Library Branches Shift South, West Hours Starting July 6
Peabody's library branches shifted their South and West branch hours this week, while local coverage this week highlighted city park upgrades, an anonymous drug-tip line from police, and a busy slate of summer concerts and events across the city.
TOWN HALL
The Peabody Institute Library announced updated hours for its South and West branch locations effective July 6, 2026. Under the new schedule, both branches will be open Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with both branches closed Fridays and Sundays. The Main Library on Main Street continues to operate on an expanded schedule, including evening hours Monday through Thursday.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Peabody Institute Library continues to promote its 2026 Summer Reading program alongside weekly children's storytimes at all three branches, tailored to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, along with special themed sessions for older children. Teens in grades nine through 12 are being encouraged to join the library's "100 Books Before Graduation" challenge, tracked through the Beanstack platform, with participants earning free books and a chance at a prize bag for reaching the 100-book milestone.
The library also continues to spotlight its Sutton Room local history archive at the Main Library, which includes materials tied to George Peabody's legacy and the library's Audubon "Birds of America" prints, along with digitized Peabody newspaper archives spanning from 1844 to the present.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Peabody Police Seek Tips On Drug Activity Amid Overdose Spike", Peabody police have launched an anonymous tip form asking residents to help identify drug activity in the city amid a rise in overdoses, according to Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody/peabody-police-seek-tips-drug-activity-amid-overdose-spike).
"$500K Lottery Ticket Sold At North Shore Convenience Store", A Peabody man claimed a $500,000 Massachusetts State Lottery prize from a ticket sold at a North Shore convenience store, Patch reports (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody/500k-lottery-ticket-sold-north-shore-convenience-store).
"Peabody parks see improvements", Itemlive reported on recent upgrades to Peabody's park system, part of ongoing city investment in recreational spaces (read it at https://itemlive.com/2026/07/08/peabody-parks-see-improvements/).
"Danvers Police To Host Bicycle Rodeo, E-Bike Checks Amid Recent Incidents", Neighboring Danvers police will hold a July 25 bicycle safety event offering a safety course, free helmets, tune-ups and e-bike inspections amid recent bike-related concerns, according to Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody/danvers-police-host-bicycle-rodeo-e-bike-checks-amid-recent-incidents).
COMING UP
The Peabody Patch calendar lists "Greg Hawkes and Eddied Japan Performing the Music of The Cars" on July 10, 2026. A "Beer Garden Music Series with STROKE of LUCK!" event is scheduled for July 21, 2026, per Patch listings. Neighboring Danvers will host its Bicycle Rodeo and e-bike safety event on July 25, 2026.