Meet our new Head of Children's Services, Mary! | |
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What’s your role at the Somerville Public Library?
I started here as a substitute librarian, filling in at just about every department and both branches until a full-time position opened up in the Reference Department at the Central Library. Now I've changed roles and have come full circle back to children's library work, as I had previously been a children's librarian for many years.
What do you wish people knew about the Somerville Public Library?
The people who work here are like family!
Tell me about something or someone who influenced your decision to work in libraries.
While I worked in a university library’s human resources department, the school offered tuition assistance for any work-related courses, so it was an easy choice! I took advantage of half my tuition being paid to get my Master’s degree in Library Science. While taking a children’s literature class, the professor read to us students as if we were the preschoolers, and I was hooked! I knew then that I wanted to make children get emotionally involved with books and love them. “Little Blue and Little Yellow” by Leo Lionni will always be my favorite!
What types of books do you enjoy reading most?
I like contemporary fiction, biographies and memoirs, but lately I am catching up on children’s books.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I was commissioned to design and make a baby quilt for a now out-of-print magazine “Quilt-It Today.”
If you weren't working at the library, what would you be doing instead? What do you like to do outside of the library?
I am obsessed with quilting, and love lots of other kinds of sewing, as well as knitting and crocheting. I worked for 5 years at Quilting Adventures in Richmond, VA and really enjoyed stitching up shop samples using their luscious fabrics and trims. Evenings and weekends you will find me with a couple of quilts in progress – especially baby or children’s themes. I also admit to watching far too much sports on TV, but justify it by doing hand needlework while sitting on the couch!
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The Friends of the Somerville Public Library are back with the Spring Book Sale!
The sale will run from Saturday, May 14th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to Sunday, May 15th, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
ALL ITEMS will be priced at $1, and, as always, FSPL $50+ Members receive 50% off of everything.
The Friends use funds raised at the book sales to support library programming,making it possible for us to offer services like museum & cultural passes, special guest storytimes, language classes, and so much more!
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Tuesday, May 10 at 3:30pm at the East Branch, registration required | |
Local percussionist, educator, and creator of Grooversity,
Marcus Santos will lead participants through making and playing
their own drums in this four week program. Intended for grades 4-8.
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Thursdays, beginning May 12 at 7pm at the Central Library Auditorium OR on Zoom, registration required | |
Join local yoga teacher, Jenn Falk, for this series aimed to gently nudge ourselves into and through the Spring season. We will spend an hour each class with various accessible yoga shapes, attention to breath, and
meditative rest to explore the current moment within and around us.
Come with your own yoga mat and anything you might need for your comfort.
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Monday, May 16 at 4pm in the West Branch Backyard,
registration not required
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Bring your bicycle to the West Branch library and get ready for fun
and safe spring rides around Somerville. Join us in the backyard for
activities like bike safety checks and decorating your bike!
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Thursday, May 19 at 7pm in the Central Library Auditorium,
registration required
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In the first of a series of performances with the SPL,
Ensemble Chaconne will perform "The Glorious Ones – Treasures
by the Late Baroque Masters." Join the musicians after the
concert for questions and conversation.
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Tuesday, May 24 at 7pm on Zoom, registration required | |
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In this presentation, occupational therapist Alex Brandell (they/them/theirs)
will discuss gender diversity, including concepts and terminology, pronouns, and why it matters. Learn about issues that members of the transgender community are facing, as well as what you can do to help.
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Our Favorite Graphic Novels | |
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Here are some of our favorite graphic novels, comics, and zines!
Looking for more recommendations? Check out our What Should I Read Next? reading recommendation service!
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The Wicked and the Divine by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie | |
Every ninety years, twelve teenagers are reincarnated as gods with immense power and talent, but they will only live for two years after changing. Cue the 2014 Recurrence, where the new Pantheon of gods experience a whirlwind of concerts, mystery, murder, sex, betrayals, and a mysterious thirteenth god who will upend everything they know about the Recurrence.
Recommended by Laura, Generalist Librarian
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Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his upscale private middle school. Dealing with the tension of racial microaggressions along with the usual middle school pranks, Jordan draws in his sketchbook. His funny artwork helps him navigate making new friends while keeping his neighborhood ones, yet staying true to himself. An important social commentary told with humor for all 8- to 12-year-olds.
Recommended by Mary, Head of Children's Services
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On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden | |
A story about a young girl and her time at school and in a crew of space-faring restorationists/scavengers. Beautiful themes of found family and identity and full of incredible artwork!
Recommended by Grace, Library Assistant
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This educational and engaging book offers diverse and inclusive perspectives in many different artistic and creative styles. A must read!
Recommended by Alison, West Branch Children's Librarian
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This book is the perfect mix of weird, funny, and mysterious. The black-and-white artwork is beautiful, and the themes of stepping out of your comfort zone and into the unknown, and how that can affect your community, are universally applicable.
Recommended by Abby, Generalist Librarian
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Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O'Connell | |
As she starts to question her relationship with her charismatic but emotionally careless girlfriend, especially when it strains her bonds with the people who may need her the most, teenage Freddy must figure out what really matters to her in love, friendship, and life.
Recommended by Annie, Children's Librarian
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Alan just re-read this due to all the recent controversy. It's based on Spiegelman's own family, many of whom died in the Holocaust. It remains one of the best books he's ever read about the Holocaust and Holocaust survivors.
Recommended by Alan, Library Assistant
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Through the Woods by Emily Carroll | |
Taking cues from old fairy tales, this graphic novel tells five stories of people drawn to the woods who find themselves in a variety of eerie, unsettling situations. The art is fantastically haunting, and the stories will linger with you long after you finish them.
Recommended by Kayla, Youth Services Librarian
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Fungirl by Elizabeth Pich | |
The titular Fungirl is an irreverent but sympathetic screw up, and Alyssa laughed all the way through this book. Pich pairs deeply dark humor with her bright, cartoonish art style, which she breaks up with parodies of famous works of art.
Recommended by Alyssa, Senior Substitute Librarian
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This wacky graphic novel about two very different friends makes everyone laugh, from preschoolers to middle schoolers.
Recommended by Alison, West Branch Children's Librarian
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ShanTil loves this take on antihero Harley Quinn's backstory, and Sejic's unique artwork brings it all together beautifully.
Recommended by ShanTil, Reference Librarian
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Originally published as a Zine, and included in the SPL's Zine & Small Press Collection, Ortega's family biography is complexly wound with the Mexican Revolution in this intensely emotional memoir.
Recommended by Tim, Technology Librarian
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It's a lively, funny, unconventional superhero comic focusing on overcoming the kinds of problems that can't be solved with punching. Henderson and North created a wonderfully well-rounded cast that is a delight to read!
Recommended by Jarek, Library Assistant
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Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks | |
Fall is the best season, and this book has perfect cozy fall vibes. Join Deja and Josiah on an adventure during their last day at the pumpkin patch where they both work. Hijinks ensue, corn mazes are navigated, and delicious fall treats are eaten!
Recommended by Abby, Generalist Librarian
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