Private fundraising opens Wellesley branches

"Two years after the Wellesley, Massachusetts, voters rejected public funding that would have allowed two branch libraries to remain open, both locations are now set to reopen their doors. Marla Robinson, chairwoman of the Wellesley Free Library Board of Trustees, said a private fundraising effort launched in October 2006 has raised more than $240,000 to reopen the Hills (above) and Fells branches in September...." Boston Globe, July 29, 2008. Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/5ctj2n

Library patrons reap benefits of override vote

Rachel Charrier, a member of the Dartmouth Board of Library Trustees, thanks Dartmouth voters and residents in this letter published in SouthCoastToday.com. Full story at: http://tinyurl.com/6x58zl

Book ‘em: Libraries see a rise in visits

“Libraries are saying there is a lot more usage,” said Celeste Bruno, communications specialist for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. “The most recent concrete data, which is from 2007, indicated libraries were up for the eighth straight year.” -- The Concord Journal. Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/6s37ux

Hackers make phone calls on library tab

"Hackers got into the computerized phone system at the Duxbury (Mass.) Free Library in March and rang up $15,000 in unauthorized calls. The FBI, among others, is now investigating. The good news: The town may not actually have to pay it....Quincy (Mass.) Patriot-Ledger, July 17." Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/6paq78

Brockton and Raynham library computers may get a boost from Gates Foundation

The days of sluggish surfing might be over soon for those accessing the Internet at Brockton’s three libraries and the Raynham Public Library. The two library systems learned recently that they could receive thousands of dollars for computer technology from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. -- Wicked Local Brockton. Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/5t6jsj

'Online branch' library opens in Newburyport

The Newburyport Public Library recently put the finishing touches on an updated library Web site. "The online resources really complement the collection," Newburyport Public Library assistant director Giselle Stevens said. -- Daily News of Newburyport. Full Story at: http://www.newburyportnews.com/punews/local_story_200215550.html

Relevant or not? Voters to decide how important library is

"'People are going to libraries more than ever,' said Celeste Bruno, spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners." -- The Daily News Transcript, Norwood, MA. Full Story at: http://tinyurl.com/6kkcxo

Books are passing across the circulation desk at a whopping rate at the Beverly Public Library

"The library reports that Beverly library patrons borrow more books through the interlibrary loan system than any other of the 28 other libraries in the system." -- Beverly Bee. Full Story at: http://www.wickedlocal.com/beverly/news/lifestyle/columnists/x1346880253/Beverly-Bee

The atmosphere is 'wild' at Somerset Library this year

"Somerset — Kids will be invited to participate in some wild activities at the public library this year.The summer reading program this year is called “Wild Reads at Your Library,” and Children’s Librarian Susan Hughey said the wildness takes several forms." -- The Herald News, Fall River. Full Story at: http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x2043505324/The-atmosphere-is-wild-at-Somerset-Library-this-year

Milford Town Library - New director is welcomed

Susan Edmonds started as the new Milford Town Library director on July 1. She replaces Jennifer Perry, who resigned in March to relocate to Florida and head the Elsie Quirk Library in Sarasota. -- The Milford Daily News. Full Story at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x875596723/IN-MILFORD-LIBRARY

Library program ready for takeoff

Sara Collins, children's librarian at the Manchester Public Library, is bringing NASA to the community this fall. To further the library's youth education programs this coming school year, Collins has attended lectures at Boston University about future lunar missions and is participating in webcast presentations about polar ice. Collins said she found out about the workshop from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. -- Gloucester Daily Times. Full Story at: http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_185214929.html

Budget Crisis Is Making Towns Think of Merging

WBUR.ORG: "Hamilton - July 07, 2008 - It is coming down to this: the budget crisis hitting local governments could mean that Massachusetts will lose one of its 351 cities and towns. Governor Deval Patrick and legislators are urging local governments to provide services jointly with their neighbors. Now, two towns are considering pushing that proposal to its extreme. WBUR?s Fred Thys reports." Full Story at: http://www.wbur.org/news/2008/78414_20080707.asp

Child safety zone’ ordinance advances

Fallriver: "High-risk sex offenders will be banned from city-owned schools, parks and libraries — places were children are apt to play and study — under an ordinance unanimously endorsed by a City Council subcommittee Monday night.The full council could ratify the measure as soon as July 15." -- http://www.heraldnews.com/news/local_news/x1470896198/-Child-safety-zone-ordinance-advances