First time novelist Angie Thomas has made a big splash with her young adult novel, The Hate U Give. Released last month, the novel has already topped the New York Times's Best Seller List for Young Adult Hardcover Books, been optioned for a Hollywood film, and been acclaimed by critics and in numerous articles, such as this one in New York Magazine, this one on Fusion.net, and this one in the New York Times. It is also currently one of the most requested books in the Minuteman Library... Read Post
Blog
March 20th 2017
On this day in 1778, King Louis XVI of France recieved at court two representatives of the newly declared United States, Silas Deane and Benjamin Franklin. Their reception by an absolute monarch was an astonishing coup for a fledgling nation rejecting the very notion of monarchy, but Louis' hatred of Great Britain trumped concerns about encouraging rebellion againts kings. The fact that one of the emissaries was Benjamin Franklin made Louis' decision easier: Franklin was the equivalent of a... Read Post
March 7th 2017
On this day in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell received the patent for the telephone--a significant event in world history with many connections to Somerville.
The laboratory in which Alexander Graham Bell (right) conducted the experiments that led to the invention of the telephone was on the top floor of a Boston office building belonging to Somerville resident Charles Williams. And on April 4, 1877, the first outdoor telephone line was set up, connecting Williams' office to his home... Read Post
March 4th 2017
Not sure what to read? Check out our staff picks page on your library's website. It includes what you're favorite librarians are reading, watching and listening to. It has everything on it from the what the children's book club book is to the latest in music. Feel free to tell us who your favorite librarian is or if your reading anything on our list by commenting here.
Thanks for participating!
February 23rd 2017
Did you know that the Somerville Public Library has a travel section? Well, if you didn't know. We do. It's very popular, in fact, people come in to browse all the time! Starting in the 910 section of the library, we have shelves and shelves of Fodors', Frommers', DK eyewitness, rough guides and many more. Looking to plan a trip to Costa Rica or Peru? We have that. Do you want to backpack across Europe, check here first! Would you like to swim with the dolphins in Hawaii, try looking here!... Read Post
February 18th 2017
The Dallas Buyers’ Club starring Matthew McConaughy, Jared Leto and Jennifer Gardner is about a blue collar electrician, in Texas, in the 1980’s, who is infected with the HIV virus. The movie portrays the stigmas surrounding AIDS and homosexual men of the decade.
The main character, Ron (Woodruff), a heterosexual man, loses his job and home due to workplace and housing discrimination. He loses all of his friends, but gains new ones, including Jared Leto’s character, Rayon, a cross-... Read Post
February 17th 2017
I just finished reading the most delightful book: the Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. The novel debuted on The New York Times' best-seller list of 2015 and has been widely popular across the country. The book is about a single woman (Rachel) whose husband has left her for another woman. After the mysterious death of Megan Hipwell, Rachel becomes obsessed with finding her murderer. This suspenseful book is comparable to Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. I highly recommend it. I would also... Read Post
February 8th 2017
Sponsored by the City of Somerville, Somerville Urban Ag Ambassador Applications are now available at the reference desk of the Somerville Public Library. Applications are due on March 1, 2017 and if you're interested in more about this free training and volunteer program, feel free to call the library at 617-623-2900 x2955.
See you soon!
February 7th 2017
Teens Take Action: Somerville is a new coalition of young people and youth workers from around the city who are committed to taking action in Somerville and beyond. Sponsored by the Somerville Youth Workers Network, we are inviting teens to get up and get active through a series of workshops that will give you the tools you need to make real, sustainable change.
Get to know other teens that care about the issues you do, and get organized to fight back! Plus, did we mention there... Read Post
February 7th 2017
If you're a lady and have ever felt fat, thought you were fat, been or are fat, then you should read 13 Ways of Looking at Fat Girl by Mona Awad. This sadistic comedy written in the voice of Lizzie, portrays her life in adolescence to older adulthood as an overweight person and the misery and unhappiness it can cause. Lizzie, accounts details of her relationship with her dates, boyfriends, husband, father, mother and other friends in sometimes a hilarious attitude and reveals innermost... Read Post
February 2nd 2017
In 2011, library patrons worked together to create a paper immigration "quilt" to tell the stories of the people who make up our City. Everyone was invited to make one or more squares representing their family's immigrant story, and the squares were connected to create the quilt. Since this year marks Somerville's 30th anniversary as a Sanctuary City, and since the Welcome Project and the City have planned a celebratory rally for this Saturday, it seemed like a good time to bring the quilt... Read Post
January 24th 2017
The March. It was all any of us could talk about Monday morning as we gathered around the children's room desk asking how our respective weekends were. Who took the T? Who walked? Who chauffeured? Did LA or Chicago have the second largest crowd? We talked around and over each other, while one of us searched her smartphone for facts. Library staff and patron swapping stories about a shared experience. It's the best kind of moment when you work in a public library.
From the 10 marchers... Read Post
January 18th 2017
Players of all ages and abilities are invited to join the Chess Club! Players should be familiar with the game, though some limited instruction may be available. Monday, February 6th 7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. in the library auditorium. Generally, Chess nights are on the first Monday of each month. We hope to see you there!
January 14th 2017
I never would have thought, but DVD's from your local library are a great way to help you through the winter. Lately, I've been taking home three or four movies a week and watching one almost every night before bed. Going outside when it's 30 degrees isn't really something I'm very keen on, especially when it's 30 degrees and nighttime. I typically tend to be a summer person, so staying in on a cold winter's eve is much preferred. Not only do I have something cheap (absolutely free with my... Read Post