers may also purchase tote bags and more to support Arlington's public libraries.
This event will take place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Those who are members of Friends of the Robbins Library may come at 9:30 a.m. Any shopper may become a Friends’ member that morning if desired.
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Summer reading programs are back at Arlington’s libraries with fun activities and reading suggestions for kids, teens, and adults.
Registration for all ages opens Saturday, June 18. Children aged 0-14 are also invited to the Kids Summer Reading Kickoff Party in the Children’s Room and adjacent garden patio on Saturday from 10 to noon. Kids who sign up can pick up a free book, play games, blow bubbles, eat a Popsicle, enjoy face painting and more.
Kids can sign up for summer reading all summer long at either the Robbins or Fox library, and choose a free book to keep.
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UPDATED June 8: Join the Friends of the Robbins Library for a hula program by Hui Lehua o Kamawila, set for Thursday, June 9, at 7 p.m., has been postponed two weeks because of expected rain.
The free program will take place on the lawn outside the Whittemore-Robbins House, behind the library.
Hui Lehua o Kamawila is a collaborative hula group dedicated to preserving and sharing Hawaiian dance traditions in Somerville and the New England area.
Hula is a storytelling dance. The dances describe the many special and storied places of Hawai’i. At the end of the program, the audience will be invited to join in a demonstration of some hula dance moves.
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Arlington’s director of libraries, Andrea Nicolay, has accepted the position of executive director of the Albany Public Library in Albany, N.Y. Her last day in Arlington will be Friday, July 1.
“Andrea has been a tremendous leader for both the libraries and the Arlington community and her contributions will be sorely missed," said Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine in a May 24 news release.
"From her work on library programming to the Reimagining Our Libraries effort to her leadership role in the creation of Arlington’s first cultural district, Andrea has exemplified a true passion and care for Arlington, its libraries and its residents.”
Nicolay began as assistant director of Arlington’s Libraries in 2012 and was appointed director in 2015. Read about that here >>
In her nearly 10 years in Arlington, she increased access to library resources by eliminating fines and rental fees, adding summer Saturday hours in July and August, and securing municipal funding for Sunday hours.
Pride Prom king and queen, Sham Payne and, Jayden Jamison.
Arlington’s Pride Prom, an alternative prom for LGBTQ+ teens and their friends, returns in person Friday, May 20, from 7 to 10 p.m., p.m. in the newly renovated event space at the Community Center, at 27 Maple St.
The event is an opportunity for teens to dance, celebrate, and come together no matter how they define themselves.
This year, Pride Prom features a DJ and dancing, dress-up accessories, a quiet chill-out room, gender-neutral bathrooms, an all-queer adult staff from the library and partner organizations and a special performance from prom king and queen, Sham Payne and Jayden Jamison.
Alternative proms have been growing in popularity since the late 1990s. Robbins Library was the host of its first alternative prom in 2017, then known as Drag Prom.
In 2020 it was renamed Pride Prom to more accurately reflect the spirit of the event and welcome teens to come to the prom however they feel comfortable. The prom is open to teens from Arlington and beyond and strives to offer a welcoming space for queer and gender noncomforming teens, allies and friends.
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