Off the Shelf
October 2017
Volume 2 | Issue 9
In This Issue
STAFF
Nanci M. Hill,
Library Director

Diane Annunziato,
Assistant Director / Reference

Carole Hamilton,
Office Manager

Vacant
Circulation Librarian

Cheryl Salem,
Assistant Circulation Librarian

Penny Berube,
Children's Librarian

Joan Powers,
Library Assistant - Children's
 
Christine Radzik
Library Assistant - Children's, Young Adult & Reference 

 
Cathy Bence,
Reference Librarian | Web Site

Catherine Cloutier
Young Adult Librarian

Lydia Gravell
Head of Technical Services

Richard Kasilowski
Maintenance

Colette Marion, Robin Gadue, Laura Sanscartier, Amy Spence, Melissa Ryan, Katie Krikoris, YoungOak Lim, Marina Morse, Joyce Servente, Enrique Santiago

Trustees

Eric Jackson, Chair
Dr. Linda Trouville, Vice-Chair
Monique Verville, Secretary
John Dyer
Jim Nolan   


DirectorDeskFrom the Desk of the Director
Here's something that you may not know about me... I love Halloween. Every year, I wait for October 1st with anticipation.  I can hardly wait to put away all things summer and take out the Halloween decorations.  Ceramic pumpkins in all shapes and sizes take up residence in my house, as do witches and ghosts.  I watch every Halloween-themed movie ever made, including all those cheezy Halloweentown flicks.  Watching Practical Magic and Hocus Pocus is a yearly ritual, and though I read in many genres, in October, I stick to Horror.
 
If you enjoy reading Horror, as do I, I highly recommend Hex by Thomas Heuvelt Olde.  It was the first book that I read for a new book group that I just joined in Methuen. The novel, originally published in Danish, is set in the picturesque town of Black Spring in the Hudson Valley. Black Spring is pretty much like any other town - except that it is haunted by a seventeenth-century witch whose eyes and mouth are sewn shut. The town rapidly descends into chaos when Katherine takes her revenge.  This disturbing story is a "bona fide tale of horror" according to School Library Journal. It was a great book group read, particularly since Olde did the translation himself - and changed the ending in the English version. 
 
As of September 9th, IT had grabbed $16.1M so far on 10,560 screens. That's a LOT of Stephen King fans.  There are currently 74 holds on the 18 copies of the book in the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium.  What should you read while you're waiting for your copy to come in? Have you already read everything else by King? Have you read anything by his son, Joe Hill? Hill's work reminds me of King's earlier stuff. You know, the books that were really creepy... the ones that kept you up all night? According to NoveList, Hill's "work features extremely flawed but genuinely likable protagonists who are forced to confront their dark sides as they battle evil. A Hill tale also sets the stage with a menacing atmosphere from the first lines. Readers are also drawn to Joe Hill because he mines their modern lives for fear. Hill captivates readers with this ability to use the best of the time-tested horror traditions while injecting a shot of the new to keep things freshly frightening. The results are realistically chilling."  Have you seen the movie Horns, starring Daniel Radcliffe? It was based on the book by the same name. I liked it, but my favorite Hill novel will always be his first, Heart Shaped Box. Rock star, Judas Coyne collects macarbre artifacts. He purchases a ghost online. What arrives is a heart-shaped box with a suit in it - a suit that belongs to the vengeful step-father of Coyne's ex-girlfriend.  This one kept me awake all night.
 
Looking for a story with a vivid sense of place and realistic character development that will give you chills? Try The Damned by Andrew Pyper. Twenty years after the death of his twin, Danny Orchard is still haunted by Ashleigh, who was a sociopath before she died. Her spirit is even more malicious.
 
Keith Donohue's The Boy Who Drew Monsters, is about a young boy, scarred from a near drowning experience, who makes strange things happen whenever he picks up his pencil.
 
If you just can't read Horror, but would like some suggestions, why not fill out one of our Reader Profiles to receive personalized reading recommendations based on other books that you have read and enjoyed. 
 
As always, I am available to meet and talk with you.  This is your library and we want to hear what you think! 
 
 

  
Joan Powers 
 
 
This month, we introduce you to our new Children's Room Assistant, Joan Powers.
 
Joan lives right here in Dracut with her husband, two children and three dogs.  She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Valparaiso University, and a Master's Degree in Social Work from Boston University.  For the past few year, she has been working in Child Care, both in centers and privately.  
 
Some of Joane's favorite authors include John Steinbeck, Orson Scott Card, Anne Rice, and Stephen King. Her favorite children's book is Make Way for Ducklings, though Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie books are a close second.
 
In her free time, Joane enjoys running, sewing, and being outdoors.  Joan says that she loves children and is thrilled to be a part of the Parker Library staff.
 
Here at the library, you will find Joan in the Children's Room, where she will be assisting Miss Penny, running programs, and helping both parents and children find just the right book.  
 
Please make sure to stop in to the Children's Room and say hello to Joan the next time that you're in!  

  
 
Saturday, October 21st
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
 
The Delvina Theater Company returns with this exciting performance!
 
Watch history come alive with these fascinating true dramatizations of the Salem Witch Hysteria.
 
The setting is Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, a year in which of the approximate 168 men and women accused of practicing witchcraft, 20 were executed.  
 
Let's see how things go in 2017 when audience members become jurors in the trial of Susannah Martin. You will have the opportunity to question the defendant and form your own opinion as to her guilt or innocence. The cast will open up again to the audience following the performance, for a lively discussion.
 
Register today to reserve your spot in the audience. 
 
 

  
 
Sisters in Crime:  
Mystery Making, How they Do It
 
 Saturday, November 4th
2:00 PM  
 
Join aclaimed mystery/thriller authors Sheila Connelly, Hallie Ephron, Hank Phillippe Ryan and Barbara Ross for a rollicking afternoon of audience participation in the creation of a thriller!   
 
See how these four "ladies of sinister" do it!  The audience will contribute suggestions for character names, occupations, setting for the murder, motive, etc., and before your eyes, the characters and plot of a thriller or cozy novel will be created before your very eyes.  Hilarity will ensue as you watch these masters work!       
 
The authors will do a Q&A and book signing at the end of the event.  A limited number of the authors books will be available for  sale.
 
This is an event not to be missed. Register today  to reserve your spot in the audience. 
 
 

    
Have you noticed our fantastic displays? The  staff has been busy creating enticing displays for your enjoyment every month.  They have gotten quite creative!  In addition to the new and ever-changing displays on the first floor, the end caps on the second floor now offer a variety of themes and titles for you to check out.  This month's themes include:
 
  • Murders through Time
  • It was a Dark and Stormy Night
     
  • Things That Go Bump in the Night
     
  • Musical Mysteries
     
  • Cooks and Crooks
     
  • Debbie Macomber Spotlight
     
  • Fall in Love with Reading
     
  • Massachusetts Tales of Terror

and 

  • International Cookbooks

Come upstairs and check them out! 

 
 

 
Fall Raffle
 
The Friends will be running their fall raffle from October 18th - October 28th during regular library hours.  Tickets are be 4 for $1.00 & 25 for $5.00. Come in and take a chance on some fabulous baskets! All proceeds from the raffle go to the Friends of the Library and are used to support library programs.
 
Membership Drive
 
Have you used a museum pass?
 
Did you children take part in Harry Potter Week?
 
Have you attended a yoga session, movie or speaker at the library?
 
Did you children do the summer reading program?
 
If you have taken part in any of the above most of the cost of these programs have been paid by the Friends of the Library.
 
The Friends have a number of activities going on in October. They will be running a membership drive from October 14th through October 28th.  Become a new member during this time and you will get 18 months of membership for the price of 12 months.
 
Pop-Up Book Sales 
 
You seemed to like them - so we're bringing them back!  
 
Saturday, October 14th 
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
 
and
 
Saturday, October 28th  
12:00 Pm - 3:00 PM
 
 

June2017FictionOctober 2017- New Fiction Titles


Clicking on any title should bring you into the  
Dracut Library catalog, where you can read  
a summary, check availability and place a hold.


Christian Romance
Fantasy
General
Historical
Horror
Literary
Mystery
Romance
Science Fiction
Short Stories | Collections
Suspense |Thriller
Westerns
 June2017LPOctober 2017 New Large Print



Clicking on any title should bring you into the Dracut Library catalog, where you can read a summary, check availability and place a hold.

Large Print Fiction
June2017Audio October 2017 New Audiobooks



Clicking on any title should bring you into the Dracut Library catalog, where you can read a summary, check availability and place a hold.

Books on CD - Fiction

Books on CD - Nonfiction
June2017NFOctober 2017 New Nonfiction




Clicking on any title should bring you into the Dracut Library catalog, where you can read a summary, check availability and place a hold.
Emigration & Immigration
Journalism
ImportantDatesImportant Dates
  • Monthly Meeting of the Board of Library Trustees - Wednesday, November 8th at 4:30 PM in the Director's Office. Open Meeting.
  • Friends of the Dracut Library - Wednesday, October 25th at 6:30 pm. All are welcome. 

 

 
M.G. Parker Memorial Library
28 Arlington Street | Dracut, Massachusetts 01826 | 978-454-5474
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