Category: Public Services

Little Essentials Library: Hygiene Initiative

We will be starting a Little Essentials Library in the Health Nook. It will premiere to the public at the end of October. This initiative is to give under-resourced folks in the community essential hygiene products at no expense to them; it’s all about being a caring neighbor and community member.

Starting on Tuesday, September 1st, we will be soliciting the public for donations. A box will be downstairs in the lobby. The Hygiene Team will monitor the donations.

What we will accept (ALL TRAVEL SIZE):

Soap & Body Wash
Shampoo & Conditioner
Toothbrushes & Toothpaste
Dental Floss
Deodorant
Lotion & Sunscreen
Lip Balm

Customer Service Survey

At the request of one of our Trustees, I’ve created a “how was your visit” survey that will be available at each service desk, at the self-check stations, on the catalog kiosks, and in the elevator.

If patrons would like to provide quick feedback, direct them to these surveys. If they want to provide more expansive feedback, direct them to the comment forms.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mah Jongg Info

Sorry for not sending this sooner!

We have a new Mah Jongg Meet-Up that is going to meet every Wednesday from 12-2 PM in the Community Rooms for the spring quarter. This is a drop-in program, no registration required; it is our (RPL’s) program. The groups can bring their own sets or they can check out one of the four sets we have at the Research and Reader Services Desk.

These four sets are available to check out at the Research and Reader Services Desk any time we are open to be used in the library for in-house mah jongg play.

We also have 1 set available to bring home via the Library of Things.

The next time we are offering Mah Jongg instruction will be in June.

Adult Book Club Books

Adult Book Clubs will return in September. Studio 64 is an RPL book group, and Fact or Fiction is patron-facilitated but we help them with getting books and promotion.

At Andrea’s direction, these will be displayed for patrons on the pedestals in front of the Borrower Services desk, next to other reader advisory items and Friends Speaker Series titles.

Please point patrons to this area, or send them to Reference if they have questions.

Thank you!

Database Info and Important Changes (long, but please read)

Our patrons access three types of database resources through our website and via library computers.

  1. Reading Public Library subscriptions: RPL pays for these separately using our municipal operating budget (Reading taxpayer dollars). These are intended for use by the Reading community. Most of these resources require you to log in with your Reading library card or create an account using your Reading library card. They check your eligibility by the zip code or library card prefix (21995). Some allow anyone to use the library computers to access the resources (in-library use only).
  2. NOBLE content: NOBLE gets “bulk” pricing for consortium members. A portion of our annual NOBLE membership fee pays for these, and cardholders from any NOBLE library have access to them.
  3. State-wide databases: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts receives federal funds (over $2M) to provide resources to all residents. Federal library funding goes to all states via the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which has been shut down and may be entirely defunded. Please read more about how these funding cuts impact statewide datbases.

RPL Changes

Each year, we review the use and cost of database services that RPL pays for. This year, we are discontinuing Financial Fit and Home Improvement Sources, which will not be available after July 1, 2025.  As a reminder, we add new resources as well!  This year, we are excited to subscribe to Craft & Hobby.  If you love this new resource – or any of our existing subscriptions – be sure to talk it up! Low usage is the primary reason we cancel subscriptions.

State Database Changes (MBLC/IMLS)

Starting July 1, MBLC is eliminating a number of statewide databases due to federal funding cuts. The team at MBLC carefully reviewed usage and cost to determine which resources to cut. They also ensured that the remaining database served all ages and was as inclusive as possible. This is a very tight and delicate balancing act. RPL is reviewing this list to see what we can add to our subscriptions to compensate for the loss of these databases.

Here is a list of CANCELED resources.

  • Boston Globe Article Archive
  • Britannica Moderna
  • Gale Academic OneFile Select
  • Gale General OneFile
  • Gale Health and Wellness
  • Gale in Context: Biography
  • Gale in Context: Elementary
  • Gale in Context: Environmental Studies
  • Gale in Context: Global Issues
  • Gale in Context: Middle School Gale in Context: Science
  • Gale in Context: US History
  • Gale in Context: World History
  • Gale Interactive Science Gale LegalForms
  • Gale Literature Resource Center
  • HeritageQuest Online
  • Peterson’s Career Prep
  • Peterson’s Test Prep Science Database (ProQuest)
  • Transparent Language Online

Patron being inappropriate on phone

A male patron called today and asked for a number of book titles. The patron became inappropriate and staff hung up on them. This is okay. Do not feel that you need to stay on the line for this at all. This patron has called here and other libraries in the past for the same reason. They are being inappropriate.

Do not give your name. Forward to a supervisor if needed.  Hanging up IS an option.