Showing posts with label Forbes Library. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Forbes Library. Show all posts
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Forbes Library: A New Look for the Season and Fundraising
For a clever look at seasonal donations, check out The Forbes Library's (Northampton) riff on the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Forbes Library Budget Announcement
Press Release June 29, 2009
The Trustees and staff of Forbes Library are grateful to the voters of Northampton who passed the override. Director Janet Moulding said that the library will still have to make cuts in services for FY10 because of reductions in the library’s income, but because of funds from the override, those cuts will be much less severe.
Because of reduced income from the city appropriation and state aid, the library will spend less for books, DVDs and library supplies. The only reduction in hours will be that the library will close on Saturdays this summer from July 4th through September 5th. The library will resume its current hours after Labor Day. “We are sorry to inconvenience any of our patrons because we know how important library services are to Northampton, especially in tough economic times. Our usage has increased by 20% since July 2008! We are hoping the economy will improve in the next couple of years, so Forbes can resume summer Saturdays and ideally increase hours in the future,” said Moulding.
Funds from the override have also enabled Forbes to keep its state certification which entitles the library to state aid, grant eligibility and, most importantly, interlibrary loan privileges. Said Moulding, “Without certification, residents of Northampton could not request books and videos from other libraries through interlibrary loan. We couldn’t even go to another library and check out materials. Without certification, Northampton would become isolated from the whole library consortium.” Because of the override, Forbes will also be able to keep the Hampshire Room for Local History and the Calvin Coolidge Museum open for limited hours each week. “We are relieved that we won’t have to turn away historians and genealogists. Our collections are essential to many people’s research,” said Moulding.
Starting July 4th, Forbes will be open from 9:00 to 9:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 1:00 to 5:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 9:00 to 5:00 on Fridays. The library will be closed Saturdays and Sundays until Labor Day.
Contact information:
Janet Moulding
Forbes Library
20 West Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-587-1016
jmoulding@forbeslibrary.org
The Trustees and staff of Forbes Library are grateful to the voters of Northampton who passed the override. Director Janet Moulding said that the library will still have to make cuts in services for FY10 because of reductions in the library’s income, but because of funds from the override, those cuts will be much less severe.
Because of reduced income from the city appropriation and state aid, the library will spend less for books, DVDs and library supplies. The only reduction in hours will be that the library will close on Saturdays this summer from July 4th through September 5th. The library will resume its current hours after Labor Day. “We are sorry to inconvenience any of our patrons because we know how important library services are to Northampton, especially in tough economic times. Our usage has increased by 20% since July 2008! We are hoping the economy will improve in the next couple of years, so Forbes can resume summer Saturdays and ideally increase hours in the future,” said Moulding.
Funds from the override have also enabled Forbes to keep its state certification which entitles the library to state aid, grant eligibility and, most importantly, interlibrary loan privileges. Said Moulding, “Without certification, residents of Northampton could not request books and videos from other libraries through interlibrary loan. We couldn’t even go to another library and check out materials. Without certification, Northampton would become isolated from the whole library consortium.” Because of the override, Forbes will also be able to keep the Hampshire Room for Local History and the Calvin Coolidge Museum open for limited hours each week. “We are relieved that we won’t have to turn away historians and genealogists. Our collections are essential to many people’s research,” said Moulding.
Starting July 4th, Forbes will be open from 9:00 to 9:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 1:00 to 5:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 9:00 to 5:00 on Fridays. The library will be closed Saturdays and Sundays until Labor Day.
Contact information:
Janet Moulding
Forbes Library
20 West Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-587-1016
jmoulding@forbeslibrary.org
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Braille books at Forbes
The Forbes Library Children's Department is pleased to announce that we have recently purchased 250 titles in Braille for children ages birth through age 16. Many titles are already available, and the entire collection should be cataloged soon. These are specialty books that have been ordered direct from a publisher who strictly caters to visually impaired children.
The Forbes Library Children's Department is dedicated to increasing the opportunity for literacy by providing Braille books for all of our local patrons as well as children who live across the state. We have contacted the Perkins Institute for the Blind and asked them to pass on this information to the families that they serve. Most of the collection can be searched and requested through the CWMARS catalog. You can see what is in the collection by doing a subject search in thecatalog of "Braille book" in the Northampton Children's scope. More titles will be added in time.
The collection includes titles from mainstream popular literature as well as the classics. We are providing Braille books at each level of development from toddler board books to literature for older children. Sighted children learn to read when they are exposed to the printed word and visually impaired children also learn at an early age if they are exposed to the tactile page. "We are hoping that by providing Braille literature throughout childhood that we will increase the chances that these children will develop into competent Braille readers and lovers of books," said Jude McGowan, Children's Librarian at Forbes Library. Ifyou would like to learn more about the collection contact Jude at jmcgowan@forbeslibrary.org or 413-587-1010.
~ Thank you, Lisa Downing, Assistant Director, Forbes Library, Northampton, http://www.forbeslibrary.org/
The Forbes Library Children's Department is dedicated to increasing the opportunity for literacy by providing Braille books for all of our local patrons as well as children who live across the state. We have contacted the Perkins Institute for the Blind and asked them to pass on this information to the families that they serve. Most of the collection can be searched and requested through the CWMARS catalog. You can see what is in the collection by doing a subject search in thecatalog of "Braille book" in the Northampton Children's scope. More titles will be added in time.
The collection includes titles from mainstream popular literature as well as the classics. We are providing Braille books at each level of development from toddler board books to literature for older children. Sighted children learn to read when they are exposed to the printed word and visually impaired children also learn at an early age if they are exposed to the tactile page. "We are hoping that by providing Braille literature throughout childhood that we will increase the chances that these children will develop into competent Braille readers and lovers of books," said Jude McGowan, Children's Librarian at Forbes Library. Ifyou would like to learn more about the collection contact Jude at jmcgowan@forbeslibrary.org or 413-587-1010.
~ Thank you, Lisa Downing, Assistant Director, Forbes Library, Northampton, http://www.forbeslibrary.org/
Monday, April 13, 2009
Programs for ALL ages
In an effort to provide programming for our youngest patrons we have expanded our services for this group beyond the usual Toddler Time and Pre-School Story Times. There was a demand and need to fill the gap that faced families with very young children. In January 2008 we started a "Tummy Time" program for babies birth through active crawlers.
The response to this program was overwhelming!
Every Monday morning for two hours we host between 20-25 Mommy/Daddy/Baby participants. It has become an important social and networking group for new parents as well as active playtime for their babies. Not long after we began to hear comments from the graduates of this program (active crawlers and pre-walkers) who were not yet old enough for Toddler Time and Story Time that they wanted a program of their own. Out of these conversations came the idea for a "Baby Play Group". This program fills the gap for our youngest, but still very valuable patrons.
This group meets weekly for two hours. The wide variety of ages, birth-18 months, ensures that it is a lively and very social event. We at the Forbes wanted to be inclusive to all of our patrons, regardless of their age. The Children's and Young Adult Department now offers programming for ages birth-age 14. It is a wise investment to spend time with these young patrons because today's toddler will be tomorrow's adult patron and voting citizen! Besides the fact that they are incredibly fun to be around!!!
~ Lisa Downing, Assistant Director, Forbes Library, Northampton
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Forbes Library Health Events
Get your life in shape with Forbes Library!
Did you know that Forbes Library is offering free fitness classes and nutrition workshops? Thanks to a federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the community of Northampton will be working on its fitness! The $5,000 grant, overseen by reference librarians Jen Ditkoff and Rick Hart, gives people access to free nutrition classes, fitness workshops, teen wii sports, pilates, functional training workouts, strength training and more!
Forbes Library was selected to receive the Health Access strand of the Equal Access grant, administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). As part of the grant requirements, both Ditkoff and Hart participated this past spring in a professional development program in community-responsive librarianship developed by Libraries for the Future (LFF). LFF is a national non-profit organization whose purpose is to increase innovation and investment in 's libraries. Forbes Library designed a series of fitness and nutrition programs after polling the community to see what they would like for health programs. Partnering with local organizations, Forbes gives you an opportunity to get your life in shape!
It all started off with a workshop on how to start a fitness program, led by USA Triathlon coach and Certified Personal Trainer Martha Grinnell of Dynamic Training.
Upcoming February events include a nutritional workshop with local cookbook author Leslie Cerier on Saturday February 7th from 12:00 - 2:00, Teen Sports Gaming with Wii and Dance Dance Revolution on Wednesday February 11th and 25th from 3:30 - 5:00 and a fitness class with Pioneer Valley CrossFit on Saturday February 21st at 2:00.
Check out the full listings of health programs at www.forbeslibrary.org/events, call 413-587-1012, or stop by Forbes Library to pick up a monthly calendar.
~ Posted by the staff of the Forbes Library, Northampton
Did you know that Forbes Library is offering free fitness classes and nutrition workshops? Thanks to a federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the community of Northampton will be working on its fitness! The $5,000 grant, overseen by reference librarians Jen Ditkoff and Rick Hart, gives people access to free nutrition classes, fitness workshops, teen wii sports, pilates, functional training workouts, strength training and more!
Forbes Library was selected to receive the Health Access strand of the Equal Access grant, administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). As part of the grant requirements, both Ditkoff and Hart participated this past spring in a professional development program in community-responsive librarianship developed by Libraries for the Future (LFF). LFF is a national non-profit organization whose purpose is to increase innovation and investment in 's libraries. Forbes Library designed a series of fitness and nutrition programs after polling the community to see what they would like for health programs. Partnering with local organizations, Forbes gives you an opportunity to get your life in shape!
It all started off with a workshop on how to start a fitness program, led by USA Triathlon coach and Certified Personal Trainer Martha Grinnell of Dynamic Training.
Upcoming February events include a nutritional workshop with local cookbook author Leslie Cerier on Saturday February 7th from 12:00 - 2:00, Teen Sports Gaming with Wii and Dance Dance Revolution on Wednesday February 11th and 25th from 3:30 - 5:00 and a fitness class with Pioneer Valley CrossFit on Saturday February 21st at 2:00.
Check out the full listings of health programs at www.forbeslibrary.org/events, call 413-587-1012, or stop by Forbes Library to pick up a monthly calendar.
~ Posted by the staff of the Forbes Library, Northampton
Monday, September 22, 2008
Concert at Forbes Library October 4
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Forbes Library 20 West Street Northampton MA 01060 |
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
At the Forbes Library: FREE OUTDOOR CONCERT OCTOBER 4
Forbes Library is delighted to invite our community to a free outdoor concert by two (and maybe three--stay tuned) contemporary local bands! Bring your friends and a blanket or lawn chair to the lawn at 20 West Street in downtown Northampton on Saturday, October 4 at 2 PM (rain date, Oct.11).
School for the Dead This event was conceived when multitalented Library Associate Jason Mazzotta's contemporary "Anglophile power-pop" band, The Novels, was featured in The Valley Advocate. When the Forbes programming team saw the article, we decided Jason deserved much more than 15 minutes of fame. So we began planning a multi-band concert showcasing local talent. Also performing will be School For the Dead, fronted by Northampton musician Henning Ohlenbusch. Both bands are known for their intelligent, intelligible lyrics and melodic, danceable arrangements. It promises to be an afternoon of relaxing, upbeat fun for the whole family.
The Novels
"We're hoping to make live outdoor music an annual event at Forbes," says Arts & Music Librarian Faith Kaufmann. "In the 1920s, so many people gathered here for a Community Sing that they overflowed West Street. It's time to bring our community together around music again."
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/schoolforthedead
http://www.schoolforthedead.com/press07252002.html
http://www.valleyadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=7935
http://www.myspace.com/novelspace
http://www.forbeslibrary.org/
~ Faith Kaufmann, Information Services/Head of Arts & Music, Forbes, Northampton
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Recommended Program: Golden Wings and Hairy Toes
I wanted to share a program idea geared for adults that ties nicely into this summer’s reading theme. Todd McLeish, author of the book Golden Wings and Hairy Toes: Encounters with New England’s Most Imperiled Wildlife, gave a presentation at our library and it was really interesting. He is a great storyteller and shared some fascinating facts about endangered species in our area. “Todd McLeish profiles fourteen of New England’s most rare and endangered flora and fauna — mammals, birds, insects, plants, and fish — by following the biologists who are researching, monitoring, and protecting them. Todd traps bats in Vermont and lynx in Maine, gets attacked by marauding birds in Massachusetts, and observes the metamorphosis of dragonflies in Rhode Island. He visits historical cemeteries to see New England’s rarest plant, tracks sturgeon in the Connecticut River, and observes a parade of one of the rarest mammals on earth, the North Atlantic right whale, in Cape Cod Bay.” His fee was very reasonable and everyone seemed to enjoy it. His website with contact info is http://www.toddmcleish.com/.~ Lisa Downing, Assistant Director, Forbes Library, http://www.forbeslibrary.org/
Friday, December 28, 2007
Forbes Library Special Collections Online Exhibit
Northampton State Hospital Photos Added to Forbes Library Special Collections ExhibitDecember 2007 - January 2008 Online Exhibit: http://www.forbeslibrary.org/vewebsite/exhibit5/vexmain5.htm
Image printing, framing and digitization funded by the Friends of Forbes Library. Mark Majeski photographed the Northampton State Hospital buildings in 2002, when they had been unused since the early 1990s, and several years before they were finally torn down. The result is a series of exterior and interior views showing the buildings' architecture and how they were affected by years of neglect. The color images include the former theater, kitchen, cafeteria, visiting area, doctor's office/apothecary, among others. The buildings and rooms, even while uninhabited and in a deteriorated condition, give the viewer a sense of the people and activities that took place there during a period of over 100 years.
Twenty-seven 10"x15" archival prints made from the original 35mm negatives are on exhibit. Events during the exhibit include a public reception and slideshow of additional images by Mark Majeski, and a talk by local author Mike Kirby on the history of the State Hospital and the plans for redevelopment of the Hospital site. After the exhibit is over, the prints will become part of the library's Special Collections of historic photographs where they will be accessible for future research or any interested member of the community to explore. In addition, the process of creating the archival prints involves digitizing the images, so they could be cataloged and put into an online Virtual Exhibit with Past Perfect museum software.
The life and death of Northampton State Hospital is an important chapter in the history of our community. The exhibit, and the preservation of the images, will promote a better understanding of the environment that patients lived in. The interior views are of particular significance since while the hospital was in operation, only patients, staff and visitors saw the inside of these buildings. These documents can shed light on the history of health care in Northampton, treatment of the mentally ill, architecture, community preservation, and the ongoing controversy regarding the disposition of the land and buildings.
News coverage:
- Daily Hampshire Gazette [December 13, reproduced on Library website]: http://www.forbeslibrary.org/news/NSHphotos.shtml
- Downstreet.net [December 10]: http://www.downstreet.net/StateHospitalPhotos.htm
- Valley Advocate [December 28]: http://valleyadvocate.com/listings/cat.cfm?cID=4
~ Faith Kaufmann, Information Services Librarian/Head of Arts & Music Dept., Forbes Library, Northampton [fkaufmann@forbeslibrary.org http://www.forbeslibrary.org/ ]
Friday, November 23, 2007
Film Programs for Adults ~ WRapper Classic Article
WMRLS WEB WATCH: FILM PROGRAMS FOR ADULTSOn December 9, 2005, WMRLS hosted an Adult Library Programming Roundtable facilitated by Karen Demers and Lisa Downing of the Wilbraham Public Library and Forbes Library (Northampton) respectively. Librarian participants shared a wealth of outstanding program ideas that we have summarized on our WMRLS WorkshopNotes website - http://www.wmrls.org/ce/notes/index.html
A segment of our roundtable program focused upon film programs for adults. The websites that are listed below were recommended by roundtable participants:
Boston Public Library Media Booking Catalog - http://www.bpl.org/catalogs/frame_viscnsl.htm - Searchthe Boston Public Library's Media Collection by subject, keyword, and title. This webpage provides instructionson how to book 16mm films and videocassettes for library and nonprofit group programming.
Film Movement Foreign Films – http://www.filmmovement.com/ – Libraries that subscribe to this servicereceive everything needed to run a monthly film club: a new award-winning film each month on DVD, discussionguides, images, and a press kit.
Movie Licensing USA - http://www.movlic.com/ - Subtitled "show copyrighted movies in your school or library- legally!" Movie Licensing USA provides public performance site licenses to libraries wishing to showhome use only feature films. The license fee is determined by the number of registered patrons that the libraryserves.
National Video Resources (NVR) Film and Discussion Series - http://www.nvr.org/ - NVR sells a completepackage to conduct a library film series on a number of topics including the videos, downloadable support materials,program planner's manual, posters and publicity materials.
Sy Becker's Movie Reviews - http://tinyurl.com/2c94vb - WWLP/Channel 22 MovieReviewer - Western Massachusetts libraries that have hosted programs featuring "Sy Becker's Look At theMovies" have rated his presentations "Two Thumbs Up".
~ Janet Eckert, WMRLS
Clip Art from Open Clip Art Library
