“If we don’t have it we’ll get it for you,” said Newton Free Library Director Jill Mercurio about requesting books not available through the Minuteman Catalog system. The Inter-Library Loan service reaches across the country to meet readers’ requests. Proving the point, a recent Newton Library member requested new books that arrived the following week from Colorado and the state of Washington. Several local colleges are library lenders as well. A look at the wide range of the Library’s services supports its mission statement: The Newton Free Library brings the community together to enjoy, explore, create, and discover.
As Jill Mercurio noted, the current Newton Free Library building — 31-years old this year — is the busiest library in the Minuteman system (Cambridge is second) and daily demonstrates that “Newton people love libraries.” In fiscal year 2022, 23,094 people attended the Library’s 1,390 programs. This summer, in addition to opening a considerably expanded Children’s Room, the Library is rebuilding its parking lot, with the addition of solar panels, which will provide 40% of the building’s electricity, more charging stations for electric cars, as well as 21 more parking spaces.
Nearly 100 full- and part-time staffers serve Library patrons. The Library conducts three book discussion groups — the mystery reading club, Murder by the Book, has been filled — English Language Learner chats, craft programs, and genealogy discussions. Members have in-person and on-line access to the Library’s nearly limitless English and foreign language magazines, videos, audios, CDs, newspapers, and puzzles. The Library of Things offers a range of tools, musical instruments, board games, household tools, laptops, telescopes, binoculars, metal detectors, induction cooktops, beach tents — name it and the library probably has it for you. You can download eBooks and audiobooks on your devices — especially useful if you are traveling. And the Library offers books, magazines, DVDs, and other materials in Spanish, Russian, Chinese, French, Japanese, German, Hebrew, Ukrainian, Armenian, Arabic, and Korean. There are family literacy programs as well. The Library’s English Language Learner program has enlisted 225 tutors to work with 400 learners, and the program is recruiting more ELL tutors, as there is a sizable waiting list of students.
If you need a space to meet or study, you can reserve a room. If you need access to a laptop, those are available, along with printing service. In the works is a 3D printer and other computer advances. Most recently, the Library has introduced its new self-checkout equipment — which takes under twelve seconds.
If you’d like to read a magazine or newspaper, or if you’d like to preview a book, there are comfortable arm chairs in the first-floor atrium or throughout the second floor, and the Library is working to replace older models. If you are looking for something more “hands on,” try the community puzzle on the second floor. If you have requests, questions, or need help, Library staff are visible and accessible throughout the Library. If you want book recommendations, they will assist. And, if members want to explore area museums and recreation options, they may request any of over 30 daily discount passes. Information about the Library’s limitless services is at your fingertips at newtonfreelibrary.net.
