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The Holyoke Public Library offers a wide range of
services, resources and programs to meet the needs of the residents in the community.
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Community
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The Library helps
preschoolers get ready to learn to read; strengthens reading skills
of school-age children; complements all aspects of children’s school
activities; and connects children--and adults--with computers and the
information superhighway. We provide free library cards and
services; lend books geared towards the needs and interests of
our residents; have special materials like books-on-tapes,
Spanish and French books, language tapes, CD-ROM
periodical index, microfilm reader/printer, a wide selection of
videotapes available for one week, reproducible Federal and State
tax forms, photocopy and fax machines, compact discs,
daily newspapers and magazines. Our reference service helps
patrons with assignments, research, reference and referrals, Holyoke
history, genealogy, library instructions--to teach the use of library’s
sources, tour of the library--etc. We provide children’s programming such as
pre-school story-time (Wednesdays, 9:30 AM), films (Thursdays,
3:00 PM and Saturdays), Summer Reading Program, and more;
interlibrary loan service for materials not found in the library;
monthly new books list and much more. The Library is handicap
accessible; has a community meeting room available to civic,
educational, and cultural groups. Our special collections include the
Philip O’Brien Room--Holyoke History Room--which houses an extensive
collection of materials on early Holyoke; microfilms of Holyoke
Transcript-Telegram (from 1884 to 1993), Springfield Union-News (since
1993), and New York Times (from 1950 to date).
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The
History Room contains the resources
available to patrons visiting to utilize the collection. In addition to the
294 linear feet of
books and materials that relate principally to Holyoke history, local
biographies and the papermaking industry, there is
a Public Access Catalog (PAC)
terminal for searching the general collection and one for Internet use
related to History Room databases and research. A copier, printer and a scanner are also
available to visitors. The room also displays exhibits that are rotated
quarterly.
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Community Meeting Room
The Community Meeting Room is available for use
by non-profit organizations during hours that the library is open.
Terms of Use of the Holyoke Public Library
Meeting Rooms
Phone
(413) 322-5640 Fax: (413) 532-4230
The Holyoke Public Library Board of
Directors welcomes public use of meeting rooms by community groups and
organizations whose aims are educational, civic, charitable or cultural. The
mission of the Holyoke Public Library is to serve the individual needs of
patrons of all ages by providing access to recreational, educational,
informational and cultural programs and materials in a variety of formats.
The Library will strive to serve the patron’s needs promptly, accurately and
courteously. The Library will uphold the principle of intellectual freedom
by providing access to materials that reflect all points of view.
Meeting Room Policy
The Holyoke Public
Library welcomes non-commercial organizations to use our Community Room for
educational, civic, cultural or charitable events.
Room Description
The community room
is on the Mezzanine level adjacent to the elevator. The room can
accommodate groups of people and is equipped with a small kitchen.
Chairs and tables are available
Open Access
No admission fees may be charged for events.
All meetings must be open to the public.
Application and Availability
An application is
required and may be obtained from Maria Pagan, Director at the Library, by
phone, fax, or email. The application must be made at least one week before
an event and must be signed by the person who is responsible for the
function.
The room is
available during regular Library hours and is free of charge, however, if
the event starts before or ends after regular hours a custodial fee of $
per hour will be charged.
Our Community Room
is not available when Library or Friends of the Library programs are
scheduled.
Requirements and Responsibilities
Light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages
may be served. It is the responsibility of the group using the room to
provide all that is necessary for serving these refreshments.
The group must leave the room and the
kitchenette clean and neat and is responsible for any damage to the area.
The applicant is expected to adhere to the
stated purpose of the meeting
No display material may be affixed to the walls
Children and young
adults using the room must be supervised by an appropriate number of
adults. The sponsoring group will be responsible for any damage to our
Community Room.
The Holyoke Public Library is a non
smoking facility
Weather Guideline
The Library announces closing due to weather on
local TV channels.
Approved: Holyoke Public Library Board of
Directors – May 15, 2007
Click for form
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Schools &
Organizations
Working together is a way how teachers can help
us help their students when they use the public library to complete special
school assignments or projects.
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Library Tour
If you
would like to bring your class to the public library to work on an
assignment, please contact the Children’s Area at 322-5635 for Grades Pre-K
to 6th or Reference Desk for Grades 7th- 12th at 322-5640.
Please schedule your class
visit to the library in advance. Advanced scheduling will help us make your
students visit to the library a positive and productive experience.
In order for students to be
prepared to work on their assignment, it would be helpful if they have a
basic knowledge of the use of the library resources, i.e. card catalog or
the Public access Catalog (PAC), encyclopedia, and/or any other
reference sources needed to complete the assignment. A tour covering the use
of the PAC and other research tools can be arranged for your class—please
see “Library Tours and Group Visits” to submit the form to schedule a
group visit to the library.
If you have a large group of
students, you might need to bring adult helpers to assist your students in
finding information. The adult helpers should have a basic understanding of
how to use the card catalog or PAC and other resources necessary to complete
the assignment in order to best help the students.
Click for form
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Assignment Alert
Dear Teacher:
Every year students come to
the public library expecting to find information they need to complete a
school assignment. Most of the time they are successful, but sometimes they
are not because we are unaware of their needs. We want to make every trip to
the library a positive experience for your students. "Assignment Alert"
is our way of asking you to help us help your students when they use the
public library.
The public library provides
books and other materials to meet the informational and recreational needs
of everyone in the community. We have a fundamental commitment to preschool
children and out-of-school adults. When students come to the public library
we make every effort to see that they find what they need to complete their
assignments.
"Assignment Alert"
involves teachers in a way that insures that students find what they want
when they come to the public library. The concept is simple. When a teacher
gives an assignment that could require students to use the public
library, the teacher alerts the public library staff of the
assignment. The library staff takes appropriate action to have the needed
materials available when the students come to the library. Teachers may
"reserve" public library materials for class assignments by coming to the
library and selecting the materials necessary for the assignment. This
guarantees that all students with the same assignment have equal access to
the materials.
If you
give an assignment that can only be completed by using the materials
of the public library, please bring a copy of the assignment to the
library. Come to the library in person and find the answers yourself before
giving the assignment to your students. Only then will you know that the
questions can be answered from materials in the public library.
Please help us make sure your students
have a positive experience in the public library every time.
Sincerely,
Maria G. Pagan,
Library Director
Please see “Assignment
Alert” to complete and submit the form to alert us of an assignment.
Click for form
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Teacher’s Reserve Shelf
Information
available on a given subject may be limited. So that all your students may
have access to information needed to complete their assignment, you may
request a “Teacher's Reserve Shelf”. Books on the 'Reserve Shelf are used
by your class in the public library and may not be checked out by any
individual student when they are on reserve.
Reserve
books will be set aside at a designated location in the library (usually the
Reference Desk). You may come to the public library to choose books for the
‘Reserve Shelf’ or you may have a librarian or library staff choose them for
you. At least one week's notice is appreciated.
If you desire a Teacher's
Reserve Shelf, please see Teacher's
Reserve Shelf to complete and submit the form to have library materials
reserve for your class.
Click for form
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Work
With Schools (K-12):
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Class Visits - Teachers
may make appointments to bring their classes to the Library for library
skills instruction, library tours, introduction to electronic resources or
book talks or stories. |
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School Visits -
Librarians visit local school to publicize library programs, and make
presentations at faculty meetings encouraging teachers to take advantage
of library resources. Teachers may also request visits to classrooms for
book talks, library skills training or stories. (form to invite
librarian) |
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Connect to the Library Online
Resources - A program designed to introduce teachers to the variety of
online resources available through the Library, for themselves and their
students. (form to invite librarian) |
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Curriculum Support – The Library purchases books and other
materials, and make use of resource sharing with other libraries
(Interlibrary Loan) to support K-12 school assignments. |
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Holyoke Summer Reading Lists
– The Library provides multiple copies of books included on the school’s
summer reading lists and creates annotated reading lists for grades 6-12.
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Art Exhibit - The Library
mounts art from the local elementary schools and may hosts a reception for
the young artists and their families if the teacher so desires. |
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Teacher Guide - This
brochure is distributed to all teachers in Holyoke and describes the
services offered to teachers and identifies the Youth Services staff at
each library. |
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Volunteer and School
Community Service Opportunities for Teens - Middle School and High
school students may fulfill their community service requirements at the
library under the supervision of the Children’s/Young Adult Librarian. |
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Assignment Alert Packet –
is our way of asking you to help us help your students when they use the
public library to complete special school assignments or projects. |
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The Holyoke Public Library
offers a wide range of services and programs to meet the needs of the
adult learners in the community. We cater to the everyone in the
community in every facet of our operations and goals.
One goal is to provide information to our patrons by providing
basic instruction in the use of the library resources and assistance in retrieving information from print and
electronic sources.
Our
Adult Services department is
comprised of books, audio/visual materials, periodicals, and electronic
resources. It houses thousands of items, all of which can be found using our
catalog. This collection is housed primarily on the main floor, with some
items kept on the upper level, accessible by stairs from the main floor.
Unfortunately, since the library was built in 1902, parts of the
building are not handicap accessible including the upper level of the back
stacks. If you ever require assistance with materials on the upper level or
elsewhere, do not hesitate to ask either a library assistant or volunteer at
the main circulation desk or a librarian at the reference desk.
The books in
our Adult Services department is divided between fiction and non-fiction.
Our fiction collection are all kept up-to-date with attention to what is
most popular among our readers. The non-fiction collection is closely
scrutinized for timeliness and accuracy.
If we own a book, but it's checked out, we will
reserve it for you. When the book is returned, we'll hold it for you and let
you know by phone that it is here. We can also reserve material from other
libraries in the system at no charge. There may be a $5.00 fee for reserving
items that are not in the system. Visit the
Reference desk for more
information.
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Reference
Services
Whether you just want to find the latest book by your
favorite author or need help in gathering information for a school report,
we know just the place to go! Refer these and any other questions to the
Information Desk located .
A reference librarian is available to
answer questions and to help you find information all hours that the library
is open. The Information Desk is located on the main floor of the library
in the Reference Area. You also can contact a reference
librarian by phone at 413-322-5640, extension 5119. Information Desk:
Reference service
1. The staff of Holyoke Public Library will
offer assistance in using the library resources, finding the
materials patrons need, and locating information.
2. Telephone reference
service is available. All materials available to in-house patrons will be
available to telephone patrons to the extent that the information requested
lends itself to being conveyed in that manner.
Library patrons
may also request that their information requests be placed on the WMRLS
reference referral network. The library will reimburse the referring library
for up to 5 pages of photocopying, after which time the patron will be
responsible for photocopying costs.
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Business
Service
Business
/Investment Resources
The
Holyoke Public Library maintains special business and finance sources,
including ___, and Value Line Investment Services. Other special collections
include our Career Development collection which offers books and periodicals
on vocational opportunities, resume writing, and other important career
related skills, and our media collection of compact discs, audio books and
videos.
Business & Finance page is the place to go for business
information, online and in print. Arranged in categories from "Advertising"
to "Web-Based Business," the Business & Finance Page offers links and
evaluations of Web sites as well as a guide to the Holyoke Public Library
Business Collection. Whether you need a copy of a business form, national or
international statistics, the current prime rate, or a basic guide to the
import/export business you can find it on the Business & Finance page.
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The Holyoke Public Library's Young Adult area,
attracts teens with its collection of paperback books, fantasy, science
fiction, classics, mysteries, magazines and more!
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Collection
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Adult Book Collection
The Holyoke Public Library strives to maintain a broad
collection of print material to meet the varied needs and interests of it's
community. The Library currently has over 60,000 volumes.
 Periodical
Collection
Our recently expanded periodical collection currently numbers over 120
titles! Whatever your interest, we probably have something for you. Current
issues are shelved in the Reference Room. Back issues are located in our
closed stacks. Most magazines are kept for 2 full back-years; however,
please inquire about availability of specific titles and back issues at the
Circulation Desk.
Audio/Visual Collection
The Holyoke Public Library is not strictly books! Along with a heavy
volume of books, we also have an ever-growing
collection of audio/visual materials.
 Compact
Discs
Our CD collection is ideal for those who want to expand
their musical horizons. In addition to popular artists, we strive to make
this collection as varied and interesting as possible, with an emphasis on
lesser - know but critically acclaimed artists. Current genres that we have
include pop/rock, soundtracks, easy listening/vocal, folk & world, country,
jazz, new age, classical, opera, r&b, Christian, and gospel.
Videos 
Looking to spend the night with a good movie? You may
not know that we now have videos, which can be checked out at no charge!
Whether you're looking for one of Hollywood's classics, an educational
documentary, or just some escapist entertainment, don't forget to visit the
video collection for feature films. Documentary and educational videos are
shelved in our closed stacks, please inquire about availability of specific
titles at the Circulation Desk.
 Movies
on DVD
We have recently purchased a collection of DVD's which
are available to check out. Enjoy outstanding picture and sound with these
technological marvels.
Books
on Cassette 
Do you love books, but find that you just don't have
the time to read? We think we have just the solution! Why not check out a
recorded book? The Holyoke Pubic Library has a collection of books on
cassette, ranging from fiction bestsellers to self-improvement. We have both
abridged and unabridged versions of many popular titles, which are
guaranteed to make your morning commute a little shorter.
Books
on CD 
Just added to our collection! Don't
let the fact that you only have a CD player in your car prevent you from
listening to a good book.
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Computers and Internet Access
The Library offers free access to computers and the Internet to patrons with
a valid library card.
Through technical support provided by Holyoke Gas & Electric, HG&E’s
Hi-Speed Wireless Internet access is now available at Holyoke Public
Library. Unlike most other "Wi-Fi" (for "wireless fidelity") hotspots, the
Library's access point is entirely free to the public. Patrons bringing in
their battery-operated wireless-equipped laptops now have at their
fingertips access to the Internet in addition to the entire range of
full-text databases normally accessible from the Library's own computers,
via the Library's homepage on the Web. The high-speed wireless connection is
available at all times the library is open. A brochure explaining how to
make the connection and our policy will be available.
Anyone visiting the Holyoke Public Library with a personal laptop PC
equipped with an 802.11b/g Wi-Fi Ethernet interface card can access the
Internet from any public area in the library.
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From home, school or office: Available
Services and Resources
The Holyoke ‘Virtual’ Library website (www.holyokelibrary.org) allows
patrons access to the Library's e-services and e-resources. Databases
include full-text periodicals, newspapers, encyclopedias, and photo archives
in the fields of art, business, education, literature, health, and science.
Patrons can browse the Library's card catalog, place or cancel holds, and
check the status of his borrower's account at the Library, and renew library
materials—all at a click of a button. Other great resources include: “Learning
Express Library,” to help you practice for tests; “EBSCO Auto Repair
Reference Center,” to help you fix your car; "MassAnswers," a
reference service to can ask basic questions online and receive answers via
e-mail or via live chat; “MedLine Plus,” for health issues; and “Novelist,”
a readers advice service, among many other resources and services.
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