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Tonight Matt reads an old ghost story in which a man knowingly and willingly takes rooms in a house that's rumored to be haunted. Prepare yourself for spectral mists, glowing red eyes, and phantom footsteps in this tale whose main character posits an interesting Tyrellian theory about the cause of "ghosts". Did you enjoy the story? Let us know in the comments below! Credits: - Outro music: “Creepy Music Box” by One-Aloner - All images were obtained from Canva.com.
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Book Service Episode 49: "The House & the Brain" by Edward Bulwer-Lytton | Haunting the Fireside

Stoneham Library September 4, 2026 5:00 pm

What do you get when you combine a doddering, middle-aged English gentleman, his foolish son, a hard-headed Scottish gardener, and a giant pumpkin? Flawless comedy. Join us for a reading of "The Custody of the Pumpkin" by P.G. Wodehouse, a hilarious short story from literature's funniest writer. When Lord Emsworth realizes that he may have sabotaged his chance of winning first prize for biggest pumpkin in the upcoming county fair by sacking his head-gardener, Angus McCallister, he desparately searches for a replacement. Meanwhile, his lordship's dim-witted son, Freddie, is stirring up controversy by courting Mr. McCallister's cousin--a fact that only adds to Lord Emsworth's grief. What is the outcome of this farce? Give it a listen, and find out! Music credits: - "Easy Classical Listening Music" by Harp Music Collective - "Quirky Tuba" by 2 Red Jokers - "Comedy Strings (Instrumental)" by Tunes2Go - "Classical Happiness" by Sonican All music and sound effects featured in this video were obtained from Canva.com.
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Book Service Episode 47: "The Custody of the Pumpkin" by PG Wodehouse | Slices of Life

Stoneham Library July 24, 2026 9:00 am

Tonight, we’re going to delve into the history of a particular island in Boston Harbor, and explore the mystery of a ghost that has called it a home for over a century. Join us as we sail out to George’s Island, and stroll about the grounds of Fort Warren--where we might just meet the spirit known as “the Lady in Black”. Sources and further reading/viewing: • Historic Fort Warren, Edward Rowe Snow • Fort Warren: New England's Most Historic Civil War Site, Jay Schmidt • Mass Murders, Sam Baltrusis • Haunted Boston, Taryn Plumb • Video: History of Georges Island • Recollections of Alexander H. Stephens (Myrta Lockett Avary, ed.) • Boston Harbor Islands: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Harbor_Islands_National_and_State_Park • Fort Warren (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Warren_(Massachusetts) • Video: Edward Rowe Snow – “Lady in Black”, Fort Warren, 1970: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW2hXzgsXF8 Credits: Most images featured in this video were obtained from Canva.com. Images that depict Fort Warren and/or George’s Island were obtained either from Canva.com, from internet users who have released their own work into the public domain, as well as the map of George’s Island and Fort Warren which, being a work of a National Park Services employee, is by extension a work of the U.S. federal government, thereby causing it to be in the public domain. Intro and outro music was originally composed by Stoneham Public Library staff. All other music featured in this video was obtained from Canva.com. If you enjoyed this content, don't hesitate to "Like" the video and subscribe to the channel! Also, follow the Stoneham Public Library on Facebook and Instagram!
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Book Service Episode 46: Fort Warren's Lady in Black | Haunting the Fireside

Stoneham Library June 26, 2026 5:00 pm

Today's episode comes from our library consortium's digital heritage archives. This is an interview conducted in March 1975 by Maxine G. Schultz, as part of the Stoneham Public Library's Oral History Project, and which features four key individuals who kickstarted the town's community concerts series. Today, the concerts are planned by the local Chamber of Commerce, which advertises them as "Concerts on the Common". They are typically held on the town green during the summer. As is the case with all of the entries in the original OHP run, the interview was recorded and distributed on cassette tapes.
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Book Service Episode 45: Community Concerts: A Roundtable History | Etched in Stone

Stoneham Library April 7, 2026 9:00 am

Today's episode comes from our library consortium's digital heritage archives, and features an interview that Jean Palmer conducted in February 1975 as part of the Stoneham Public Library's Oral History Project. The interviewee, Nicholas Apalakis, reflects on his role as a socially and politically active Stoneham resident, having served in various capacities such as a member of the Board of Selectmen and a library trustee. He also discusses the responsibility of citizens in a democracy. Today, he and his wife together are memorialized with plaques outside and the inside the Stoneham Library's Stoneham Room, which doubles as the local history archive and as a space for library programs. As is the case with all of the entries in the original OHP run, the interview was recorded and distributed on cassette tapes.
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Book Service Episode 44: An Interview with Nicholas Apalakis | Etched in Stone

Stoneham Library March 24, 2026 9:00 am

To celebrate the holidays, a librarian from the Stoneham Public Library performs winter music classics, including "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", "Joy to the World", "O Tanenbaum", and more! Recommended materials: - "Christmas with Classical Guitar" (arranged by Charles Duncan) - "Let It Snow! 22 Great Holiday Classics" (arranged by Marcel Robinson) - "The Christmas Guitar Book" (edited and arranged by Aaron Stang)
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Book Service Episode 43: A Wintry Mix of Christmas Music Favorites | Auditory Inspirations

Stoneham Library December 22, 2025 3:36 pm

In this installment of Auditory Inspirations, one of our librarians performs "Capricho Arabe" by 19th century Spanish composer Francisco Tarrega. The piece, with its clear arabesque influences, evokes images of the Alhambra's half-lit breezeways, with afternoon sun spilling in through windows, casting shadows of columns across the floor, and shining light on the palace's ornate interior design. Visit our website: stonehamlibrary.org Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
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Book Service Episode 42: "Capricho Arabe" by Francisco Tarrega | Auditory Inspirations

Stoneham Library December 1, 2025 6:31 pm

In this edition of Haunting the Fireside, we explore the legendary haunting of Stoneham High School's auditorium, in Stoneham, Massachusetts. According to the story, a girl named Lucy lived on a farm during the 1800s, and had died suddenly and tragically. Some say that her body was buried in the approximate location of where the high school auditorium came to be constructed a century later. These events are supposedly the basis for the alleged hauntings. This will be the first of a multi-part mini-series, in which we will be delving into Stoneham's mysteries and lore over these next few weeks leading up to (and possibly beyond) Halloween. Sources: - Stoneham Independent, "Local Haunted Guide" by Ryan LaRoche, Oct. 26th, 2011 - Stoneham Press, Jan. 7th, 1938: "Body Found Hanging from Rafter of Barn" - Stoneham Independent, Feb. 5th, 1953 - Ibid., Sept. 10th, 1964 - Stoneham Press, Feb. 13th, 1969 - Stoneham Independent, July 15th, 1981 - Ibid., Sept. 1999 Credits: All music featured in this video are original compositions, produced by Stoneham Public Library staff. Images were obtained from Canva.com A special thanks to the staff at the Stoneham Historical Society & Museum for clarifying points about the history of the "land dispute" respecting Weiss Farm, as well as the story of Lucy. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
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Book Service Episode 41: The Legends and Lore of Stoneham, Massachusetts (Part 1)

Stoneham Library October 17, 2025 5:00 pm

In this installment of the Book Service Podcast's music-based series, Auditory Inspirations, a Stoneham librarian performs one of the most famous -- but challenging -- of guitar pieces, "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" (Memories of the Alhambra) by the Spanish guitarist-composer, Francisco Tarrega. Video clips of the Alhambra and the surroundings of Granada, Spain, were obtained from Canva.com.
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Book Service Episode 40: "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" by Francisco Tarrega | Auditory Inspirations

Stoneham Library October 1, 2025 9:00 am

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