Happy fall, everyone!

Despite the recent summery weather, all of us over here at Hirsh are looking forward to sweater weather and, more importantly–Halloween!

We’ve got a few events down the line, but if you’re already excited about Halloween and looking to pregame for a horror movie marathon, come check out our Wretched Reads display in the Hirsh Leisure Lounge. We’ve selected our favorite creepy and not-so-creepy reads, ranging from killer sharks to scary fairy tales. Come and check them out in the Leisure Lounge, where they can be found on display near the printers:

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice (a repeat again, we know, but it is a classic)

Our Shadows Have Claws: 15 Latin American Monster Stories, an Anthology (for some short YA stories)

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher (the aforementioned scary fairy tale)

The Gunslinger by Stephen King (less horror, more sci-fi, featuring an adventure in a mysterious and nightmarish world–creepy enough for me)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (because we love Mary Shelley)

Joyland by Stephen King (sorry to Stephen King you twice, but again, for a reason)

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski (a creepy and disorienting haunted house book)

Dracula by Bram Stoker (you know we love a vampire)

The Last Seance by Agatha Christie (scary stories from the queen of mystery herself)

World War Z by Max Brooks (for an unconventional take on zombies)

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (more fun than creepy, if you want to read about witches and vampires but don’t want to be too scared)

Jaws by Peter Benchley (big shark! big shark!)

And finally, my personal favorite book of all time: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, the best haunted house novel of all time.

Happy scary reads!

In observance of Indigenous People’s Day on Monday, October 9th, the Hirsh Library Service Desk will have shortened hours of 12pm – 7pm with no online chat. Regular hours resume on Tuesday. Building access remains unchanged on Monday, and the service desk will have regular hours on Saturday and Sunday. 

Image by Aleza from Pixabay

Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the “sovereignty, resilience, and immense contributions that Native American have made to the world,” as stated in a federal proclamation by President Biden, the first president to formally commemorate the holiday instead of Columbus Day. There are many ways to learn more and recognize the day. You can read about how Indigenous Peoples’ Day provides greater context to American history, especially since most curriculums end their study of Native American history before 1900. You could visit Tufts University Art Galleries from 11am-5pm. In Medford, visit Véxoa: We Know (Nós sabemos), a survey exhibition about Indigenous artists of Brazil. In Boston, visit Double Arrows, feature art by Elizabeth James-Perry, an enrolled member of the Aquinnah Wampanoag. You could listen to this NPR podcast on Osage headrights, a system to give Osage people a share of the profits from the resources extracted from their land. Finally, you could find which Native land(s) you are on, through this interactive, searchable map showing Native territories, languages, treaties, and more.  

Please join us in welcoming our new staff member, Rachel Partington! Rachel is the latest addition to the Service Desk and is excited to answer student questions here at Hirsh! A southern transplant, this is their first library job, and they intend to pursue their MLIS in the near future. They live in Somerville where they are roommates to a many-thumbed cat named Goose and are in the process of writing a novel set in deep space.

We are thrilled to have Rachel as part of our Hirsh team!

The trees are changing colors and fall is on its way! Join us at the Library Service Desk this Thurs 9/21 and Fri 9/22, starting at 12pm, for our first FunLab of the year and make a custom cozy to adorn your favorite seasonally-spiced drink. We’ll have all the supplies you need to protect your hand from hot beverages in style!

A September to Remember…at the Leisure Lounge!

Hello, and Happy Fall from Hirsh Library!

For September, please visit the Leisure Lounge on the 4th floor and check out our selection of memoirs! Whether you are looking for something action-packed, full of laughs, or thoughtful and contemplative for the cool days of fall, we have books to match any interest.

Here are a few suggestions, which can be found on display by the window (near the printers!):

The Road to Little Dribbling: Adventures of an American in Britain by Bill Bryson

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen

All Souls: A Family Story from Southie by Michael Patrick MacDonald

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover

Epic: Stories of Survival from the World’s Highest Peaks by Clint Willis

Suggestions? Recommendations? Let us know!

–Megan Uberti, Collections Assistant