The Otis Library and Museum, Inc. Board of Trustees
Anita Weinstein, Chair Steve Graves
Nancy Levin, Treasurer Joel Morris
Anne Cooper Wendy Scott
Diane Dyer
Otis Library & Museum has been in existence since the middle of the last century. The Otis Library & Museum became certified by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners in December 2007.
SUMMER HOURS: We are happy to announce our summer hours begin June 1st!! MTW 12:00 - 6:00, ThF 1:00 - 7:00, and Saturdays 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The Museum will be open for the season June 1st. Please call for an appointment for the museum.
THANKS! THANKS! THANKS! Our Country Fair was a success when measured by support and help, and somewhat a disappointment when measured by the weather. Thank you to all the vendors who supported our fair with their booths and wares. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped set up, cook, clean, bake, and do whatever! We could not have done this without you. Thank you to all the businesses who donated goods for the fair and for the raffle. Most of all, thank you to our patrons. Many braved the rain to attend, others felt badly and sent generous contributions.
THE BIGGEST AND BEST NEWS: We are going to become members of the CWMARS system (Central & Western Mass. Automated Resource Sharing). It is a multitype library consortium dedicated to efficient resource sharing and effective use of information technology. There are 147 members including public, private, academic, and special libraries. The CWMARS database contains 8.5 million items, and 1.8 million unique titles. CWMARS provides computer and telecommunications services, shared cataloging for all patrons to use, access to periodical and full text databases, and training and technical support. To move in this direction will mean many librarian hours, cataloging our collection, automating our system, and learning new ways. Our partrons will enjoy widespread selection withs with greater availability.
A BICENTENNIAL TREAT: Ingram Book Company sent us a donation of over 60 new books for children and young readers for our Bicentennial celebration. A special tribute to Sandy Balayan who procured this donation. Great books for little minds - let's get them in here to read!
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS: OUR CHILDREN'S SUMMER READING PROGRAM has begun on Thursdays starting July 8th through August 12th. Twenty-three children registered to participate. The theme for this year is "Go Green". Please contact us if you have any special ideas for this year's program. Thanks to Lynne Fay and Patricia Richard who volunteer to do this program for us.
NEW MATERIALS: We have added 60 DVDs to our collection this month and over 150 new books. If you have any specific request, please leave them with a librarian and we will try to get what you would like. New Books: 365 January through June series for yound adult readers, Baker Towers, Blacklands, Silent Sea, Winter in Madrid, 39 Clues series for young adults, the Glass Rainbow, Riles of Betrayal, Whisperers, REmbrandt Affair and many more.
LIBRARY PASSES: The Library and Recreation Center offer over 20 passes to different sites of interest and enjoyment. The intention is to allow Otis residents and patrons of our library, rec center, and town to visit these places at reduced or no cost. Passes are available on a first come, first served basis and each loan is for two days only. The Library has passes for Berkshire Museum, Chesterwood, Clark Museum, Mass MoCA, The Mount, Norman Rockwell Museum, Ashley House, Bartholomew's Cobble, Field Farm, Mission House, Naumkeag, Ventfort Hall, Amelia Park Ice Arens, Berkshire Botanical Gardens, Hancock Shaker Village, Lupa Zoo, Magic Wings, and the New England Air Museum. The Recreation Center has passes for Otis Ridge and Six Flags.
We have some Country Fair items still for sale. Otis hats and Library book bags are on sale. David McLaughlin’s award winning books on the Berkshires The Unfolding History of the Berkshires, & Inside the Berkshires are on sale as a library fundraiser, and the Otis Cookbook, and Our Otis Heritage are town fundraisers. Great stuff about this great Place. Bruce Mandel’s CD of his Ode to Otis is on sale, what a great job putting research and history to music.
John Stanmeyer will open his studio and speak to the public about his thoughts and works on the evening of August 12th. John's article on water in National Geographic was great, look it up! This event will be sponsored by the library, come see some of our local talent!
A NEW LOOK: To make sure all books are housed and displayed safely we have added new shelving and moved some items around. If you cannot find something please do not be afraid to ask.
DONATIONS: We are only accepting donations of books that are new, in great condition, and hardcover. Please note these donated articles either enter our library collection or they become part of our book sale. Please do not bring us books that cannot be sold. We are overcrowded and many books have not moved in the last three years. On August 1, 2010 we will open the porch with all free items, books, audios, and videos. These items will remain until September 1, 2010 when they will be donated to Reads Across America.
BOOK SALE SPECIAL!! Buy recyclable book bag for $10.00 and you can fill it with anything from the book sale area!!!
BOOK BAGS GOING GREEN: We are selling reusable book bags for $5.00. This fundraiser is an effort to help recycle materials. We are also selling note cards of the library for your souvenirs or to use as you correspond with others. They are beautifully done, thank you to Howard Levin.
We have been most fortunate to have the services and support of the town officials and the town employees. With the state budget cuts and the closing of regional offices, we have been lucky to have a supportive town.
As you may know, the Bookmobile has been discontinued. As of July 1, the Massachusetts Library System will consist of one central facility and the six regional offices will close. The Western Massachusetts Regional System located in Whately has been a great service to extend our collection, to train our librarians, to provide our technology, and to advocate for small rural libraries. I am sure we will face difficulties as we interface with all libraries for services. However, we will continue to take individual requests and process them through the Interlibrary Loan Service. Our hope is that through political pressure and support the Whately office will remain in service after June 30th. Please speak out in support of the library.
Joel Morris and other members of the board are working diligently to raise money through grants for our library and our movement to the CWMARS system. This system will be more important now that the regional services have been eliminated. CWMARS will allow us to interact and articulate with many other libraries, also it will give patrons direct access to the extensive library of approximately 3 million articles, and our students and patrons will be able to access over 19 databases, including newspapers.
We appreciate the support that so many people have given to the library and we are hopeful that you will continue to support YOUR library in years to come. Please be assured that the Board of Trustees will continue our work and will keep our patrons notified of any further changes.
Respectfully submitted,
Board of Trustees
Otis Library & Museum
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