Library Tour: Weston
February 2, 2010
Our gang is back on the One-Card Library Tour. Just by way of brief recap, the One-Card Tour is our exploration of all the libraries in Massachusetts’ Minuteman Library Network—which our town library is part of. The tour is a kind of celebration of the fact that a single card gives you access to materials at any of the network libraries (42 libraries with 61 locations). Sure, you can use your card to request books for delivery to your own local branch. But we thought it would be fun to actually go and see the libraries that are part of the network. After all, admission is free!
Our group includes two adults—myself, and friend and artist Virginia Fitzgerald—and our kids, who have given themselves the Tour names of 21, Seaweed7 (formerly Lola), and Bubbles. 21 is in middle school; Seaweed7 is in third grade; Bubbles is in fourth. We welcome other friends to join us on the tour!!
Our most recent pick: Weston Public Library.
Highlights
Our crew will tell you that one of the best things about this library is the “treehouse,” two spacious carrels in the kids’ area that you need a ladder to get to. A great place for reading or tackling homework! (These carrels are for ages six and up; check at the librarians’ desk for a pass. Don’t worry, there’s lots for younger kids here, too.)
Better concentration up high.
Even before you spy the treehouse, your eye might catch something—or rather, someone—else: Bella, the library’s mascot. When we visited, she was dressed in a lovely Valentine’s outfit, sitting with friends atop shelves of holiday-inspired book selections. Bella has also started a blog! Check out Bella on Books for book notes and recommendations by genre and subject. The blog spotlights both new releases and older, and perhaps forgotten, favorites.
Bella and friends. Check out Bella's blog!
Now, this being a library, there’s obviously a focus on books. Still, there’s a real effort here to help kids and teens find what they’re looking for—or discover something new—through all sorts of book displays.
Don’t be shy about talking to the staff, either. It was great meeting Youth Services Librarian Kelly Wood, who gave us a warm welcome to the kids’ and YA areas.
If someone is looking for a book or for help?
“We LIKE people to ask us questions! That’s what we’re here for,” says Kelly. “I was a big reader as a kid, and [am] as an adult. I remember most of what I’ve read, so if people are trying to remember something they read years ago, they should ask me, or other people on the staff. (We were all childhood readers, all with different genre specialities).”
Kelly’s favorite part of her job?
“Sharing good books (and even not-so-good books) with kids, hearing what they thought, and finding the next best thing for, or with, them.” Kelly says another great part of her job is buying books and “looking forward to all those new adventures and interesting facts.”
Displays all around. This one supporting a project at the neighboring school.
What else should people know about the library?
“We have great storytimes, an ongoing [drop-in] craft in the Craft Room during school vacations, and lots of booklists for people who like do-it-yourself searching. Our displays change on a rotating basis, so there’s always something new to look at. We also have programs for teens.”
There was lots of activity the day we visited, and everyone seemed to find the space for them—among the stacks, in the different sitting areas, or toddling around the puppet theatre. Our group had a fun visit and left with arms and backpacks full. Thanks, Kelly, and the staff of the Weston Library!
Come see the gerbils when you visit!
Different kinds of windows on books.
YA area. We had fun creating poems on the magnetic board.
Heading to check-out.
Just a few of the books we went home with.
One additional item for trip planning: Because of shared parking between the library and the school next door, parking can be tight between 2 and 3 p.m. on school days. Please plan your trip accordingly.
