New Computer Club Launches at Shrewsbury Library

If you're interested in computer programing the library is developing a club just for you.

Computer programming might not be the right thing for everyone, but if you are interested in the intracacies of computer languages and software development the library has just the club for you. Shrewsbury Public Library's Let's Build it! club met for the first time on June 8. Lead by librarian Kate Gray and Matthew Karas, a library volunteer and computer programer, the club will be meeting on the second Saturday of each month. “I think today it’s easier than ever to learn how to create websites, apps or programs. These tools provide a great way to teach both kids and adults to think differently and empower them to have more control over the digital media landscape,” Gray told the Community Advocate.

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Town Meeting Approves $85,000 for Library Designs

The discussion lasted roughly 45 minutes before the expenditure was approved.

Shrewsbury residents will once again be discussing a library expansion project this fall at the special town meeting. Last night town meeting members approved $85,000 to help fund the architectural design and planning for a proposal that would replace the former credit union and the two additions to the original library with a completely new structure. The total cost of the project is expected to be just over $23 million, of which the town will have to pay $13.5 million. According to Town Manager Dan Morgado that would cost the average tax payer in town $91. “The building committee believes that this option is the best opportunity for the town and will serve residents for 50 years or more,” building committee chairman Clay Smook said. …

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Shrewsbury Librarian Gets a National Award from Library Journal

A reference librarian from the Shrewsbury Public Library was honored.

Priya Ratham, a reference librarian at the Shrewsbury Public Library, was named one of 50 outstanding professionals by the Library Journal, according to the Shrewsbury Lantern. The Library Journal, said the Lantern, "honored Rathnam because of her work in establishing services that meet the demands of the diverse and vibrant community in Shrewsbury. Read more about Rathnam and this outstanding award here.

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Trivia Night at Shrewsbury Public Library

Local residents gathered to play trivia at the Shrewsbury Public Library.

Teams of six competed on Tuesday for a $50 gift card at Shrewsbury's Public Library during its weekly trivia contest.  Dan Barbour, the host of the event, asked a range of general knowledge questions to the event's attendees who racked their brains while enjoying some free pizza. 

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Library Renovation to Undergo More Design Work

Last night Shrewsbury Town Meeting voters approved $50,000 for redesign of the library.

Although Shrewsbury residents voted down plans for the library renovation last year, the Board of Library Trustees has taken the feedback and is working on a revamped plan for the library renovation. According to Laurie Hogan, chairman of the library trustees, the new plan will be for a building that is 10 percent smaller than their last plan. Other feedback was considered and will be reviewed during the upcoming review process. Hogan said the $50,000 transfer that was proposed as article 14 at last night's town meeting would help fund the design changes and adjustments. The article was added at the last minute after the town received word that a $7.9 million grant would be given to the town in fiscal year 2014 pending local funding. …

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'Miss Linda' at the Library Retires

After 14 years, the head of children's services at the Shrewsbury Library is retiring.

Linda Dashnaw is known as "Miss Linda" to patrons at the Shrewsbury Public Library, where she has been the head of children's services for the last 14 years. She will be retiring in October. According to the Worcester Telegram, Dashnaw grew up in Shrewsbury and "said she remembers the old children’s room in the Ward Annex. Starting in 1974, she taught fourth grade at Paton Elementary School and later taught preschool for 14 years in Shrewsbury. She also raised three children of her own." There will be a reception for Dashnaw from 3-6 p.m. on Sept. 28 in conjunction with an open house for the community.  

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IMAGE GALLERY: Library Carnival Kicks Off Summer Reading

The event included clowns, games, face painting and more.

A carnival held in the Shrewsbury Public Library yesterday served as the Summer Reading Kickoff. Participants were entertained by clowns, played games, crafted crowns, got their faces painted, and more. The event was held from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. and participants were asked to register for the summer reading program for their age group in order to attend. The event was sponsored by the Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library.

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Summer Reading Lists Online

The summer reading lists for all ages are available through the library.

From preschoolers to adults, you can sign up for the summer reading program at the Shrewsbury Public Library. Take a minute to sign up online and get a head start on your summer reading. Click here to sign up. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on the latest Shrewsbury news, or simply hit the "like" button at the top of this page. If you'd like to receive the daily newsletter with our top stories, click here.

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Check on Library Holds

With the new computer system, some emails about library holds are not being generated.

The following press release was submitted by Ellen Dolan, director of the Shrewsbury Public Library: Due to the new library computer system, it appears that holds placed prior to May 29 are not generating email notices, notifying you that your items are waiting on the hold shelf.  If you normally receive email notifications that your holds are ready and you placed holds prior to May 29, please check your online record to see if the requested items have arrived for you. If you prefer, library staff can check for you. Please call us at 508-842-0081, Ext. 3. The staff would be happy to review your holds list together.  You don’t have to worry about recent holds. For any holds you placed on May 29 or later, the system is properly sending the …

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Library Offers Coffee Bar

For a $1, library patrons can get coffee at the Shrewsbury Public Library.

While the library building project is currently being reviewed an on hold, the Shrewsbury Public Library is moving forward with their coffee bar idea. Library patrons can now get k-cups at the circulation desk for $1 to be freshly brewed while they browse titles or cruise the Internet at the library. The Library Beverage Cafe was originally part of the proposed library expansion project, but with the failed vote to raise town funds along with a state grant, library officials have moved forward with this idea for now. The town is still working with library officials to figure out what renovations can be done and the state grant, which would off-set the town's portion of the expansion project, could be available as early as 2014. Containers …

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Dan B.

5:10 pm on Saturday, June 2, 2012

Thanks for covering this, but I want to mention something in regards to the idea found specifically in the line "the Shrewsbury Public Library is moving forward with their coffee bar idea." That is actually not the case. According to the plans that were voted on, the cafe would have been a specific space in the new building that would be contracted out to a separate company to generate funds for …   more ›