POPULAR DIGITAL LINKS

1/23/23

Dear Boylston Community Members,

Looking at the snow outside, it’s hard to believe that spring will be here in the blink of an eye! Things move at a fast pace at the library. We had our busiest fall and early winter on record due to the number of programs and participants we’ve hosted. This is thanks to special programs such as the Fall Festival which attracted over 400 people, as well as popular ongoing programs like our Story Time sessions.

Our strategic planning process concluded this fall. Thanks to the Strategic Planning Committee and our Board of Trustees, we have an approved plan of goals and objectives to guide our initiatives for the next five years. (Detailed information on the library’s updated five year goals, mission and vision statements can be found on the library’s website.)

While conducting our strategic planning process, we heard so often that people were looking for new ways to meet community members. We wanted to start responding to this immediately, and are excited to introduce a “Meet Your Neighbor” series. I know firsthand from meeting many of you that our community is full of dynamic, interesting, and diverse people. If you or someone you know want to share your talent, skills, knowledge, or experience, please reach out.

Another program we’ve just debuted is HelpNow, an online resource that provides live online homework help with professional tutors, a writing lab, a Spanish language lab, SAT test prep, access to FAFSA specialists, and more. We partnered with our neighbors at the Berlin Public Library to offer this service, which will ensure that all of our students at BES and Tahanto have equal access. HelpNow is free and available to use at home, at school, and on-the-go with a Berlin or Boylston library card. (HelpNow is generously funded through the Boylston Public Library Foundation, Inc. The Foundation and the Friends of the Library are conducting their annual appeal to raise funds. Learn more about their annual campaign or make a donation.)

The library staff are busy finalizing our spring offerings. We’re planning a wide range of new upcoming programs and community partnerships. Be on the lookout for our spring publication within a few weeks!

Today’s library is about more than reading. See how the library can open new possibilities for you.

You belong here.

Erica Hout, MLIS
Boylston Public Library