Education & Workshops Great Barrington Libraries
Where You Can Grow & Learn / By Kate Deviny
L
ike other towns across the Commonwealth and the country, Great Barrington’s first library sprang from local citizens banding together to purchase books. In 1800, the Union Library was lodged on the shelves of Samuel Whiting’s store on Castle Street and people bought shares to borrow the books. By 1900, the books were free to all with a circulation of two weeks. Today, the Ramsdell and Mason Libraries form the Great Barrington Libraries where we house more than 92,000 materials, circulate more than 148,000 items, offer more than 400 programs, and have had more than 128,000 people come through our doors. Our quiet study rooms have been used more than 1,750 times and our meeting rooms have been used by outside groups 92 times. In short, the libraries are busy places where large comfortable chairs beckon readers and tables offer space to work or create. Our focus is still on providing books to afford entertainment and lifelong learning. Combined, the libraries more than 61,000 books. To address the wide and voracious reading desires, we purchase different books for each library. Therefore, the new fiction at Mason is different from the new fiction at Ramsdell, with some duplication for bestselling books. Ramsdell Library is home for our art and architecture materials, so you will find a much wider selection of how to paint, build, knit, craft, as well as art history and biographies there. Ramsdell has the majority of our Native American materials with more than 50 books covering everything from native plants and cooking to biographies, battles, and the Wild West. At Mason Library, we carry extensive collections in history, poetry, and cooking, as well as gardening and are increasing our Independent Press collection. While we purchase about 700 books per month, patrons always have Interlibrary Loan to fill their desire for that brand new book, and can request a book through our catalog at any time of the day or night. We offer 6 different daily newspapers, 10 free, local newspapers, and 70 magazines for those who want to check their stocks, make a soup, decorate their home, explore science, catch up on celebrities, or read interesting stories from far and near. Our 2,000 books on CD are used heavily since we travel so much. Our Nooks have more than 270 titles, perfect for vacation time when you’re not sure what to read. Between the two libraries, there are more than 3,000 DVDs in the Adult collection full of popular movies, TV series, and 120 foreign films. A children’s room was not added to Mason Library until 1965, although there were programs for children previously. Gone are the
days when children are not heard. Our lively children’s rooms are often full of kids searching in the stacks, coloring on their own, playing with toys or on the computer with their parents close by reading or finding information. The children’s department has more than 20,000 books, 15 magazine titles, 1,200 DVDs, and 900 audio books, which are labeled or organized by age or reading levels. Our children’s materials also cover a wide variety of topics and our librarians are great at finding books based on previous books or interests. This past summer, there were 47 programs for children, which introduced them to fossils, llamas, storytelling, and many crafts. Mason Library offers children kits to learn foreign languages while Ramsdell Library offers kits to learn calligraphy, manga, or pen-and-ink drawing. At Mason Library, a Young Adult room was created last year to better accommodate people from 13-24. Our teen spaces at both libraries are great places for teens to work together on a project, read, or just hang out. We now have more than 3,300 items, including graphic novels, manga, novels, DVDs, and audio books. This area is very popular with science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. While once books lay behind circulation desks and the guarding librarian, ever watchful of foolishness, skullduggery, or noise, now libraries are much more like bookstores where patrons browse, and have a moment to think while having a cup of coffee. Over the years, the Great Barrington Libraries have grown to be places that foster creativity and learning through our book purchases, and through writing groups, craft workshops, and performances. Knowing that the Berkshires are full of talent, we want to assist that creativity, give it an outlet. Mason has a local author section in the Reading room and we encourage every writer we meet to give readings. At Ramsdell Library, local children have created their own Zine library where their mini-books can be checked out. We hope this inspires them to write their own stories. You can find out what is happening at Ramsdell or Mason Library by clicking on our website (gblibraries.org), following us through Facebook (www.facebook.com/gblibraries), or giving us your email and we will send you our calendar at the beginning of each month. We look forward to seeing you and providing you with materials you desire. We are always interested in your suggestions for print and nonprint materials. ~ Mason Library is located at 231 Main Street in Great Barrington, (413)528-2403. Ramsdell Library is located at 1087 Main Street in Housatonic, (413) 274-3738.
The Libraries of Great Barrington Mason Library
Ramsdell Public Library
231 Main Street Gt. Barrington 413.528.2403 gblibraries.org
1087 Main Street Housatonic 413.274.3738 cwmars.org
Parent-Baby • Nursery • Kindergarten 1st-8th grade • Summer Program We educate our students to meet life with courage, impart meaning and purpose to their lives, and respond with creativity and integrity to the needs of the world. Our well-rounded, hands-on education prepares students for their choice of high school and college—and to reach their full potential. (413) 528-4015
www.gbrss.org
Great Barrington, MA
F
amilies with children six and older are invited to join the Mason Library in Great Barrington, MA, for Mason Family Adventures in Reading on Oct. 5, 12, and 19 and Nov. 2, 9, and 16, from 11am12:30pm. Enjoy beautiful picture books and great stories with storyteller Mary Jo Maichack. A healthy snack swill be provided. This is a free program. Families who attend regularly will receive a canvas book bag and a free book. Register online. Space is limited.
www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
October / November 2013
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