Friday, June 6, 2025

 Hello, and Happy Friday

First, thank you to everyone who has reached out after my April update on the impacts of recent federal actions on library services. Your thoughtful questions, concern, and advocacy mean so much - not just to us here at the David & Joyce Milne Public Library, but to libraries across Massachusetts and the country.

Since that post, we’ve received some clarity - and some positive news - on a few critical statewide services that were previously at risk due to federal cuts:

The Library eBooks and Audiobooks (LEA) program will continue.
The Libby platform will remain fully funded through the state budget. Last year alone, nearly 2 million eBooks and audiobooks were borrowed by Massachusetts residents through LEA - a 19% increase in usage.

The Commonwealth Catalog (ComCat) will also receive full funding for FY2026.
This ensures continued access to millions of items that go beyond our local network’s holdings. More than 103,000 items were borrowed statewide through ComCat last year.

However, statewide research databases will face significant reductions beginning July 1st, 2025. Some resources - such as Transparent Language and the Boston Globe Archive - will be eliminated. You can read more from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners concerning the list of statewide databases being eliminated here: MBLC News Release

Locally, we are also making difficult decisions about the databases we directly fund.
Due to a combination of budget limitations and low usage, we will be discontinuing the following library-provided digital services:

- Little Pim (language learning tool for children)

- Comics Plus

- Creativebug

- The Wall Street Journal

We know that for some, these were meaningful resources, and we don’t take their removal lightly. We’re always monitoring usage and community needs, and we’ll continue to prioritize services that reach the greatest number of patrons.

We continue to do everything we can to advocate for strong library services and to keep any local disruptions to a minimum. Your continued support really helps make our voice stronger - thank you for standing with us.

With gratitude,
Angela Zimmermann, Library Director
David & Joyce Milne Public Library

   Coming Up Soon:

Help Us Transform Our Community w/ Coffee & Convos

Join Val, our Community Empowerment Intern, to discuss sensory spaces in the library. 

As part of our Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small & Rural Communities grant, we are holding coffee and conversations to gather patron participation and feedback on a sensory space in our library.

These conversations are open to everyone. However, we would love to hear from those with sensory issues and disabilities in order to accomodate your needs more effectively.

Beginning dates for the below demographics include:

Adults - June 11th at 5:00 p.m.

Families & Caregivers - June 18th at 4:00 p.m.

Tweens & Teens - June 25th at 3:00 p.m.

Children - July 2nd at 11:30 a.m. 

If you have any questions regarding these conversations, please email Val at vfreitas@cwmars.org.

Williamstown 2025 Pride Events! 

Celebrate Pride Month at the Library! Join us for five amazing events through the month of June. Events hosted by the library are:

Drag Queen Story Hour with Berkshire Drag Story Hour: Sunday, June 8th at 1:00 p.m.

Milne Movie: To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar: Thursday, June 12th at 6:00 p.m.

LGBTQIA+ Trivia Night: Tuesday, June 17th at 6:00 p.m.

All pride month events are free and open to the public. You can view all Williamstown Pride Month events using the button below!

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