The library will close Wednesday, November 27th at 5 pm and stay closed Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th for Thanksgiving

Memorial Hall Library

Shelf Help

Library staff talking about all things libraries

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Episode 14: Graphic Novels

Episode 14: Graphic Novels

posted 8/20/2021

In episode 14 of Shelf Help, reference librarian Justin Termini and reference & cataloging librarian Stephanie Smith discuss MHL's collection of graphic novels for adults.  Hear about a variety of graphic novels available to borrow, the history of the collection, and ideas for people who've never read a graphic novel but might want to.  Hint: they're not all about superheroes!

Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 13: Board Games

Episode 13: Board Games

posted 8/6/2021

In this episode of MHL's Shelf Help, Teen Services & Reference Librarian Anna Tschetter and Cataloging & Reference Librarian Stephanie Smith discuss MHL's board game and jigsaw puzzle collection. Listen to find out the 10 most-borrowed board games, where to get board game suggestions, and more.

Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 12: A Day in the Life of a Reference Librarian

Episode 12: A Day in the Life of a Reference Librarian

posted 7/23/2021

Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of a reference librarian is like? Listen in as reference librarians Justin Termini and Stephanie Smith discuss a typical shift at the reference desk, from microfilm to Microsoft Office.

Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 11: Genealogy at MHL

Episode 11: Genealogy at MHL

posted 7/9/2021

Reference & local history librarian Stephanie Aude and reference & cataloging librarian Stephanie Smith discuss MHL's genealogy club as well as the challenges of genealogical research on people whose neighborhoods were destroyed, either as part of urban renewal or as part of a government project, such as the construction of the Quabbin Reservoir.

Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 10: Crafts @ MHL

Episode 10: Crafts @ MHL

posted 6/25/2021

Join Gerry Deyermond, Vicki Murphy, and Stephanie Smith as they discuss MHL's new craft area, the upcoming return of craft programs for adults, and Vicki & Gerry's new email for all questions craft-related (crafts@mhl.org). You can see photos of the new space, plus a list of some of their favorite craft books (all available at the library) here.

Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 9: Privacy and Technology in the Library

Episode 9: Privacy and Technology in the Library

posted 6/11/2021

Systems librarian Theo Kontos and cataloging & reference librarian Stephanie Smith discuss technology in the library, including the Makerspace, with a focus on privacy and technology. How does the library protect patron privacy? What can each of us do when online to protect our data? From password managers to two-factor authentication and beyond, join us for this episode of Shelf Help from Memorial Hall Library.

Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 8: Summer Reading Books (for Adults)

Episode 8: Summer Reading Books (for Adults)

posted 5/28/2021

Join Clare Curran, Assistant Director for Collection & Development and Technical Services, and reference and cataloging librarian Stephanie Smith as they discuss summer reading (for adults), with a focus on some of the books they are most excited to read or to recommend this summer. A full list of the books discussed--plus some there weren't time to mention--can be found here.

Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Memorial Hall Library's Shelf Help Episode 7

Memorial Hall Library's Shelf Help Episode 7

posted 5/14/2021

In episode seven of MHL's Shelf Help podcast, teen services librarian Renata Sancken and reference librarian Stephanie Smith discuss a variety of read-alikes for The Library Book by Susan Orlean. A full list of titles discussed (plus some that weren't discussed) is available here: https://mhl.org/what-read-after-library-book

Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Memorial Hall Library's Shelf Help Episode 6

Memorial Hall Library's Shelf Help Episode 6

posted 4/30/2021

In episode six of MHL's Shelf Help podcast, reference librarians Justin Termini and Stephanie Smith and assistant head of circulation Gerry Deyermond cover chapters 28-32 (the final chapters) of Susan Orlean's The Library Book, Andover's current community read title. Topics include the difficulty of investigating arson, bookmobiles, the Library of Things and unusual library collections, and more.

Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Memorial Hall Library's Shelf Help Episode 5

Memorial Hall Library's Shelf Help Episode 5

posted 4/16/2021

In episode five of MHL's Shelf Help podcast, reference librarians Justin Termini and Stephanie Smith cover chapters 22-7 of Susan Orlean's The Library Book, Andover's current community read title. Topics in this episode include reference services, computers in the library, security in the library, and Harry Peak.

Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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