Back to School!

For all of you who are beginning a new academic year…or have already started!…we at the Library wish you a fulfilling, successful, and brain-expanding school year!  We’ll be here for all your study-related needs, from reference and citation help to computers, from study guides to study breaks.  In fact, how about you take a look at our super-terrific events calendar and find some new (FREE) opportunities to learn new skills, expand your creativity, and discover new fun!

Here are some of the programs being held at the Main Library and our Branches over the coming weeks that still have room just for you!


How to Work Your Network – North Shore Career Center Workshop, September 21
1:30 – 3:00pm, Second Floor Tech Lad (Main Library)

Provided by the expert staff from the North Shore Career Center, these career workshops are offered to assist job seekers whether they’re beginning the hunt, well along the path, or contemplating a career change. This is part of a series offered at the Library that has included classes on Occupational Skills, Resume Writing, and Interviewing practices.  Workshops occur on specific Thursdays, beginning July 13th; all classes begin promptly at 1:30 pm and go until 3:00pm.

Participants can sign up for  workshops with the North Shore Career Center by calling (978) 825-7200.

North Sea Gas Concert, September 25
7:00 – 8:00pm, Sutton Room (Main Library)

North Sea Gas is one of Scotland’s most popular folk bands with great vocals and tremendous three part harmonies. Guitars, mandolin, fiddle, bouzouki, harmonica, whistles, bodhrans, banjo and good humour are all part of the entertainment. They have received Gold and Silver Disc awards from the Scottish Music Industry Association and regularly have sold out shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.  They have released 19 albums with ‘Fire in the Glen’ being the most recent and are constantly adding new material to their shows. Their prior album, ‘The Fire and the Passion of Scotland’ won the 2013 Album of the Year award from Celtic Radio in the U.S. as well as first place in the ‘Jigs and Reels’ category for the set of tunes on the album.   This concert is part of our Fall Concert Series, and is generously sponsored by the McCarthy Family Foundation and the Peabody Institute Library Foundation.


Crime Lab Case Files with Paul Zambella, October 5
6:30 – 8:30pm
South Branch Library

Calling all true crime enthusiasts! The South Branch is pleased to welcome Paul Zambella who will be here to discuss some of the most infamous cases he worked on as a forensic scientist for the -Massachusetts State Police. He will focus on how forensic evidence was instrumental in assisting prosecutors in securing convictions for such gruesome cases as a brother and sister murdered at the hands of two teenage boys, the fatal stabbing of a young girl by her boyfriend, the torture and murder of a young man kept prisoner in his home and the revenge killing of a man who was asleep in his motel room.  Paul Zambella was a Forensic Scientist for the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory for 36 years.  Hehas taught courses on forensic science at Northeastern and Salem State Universities and Hesser College in addition to several lectures throughout the state.

These true crime tales are not for the faint of heart; this program is recommended for high-school age students through adults.  This  program is free and open to the public, but space is limited and registration is required. To reserve your free spot, please register online, in person or by calling 978-531-3380.

This presentation will be given by Victor Mastone, Director and Chier Archaeologist of the Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources of Massachusetts.

When the public thinks about underwater archaeology, they generally picture intact shipwrecks, pirate treasures and mystery. I have never dealt with the first, unfortunately had to deal with the second, but constantly court the third. As archaeologists and resource stewards we are all familiar with mystery. We nearly always face that when we first approach a shipwreck site. ‘What ship is this? I don’t know. I need to investigate.’ At various points, we turn outward to colleagues and the public to find answers. The process of addressing this question becomes a form of collaboration and means to engage the public.   The Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources depends on the active involvement of and collaboration with the public to identify, evaluate, and protect these non-renewable resources. This presentation describes the state’s diversity of archaeological resources and various ways the public is engaged in their study.