Chelsea Public Library

Sean Gaskell and The West African Kora- this Saturday!

Join us on Saturday, October 3rd at 2pm for a performance of the West African Harp by Sean Gaskell!
This event is open to all ages - Listen, learn, and discover the contemplative sounds, history, legends and stories of the Kora.

Sean Gaskell features songs on the kora which is a 21 stringed West African harp.

The kora is traditionally played by oral historians known as Griots. Many songs featured on the kora preserve an 800 year history dating back to the founding of the Mande empire. Sean studied under the instruction of Moriba Kuyateh and the late Malamini Jobarteh at their home in Brikama, Gambia between 2008-2018. In 2023, he made his first visit to Senegal to study with Youssoupha Cissokho and his son Mamadou Cissokho in the town of Saly.

The Chelsea Public Library will be closed on Saturday September 26th due to forecasted weather. We will be open our regular hours on Monday September 28th and apologize for the inconvenience. Stay safe!

We've officially rolled back into our Regular Hours !

Adult Department:
Monday through Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Children's Department:
Monday through Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.

To enter through the Marlborough street door when the Adult Department is open, but the Children's department is closed, you will need to ring the doorbell. Thankyou!

Fall 2026 Children's room programing starts now!

Tuesdays:
•Lego Club from 3pm-4:30pm
Connect and build with others.
Ages 0-12 and their families.

Wednesdays:
•English Storytime from 10:30am -11:00am
Stories, songs, and fun!
Ages 0-5 and their families.

•Weekly Gaming from 3pm-4:30pm
Use the Nintendo switch on our big screen, or play board games either with family or new friends!
Ages 5-12 and their families.

Thursdays:
•Spanish Storytime from 10:30am-11:30am
Stories, songs, and fun—En Español!
(starting September 17th and ending on November 19th)
Ages 0-5 and their families.

•Craft time from 3pm-4:30pm
Explore different materials and make a new craft every week!
Ages 5-12, though younger audiences might need the help of a grown up for some crafts

Saturday:
•Saturday Storytime from 10:30am-11:00am
There will be stories, songs, and fun!
Ages 0-5 and their families.

With the start of the new school year - brings around the FOURTH annual Teen Takeover at the Library!
We will be dedicating the Library space to teens and tweens, limiting regular library services and staying open an hour past our regular closing!

Taking place on Friday, September 25th from 3pm-6pm.

Featuring:
-Henna Art by Wicked Good Henna
-Open Game play with One Up Games - Your favorite community game room set up, including Nintendo Switch 1 and 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Virtual Reality and more!
-FREE Pizza and popcorn on us!
-Crafty activities
-and more!

If you want to give us a heads up that you're coming so we can plan our supplies, and so we can send you a reminder -
fill out this link: https://bit.ly/TeenTakeOver
We hope to see you there! Stay tuned for more information!

We're remembering Dolly Parton today with grateful hearts.

Through her music, her stories, and her commitment to early literacy through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, she created a legacy that will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.

Just an update to showcase where the chrysalises are on all three journeys. Look at those golden details!

THIS WEEK! Open Game Play for Teens and Tweens at the Chelsea Public Library!

Like to game by yourself or with others?
Want to try out other consoles you don’t have at home, or demo different games?

Join us on Thursday, August 20th from 1pm to 4pm for Open Game Play at the Chelsea Public Library!

Youth can experience game play with a Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Switch 2, Playstation 5, XBox One, Oculus Quest VR, and more!

Recommended for Ages 10 and up.