Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About The ATHOL LIBRARY MOVE
A brochure with information about the move.
Time is fast approaching.
Here is a brochure with answers
to questions and important dates to know.
I'll have withdrawal symptoms without books and a computer! Help!
We totally understand your feelings! Two things will help you get through this period.
1. You can help us out by taking enough books out to carry you over during
the week prior to closing (July 2-6). The more you take, the less we have to
move and you will be stocked up for the duration! If you are a patron in
good standing (no overdues or fines) then come in and take as many books as
you need to tide you over for reading materials. DVDs will be limited to 10
per cardholder. Materials can be returned after opening day on August 6 and
during the month of August fine free.
2.Area libraries are willing to help out! Come to the Athol Library (or any
CWMARS library) anytime before we close and the staff can make your card
a CWMARS card eligible to be used at any CWMARS library. It's easy! Or
get a new card issued at any CWMARS library. These libraries in Orange,
Petersham, New Salem, Gardner and so on also have computers, you will just
have to inquire about their rules and time limits.
But the good news is....
We will not be charging any fines for the period we are closed (July 9 through August 5) and for the whole month of August on Athol Library items! (unfortunately ILL and patron placed holds items will still have fines)
Where can I return materials when the library is closed?
If possible we would like patrons to keep materials until we reopen. If for some reason you have to return them, the book drop will be at the Senior Center. During August you can return any materials (including DVDs) fine free.
Will there be a summer reading program?
It will be a little different this year. The program will be June 28 at 10:30 am at Liberty Hall (downstairs at Town Hall). The Pumpernickel Puppets will perform. You can check out extra books, get your log book to fill in at home and sign up for prizes that will be given out in August when we reopen.
Are you doing Project Bread this summer?
Unfortunately, because we are closed and will not have access to kitchen facilities, we are not able to participate this year. You may visit the other locations at the Salvation Army, Athol High School, Athol Middle School, Ellen Bigelow School, Riverbend School or Pleasant Street. See the library website at www.athollibrary.org for full list of sites and times.
yes, we're moving!
Where are you going?
We are very fortunate that the Council on Aging is willing to share their new Senior Center with us. It is located at 80-82 Freedom Street in the same plaza as Ocean State Job Lot. The Children's and Young Adult departments will be in the former video store and Adults will be in the main Senior Center. We appreciate the generosity of the COA and especially the Executive Director Cathy Savoy and her capable assistant Judy Thayer who have worked very hard to get things completed for us.
Will you be closing?
We will be closing from July 9 through August 5 to move all otir stuff. And we've got a lot! We will reopen on August 6 at 9:30 a.m. and maintain the same hours we have now, Mon-Fri 9:30-5:30 and Tuesday until 7:00 p.m. Closed on Saturday and Sunday. We sincerely regret this inconvenience to the public but hope you can 'keep your eyes on the prize' which will be our beautiful new facility.
When will you return to the renovated library?
We expect to return to our wonderful new library in one year at the end of August in 2013 barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Are you taking everything to the temporary location?
No, we will take the most used items, such as bestsellers, summer reading books, DVDs and the computers. Some of the children's kits and supplies will be stored in a building owned by Chuck and Celia Baxter through their generosity while Starrett's is allowing us to store some furniture and less used materials, which we very much appreciate. The Archives Collection will be safely stored at Town Hall in a locked room.
Do you need help moving?
Yes, we welcome help from packing and moving books to making refreshments for our hungry volunteers. Please talk to the library staff and they will put you on the list. We realize that this is a chaotic time for staff and customers alike and appreciate your patience and your assistance.
Will I have WIFI Access so I can still use my laptop?
Yes, there will be Wifi at the Senior Center for you to use. When we return to the new library, the service for both Wifi and computers will be ten times faster since we have been chosen as a Mass. Broadband Institute Community Anchor Site.
What about storytimes, movies and other fun activities for the Children's Room?
Once we get into the temporary space and see how things work, we will be probably having many of the same programs you love and enjoy. Because we are sharing space with the Council on Aging, we'll have to see how their programs and our programs can cooperatively be managed and what can be offered. Once we move back in August 2013 to our new library, things will better with more program space and a great new Children's Room!
Will we still have clubs like the Knit-Wits and Yu-Gi-Oh?
They will definitely be a feature in the new library, again we have to see what space will be available at the Senior Center. Please watch our website, Face-book and the Athol Daily News where we will keep you informed once we know what will be happening.
There's a book I want to read this summer that you don't have, where can I set it?
You can use your library card at any Central or Western Mass CWMARS library. Find a list at www.cwmars.org/libraries. If there is a library close to where you work, you can go there or try a neighboring library like Orange, New Salem, Gardner, etc. Come to our library before we close to get your card upgraded to a CWMARS member card or go to any CWMARS member library.
I hear a rumor that we will join CWMARS when you reopen in August, is that true?
Actually we joined CWMARS in December but with the change of software to Evergreen, CWMARS held off on bringing us on board so that you and the staff did not have to learn two new pieces of software. When we reopen in August we expect to be full circulating members of CWMARS.
Where can I have my patron placed holds sent while you are closed? Any neighboring library or a library close to your work is fine.
OUR PHONE WILL BE THE SAME! 978-249-9515
Posted: to Athol Library News on Wed, Jun 27, 2012
Updated: Wed, Jun 27, 2012
