Unless otherwise noted, all programs take place at Abbot Public Library, 235 Pleasant St. To register, if required, visit: abbotlibrary.org/events

Abbot Public Library — August 2026 Events

Saturday hours change for August: The library will be open 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays this month, instead of the usual hours. The Children's Room continues to close at 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. The library will be closed Sept. 5–7 for Labor Day weekend.

Ongoing

Summer Reading 2026: Unearth a Story — Through Friday, Aug. 21. Children birth to age 12 can earn a free book for every 10 titles read; the program wraps Aug. 21 with a free ice cream cup and book giveaway.

Abbot Public Library Summer Food Drive — Saturday, Aug. 1 through Monday, Aug. 31, at the library's main entrance. Donations support the Marblehead Food Pantry; needed items include sugar, flour, rice, cooking oil, bar soap, canned chicken, sardines and tuna, coffee, condiments, dry beans, jelly, oatmeal, pasta sauce, shelf-stable milk, toothpaste and unsweetened cereal. All items must be unopened, factory-sealed and within their expiration date.

Massachusetts Center for the Book 2026 Reading Challenge — Through December. Read a book matching each month's theme and submit the online form for a chance to win a book. Details at massbook.org/readingchallenge.

Week of Aug. 3

Open Hours with Counselor Gina Rabbitt — Monday, Aug. 3, 1–3 p.m., Marblehead Room. A Beth Israel Lahey Health/Marblehead Police Department licensed mental health clinician holds walk-in hours for anyone seeking a point person for resources. Check in at the Reference Desk.

Open Build Lab: Creative Construction for Teens — Monday, Aug. 3, 3–4 p.m., Thompson Makerspace. Ages 13-18. Drop-in building session with K'NEX, ZOOB, Engino and other construction sets. No registration required.

Drop-in Tech Help with All Computers Great and Small — Tuesday, Aug. 4, 3–5 p.m., Marblehead Room. One-on-one tech help with Theresa Milewski. Also offered Aug. 11, 18 and 25.

Story Time A-Go-Go with Debbie Leibowitz — Wednesday, Aug. 5, 10:30–11 a.m., Courtyard (rain location: Event Center). Ages 1-4. Registration required at abbotlibrary.org/events. Also offered Aug. 12, 19 and 26.

Afterschool Chess Club — Thursday, Aug. 6, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Thompson Makerspace. Ages 7-11. Registration required at abbotlibrary.org/events. Also offered Aug. 13, 20 and 27.

Afternoon Crafts for Kids — Thursday, Aug. 6, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Killam Children's Room. All ages; no registration required. Also offered Aug. 13, 20 and 27.

Coffee at the Library — Friday, Aug. 7, 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m., Scully Salon. No registration, no cost; sponsored by the Friends of Abbot Public Library. Also offered Aug. 14, 21 and 28.

Week of Aug. 10

Make Some Noise: Build Circuits to Create Different Sounds for Kids — Monday, Aug. 10, 1–2 p.m., Thompson Makerspace. Ages 8-12. Space limited to 10; register at tinyurl.com/build-circuits.

Summer Evening Musical Story Time with Dara — Monday, Aug. 10, 6:30–7:15 p.m., Courtyard (rain location: Event Center). Ages 2-5. Register at tinyurl.com/Aug-2026-Dara.

Adult Fiction Book Club — Tuesday, Aug. 11, 10–11 a.m., Marblehead Room. Discussing "Yellowface" by R.F. Kuang. Space limited; register at tinyurl.com/Aug-2026-Fiction.

Teen DIY: Button Making — Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2–3 p.m., Thompson Makerspace. Drop-in craft session making custom buttons.

Beach Treasures Necklace with EOS Designs Studio — Wednesday, Aug. 12, 4–5:30 p.m., Thompson Makerspace. Ages 8-12. Space limited to 12; register at tinyurl.com/EOS-Beach.

Week of Aug. 17

America 250: A Writing Workshop for Kids — Saturdays, Aug. 15, 22 and 29, 2–3 p.m., Thompson Makerspace. Ages 8-12, limited to 15 students. A three-week series inspired by America's 250th anniversary; register once at tinyurl.com/America-250-Writing to be enrolled in all three sessions.

3D Printing for Kids — Monday, Aug. 17, 1–2 p.m., Thompson Makerspace. Ages 8-12, limited to 10; register at tinyurl.com/3D-for-Kids.

3D Printing: Design Workshop for Adults — Wednesday, Aug. 19, 6–7 p.m., Thompson Makerspace. Ages 20 and up, limited to 10; register at tinyurl.com/3D-for-Adults.

Week of Aug. 21

End of Summer Reading Party — Friday, Aug. 21, drop-in 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Killam Children's Room. Summer Reading participants can turn in their final records for a free book and ice cream treat.

Mystery Book Club — Tuesday, Aug. 25, 10:30–11:30 a.m., Marblehead Room. Discussing "Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone" by Benjamin Stevenson. Register at tinyurl.com/Aug-2026-Mystery.

Teen DIY: Duct Tape Creations — Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2–3 p.m., Thompson Makerspace. Drop-in craft session.

Revolutionary Leader — Colonel John Glover and His Crucial Leadership in 1776 — Wednesday, Aug. 26, 7–8:30 p.m., Event Center and online via Zoom. A Marblehead 250 event presented by Larry Sands, captain of Glover's Marblehead Regiment reenactment unit, on Glover's Continental Army leadership in 1776. In-person attendance requires no registration; for the Zoom link, register at tinyurl.com/M250-Glover.

Week of Aug. 28

Shell Builders Workshop with Salem Sound Coastwatch — Friday, Aug. 28, 2:45–3:30 p.m., Thompson Makerspace. Ages 8-12, limited to 10; register at tinyurl.com/Aug-2026-shells. Funded in part by the Marblehead Cultural Council.

Also of Note

Marblehead Arts Association Exhibit — Main level, near the fiction stacks. Rotating exhibit of work by local MAA artist members, updated roughly every six weeks. The library does not facilitate sales; contact artists directly using information at the exhibit.

Museum Passes — Reserve free or discounted passes to Zoo New England, Boston Children's Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, New England Aquarium and Peabody Essex Museum at tinyurl.com/Abbot-museum-passes.

Save the Date: The Friends of Abbot Public Library will hold a Book Donation Day on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. in the Carten Gallery, followed by the Fall Book Sale Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. in the Event Center.

For the full calendar and to register for programs, visit abbotlibrary.org/events. Questions: mar@noblenet.org or 781-631-1481.