Library offers self check-out

The Library is now offering self check-out at the circulation desk in the lobby.  People must have their library card with them to use it.  Self check-out is fast and easy; the item barcode that must be scanned is on the front cover or just inside the cover.  In addition to checking materials out, users can renew items and pay fines. The only Memorial Library items that cannot be checked out at the self checkout station are Rock CDs and Rentals.  Staff will be glad to help new users at the workstation, which is at the right end of the circulation desk.

Posted May  8, 2010

Massachusetts Vital Records

Genealogists: Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910 with full images, is now available through the New England Ancestors service. Click HERE to access the database from any library computer. (Access is limited to library computers).

Posted May 5, 2010

Library adds Pawtucket Red Sox Pass

With the support of the Friends of the Acton Libraries, Acton Memorial Library is now offering a pass to the Triple A Pawtucket Red Sox.  

With the pass, admission is a flat fee of $18 for a group of up to 6 people in general admission seating, guaranteed on a first-come, first-serve basis, to the blue seats in the stadium bowl, the grass berm in left field, or the center field bleachers. The pass must be presented to the PawSox box office on the day/night of the game to receive the discount offer.

The pass may be reserved online through the library’s website, www.actonmemoriallibrary.org, by clicking on Museum Passes, or by phoning or visiting the library.  The pass can be picked up at the Circulation Desk after 11 a.m. the day prior to use. Weekend Passes may be picked up the Friday prior to use. You must have a valid library card with you to reserve or checkout a museum pass.

If plans change and you need to cancel your reservation, you can do it online or by calling the library at 978-929-6655.

The library has seventeen other passes provided by the Friends or other local organizations.

 

Local newspaper databases

Full text of The Beacon (Aug. 2005 - present) is now available via the library's subscription to Newsbank. Acton residents, visit the Databases page, or log in HERE.

The Access NewspaperARCHIVE database now includes historical newspapers from Acton! Acton residents click HERE to log in. Use the "Advanced Search" or "Browse Available Newspapers" tab to go directly to the Acton issues.

 

Language learning with Mango Basic

The library's subscription to the Mango Languages language learning site now includes 36 all-new "Mango Basic" courses, in addition to the original thirteen "Mango Complete" courses. The basic courses are designed to teach polite conversation in a foreign language (including English) conveniently and easily. Use Mango Basic to quickly learn some basic words and phrases for your business trip or short overseas trip. There are 22 foreign courses (Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, German, Pashto, Urdu, Hebrew, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Irish, Italian, Greek, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, Farsi, Turkish, Korean, Thai, Hindi, and Dari)  and fourteen English courses (for speakers of Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Italian, Russian, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Arabic, Korean, Greek and Vietnamese).  Mango Languages is available to remote users who are Acton residents. Home users, please visit the Databases page and log-in with your library card number.

 

Morningstar Investment Center update

Due to user demand, the Funds section of Morningstar Investment Center now includes the Summary Section from the print version of Morningstar Mutual Funds. To access the most current Summary Section click on the "Fund Summary" link on the Morningstar Investment Center home page. Users can also continue to access the individual Fund Analyst Report pages by entering a fund name or ticker into the search box.  Scroll down the left-hand navigation of the fund's report and click on the "Formatted Report" link. The Morningstar Mutual Funds page for that individual fund will appear in a pop-up box.  Morningstar Investment Center is available to Acton residents from the library's Database page.

 

Monitor your electricity usage

The library now has three Kill A Watt electricity usage monitors available for loan to Acton residents. The meters plug into a wall socket, and an appliance then plugs into the Kill A Watt.  The device  assesses how efficiently appliances work by displaying  the power consumption by the kilowatt-hour. Users can also program in their local utility rate and the device will display projected costs by hour, day, week, month, or year.  The Kill A Watt meters can be reserved by Acton residents, and can be checked out for one week. To reserve a Kill A Watt, click HERE to enter the Minuteman Catalog, and then click on the dark blue "Request" button.  Please call the Reference Desk at 978-929-6655, option 3, for assistance or more information.

 

Search the Minuteman Catalog with Chinese scripts

NewspaperArchive available to home users

The library now subscribes to "Access NewspaperARCHIVE," a database of over 4,000 newspaper titles from around the country (including titles from Acton!), with tens of millions of searchable newspaper pages dating as far back as the 1700s. Acton residents click HERE to log in.

 

Playaways now available

Through the support of the Acton Memorial Library Foundation, the library has added a collection of "Playaway" audiobooks to the circulating collection. Playaways are unabridged digital audiobooks that are preloaded in a player that is about the size of a deck of cards. They are highly portable for people who want to listen to a good book without the bulk of a disc player. The collection includes classics, mysteries, bestsellers and non-fiction. Playaways are shelved on the second floor of the library near the Books on CD and circulate for three weeks. More titles will be added to the collection in coming months.  Borrowers will need to supply one AAA battery and headphones. These items can be purchased at the circulation desk for $1 each.

 

New museum pass

The library now has a reduced-admission pass to the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, courtesy of The Office of Michael Rosenfeld, Inc., Architects.

 

 

Consumer Reports available online to home users

 

The library now subscribes to the ConsumerReports.org web site, with unlimited in-library and home access for Acton residents! ConsumerReports.org is the sister product of the Consumer Reports print magazine--both are published by the independent nonprofit Consumers Union, one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services. ConsumerReports.org provides ratings and recommendations on cars, appliances, electronics, and thousands of other products under the categories of Home and Garden, Babies and Kids, Money, and Food.  To log in, use the "Databases" link on the main menu to your left, or click HERE.

 

Morningstar Investment Research Center online

Acton residents can now access comprehensive up-to-date financial information on stocks, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds through Morningstar Investment Research Center. Included is financial data on 7,000+ stocks, 23,000+ mutual funds and 600+ exchange-traded funds. The service includes up-to-date and historical financial information, analysts reports, stock and fund recommendations, a stock and fund screening tool, a portfolio analysis tool, industry information, and various investor learning tools.  New users can learn more about this very rich resource by logging in and clicking on the "Help and Education" tab.  Log in HERE or on the library's Databases page.  

 

Consumer advice

People looking to maximize a dollar in a tough economy and plan for a more secure future will find lots of useful advice in CONSUMER REPORTS MONEY ADVISOR—a monthly print newsletter available in the Reference area. Recent issues have included feature articles on credit card cash-back programs; 529 college savings programs; new tax deductions; steps to take if you lose your job; investing in bonds; hiring a tax preparer; umbrella warranties; how to get a loan when credit is tight; and E-trade services—to mention only a few. This must-reading for the cost conscience and prudent consumer/investor is shelved on the reference table with CONSUMER REPORTS magazine and BOSTON CONSUMER'S CHECKBOOK (ratings of local service companies).

 

Chinese book donation

The Acton Chinese Language School recently donated 90 new Chinese books to the library through a gift to the Acton Memorial Library Foundation. ACLS Principal Hanlan Liu formally presented the books to members of the AMLF in November. Most of the books have since been cataloged and are on the library shelves ready to circulate. The library's Chinese collection was first established in 2004 with a "Community Languages" grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Since then, the collection has grown to 2,300 items, with over 55,000 check-outs to date.
     The library greatly appreciates the generosity of the Acton Chinese Language School and the Acton Memorial Library Foundation in providing support to the Chinese Collection.

Ratings of local service companies

The library now subscribes to Boston Consumers' Checkbook, a web site and print magazine published by the Center for the Study of Services, an independent nonprofit consumer research and information organization. Checkbook evaluates the quality and prices of service firms in the Boston area, such as auto repair shops, banks, dentists, electricians, emergency rooms, health clubs, insurance companies, physicians, plumbers, veterinarians, and many more. The print magazine is available in the Reference Room.  The online subscription is available from library computers by visiting our Databases page or by clicking HERE.  (Sorry, the license does not allow home or wireless access.)

 

Acton's early town records on the web!

The Acton Memorial Library is pleased to announce that transcriptions of the Town’s earliest official records are now available on the Internet at www.ActonMemorialLibrary.org/ EarlyTownRecords. The web site provides side-by-side transcriptions and page images of Selectman’s minutes and general Town Meetings beginning with the Town’s founding in 1735 through 1764. A name index with over 200 names is also provided. The transcriptions of the handwritten records were produced by volunteers Paulina Knibbe and Irene Cavanagh. The web site was compiled by the library’s Reference Department with assistance from volunteers Howard Robichaud and Irene Cavanagh. In addition to the 179 pages available on the web site, another 900 pages of Town records have been transcribed by Ms. Cavanagh, including proceedings of Town Meetings up to 1818. These additional transcriptions are available in print format in the Reference Department of the Acton Memorial Library. For more information please contact reference librarian Susan Paju at 978-929-6655, ext 218, or email actref@minlib.net

Collection lists available for printing

Printable lists of the library's Audiovisual and Large Print collections are now available on the Collections page.

 

Barron's image edition online

The library now subscribes to BARRON'S online image edition!  Acton residents, log in HERE

 

 

 

Olschewski painting donated to library

A painting titled “Summer” by the late Acton artist, illustrator, and children’s book author Alfred Olschewski has been donated to the Acton Memorial Library by the artist's wife Evelyn Olschewski, who currently resides in Concord.  The painting, a 3x6’ acrylic on canvas can be viewed on the upper level of the library in the Periodical Area.  Mr. Olschewski lived and worked in Acton from 1968 to his death in 2001. A retrospective exhibit of Mr. Olschewski’s work was the inaugural exhibit at the Memorial Library when the expanded building opened in 1999.

 

Full image of today's newspaper online!

Complete editions of the Boston Globe and the New York Times are available online to Acton residents through the library's subscription to Newsbank Electronic Image Editions. The entire content of today's papers as well as back issues are available. The Image Editions are exact electronic color replicas of the paper editions, including all of the ads, editorials and syndicated content. Readers can easily page through issues with a click of a mouse. Acton residents, please log in with your library card by clicking HERE, or visit our Databases page. Non-residents are welcome to use this database from library computers. 

 

Library dedicates exhibit

“Not Afraid to Go: Acton’s Part in the Birth and Preservation of Our Nation” a new permanent exhibit at the Memorial Library, was dedicated on Patriots Day, April 19, 2008. The exhibit starts with the establishment of colonial militias and covers the Revolution, War of 1812, Baltimore Riot and Civil War. It includes sections on the Acton home front during the Civil War; the founding, flourishing and decline of the local Grand Army of the Republic post; and the gift of Memorial Library to the town in honor of the Civil War veterans and dead. The exhibit showcases numerous artifacts owned by the library and many replicas from the Acton Historical Society’s extensive collection. The exhibit was funded by a Community Preservation Act grant, the Friends of the Acton Libraries, the Acton Memorial Library Foundations Matching Donations Fund, the Acton Rotary Club, the Acton Lions Club and the library’s Lois Parker Fund. “Not Afraid to Go” is available for viewing during library hours, which are Monday through Thursday 9 to 9, Friday and Saturday 9 to 5, and Sunday 2 to 5.

 

Auto repair information online

Acton Memorial Library patrons now have access to “Auto Repair Reference Center” an online database of auto repair information. The database contains information on most domestic and imported vehicles, from 1945 to the present. Content includes printable wiring diagrams, step-by step instructions with drawings, technical services bulletins and recalls, time and labor estimates, and a complete guide, in text, video and audio, to today’s automobile technology. Auto Repair Reference Center is produced by Ebsco Industries in partnership with Point 5 Technologies, Inc. The database includes information supplied by Point 5 Technologies Inc. under license from Nichols Publishing, the former publisher of Chilton Information, and information from Delphi Integrated Service Solutions. The database is available from library computers and to home users who are Acton residents. To access this and dozens of other subscription databases, visit the library's Databases page.

 

Reuters Investment Reports

Reuters Research on Demand, a collection of research reports from investment banks, brokers, independent research providers and Reuters itself, is now available to Minuteman library patrons. To access the reports click on “Subscription Databases” in the menu at left and then on “General Business File”. After you are logged in, click on “Advanced Search” (in the left hand column). Then click on “search by Ticker Symbol” (at the bottom of the page). Enter a company's ticker symbol into the pop-up box (ticker symbols can be looked up on the web at http://www.marketwatch.com/tools/quotes/lookup.asp). Investment reports from a variety of sources will display in chronological order. Click on a report for the full text, which will range from a one page snapshot to dozens of pages of detailed financial analysis. General BusinessFile ASAP is just one of dozens of high quality subscription databases available free to Acton Memorial Library patrons. For the full list, visit the library's Databases page.

 

Online test and employment preparation

The Acton Memorial Library offers patrons access to the LearningExpress Library, a comprehensive online service for improving academic and employment skills.

Included are interactive practice tests for more than 300 academic and licensing exams such as the ACT, SAT, GED, GRE, GMAT, ASVAB, Citizenship, Real Estate, Electrician, EMT, Firefighter, and Civil Service exams. Over 150 Study guides in eBook format are also included.

In addition to the practice tests, there are online courses to improve skills in writing, grammar, reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, and mathematics, as well as employment skills including resume writing and employment interviewing.

The library's subscription also includes a training program for learning computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook and Access, and Windows and Mac operating systems (XP, Vista and OS X). The computer courses include video and sound segments that provide step-by-step demonstrations, followed by interactive exercises.

The service is available to any one visiting the library from library computers, and to Acton residents with valid library cards from wireless notebooks or home computers. LearningExpress Library is just one of dozens of high quality subscription databases available free to Acton Memorial Library patrons. For the full list visit the library's Databases page.

Due date reminder notices delivered via e-mail

Patrons with e-mail addresses in their user accounts automatically receive due date reminder notices by e-mail for items checked out on their accounts. This service was implemented after a survey revealed that 90% of the respondents wanted to receive such reminders. Anyone with an e-mail address in their account record automatically receives reminders 2 days before items are due.  If you prefer that these reminders do NOT appear in your e-mail you can set up your mail program to filter out messages with the subject line “Library reminder.” Instructions for doing so in many popular mail programs are posted at: http://www.mln.lib.ma.us/catalog . Filtering out the subject "Library Reminder" will affect only due date reminders—you will continue to receive Hold Pickup Notices, Overdue Notices and Bills via e-mail.  To add, delete, or change an e-mail address log into your account at https://library.minlib.net/patroninfo and select “Modify Personal Information”.

 

College lectures on audio CD

The library has purchased a number of titles in the “Modern Scholar” and “Great Courses” audio series. Modern Scholar (from Recorded Books), and Great Courses (from the Teaching Company) are recorded college-level courses presented in lecture-style format by respected professors and scholars from around the country. The Modern Scholar titles each include fourteen lectures on seven audio CDs, complete in one package. The Great Courses range from 12 to 96 half hour lectures, often packaged in multiple parts. The courses include subjects from a range of disciplines, including science, literature, philosophy, religion, history, and art and music appreciation. For a list of the library's holdings, please click HERE.

 

Going on vacation? Stop requests from being filled while you're away

You now have the option of suspending or “freezing” holds for selected items you are waiting for. When you Freeze a hold, you continue to move up on the waiting list but your request will not be filled until you remove the Freeze. The option to Freeze Holds is useful if you are going on vacation and don't want requests filled while you are away, or if you are simply too busy to use all of the items you have requested right away. To Freeze holds: 1) Log in to “ My Account ” 2) Place a mark in the check box that appears in the right in the column headed "FREEZE" (this box only appears if your Hold is eligible to be suspended) 3) Click on UPDATE LIST. When you come back from vacation, reverse the process by unchecking the box in the FREEZE column and click UPDATE LIST.

revised 06/2010

National business directory online

Acton residents now have home access to the ReferenceUSA business database, a source of information on 14 million U.S. businesses. Searchers can find businesses by 28 different criteria, including number of employees, sales volume, type of business, geographic location, and names of key executives. Records for individual companies include a comprehensive business profile and links to business news articles, public filings, current stock quotes and company web sites. The content of this database has expanded considerably since the library first subscribed several years ago. If you have used it in the past but not recently, now is the time to take another look, (which you can now do from the convenience of your home!). ReferenceUSA is just one of dozens of high quality subscription databases available free to Acton Memorial Library patrons. For the full list, visit the library's Databases page.

Web-based genealogy tools

The Acton Memorial Library now subscribes to NewEnglandAncestors.org, a collection of online databases from the New England Historic Genealogical Society. The NewEnglandAncestors site includes access to hundreds of databases, including: Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841–1910; The New England Historical and Genealogical Register , 1847-1999; The Search for Missing Friends: Irish Immigrant Advertisements Placed in The Boston Pilot 1831-1920; The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633; Index to the Probate Records of Middlesex County, Massachusetts ; and Massachusetts Soldiers in the Colonial Wars. NewEnglandAncestors is only available to in-library users from library computers. The library also maintains subscriptions to Ancestry Library Edition (in-library only) and HeritageQuest Online (remote access available to Acton residents). These are just a few of the dozens of high quality subscription databases available free to Acton Memorial Library patrons. For the full list, visit the library's Databases page.

Long range plan available

Thanks to everyone who participated in creating the Acton Memorial Library's Long Range Plan, which is available on the Board of Trustees page.