Upcoming Programs
The Somerville Public Library is delighted to announce an open call for artists and art exhibitions for 2020. We welcome exhibits that represent Somerville's cultural diversity and vibrant artistic community. Submissions will be accepted from now through January 10th. T he Library considers works in all media, including photography, but not sculptures.
  

 Wednesday, November 6 from 7 pm to 8 pm, Central Library Auditorium

An autumnal poetry reading with local poets Gloria Monaghan, Ed Meek, and Doug Holder. 

Saturday, November 9 from 1 pm to 2:30 pm, Central Library Auditorium

Author and popular culture historian John Kane will take you inside the Woodstock Festival. During this multimedia presentation he is going to discuss his latest publication give a photo slideshow, and screen rare 8mm and 15mm event footage. 

Saturday, November 16 from 1 pm to 3 pm, Central Library Children's Room

From bristlebots to nature bots to servos, come jump into creating your own motorized sculpture or robot. No prior experience necessary, ages 7-12 only please.
Books We're Grateful For
Adult Recommendations 

November is the season for being grateful for all of the amazing books that we have read. These recommendations come from Ellen, Heidi, Melinda and Kevin at Central. 
 

Heidi is grateful for this  book  because Gibson stands up for women in many ways including the lack of quality health care for women in this country

Recommended by Heidi
Ellen is thankful for everything Lynda Barry does!  Her latest, offers more of her practical advice on how to get back that creative spark we all had as children but often lose as adults.  Not surprisingly at all, she is a 2019 recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship Genius Grant.

Recommended by Ellen
 Kevin first read this collection of humorous semi-autobiographical sketches when he was 12. It's validating to see something of your own life reflected in books and reading this book was the first time he had a literary encounter with a family like his: middle-class, provincial and slightly nuts.
 
Recommended by Kevin

Melinda is grateful for authors like Celeste Ng, who can expose the inner politics of American suburbia like no one else. This one is her favorite.
 
Recommended by Melinda

Still looking for more? See the Staff Picks page! 
Young Adult Recommendations
 
This issue's young adult recommendations come from Lilly and Kerry at Central.

 
Lilly is grateful for the hours of enjoyment the Harry Potter series has provided for her! Book six is one of her favorites, she loves how dark and moody it is. 
 
 
Recommended by Lilly
 
This is one of the first graphic novels Kerry has ever read. It opened her eyes to their value and the emotional impact they can have on a reader. It's just as much a literary pursuit as reading print books, and Kerry is grateful that this book changed my perspective.
 
Recommended by Karen





Children's Recommendations
 
This issue's recommendations come courtesy of Senior Substitute Librarian Annie and Jessica, Melinda, and Kerry of Central.
 
This book gave ten-year-old Annie her first glimpse of familiar narrative conventions turned on their heads, and is a reminder for readers of any age that they can take control of their own stories.

Recommended by Annie

.
When Jessica was younger,  she was obsessed with this book and had her mom read it to her almost every day.  She's thankful for this book because it gave her some great memories of reading with her mother!

Recommended by Jessica
Melinda always gets nostalgic for  this bookwormy tale of a brave little girl with really big supernatural powers.

Recommended by Melinda

Kerry is grateful for this book, because it is the story that inspired her love of reading, from early childhood. Her dad used to read it to her sisters, and ever since, she's loved the written word, and fantasy books in particular. She wouldn't be a librarian without it.

Recommended by Kerry

Our Vision for the Library


Dear Somerville community,
In April 2019 we began the process of developing a vision for public library services in Somerville. We asked residents and stakeholders what our libraries mean to them and their community and a series of focus groups, surveys, and conversations provided many common themes which were used as the foundation for our plan, which was completed in August and includes an refreshed mission statement and new values statement. Please take a moment to have a look!
Sincerely,
Cathy Piantigini
Library Director
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