Statewide Library Card Considered in Massachusetts
When I was growing up, my mother took my brothers and me to the Sharon Public library every week. We loved picking out our own books. In the summers, we couldn't wait to earn stickers for the summer reading programs. When we had each finished reading our own stack of books, we read each others' before returning them. Occasionally, we would travel into Boston and visit the Boston Public Library. Wow! That was such a huge place for a child!
These excursions helped turn me into someone who loves to read! My kids and husband feel the same way. Every week or two we head to the library. It's almost like being in a candy store, but no calories!
One of the best features of our Sharon Public Library system is being able to reserve books online. The library contacts us by email when our books are ready for pick up. Did you know you can also sign up for suggested reading lists? I love that!
Currently, our library in Sharon MA is part of the Old Colony Library Network (OCLN). You can request a title from another OCLN library and pick it up at the Sharon library. I also have a library card for two other library networks in Massachusetts. My only problem is that there are so many books and so little time! If you're a big reader, you understand this problem.
Now, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is thinking of creating a statewide library card. This would make it much easier to order books from libraries throughout the Commonwealth as well as use services provided by other libraries. It might also provide wider access to school, academic and special libraries.
What do you think? Would you like just one statewide library card in MA? Take a moment to fill out this quick survey to let the MBLC know what interests you the most. Your name is not required.
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Our local libraries are a great resource and in most cases under used. I use to love the summer reading programs, too. I also got my daughter involved in our local library's summer reading programs. Great localism blog.
CONGRATULATIONS on reaching that 200,000 point milestone.
Thank you, Debbie! Yep! Just saw those zeros rolling by! Thank you!
Nina, I remember growing up and looking forward to the weekly trips to the public library. My mother had set up a reading incentive program for us and we actually could earn a little money by reading. She also made us give her an oral book report on what we read. What a wonderful foundation that was and just one more reason she was such a fine mother.
ok Nina, this is one thing we have been way ahead of you on for at least 10 years...it is a godsend and I love it!!
Debbie, your mother sounds like she was wonderful at instilling important values! I'm so impressed by her idea of having you give an oral report. I think if you start something like that very early on, kids can get excited and feel proud of presenting what they've learned. I'll have to remember that for the "grandchildren years", G-d willing, someday!
Hi, Ginny...I think it will be wonderful. They'll have to work out a few details such as the cost of returning materials to their original libraries (probably means fines will go up, but hopefully won't slash library budgets).
Having a statewide library card seems to make sense. Last year I learned that I could order books online. I love that!
I love that, too, Donna! When I'm browsing in bookstores, I jot down authors and titles that I'd like to read and then go online and reserve those books. I love that they're pulled off the shelves for me and waiting when I arrive. It's such a convenient service!!
Nina...I had not heard about that. It sounds like a great idea. When the kids were little we took weekly trips to the library. Sad to say I'm not there as often. BUT, you can also check out e-books from the library too now!
Hi Nina,
This sounds like a good idea. I live in Loma Linda and it is 2 miles from the Redlands Library so they will not get me a library card because I am not a Redlands resident. Both cities are in the Redlands School District too. Some areas have such stupid rules so I am glad that MA is going to a statewide card. What a terrific idea.
Hi, Christine...I love Canton's library! When my kids were little they loved to go there and play with the board games. The new library is beautiful and has great space!
Hi, Kristin...that does sound kind of crazy! Libraries should be promoting the use of their resources not making it harder to access them!