Pittsfield partners with TD Bank in Summer Reading incentive

As reported in the Berkshire Eagle, the Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library, is partnering with TD Bank to offer a new summer reading incentive  in addition to the traditional summer reading program. Kids who register to participate and read 10 books by September 30 will receive a $10 deposit to a new or existing TD Bank Young Saver account. The Athenaeum's Summer Reading Program, Go Green@ Your Library, just got a little greener for our young readers!

-Submitted by Madeline Kelly

Berkshire Athenaeum receives donation

The  Berkshire Athenaeum (Pittsfield's Public Library) received a generous donation of $4,000 from the TD Charitable Foundation. Pictured above are (left to right) Gary Schiff (Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager, Private Investment Counsel, TD Wealth Management); Ron Latham (Athenaeum Director); Gwen Davis (Vice President, Commercial Lending, TD Bank); and Linda Skorupski (Retail Market Manager, TD Bank).

The Athenaeum will be directing these grant monies to the purchase of new books in the circulating non-fiction collections of the Adult Service Department.

Pittsfield offers Computer Lab sessions

The Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library, has finalized a schedule of Computer Lab classes for April & May. All sessions last one hour; registration is required.

Schedule of Computer Classes: April & May 2010

***PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED: SIGN UP AT THE REFERENCE DESK***

Our Computer Lab sessions are taught presuming attendees’ ability to type on a computer keyboard; use either a laptop touchpad or a mouse; and enter an address in the address bar of a browser. Those who do not have these skills are welcome to sign up for our sessions; however, they may find they are unable to fully participate.

10 Free Websites You Will Want To Consult Regularly
Session will present 10 free resources you will find useful for your everyday information and financial needs. (Taught by Dick) Saturday, April 3, 10 am – 11 am

Blogs and Blogging Series
Part 1: Create your own blog: Using Google’s Blogger, you will create your free Blogger account and first blog post. (Taught by Dick) Tuesday, April 20, 6 pm – 7 pm

Part 2: Managing your blog: Discussion of blog maintenance. Resources available to support and grow your blog. (Taught by Dick) Tuesday, April 27, 6 pm – 7 pm

PREREQUISITE: To register for the Blogs & Blogging Series, patrons must sign up with a gmail account. Registration will be confirmed via an email message from the instructor to that gmail account. Interested patrons who do not have a gmail account may register for that computer lab session (Offered on Thursday, April 15).

Excel 101
Participants will review the interface, create a basic spreadsheet, insert formulas. (Taught by Madeline) Wednesday, May 12, 6 pm – 7 pm

Excel 102
Participants will explore some beyond the basics features of Excel 2007, including working with data and formatting worksheets. Prerequisite: Excel 101 or familiarity with Excel Basics. (Taught by Madeline) Wednesday, May 19, 6 pm – 7 pm

Facebook
This past May, Facebook surpassed MySpace to become the dominant social networking site on the Internet. Now find out what makes this site so popular and learn how you can participate. (Taught by Jeremy) Wednesday, April 7, 6 pm – 7 pm

Gmail
Setting up a free web-based email account, using Google’s gmail service.
(Taught by Mary Ann) Thursday, April 15, 6 pm – 7pm

Going Mobile
The current trend in technology is for devices that can travel with you. Laptops, netbooks, smart phones, handheld game consoles, e-book readers, and the iPad are all a part of this trend. Come and discover these technologies, learn about purchasing considerations, and find out how they can be used at the Berkshire Athenaeum. (Taught by Jeremy)
Wednesday, May 5, 6 pm – 7 pm

Job Search Resources in Learning Express
We will explore the Learning Express database Job Search module which includes resume writing; creating effective cover letters; and interview tips. (Taught by Mary Ann)
Thursday, May 6, 6 pm – 7 pm

Linked In
Explore LinkedIn, an online network that facilitates job searching, collaboration & communication with other professionals. (Taught by Dick)
Saturday, May 15, 10 am – 11 am

Smart Consumer
We will review several free websites that offer product evaluations to help you “know before you buy”. (Taught by Mary Ann) Saturday, May 1, 10 am – 11am

Word 2007 Basics
An introduction to Word 2007 covering opening and saving a document; setting up margins; changing fonts; running a spell check; selecting templates; creating a letter and other documents. (Taught by Dick) Tuesday, April 6, 6 pm – 7 pm

Word 2007 : Tables
We will use Word 2007 to create and format a table. (Taught by Madeline)
Wednesday, May 26, 6 pm – 7 pm

Posted by Madeline Kelly
Berkshire Athenaeum
mkelly@cwmars.org

Pittsfield celebrates Melville Literary Legacy

As reported in this Sunday's Berkshire Eagle, the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library, & The Berkshire County Historical Society have collaborated to plan a daylong celebration of Herman Melville's literary legacy on Saturday, February 27.
The events kick off at 10 a.m. when Melville Scholar and MIT professor Wyn Kelley reprises a reading of her paper, Out of the Bread Box: Eleanor Melville Metcalf and the Melville Legacy.Beginning at 11 a.m., tours will be offered of  the Athenaeum's Melville Room to view family artifacts, including the bread box in which the manuscript of Billy Budd was found. Call 442 1793 ext 11 to reserve a tour time. Beginning at 12 noon, hourly tours will be available of Arrowhead, Herman Melville's home at 780 Holmes Road, Pittsfield.  The celebration concludes at 2 p.m. with a screening of Billy Budd, starring Peter Ustinov and Terrance Stamp (1962). Film commentary will be offered by Attorney Arthur Stein, President of The Berkshire County Historical Society.

Submitted by Madeline Kelly, Pittsfield

Pittsfield library receives gift: Grave information for pre-WW II Massachusetts vets

The Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library, received a valuable research gift this week. Steve Twining, on behalf  of the Massachusetts Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, presented 20 rolls of microfilm to the Athenaeum's Local History Department Supervisor, Kathleen Reilly. The film contains grave information about Massachusetts veterans of the Revolutionary War, as well as veterans of the War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish American War, and WW I. This valuable collection is available during regular library hours to researchers in our Local History Department, where digital microfilm reader/printers are available for viewing, printing, saving files to a CD, or scanning to a flash drive.

Athenaeum sale of reprints attracts press

 The Local History Department of the Berkshire Athenaeum (Pittsfield's Public Library) received some great press  in a Berkshire-area weekly, The Advocate. Author Judith Fairweather interviewed Local History librarians Kathleen Reilly and Ann-Marie Harris regarding the reprinting, in partnership with the Berkshire Family History Association, of various important local history titles. While these items are available for sale year round from the Local History Department, they are particularly promoted during the holiday season as a unique gift option. Proceeds benefit the Local History Department's ongoing work to preserve important print materials. Thank you, Advocate!

Berkshire Athenaeum offers Computer Classes in January & February

Berkshire Athenaeum
Pittsfield's Public Library
One Wendell Avenue
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 499 9480

Schedule of Computer Classes

 January & February 2010

All classes held in the Computer Lab and last for one hour.

***PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED: SIGN UP AT THE REFERENCE DESK***

Our Computer Lab sessions are taught presuming attendees’ ability to type on a computer keyboard; use either a laptop touchpad or a mouse; and enter an address in the address bar of a browser. Those who do not have these skills are welcome to sign up for our sessions; however, they may find they are unable to fully participate.

Business Websites You Should Know About
Keeping informed and up-to-date is always important in business. Workshop will focus on best business websites and FREE online resources available to start-up, maintain, and grow your business and how they may provide a one-stop-shop for all aspects of your business. (Taught by Dick)
Tuesday, January 12, 6 – 7 pm

College Funding Re$ource$
A review of websites that can assist you in financing a College Education- for you or for your children. (Taught by Dick)
Saturday, January 30, 10 – 11 am

Email
Setting up a free web-based email account. (Taught by Mary Ann)
Saturday, January 16, 10 – 11 am

Excel Basics
Participants will review the interface, create a basic spreadsheet, insert formulas. (Taught by Madeline)
Wednesday, January 20, 6 – 7 pm

Google Docs
We will explore the basics of this free word processing software. (Taught by Madeline)
Wednesday, February 3, 6 – 7 pm

Homework SOS for Parents
You know the kids shouldn’t be “googling” or using Wikipedia for their homework – but maybe you’re not sure what they should be using? We will review some authoritative library databases geared toward students at different grade levels: all free and available 24/7. (Taught by Mary Ann)
Thursday, January 28, 6 – 7 pm

Job Search Resources in Learning Express
We will explore the Learning Express database Job Search module which includes resume writing; creating effective cover letters; and interview tips. (Taught by Mary Ann)
Thursday, February 11, 6 – 7 pm

Library Catalog: Beyond the Basics
Go behind the scenes with the Athenaeum's cataloger to discover what goes into making the library's catalog, and pick up a few searching tricks along the way. (Taught by Jeremy)
Wednesday, January 13, 6 – 7 pm

LibraryThing: An Introduction
For many booklovers, LibraryThing is the greatest site online.  In this workshop you will set up a free account, learn how you can interact with fellow bibliophiles, and see how you can contribute to the Athenaeum's catalog as a result. (Taught by Jeremy)
Thursday, February 18, 6 – 7 pm

Word 2007 Basics
An introduction to Word 2007 covering opening and saving a document; setting up margins; changing fonts; running a spell check; selecting templates; creating a letter and other documents. (Taught by Dick)
Tuesday, February 16, 6 – 7 pm

Word 2007 : Tables
We will use Word 2007 to create and format a table. (Taught by Madeline)
Wednesday, February 24, 6 – 7 pm

Berkshire Athenaeum hosts Foundation Center Librarian Ines Sucre

On Tuesday, December 1, the Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library, was thrilled to host Foundation Center Librarian Ines Sucre for a full day training on grantseeking. Fifty-four Berkshire area residents registered for this free training opportunity that included a hands on session searching the Foundation Center databases. Attendees included staff from area cultural, human service and other non-profit organizations as well as local artists. The Berkshire Athenaeum is a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center and routinely provides access to FC resources.

~ Madeline Kelly, Supervisor, Reference Services
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield

Berkshire Athenaeum Portrait

A rare opportunity to watch the creative process taking place will be afforded to visitors to the Berkshire Athenaeum this Spring, when a new portrait of the library takes shape. The Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum have launched their first public painting event, selecting Pittsfield artist Marguerite Bride to create a watercolor portrait of the library building.  The new work will ultimately hang in the main entrance of the “new” Berkshire Athenaeum, which was built in 1974 and is celebrating its 35^th birthday this year. 

In addition, Marguerite Bride will be blogging the experience at http://www.baportrait.blogspot.com/

April and May Workshops at the Berkshire Athenaeum

Schedule of Computer Classes

April & May 2009

All classes are held in the Athenaeum Computer Lab and last for one hour.

***Preregistration Required: Sign up at the Reference Desk***

Berkshire Funding Resource Center
Introduction to the Foundation Center website and its resources; using the Foundation Center databases to locate foundation grant funding sources; orientation to Athenaeum resources to support grant research. (Taught by Madeline)Tuesday, April 7 (10 am); Wednesday, May 13 (6 pm)

Blogs and Blogging Series

Part 1: Introduction to Blogs and Blogging. What blogs can and cannot do. Personal and Business Blogs. Developing your blog plan. Setting up a blog email account with gmail. (Taught by Dick) Wednesday, April 15 (10 am)

Part 2: Create and manage your own blog. Using Google’s Blogger, you will create your own free Blogger account. Creating your first blog post. (Taught by Dick) Wednesday, April 22 (10 am)

Part 3: Managing your blog. Discussion of blog maintenance and growth. Resources available to support and grow your blog. (Taught by Dick) Wednesday, April 29 (10 am)

Business Websites You Should Know About
Keeping informed and up-to-date is always important in business. Workshop will focus on best business websites and how they may provide a one-stop-shop for all aspects of your business. (Taught by Dick) Saturday, April 11 (10 am); Saturday, May 23 (10 am)

Email Series

Part 1: Getting started in Email: Set up your own email account. The advantages of more than one email account. Will focus on creating gmail and yahoo mail accounts. (Taught by Dick) Thursday, April 9 (10 am); Thursday, May 7 (10 am)

Part 2: Managing  your Email account: Workshop will focus on what you can do with your email account. Setting up Folders and Labels. Address and Contact Lists. Using the Help areas. File storage and privacy issues. Will answer your email questions. (Taught by Dick) Thursday, April 16 (10 am); Thursday, May 14 (10 am)

Evaluating Medical Websites
List of reliable sites and how to use. What to look for when judging for yourself. (Taught by Mary Ann) Saturday, April 18 (10 am); Saturday, May 9 (10 am)

Free Business Resources on the Web
This workshop will cover FREE online resources to start-up, maintain and grow your business. Focus will be on operational tools you’ll be able to use right away. Develop online contacts and support. (Taught by Dick) Tuesday, April 28 (6 pm); Tuesday, May 12 (6 pm)

Internet Essentials
What’s an “icon”, anyway? What’s a “browser” and why should I care? Where’s the “address bar”? In this session we will cover the answers to the most frequently asked questions nuts and bolts questions about searching the Internet that the Athenaeum Reference Librarians receive. (Taught by Madeline) Thursday, April 30 (10 am); Wednesday, May 20 (6 pm)

An Introducation to LibraryThing
For many booklovers, LibraryThing is the greatest site online. In this workshop you will set up a free account, learn how you can interact with fellow bibliophiles, and see how you can contribute to the Athenaeum’s catalog as a result. (Taught by Jeremy) Thursday, April 23 (10 am)

Library Catalog Series

Part 1: Finding books and other items in the library catalog. Learn how to look for the item you want. Learn how to request the item you want. Will include an explanation of the three regions (Western, Central, Virtual) and the Union Catalog. (Taught by Mary Ann) Tuesday, April 28 (10 am)

Part 2: Learn how to manage your own library account in order to: Renew your checked- out items; Keep a record of what you’ve read or listened to; See the items you request. (Taught by Mary Ann) Tuesday, May 5 (10 am)

Part 3: Now that you understand how to utilize the library catalog, go behind the scenes with the Athenaeum’s cataloger to discover how the records are made and learn a bit about the philosophy of cataloging. (Taught by Jeremy) Tuesday, May 12 (10 am)

Web 2.0
In recent years the internet has changed profoundly, from being a mere information resource to being a community center (must like libraries themselves).  Come and discover what blogs, wikis, twitter, and various social networks have to offer, as well as why so many of them feature silly pictures of cats.   (Taught by Jeremy) Saturday, April 25, (10 am); Wednesday, May 13 (10 am)

Why Does the Library Owns a Wii?
Video games have become a dominant force in entertainment, and one of the only industries shown to be recession proof.  Come and learn what's hot in gaming, why it matters, and why the Athenaeum now runs bi-weekly video game nights. (Taught by Jeremy) May 21 (7 pm)

Word Basics

We will use Word 2007 to create a short document, using the options for simple document formatting (font, bullets, indentation, alignment, bold, italics, underlining). (Taught by Madeline) Tuesday, April 7 (6 pm); Tuesday, May 19 (6 pm)

Workshops at the Berkshire Athenaeum

Schedule of Computer Classes
 January & February 2009
Unless otherwise indicated, all classes held at 10 am in the Computer Lab
 and last for one hour.

***PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED: SIGN UP AT THE REFERENCE DESK***

Berkshire Funding Resource Center  
Introduction to the Foundation Center website and its resources; using the Foundation Center databases to locate foundation grant funding sources; orientation to Athenaeum resources to support grant research. (Taught by Madeline)  January 13; January 28 (6 pm); February 10; February 25 (6 pm)

Email
Setting up a free web-based email account. (Taught by Dick) January 8; January 22;
February 5; February 19

Evaluating websites
What to look for when you are taking information from the Internet. How to determine if a website contains authoritative information. (Taught by Mary Ann) January 21; February 18

Finding Business Resources Online
A review of useful business and finance oriented websites available on the internet. (Taught by Dick) January 15; February 12

Free Websites Useful to Small Businesses
A review of websites with free business tools of value and application to the small business owner and/or prospective entrepreneur. (Taught by Dick) January 29; February 26  

Library Catalog Series 
Part 1: Using the library’s online catalog to locate known items; items on a specific topic; items in a specific format (Taught by Mary Ann) January 7; February 4

Part 2: Placing reserves; making renewals of checked out items; changing your PIN; using My Reading History (Taught by Mary Ann) January 14; February 11

Part 3: Now that you understand how to utilize the library catalog, go behind the scenes with the Athenaeum’s cataloger to discover how the records are made and learn a bit about the philosophy of cataloging (Taught by Jeremy) January 28; February 25

An Introduction to LibraryThing
For many booklovers, LibraryThing is the greatest site online.  In this workshop you will set up a free account, learn how you can interact with fellow bibliophiles, and see how you can contribute to the Athenaeum's catalog as a result. (Taught by Jeremy) February 17 

New York Times Online
Using the library’s Proquest subscription to retrieve items from the Historical New York Times Online. (Taught by Madeline) January 6; February 3

Why Does the Library Owns a Wii? 
Video games have become a dominant force in entertainment, and one of the only industries shown to be recession proof.  Come and learn what's hot in gaming, why it matters, and why the Athenaeum now runs bi-weekly video game nights. (Taught by Jeremy) January 27

Technical Services Roundtable February 3rd in Westfield

Hello Everyone,

You are invited to our next Technical Services Roundtable meeting, at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3rd (the 4th if it snows, which hopefully it won't) at the Westfield Athenaeum.

Jeremy Goldstein, of the Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield, will be moderator.

Please RSVP and send agenda items to jeremy at jgoldste@cwmars.org

I look forward to seeing everyone in February.

Berkshire Athenaeum Blog Reports on Current Economic Crisis and more

Read All About the latest Berkshire Athenaeum News!

Risky Business Series: A librarian's guide to finding information on the current economic crisis reported in the Berkshire Athenaeum's About Business blog.

A review of the Berkshire Athenaeum's first Video Game Night reported in The Geeky Librarian blog.