Sunday hours: Robbins Library is open

on Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m.

from October through May.  

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.

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.

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.