The Concord Public Library is so much more than books and the Dewey Decimal System. It’s like totally happenin’, man. Here are a few facets of the library you may not have known about. Visit onconcord.com/library to learn more.
Reference Room
Cardholders can use the personal computers on the main floor for two 45-minute sessions per day. The computers have Microsoft Office and internet access, so that means you can check Facebook while putting together an Excel spreadsheet. Coin-operated printing is available for 15 cents per copy.
Non-cardholders can use these features on the guest computer once a day for 30 minutes, but must sign up at the reference desk. Internet access for kids through eighth grade is available in the children’s room. However, before hopping online, kiddies, make sure you get the required parental permission.
If you find the world wide web a confusing place, the library wants to help you. Ask about scheduling a training session at the reference desk.
Concord Room
A room fit for a historian! This room is dedicated to books, files and photographs dealing with Concord’s history. Very thrilling Concord annual reports and city directories are also located in this room. Adults should sign in at the reference desk with a photo ID (the library holds your ID for safekeeping while you’re using the room).
Concord Reads
In its eighth year, Concord Reads is an initiative to get the city’s citizens reading and talking about one book. This year is an exception. Two books have been chosen – Steven Lopez’s “The Soloist” (nonfiction) and Catherine Ryan Hyde’s “Pay it Forward” (fiction). Each book focuses on the theme of how one person can make a difference.
Stay tuned for programming to begin this fall.
E-books
An e-book is a full-text, searchable, electronic version of a regular book available through a computer. The collection ranges from public domain fiction favorites like “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” to reference books. This means that cardholders can access books from the comfort of their own home or during a particularly boring day at the office. Not that you would ever do that, of course.
Books for Babies
This outreach program of the Concord Public Library Foundation gives every child born at the Family Place at Concord Hospital a free children’s book. Since its start on April 14, 2002 (happy 7th birthday, Books for Babies!), 10,000 books have been given out. This year’s book is Robert McCloskey’s classic, “Make Way for Ducklings.”
Autumn Van Sice, the program’s founder, was honored this year with a certificate at the Concord Chamber of Commerce’s Business Before Hours event that the foundation hosted on April 2. Autumn was given the much-deserved props for her contribution toward childhood literacy in our community and for volunteering her time.
The Library Foundation
This foundation is a nonprofit corporation organized to promote and strengthen the Concord Public Library by raising and administering funds to support programming and special events, advocating for the library in the community and assisting in recruiting library volunteers.
If you’re interested in volunteering, call 230-3682.
Downloadable audio books
Cardholders can use their library card to browse titles and download them to their computer; transfer them to a portable device or burn them to a CD.
Yes, this may even include your iPod. The state library has just purchased a few titles in MP3 format which is compatible with iPods as well as other MP3 players. Look at titles on nh.lib.overdrive.com – the website even has easy-to-understand icons like a picture of an iPod player, to let you know what’s compatible and what’s not.
Other cool features
– Wireless internet access
– A study room, which provides a quiet place to “get away from it all” and even an electric typewriter!
– Be among the first to read your favorite author’s newest book by getting your name on the library’s reserve list.
– The library subscribes to more than 300 magazines. The current issue stays on the shelf for everyone to enjoy, but back issues may be checked out.
– Is the old eyesight not so good? The library offers a large-print book selection that includes bestsellers. There is also vision-assistance equipment, like a lit magnifying glass and a closed-circuit television used for enlarging print.
– Ever wanted to start your own book club? Now you can by checking out book club kits from the library. The kits contain 15 books, a discussion guide and background information on the text. Contact the library to find out what titles are available.
– Museum passes offering free or discounted admission are available for several area attractions, ranging from Canterbury Shaker Village to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Ask the circulation desk or visit onconcord.com/library for more information.
