The Manasquan Public Library is located downtown on Broad Street. It contains a number of valuable resources including print materials, periodicals and videos. Additionally, the library frequently plays host to a number of community events during the year. The library is open late, until 9 p.m., on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
The Coronado Library was founded in 1890, and John D. Spreckels built the library's first official building in 1909. That building still stands today and is now known as the Spreckels Reading Room. Its exterior serves as the focal point of the library's main entrance, which is located on Orange Avenue, across the street from Spreckels Park.
Over the years, the library has been renovated and expanded into a 40,000-square-foot facility. It houses about 190,000 books and offers a wide range of services, including free wireless Internet and story time for children. DVDs and music CDs are available for checkout, and the library has two meeting rooms that can be rented for free.
Additionally, one of the library's most stunning features is its display of public art. There are two murals by the Mexican painter Alfredo Ramos Martinez. "El Dia del Mercado" and "Canasta de Flores" were both painted in 1938 for the interior decoration of a former restaurant in Coronado, the La Avenida Café. "El Dia del Mercado" hangs in all its grandeur above the front desk at the library entrance.
For those returning items after hours, the book/video drops on Sixth Street are open 24 hours a day. The drop in front of the building is only open during library hours.
The Hyannis Public Library is located in one of the oldest buildings in downtown Hyannis. It has a wide variety of books and materials for children and adults. The library is also a part of CLAMS -- Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing -- which enables patrons to obtain any book, video, CD from any library on Cape Cod.
A member of the Minuteman Library Network, the Holliston Public Library offers a great number of services aside from simply borrowing books, including Internet access, self-checkout, homebound delivery, fax, tax forms, proctoring of tests, display space, public meeting room, wireless and multiple copies for book clubs. The library also hosts programs for children (Storytime, book groups), teens/young adults (Teen Zone Book Group, Teen Book Reviews) and adults (History Book Club).
Holliston Public Library also has partnerships with the Holliston Pantry Shelf and TD Bank, and offers museum passes and tickets to the Southwick Zoo. Library cards are free for all Massachusetts regardless of town of residency.
About: The Bedford Free Library, housed in a white cottage-esque house on the Village Green, began as a little reading room in one corner of what was once the Bedford Academy.
Way back in 1807, under the leadership of Eloise P. Luquer, a small literary coterie in the town rented a single room in that building. They furnished it with a rug, a few chairs and bookcases, marking the beginning of the Bedford Free Library.
Over the years, books began to trickle in from places like the St. Matthew's Parish Library at the Bedford Post Office and from the State Circulating Library, until the growing collection filled the remainder of the place.
On March 19, 1903, it opened its doors as the Bedford Free Library. It has served town residents since.
Director: Ann Cloonan. Her e-mail address is [email protected]
Hours:
Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Services: The public can use a copier (both regular and color), a fax machine and laminating services for a nominal fee. The use of computers and wireless Internet is free.
Membership: Membership cards are issued to the residents of Bedford Village, free of cost. As an affiliate of the Westchester County Library System, it also serves any card-holding member of the county library system. However, for out-of-towners, there is an annual membership fee of $75 to use full library services.
In addition to providing a selection of books, magazines, music and DVDs, the Mahwah Public Library also offers book discussion groups, writing workshops, story time for kids, and other special events for kids, teens, adults and families. In addition, computers and meeting rooms are available for public use.
The Bridgeville Public Library first opened in 1962 and was housed in the Penn Central railroad station from 1970 until 2010. The library contains more than 20,000 items and recently moved into a new, 7,800-square foot facility on McMillen Street. After years of planning and fundraising, the library closed for two weerks starting from Dec. 16 and moved to its new location behind Dewey Avenue.
With events for adults, teens, and children, the Flossmoor Public Library offers something for everyone. Built in 2004, it boasts both new technology, such as the two Kindle's which they keep loaded with books from the New York Times bestsellers lists, and excellent facilites, including a 150 seat meeting room. Kids can enjoy not only searching for books but also enjoying the aquatic life within the 75-gallon salt water fish tank in the youth services department. The Flossmoor Public Library's living room area offers a great environment to cozy up with a book, complete with a working fireplace.
The Oceanic Free Library is open six days a week (closed on Sundays). Anyone residing in Rumson can apply for a free library card, with proof of residency. The library holds a number of events, including a regular knitting group, the "armchair traveler," and a book club. Tutors can use the library, but must submit a completed application form first.
The Canton Public Library was established in 1874. Today, it offers more than just a quiet place to read. The library also hosts arts & crafts sessions and story time for children, coffee house nights for adults, as well as providing private study rooms for students. Located in the center of town, the library has a free parking lot and offers free Wi-Fi to patrons.
The mission of the Norfolk Public Library is to serve the educational, informational and recreational needs of the community. The library plays a significant role in delivering library and media services in the nearby public schools as well as providing services to young children, students, adults and retired persons in the area. In this regard, the library boasts a collection of over 22,000 fiction, non-fiction and large-print books and more than 1,400 video tapes, 600 CDs and 1,200 books on tape.
Got a hankering to read Jane Eyre right now but don't want to go all the way to the library to find out someone beat you to it? Check out the library's online catalog and find out before you go whether it's on the shelf. But don't let that stop you from dropping in and browsing other available titles.