Berkshire Athenaeum

To allow for equipment maintenance, on Tuesday, July 7, Library Internet Computers WILL NOT be available. WiFi service will be available as usual.

The Today Show reports that Public Libraries are critical in recessionary times and provide essential free services that are even more important in a tough economy. Watch the story.

Summer Reading Club has Started!

The Athenaeum Starship Adventure Summer Reading Club had its blast off on Monday, June 29, with a jam-packed space-themed schedule of book clubs, crafts, prizes and special programs offered to keep kids reading all summer long. (Our Summer Reading Club is made possible by the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System; KB Toys; Burger King; Old Country Buffet; Cyberstation; and the wonderful generosity of the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum.) Sign up and be part of the fun!

Lincoln Trail in the Berkshires

2009 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. A self-guided Berkshire tour has been developed to commemorate this event, coordinated by Chesterwood, the home of sculptor Daniel Chester French, the creator of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.
The Trail showcases thirteen Berkshire County venues with exhibitions or events related to the Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration. As part of this commemoration, our Local History department has mounted an exhibit of Lincoln memorabilia from our collections; The exhibit includes an original playbill for Ford's Theatre the night Lincoln was assassinated; and a proclamation thanking Pittsfield resident Walter Cutting for his patriotism, with signatures of President Lincoln and his War Secretary, Edwin Stanton.

Three new museum passes

We are pleased to announce three additional museum passes have been added to the Athenaeum offerings: the Colonel John Ashley House, in Sheffield; Bartholomew's Cobble, also in Sheffield; and the Folly at Field Farm, in Williamstown. Museum passes provide free or reduced general admission to museums and other places of interest. Our collection of museum passes now numbers seventeen. This is a great way to plan an affordable family outing this summer: reserve one soon! The Museum Pass program is sponsored through the generosity of the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum.

Teen Trivia Contest: Wahconah Wins!
Five local high schools (Hoosac Valley; Lee; Lenox; Taconic; and Wahconah) competed for honor and prizes in the Athenaeum's Third Annual Teen Trivia Contest on March 18. The elimination rounds left only Lenox and Wahconah standing. An exciting jeopardy-style match forced both teams to compete head to head. While the LHS Millionaires held an impressive lead (310 to 230) going into the final round, the Wahconah Warriors' game strategy brought them the final victory. Thanks to our sponsors, the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum and Pizza Hut. More photos.

Downloadable audiobooks, videos and ebooks
Do you love to be read to? Do you have a long commute, a planned vacation drive, or a household task that would go faster if you could listen to an engaging book? Browse our collection of downloadable audiobooks. You'll find audiobooks for Children, Young Adults and Adults; fiction and nonfiction titles; biographies, business, history, romance, foreign language study, classics, mystery, science fiction and self-improvement titles. Over 100 titles are iPod compatible. Many can be burned to a CD. Also available are downloadable videos and ebooks. All you need to begin is a library card and a high-speed Internet connection. Browse the digital catalog and choose some titles today