Berkshire Athenaeum Offers Expanded Services for Bookworms
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Though municipal buildings are currently closed because of the spike in COVID-19 cases, residents can still find solace in materials from their local library.
The Berkshire Athenaeum is offering a slate of newly adjusted library services including a personalized reading service called "Picked4You," children's book bundles, and an increased collection of wifi hotspots available for loan.
"Things are rolling and we're seeing a lot of interest, a lot of folks who are grateful that we're there for them," Reference Services Supervisor Madeline Kelly said.
After Mayor Linda Tyer made the decision to close municipal buildings following the second surge of infections, the Berkshire Athenaeum wanted to continue to offer services that the public values the most.
At the library's Wendell Avenue entrance, folks are able to access a pulled back lobby with a circulation and reference desk. This service point offers everything from library renewal to a quick reference interview so that associates can pick out a selection of specifically tailored books for a reader.
Kelly said this is the nearest thing the library has to its usual service and it is safe and keeps people reading.
The Berkshire Athenaeum is also assisting those who have technology needs such as printing. Patrons who need printouts can email their documents directly to the library's print service at pittsfield8@printspots.com. Library staff will then release the prints that cost 10 cents a page, payable at pickup. A self-serve photocopier is available in the Wendell Ave lobby during operating hours for black ink copies also at 10 cents per page.
"We are very much aware here and have been for a number of years that folks don't necessarily own printers anymore, or the printer dies, or they can't afford to put toner cartridges in and so forth," Kelly said. "So we've had for a long time the service that people can email something to us and release it here, but what we have found during this period of closure is that people are particularly grateful if we will release it and have it for them to pick up. So that is just a continuation of something we had even when the building was open."
Kelly said the library has tried to respond to the fact that people like to come in and browse the selections without necessarily knowing what they want. Picked4You was created because of that. Patrons describe their interest or favorite authors and library staff select materials from the adult, young adult, or juvenile collections. This service can be accessed through the Picked4You form on the library's website or by emailing the Reference Department.
Book bundles are offered through the Children's Library and are an easy, fast, and safe way for parents to get weekly reading materials for their children. Each bundle contains seven books centered on a theme such as friendships, sharks, dinosaurs, mermaids, and more. Additionally, there are recorded storytimes twice a month and make-at-home craft kits are available for pickup.
There has been a tremendous interest in people wanting to research their genealogy, Kelly said, so the Local History Department at the athenaeum offers a how-to-get-started video, webinars, and database resources available for at-home research. Local History Department staff are also available for guidance by email at localhistory@pittsfieldlibrary.org and via phone at 413-499-9480, Ext. 6.
Volunteer organization Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum have paid for the library to be able to expand the collection of wifi hotspots. With a library card, hotspots can be borrowed for a week with one renewal.
Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum has been supporting the library since 1938. The group runs a book sale three times a year and funds are put toward improvements of the library or anything it wouldn't otherwise be able to fund.
"They are so wonderful," Kelly said about the organization. "We have great Friends, all-volunteer, hard workers."
In addition, the library is continuing with electronic services that were stepped up at the beginning of the pandemic. Library from Home services includes access to a variety of downloadable ebooks, audiobooks, and an expanded collection of emagazines. The library also continues to offer Kanopy, a streaming service of classic cinema, foreign films, independent titles, and Kanopy Kids, which is a diverse selection of educational and entertaining content that includes movies, television series, animated storybooks, live-action, and animated favorites.
"These are challenging times and all modesty aside we're doing our best to respond," Kelly said.
Individuals can request books, DVDs, books on CD, or other items directly through the library's online catalog, by calling 413-499-9480, Ext. 4 or by emailing the Reference Department at info@pittsfieldlibrary.org. Drop-in or scheduled curbside pickup services are also offered.
For more information visit the Berkshire Athenaeum's website.
Tags: berkshire athenaeum, COVID-19, library,
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