Exciting Happenings!

Mark your calendars! The next two months the Friends of the Library will be sponsoring some not-to-miss free events! It starts this Monday, March 25th at 6:30 pm when Maureen Stanton will talk about her book, “Killer Stuff and Tons of Money: An Insider’s Look at the World of Flea Markets, Antiques & Collecting”.  Yes, spring is here – and that means it’s time to cruise those flea markets! Find out how you can turn a profit from your weekend finds.  After all, everyone could use a little extra cash.

On Monday, April 8th at 6:30 pm, we are proud to have the author of “Three Junes“, “The Whole World Over“, “I See You Everywhere“, and “The Widower’s Tale“.  Get your book group and friends together to meet and hear Julia Glass!! A resident of Marblehead, Massachusetts, she is a past winner of the National Book Award for her debut novel, “Three Junes”.  She has described her characters as being her “alter egos”, and her favorite word is “widdershins” – she is a fascinating person that you have to meet!

Two days later, on Wednesday, April 10th at 6:30 pm, Richard Howe and Chaim Rosenberg will be talking about their new book, “Legendary Locals of Lowell“.  This is sure to be a fun evening! You may recognize some of these legendary locals – perhaps it will be a walk down memory lane! Either way, come and meet Richard Howe, a great friend of the Dracut Library!

Are you interested in the Whitey Bulger case? Sure, you can read the papers, but why not hear first hand from Kevin Cullen and Shelley Murphy, authors of  ”Whitey Bulger: America’s Most Wanted Gangster and the Manhunt That Brought Him to Justice”? Make plans now to be here Wednesday, May 22nd at 6:30 pm – their insights are sure to be a hit!

All events are sponsored by the Friends of Dracut Library. They are free and open to the public.

Geek the Library

geek /gēk/verb

1. To love, to enjoy, to celebrate, to have an intense passion for.
2. To possess a large amount of knowledge in.
3.To promote.

I recently attended a workshop on a national campaign called “Geek the Library.”  This public relations campaign is sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation and is intended to let libraries know our residents better.

The concept evolved from a theory that a community‐centered public awareness campaign—one that uses similar strategies to many ‘super’ brands—could be an effective approach for libraries to make an impact locally. Like other brands, public libraries are also challenged to create an effective message, identify the appropriate audience, and change perceptions in a way that will impact current and future behavior.

The campaign is simple one.  It asks residents one simple question; “what do you geek?” Everyone has something that they are passionate about—something they geek. Maybe you geek football or hip hop. Maybe you geek organic gardening or volunteering. Or maybe you just geek the weather. Whatever you geek, fun or serious, the library supports you.

We intend to kick off our “Geek the Library” campaign this coming June.  Look for posters, book marks, banners, buttons, t-shirts and more!  Join in on the conversation.  By learning what you “geek” we start a conversation about the ways the library can support everyone, no matter what their passion.  It will also help  us focus our programming and resources on the things that matter to you.

I would love to hear from you.  You can contact me at any time at nhill@mvlc.org, or at 978-445-5474, extension 301.

Take Your Child to the Library Day!

Today is National Take Your Child to The Library Day! Come in and explore the library – take out a movie, video game or audio book. Make today a day you choose to spend some quality time together in a place that you can enjoy for a lifetime!

Getting to your Roots

Have you ever wondered about your family tree? Are you interested in learning more about genealogy; tracing your family history;  learning about books and databases you can access from home? Then join us on Thursday, April 28th from 2-3:30pm when we will host a free workshop to get you started. Think you want to start exploring now? Then drop by the library and we will direct you to our genealogy section which includes many new titles brimming with information! Check back to our blog & Facebook page in the coming months for more genealogy tricks and tips!!!

Stonewall Book Awards for 2010

June is Pride Month! With parties, concerts, films and parades the GLBT community celebrates their diversity and the great history of American tolerance.  In 1971, The American Library Association began recognizing the contributions of GLBT literature by awarding it’s Stonewall Book Award.

The Stonewall Book Awards are given annually to English-language books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered experience.

Education and knowledge are the best weapons against hatred and intolerance.  (Visit the Southern Poverty Law Center for a list of hate groups in Massachusetts). Come to the library – read, check out films or visit the Give a Damn campaign. If you want to join the parties you can! Boston Pride is celebrating 40 years of progress with a full calendar of events.

A Nation Divided

The Massachusetts volunteers fighting their way through the streets of Baltimore ... April 9, 1861.

The Dracut Library is proud to display Civil War posters created by  the 8th grade students at Lakeview Junior High School.  An Open House will be held at the Library for the budding artists and historians on June 3nd from 6-7 pm. All are welcome to attend. We also invite you to get into the spirit and check out our selection of Civil War related materials from books to DVD’s.

Patriot’s Day

If you are from Massachusetts, then you are very familiar with Patriot’s Day. You may think of the Boston Marathon or perhaps that other great mass march, which occurred April 19th, 1775, when the British regulars marched into Lexington and Concord marking the start of the Revolutionary War.

Dracut residents were part of that fateful day and time. They would go on to participate in the Battle of Bunker Hill, where 3 men died,  as well as at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-1778. Did you know that 439 men out of a population of 1173, or 37% of the population of Dracut took part in the Revolution?! Check out the links below for events and information about the Revolution. Take a day or the week and explore the history around us.

Minuteman National Park

Minuteman Bikeway

Spy Letters of The American Revolution

Boston Massacre Historical Society

National Library Workers Day!

April 13th is National Library Workers Day! Remember to say Thank You to your Librarian! Library workers aid people in a growing information age. Maybe you need a suggestion for a good book. Or perhaps your child is doing research and you need something on their grade level. Or maybe you need help using the online catalog, and museum pass reservation system. As libraries have changed, your Librarian has too. We now are directing you to databases online, offering basic computer classes, teaching you how to access audio book and ePub downloads…the list grows on! Your Librarians do much work behind the scenes to make your experience helpful, informational and hopefully, pleasant. Please remember us – because we’ll never forget You!