Berkshire Athenaeum Offers Expanded Services for Bookworms

The circulation and reference desk have been pushed into the lobby of the Wendell Avenue entrance.

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.  

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.