A new sidewalk and street project in front of the Library and City Hall on Merrimack Street is underway. The project timeline extends into October, as the contractor is working in localized phases to try and minimize impacts to City Hall employees and visitors and to keep on-street parking available where possible. Visitors should pay attention to posted parking restriction dates on Merrimack Street, Market Street and Cardinal O'Connell Parkway. At times, there may be some short-term traffic and pedestrian detours or closures. For the most up to date information, visit City Hall Project 2026 | Lowell, MA
Local Author Spotlight Aaron D. Tavares Please describe your writing routine. Is there a time of day or place that is most productive for you? I have an office / art studio in my basement. That's where I do most of my writing, but I typically bring my laptop with me wherever I go, just…Read More
Local Author Spotlight Bob Hodge Please describe your writing routine. Is there a time of day or place that is most productive for you? Early morning, I will read what I wrote on the previous day and take things from there. Is there anything in Lowell or in the surrounding area that has inspired your…Read More
Local Author Spotlight David Daniel Please describe your writing routine. Is there a time of day or place that is most productive for you? Generally early morning-- 5 a.m. for a couple hours. Is there anything in Lowell or in the surrounding area that has inspired your work? Such a place to take nice walks…Read More
A couple of weeks ago, we presented the Best Books of 2023 according to a selection of 50 magazines, websites, newspapers, book review journals, awards committees, libraries, and bookstores. This week, we are sharing the books that the Pollard Library staff loved last year. You can find many of the books listed on the Best…Read More
Local Author Spotlight Joanne Carota Please describe your writing routine. Is there a time of day or place that is most productive for you? Morning coffee has become the most productive writing time. I don't have a specific routine because strict routines are confining. Writing is my creative venture; intuiting words and phrases before writing…Read More
Becoming "Annie" by Walter V. Hickey Originally published in the Lowell Historical Society Newsletter Winter 2024 edition - republished with permission of Walter Hickey and the Lowell Historical Society As so often happens, when researching one thing, you find something totally unexpected. Recently I was looking at the Register of Female Voters in 1879 when…Read More
Compiling the best books of each year is one of my favorite projects. Learning which books reviewers, critics, librarians, and booksellers love is always interesting. I find myself rooting for books, especially if they need just one more to make it to 5, 10, or 20 lists. Of course, âbestâ is subjective, which is evidenced…Read More
In 1853 on November 10th, the city of Lowell said goodbye to the first Police Court judge, the Honorable Joseph Locke, with his death in the Chapel Hill area of the City at the age of 81 ½ years. Judge Locke was born in Fitzwilliam, NH in 1772 to Jonathan Locke and Mary Haven of Portsmouth, NH. He…Read More
The winter holidays are upon us! What's a better way to get into the season than picking up a new read? Young Adult Books Eight Nights of Flirting  By Hannah Reynolds Sixteen-year-old Shira is on a mission to find the perfect boyfriend over Hanukkah, but after getting snowed in on Nantucket with her nemesis-slash-former-crush…Read More
The short answer is: both. Let me explain: I remember one of the first history classes I attended in college. I was getting a degree in history and had been interested in the subject since I was a kid and my grandma read me the story of the Pilgrims every year. Something the professor said…Read More
November is Indigenous Heritage Month and what's better way to celebrate than with a good book? Check out these featured titles by Indigenous authors, featuring Indigenous stories. You're sure to find something you'll enjoy! Picture Books Benny the Bananasaurus Rex (Inuit)  by Sarabeth Holden ; illustrated by Emma Pedersen A funny and relatable story…Read More
Every person deserves food on their plate and a roof over their head. Unfortunately, hunger and homelessness are a reality for far too many people. The U.S. is the richest nation in the world, but 37 million Americans are at risk of suffering from hunger and more than 500,000 Americans are homeless on a typical…Read More
November is Native American Heritage Month. Native Americans of the Pennacook tribes have been living in and around what we now call Lowell for hundreds of years and a few still live here today. UMass Lowell has a wonderful âBrief Historyâ which is part of their Land Acknowledgement page. âBrief History of native peoples in…Read More
While itâs spooky season and Lowell was dubbed the most haunted town in Massachusetts last year, thereâs myth and then thereâs the reality. Weâll be focusing on the illustrious Witch Bonney monument at one of the cityâs most beautiful treasures, Lowell Cemetery. This monument was created by Frank Edwin Elwell, also known as âan American…Read More
October is Filipino Heritage Month! To celebrate, we're excited to share with you some book recommendations for patrons of all ages. There's something here for everyone! Picture Books When Lola Visits  by Michelle Sterling; art by Aaron Asis Summer doesn't start until her Lola--her grandmother from the Philippines--comes for her annual visit. When Lola visits,…Read More
