The Medfield Public Library – Not Just a Quiet Place to Study

The – it’s not just for books anymore.

Some people live for the library, others haven’t walked through those doors in many years, but whatever your stance on the Bibliotheque, one thing is for sure – this is NOT your mother’s public library!

Today’s library is still a haven for most books under the sun, and is still the heartbeat of a community – particularly in Medfield, which is lucky enough to have a library open seven days a week –  but that community is now much, much larger and it, too, encompasses everything – and everywhere – under the sun.

In an era of information overload, the library’s reference librarians can help navigate online resources and search engine results that often produce millions of hits.  On a recent visit to the Reference Desk, Mare Parker-O’Toole narrowed a harrowing search down to a manageable one-page list of resources that included two online books that are nearly impossible to find in print.

Within the rooms of this pleasantly expansive building, the Medfield Public Library offers its patrons a Business and Job Resource Center; DVDs (including current titles and foreign films) and videos (including television shows); music and soundtracks including Show tunes, country, jazz and pop; books on tape; a magazine exchange; an on-going book sale for all ages with many books just $1 (prices vary); large-print books; six computer terminals and free Wi-Fi connection; a reference room featuring a Local History section and a Weber piano the public is welcome to play on Friday afternoons; a periodical room featuring hundreds of magazines and newspaper subscriptions – and that’s just on the first floor.

The Children’s Room is on the upper level and offers four computer terminals; a knowledgeable children’s librarian; child-friendly and inviting seating; Playaways (self-playing audio books); and a reminder to “please use quiet library voices.”

 The upper level also offers display cases that children can use to display their projects.  This month Camilla and Sam Silk have their pottery collection on display, and seven-year-old “Tatum” is displaying her chapter book collection and her trinkets. 

The lower level contains the Teens’ Room along with six computer terminals; a special Teen job resource area; two special “Teen Space” comfortable seating areas; and, of course, thousands of books and resources.

The lower level also offers meeting space available for public use.  The building is handicap-accessible.

The Friends of the Medfield Public Library sponsors a Museum Pass program that offers patrons free or low-cost tickets to area attractions such as Rocky Woods Reservation, Battleship Cove, Boston Children’s Museum, DeCordova Museum, Harvard’s Museum of Natural History, Institute for Contemporary Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Mystic Aquarium, New England Aquarium, Roger Williams Zoo, Sports Museum Boston, and Zoo New England, to name a few.

I spent three hours in the library researching, chatting (quietly), reading and wandering, and I still feel like I didn’t see it all.  So, the next time you need, well, any written word under the sun, you too should visit your public library – chances are you’ll find it, and everything else you can imagine, during your visit.  [Note: If you can’t find what you need, be sure to ask any staff member who will gladly help you.]

The Medfield Public Library is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30am to 6pm; Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30am to 9pm; Saturday from 10:30am to 5pm; and Sunday from 2-5pm. 

Library cards are available to residents and non-residents (with some restrictions) after filling out a short application form.

What’s your favorite resource at the library?