On Friday, May 8, the Friends of the Belmont Public Library and the Belmont Garden Club presented Books in Bloom.
Attendees wandered through the new library to discover floral arrangements inspired by beloved books — each designed and donated by the members of the Belmont Garden Club.
The evening included a wine tasting hosted by The Spirited Gourmet, light refreshments, and live music.
Hot pink peonies, yellow gerberas daisies, and miniature flamingos (by Jennifer Craig) capture the irreverent spirit of Carl Hiaasen’s “Fever Beach” during Books in Bloom at the Belmont Public Library. (Julianne Snow Gauron/Belmont Voice) 
Peter Struzziero, Belmont Library director, and Mary Stearns who is on the board of directors of the Friends of the Belmont Public Library, take a moment to catch up and enjoy the Books in Bloom event. (Julianne Snow Gauron/Belmont Voice) 
A visitor photographs book-inspired floral arrangements displayed in a reference room during Books in Bloom at the Belmont Public Library, May 8, 2026. (Julianne Snow Gauron/Belmont Voice) 
An evergreen tree-shaped arrangement tucked with roses and berries accompanies an Elf on the Shelf figurine, by Kelly Higgins and Maryann Scali, in an interpretation of Carol V. Aebersold and Chanda A. Bell’s “The Elf on the Shelf” during Books in Bloom at the Belmont Public Library. (Julianne Snow Gauron/Belmont Voice) 
A bronze sculpture of a girl reading presides over the newly planted garden as community members gather inside the Belmont Public Library for Books in Bloom, an evening of literary and floral celebration hosted by the Friends of the Library and the Belmont Garden Club, May 8, 2026. (Julianne Snow Gauron/Belmont Voice) 
Guests wander the stacks of the newly opened Belmont Public Library as floral arrangements inspired by beloved books punctuate the shelves during Books in Bloom, hosted by the Friends of the Library and the Belmont Garden Club, May 8, 2026. (Julianne Snow Gauron/Belmont Voice) 
An arrangement of kale, purple cauliflower, garlic, radishes, and seasonal vegetables by Sarah Caputo interprets Frances Moore Lappé’s “Diet for a Small Planet,” an author with local ties, during Books in Bloom at the Belmont Public Library. Sarah Caputo is chair of The Belmont Voice board of directors. (Julianne Snow Gauron/Belmont Voice) 
A student jazz ensemble, L-R Nico Moustakas (not visible,) Lucas Hsia, Ruben Bucciarelli, and Reid Brookins, and performs in the main hall of the Belmont Public Library as guests mingle, browse floral arrangements, and fill Robert J. Morrissey Hall during Books in Bloom, May 8, 2026. (Julianne Snow Gauron/Belmont Voice) 
Tom Ryan pours wine from the of the Spirited Gourmet for Kim Dash as guests browse the evening’s offerings during Books in Bloom at the Belmont Public Library, May 8, 2026.(Julianne Snow Gauron/Belmont Voice)
