The library offers ~160,000 items, 12,000 downloadable items, numerous databases, and periodicals.
Acton Memorial Library offers a wide range of services, many accessible from home, for children and adults. Online services include the ability to place requests for items; renew materials; download audiobooks and e-books; search the Minuteman catalog with Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Russian input; pay for fines and lost materials; and reserve museum passes. Through the library’s website, users can access subscription databases, the event calendar, the numerous online local history resources in the Civil War archives, and lists of new items and the Periodicals, Foreign Languages, and Audiovisual collections. Materials can be obtained from other libraries and staff is happy to assist users who need help with the process.
There are books, newspapers, magazines, DVDs, CDs, large print materials, recorded books, museum passes, local history and genealogy collections, and a collection of artwork by Arthur Davis. Rental books and DVDs are offered, courtesy of the Friends of the Acton Libraries. There is an extensive, multi-format Chinese language collection, and small French, Gujarati, Hindi, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Tamil collections. Professional reference and children’s librarians are available for assistance on-site, by phone and via email. Reserve collections for school assignments can be arranged. Library staff visited schools and classes came to the library for tours. State and federal tax forms are offered, and the library hosts tax volunteers who help low and moderate income households.
Ten public computers are provided in the adult area, with support for international language scripts, including Russian, Chinese, Korean, and other Asian languages. Printers, photocopiers, a microfilm reader/printer, a flatbed scanner, and a typewriter are available. Wireless Internet access is available throughout the library.
Library users have access to small study rooms, and there is meeting room space available for community groups. Space is provided for ESL tutoring, tutor training, student assessment, and conversational practice groups. The Civil War Exhibit, housed in the original building, is a unique resource for people interested in local history. The library offers a book discussion group, delivery of materials to the homebound, and volunteer opportunities. There are pre-registered children's storytimes for two year olds, two drop-in storytimes for age three to seven, a monthly Family Movie Night, and extra activities during school vacation weeks. During the summer reading program, there are drop-in craft programs for children and opportunities to perform in a short play. Other special programs include art displays, film series, speakers on a range of topics, and a collection of Arthur Davis works.
The library is open 9-9 Monday through Thursday and 9-5 on Friday throughout the year; weekend hours vary seasonally, so check the website. Parking is off of Woodbury Lane.
People can sign up on the website to receive news of library events.
Keywords: databases; e-books; story times; speakers
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