MHL Librarians are FIRED UP in this episode! Teen Services Librarians Anna and Renata discuss book challenges and bans in public libraries and the harm that they can cause. Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Reference librarians Jesse and Justin talk about the library's various music collections. Topic include how Jesse chooses which CDs to purchase for the library, digital streaming platforms the library subscribes to, various musical items in the Library of Things, and more. Jesse and Justin end the episode with some recommendations of CDs in MHL's collection. Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Join reference librarians Renata Sancken, Stephanie Smith, and Justin Termini as they discuss adult and YA books they've enjoyed recently. Renata's picks are Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party's Promise to the People by Kekla Magoon, The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert, and Pet and Bitter, both by Akwaeke Emezi. Stephanie's picks are The Plant Hunter by Cassandra Leah Quave and Provenance by Ann Leckie. Justin's picks are Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner and Orwell's Roses by Rebecca Solnit. Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Join Tricia Craig and Stephanie Smith, both cataloging and reference librarians, as they discuss that invisible but essential aspect of library services: cataloging. From arcane rules to the ins and outs of the Dewey Decimal System, listen to two very enthusiastic catalogers talk about what they do and why it matters. Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Join librarians Clare Curran Ball, Tricia Craig, and Stephanie Smith as they discuss some of their favorite books and t.v. shows of 2021, as well as MHL's new book of the month program that will be starting in January. Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Join local history and reference librarian Stephanie Aude and cataloging and reference librarian Stephanie Smith to hear about some of the different types of resources in MHL's Andover Room collection through the lens of J. Everett Collins, whom the Collins Center was named after. Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode, staff members Stephanie, Tricia, Justin, Theo, and Jesse discuss some favorite horror movies and books, just in time for Halloween.

Join executive secretary Vicki Murphy and cataloging & reference librarian Stephanie Smith to discuss how Vicki switched from a career in food service to libraries, what to look for in a cookbook, and MHL's cookbook and food magazine collections. Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In Episode 16 of Shelf Help, MHL staff Tricia Craig, Clare Curran, Gerry Deyermond, and Stephanie Smith discuss each of their favorite recent reads, as well as some similar titles, features of horror, fantasy, and historical fiction novels, where to get book suggestions, and more. Titles discussed are Later by Stephen King, The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel, Beantown Girls by Jane Healey, and The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie. Theme music: Thumper by Jim Hall, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode of Shelf Help, assistant head of circulation Gerry Deyermond and reference & cataloging librarian Stephanie Smith discuss the library's new memory kits, services for homebound patrons, 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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/