Call us: (978) 827-4115
The Stevens Memorial Library is led by Library Director, Terri Anstiss. Learn more about us and get involved.
❯ Terri Anstiss, Library Director Email ❯ Claire LaPrade, Youth Services Librarian Email ❯ Erin Testagrossa, Circulation Manager Email ❯ Keith Penniman, Senior Library Assistant ❯ Angela Wrinkle, Circulation Assistant
Big things happen at SML. Education. Culture. Recreation. Art. Activities & Events. Join us!
The Trustees of the Stevens Memorial Library are citizens of Ashburnham and are elected by town voters. Each serves a term of three (3) years.
In addition to email, you may also contact each Trustee by leaving a message for them here at the library. A Trustee will return your call in a timely manner.
❯ Ed Vitone, Chair Email ❯ Paula St. Laurent Kuehl, Treasurer ❯ Katie Stevens ❯ Christopher Rigby ❯ Anne Olivari ❯ Molly Ruble
All Library Board of Trustee Meetings are open to the public. The Trustees meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 4:00.
To find Trustees agendas & minutes from 1968-2012, please click here. For more recent minutes, please go here and click Library Board of Trustees.
Stevens Memorial Library Mission Statement
The Stevens Memorial Library supports its community through the provision of materials, programs, space, and technology to aid in the educational, cultural, and recreational development of its entire community.
The library is committed to providing a welcoming space for Ashburnham citizens and residents of neighboring communities without regard to gender, race, age, religion, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.
JOIN YOUR ACTIVE LIBRARY!
Here are just some of the ways you can help your library thrive:
Our membership roster includes families, individuals, and businesses in the Ashburnham area. Their annual membership dues, provide important financial support to the library; support that translates into entertaining and educational activities for children and adults, new materials for all library patrons to enjoy, and physical improvements to our building and grounds.
Read more or join by clicking here.
THE LIBRARY'S HISTORY
Ashburnham’s first library was established in 1793 through the sale of shares at two dollars apiece. This library managed to be self-supporting through the contributions of its members (and aided by share sales, financial and material donations, and book sales) until 1833, when it was disbanded. Its contents were distributed among its members.
In 1850, “the [private] Ladies’ Library Association was organized and a collection of books of approved character was continued by renewals until 1884” (Stearns 534).
Learn more about us here.
LIBRARY POLICIES
Ashburnham's Stevens Memorial Library's Board of Trustees has established policies to aid in the fair treatment of all who use our resources and provide guidelines for procedures and behavior. If you have any questions about these policies after reviewing them below, please phone or visit the library. These include:
View all Library Policies by clicking here.
Visit. Call or send email.
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Our library has spaces that may be used at no cost for many types of events upon reservation. Interested parties must fill out one of the following forms and return it to us. You may also call us or stop by the library to obtain and complete this reservation request form.
Here are our Policies & Guidelines:
MEETING ROOM POLICY The Stevens Memorial Library has two (2) rooms available for public use. The Malcolm Stewart Community Room measures 34.5' x 23' and has movable seating for 60, 1 large table, 13 various size folding tables, and a kitchen. The Activity Room measures 18' x 18' and has movable seating for 25, two large tables, and a sink.
When meeting rooms are not being used for Library programs, the Trustees of the Stevens Memorial Library encourage the use of the meetings rooms by organizations engaged in educational, cultural, intellectual, recreational, or charitable activities during normal Library hours. As a public institution dedicated to the free exchange of information and ideas, the Stevens Memorial Library offers meeting space at no charge as a program of service. All meetings and programs held in Library rooms must be free and open to the public, and no outside groups may use Library meeting space to solicit donations or to sell or promote items or services.
The Library does not advocate or endorse the viewpoints of meetings or meeting room users, but makes every effort to make space available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting use. The meeting rooms will be scheduled according to the following priorities: Library-related meetings or programs; municipal meetings; outside organizations. The Library staff will attempt to contact room users if the Library closes, forcing cancellation of a program.
GUIDELINES
The Stevens Memorial Library has two (2) rooms available for public use. The Malcolm Stewart Community Room measures 34.5' x 23’ and has movable seating for 60, 1 large table, 13 various size folding tables, and a kitchen. The Activity Room measures 18' x 18' and has movable seating for 25, two large tables, and a sink.
When meeting rooms are not being used for Library programs, the Trustees of the Stevens Memorial Library encourage the use of the meetings rooms by organizations engaged in educational, cultural, intellectual, recreational, or charitable activities during normal Library hours. As a public institution dedicated to the free exchange of information and ideas, the Stevens Memorial Library offers meeting space at no charge. All meetings and programs held in Library rooms must be free and open to the public, and no outside groups may use Library meeting space to solicit donations or to sell or promote items or services. Nonprofit groups that include fundraising as part of their regular business meeting may do so provided the fundraising is not the primary purpose of the meeting and is not mentioned in publicity for the meeting.
Failure to follow any of these guidelines may result in a loss of room booking privileges.
1. All requests to use a meeting room must be made no more than three (3) months in advance by an adult who shall be personally responsible for the conduct of the meeting, adherence to regulations, the payment of any fees or charges, any damage to the Library property, and restitution for losses. Requests for use of Library audiovisual equipment shall be made at the time of booking.
2. All groups must fill out a written application. An amended form is available for multiple bookings, but groups may not have more than three (3) events scheduled at a time. Failure to notify the Library of cancellations may result in forfeiture of future bookings.
3. Groups using the meeting room will be held responsible for any costs incurred by the Library or the Town as a result of that use. A group may be required to post a bond to cover anticipated costs (e.g., security or insurance) in advance of the program. The Library assumes no liability for a group’s activities, and groups agree to hold the Library harmless for any loss of, or damage to, personal property.
4. The condition of the room must be neat when vacated. All furniture must be returned to its original location. If custodial staff is required to return the room to its original state, the Library reserves the right to charge the applicant for this time. Any damage to Library property must be reported to a staff member upon conclusion of the event, and groups using a meeting room are financially responsible for any damage incurred to Library property by their group.
5. All fire codes and applicable laws must be followed while on Library property, including the prohibition of smoking and lit candles, and limits on numbers of people allowed in said room at any given time.
6. Library behavior policies apply to groups using meeting rooms. Groups that disrupt or inhibit the enjoyment of Library resources by others may lose their privileges.
7. All meetings must end no later than 15 minutes before closing, unless a waiver has been given by the Library Director and special arrangements have been made.
8. Light refreshments may be served with prior approval by the Library Director. Alcoholic beverages may not be dispensed or consumed on Library property.
9. Facilities Use Requests that have been denied according to this policy may be brought to the Library Board of Trustees for appeal.
