The Norfolk Public Library 139 Main Street Norfolk, Massachusetts Tel. No. 508-528-3380
Trustees Mary Jo Gothorpe Harvey Boulay Ken Nelson Kumkum Malic, Associate Member |
Full Time Staff Director of Libraries
Associate Director
Children's Librarian
Reference/Information Systems Administrator
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General Information
Community and Library Description
Norfolk is a residential community that has recently experienced rapid growth, but still retains characteristics of a small New England town. The town encompasses 15 square miles and has 10,460 residents according to the 2000 census. The public library has made every effort to keep pace with the growth (265% increase in 30 years) of the community.
The library's primary role is the provision of formal education support services to the student population. A secondary role is to provide popular materials to children of all ages, adults, and retirees.
Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Norfolk Public Library to serve the educational, informational and recreational needs of the community. In the field of educational services, the Norfolk Library should play a significant role in delivering library and media services in the public schools as well as services to young children, students, adults, and retired persons in the public library. As an informational resource, the library and its staff seek to enhance access to large amounts of materials through active links with other libraries, the regional library system, and the use of electronic information storage and retrieval, as well as development of the Norfolk Library's own permanent circulating and reference collections. In recreational library services, it is recognized that a significant part of the library's very high per
capita circulation is in the area of recreational materials and the library seeks to continue to make available recreational library materials in all relevant media.
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC)
The Norfolk Public Library participates in the Library Incentive Grant and Massachusetts Equalization Grant programs offered through the MBLC and maintains standards required by the MBLC in order to provide the best service to Norfolk Residents.
Southeastern Massachusetts Library System (SEMLS)
The Norfolk Public Library is a member of the Southeastern Massachusetts Library System and the Bridgewater Subregion and utilizes its program of library support services as a means of providing the best possible services to the residents of Norfolk.
SAILS
SAILS is a consortium of libraries that together, through resource sharing, provide library users with a wider range of materials and resources than any single library could provide. SAILS cards may be used at 41 libraries (over 60 branches) in South Eastern Massachusetts.
In addition to walk-in user service, the holdings of these libraries are a part of the database to which Norfolk library patrons have access when searching in the PAC (Public Access Catalog). Most materials located in the PAC may be placed on reserve and will be delivered to Norfolk Public Library. Click here to search the database now.
Get CARDED at the Norfolk Public Library
.....it's a great investment at no charge! A SAILS library card is available to all Massachusetts residents. To obtain a card, positive identification must be presented, including current address. A parent's or legal guardian's signature is required in order for a child to obtain a card.
The Library Collection
New Book Lists
The library boasts of a collection of over 22,000 fiction, non-fiction & large print books for adults and 120 magazine subscriptions. More than 1,400 video tapes, 600 compact discs, and 1,200 books on tape are available.
For Young Readers
The library has an entire section set aside for children. The Children's collection includes approximately 14,000 fiction and non-fiction books, 500 books on tape and 500 video tapes.
Reference Services
The reference area has recently been restructured. It now includes both adult and juvenile reference books arranged in a single sequence to facilitate student research. In addition, the library now has a special area designated for the local history collection.
The Norfolk Library is a member of the Southeastern Massachusetts Library System . Through this library network, staff members can obtain reference information that is beyond the scope of this library. Additionally, books and periodical articles not available through the SAILS system can be requested through inter-library loan.
A photocopier and electronic typewriter are available for patron use. Telefascimile service is also available; details may be obtained at the circulation desk.
Internet computers are also available, patrons may use Word Processing, Speadsheet, or Pesentation Software.
Wireless access is available throughout the library
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