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 ❯ 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.
Send Us Email Now
Click to see our Event Calendar.
Per Governor Baker’s announcement regarding the Reopening Phases, the Stevens Memorial Library building will remain closed to the public until further notice. All programming will remain virtual until further notice. Please see our calendar here on our website for more details. Click on "Calendar" in the site navigation bar.
NEW! By Appointment Only: Computer, Copy, and Fax Services. You may call or email the Library to make an appointment: • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 11:30-12:00 & 2:30-3:00 • Wednesday from 3:30-4:00 & 6:30-7:00 • Saturday from 12:30-1:00 Appointments are limited to patrons who will be using the Library for the sole purpose of their reserved appointment. We are not able to admit additional people. Due to social distancing guidelines, staff will handle all copies and faxes, and will not be able to assist with computer use. We ask that you sanitize your hands upon entry, wear a mask upon entry and for the duration of your appointment, maintain social distancing at all times, and respect the time limit of your appointment. We also ask that if you are feeling ill or have a fever, or have exposed to COVID-19, to please reschedule your appointment. Book browsing and circulation services are not available at this time. Please continue to use Curbside Services for books and other materials. Bathrooms will not be available to the public at this time as well. We look forward to working with you as we begin to phase in additional library services in a safe and manageable way. Thank you for your understanding.
Free Wi-fi: Free Wi-fi is available in our parking lot. Use “Guest Wi-fi" to connect.
Curbside Service: Curbside Service continues to be available! To request items, you may do so online via the catalog, or, call/email the library. You will receive a call to schedule a time for pick-up. Please remember to pick up your items on time, so that we can maintain social distancing and keep the process manageable and safe. Items not picked up on time will be sent back to the owning library or re-shelved after quarantine. Interlibrary loan is now available. Your interlibrary loan items may take longer than usual to arrive during adjusted operations.
Items available for Pickup include: Books, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines, educational kits, puppets, book/media bundles (favorite subject, interest, author, etc.), and Storytime and Craft Kits.
Hours for curbside pickup are as follows: o Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 10-4 o Wednesday: 10-8 o Saturday: 10-2
Book Drop & Returns: We are accepting returns via the book drop only. All returned items (Ashburnham copies) will be placed in quarantine for 7 days before being checked in. You will not be charged fines during the quarantine period. The book drop is for returning Library materials only. You may donate books in the Book Donations Bin in the Library parking lot.
Digital Services: You may also continue to access online services, such as e-books, e-audiobooks, databases, and other electronic services, at: https://ashburnhamlibrary.org/ https://www.masslibsystem.org/
Questions? If you need assistance, please call us at 978-827-4115, or email the Library using the form on the Library website. Library staff will be answering phones and checking Library email during curbside hours.
Stay Connected: We encourage you to stay in touch, informed and entertained by visiting us on social media. Facebook and Instagram links can be found here on our library website.
To view a printable PDF of this announcement, please click here.
Thank you everyone for such a wonderful summer! This year we were unsure of how participation in a mostly virtual Summer Reading Program would be. You really knocked our socks off!
Thank you so much for your support, and we hope you enjoy the rest of your summer. We are taking a brief break from Youth/Teen Programming until September. We plan on continuing to offer Virtual Storytimes and Programs, along with accompanying take Home Craft/Activity Kits.
Per Governor Baker’s announcement regarding the Reopening Phases, the Stevens Memorial Library building will remain closed to the public until further notice. All programming will remain virtual until further notice. Please see our calendar for more details: https://ashburnhamlibrary.org/calendar.html
Items available for Pickup include: Books, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines, educational kits, puppets, book/media bundles (favorite subject, interest, author, etc.), and Storytime Craft Kits.
Book Drop & Returns: We are accepting returns via the book drop only. All returned items will be placed in quarantine for 72 hours before being checked in. You will not be charged fines during the quarantine period. The book drop is for returning Library materials. Book donations can be deposited into the Book Donations Bin located in the Library parking lot.
Stay Connected: We encourage you to stay in touch, informed and entertained by visiting us on social media. Facebook and Instagram links can be found on our library website.
Per Governor Baker’s announcement regarding the Reopening Phases, the Stevens Memorial Library building will remain closed to the public until further notice. All Library programs and meetings have been canceled until further notice as well.
Curbside Service: Curbside Service is available! To request items, you may call or email the Library. You may also request items online, but be sure to request “Ashburnham” copies only at this time, as interlibrary loan delivery is not currently available (Delivery restart date, TBD). When your requested items are available, you will receive a phone call to choose a date and time slot for pick up. Please remember to pick up your items on time, so that we can maintain social distancing and keep the process manageable and safe.
Items available for Pickup include: Books, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines, educational kits, puppets, book/media bundles (favorite subject, interest, author, etc.), Storytime Craft Kits, and Summer Reading Program Materials. Hours for curbside pickup are as follows:
Book Drop & Returns: We are accepting returns via the Book drop only at this time. All returned items will be placed in quarantine for 72 hours before being checked in. You will not be charged fines during this time. The book drop is for returning Library materials. Book donations can be deposited in the Book Donations Bin located in the Library parking lot.
Per Governor Baker’s announcement regarding the Reopening Phases, the Stevens Memorial Library building will remain closed to the public until the Library implements Phase 2 (TBD). All Library programs and meetings have been canceled until further notice.
Curbside Service UPDATE 6/3: Curbside Service is now available.
Here's how Curbside Service works: To request items, you may call or email the Library. You may also request items online, but be sure to request “Ashburnham” copies only at this time, as interlibrary loan delivery is not currently available (Delivery restart date, TBD). When your requested items are available, you will receive a phone call to choose a date and time slot for pick up. Please remember to pick up your items on time, so that we can maintain social distancing and keep the process manageable and safe.
Book Drop & Returns: We are accepting returns via the Book drop only at this time. All returned items will be placed in quarantine for 72 hours before being checked in. The book drop is for returning Library materials. Book donations can be deposited in the Book Donations Bin located in the Library parking lot.
Digital Services: You may also continue to access online services, such as e-books, e-audiobooks, databases, and other electronic services at: https://ashburnhamlibrary.org/ https://www.masslibsystem.org/
Per Governor Baker’s announcement today regarding the Reopening Phases, the Stevens Memorial Library will remain closed to the public until Phase 2 (Date TBD). All Library programs and meetings have been canceled until further notice.
Please see: https://www.mass.gov/doc/guidance-for-industries-on-thereopening-plan/download
You may continue to access online services, such as e-books, e-audiobooks, databases, and other electronic services, at: https://ashburnhamlibrary.org and https://www.masslibsystem.org/
Book Drop: The Book drop is open to receive returns from Ashburnham residents only and is for returning Library materials only. Book donations can be deposited in the Book Donations Bin located in the Library parking lot.
Thank you for helping us to ensure Library materials are returned in a manageable and safe manner.
If you need assistance, please call us at 978-827-4115, or email the Library using the form on the Library website. Library staff will be checking Library email and voicemail, Monday through Friday.
We encourage you to stay in touch, informed and entertained by visiting us on social media. Facebook and Instagram links can be found on our library website.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. We look forward to seeing all of you when things return to normal!
For view a printable PDF of this announcement, please click here.
Per Governor Baker’s extended Stay-at-home Advisory in effect through May 18, the Stevens Memorial Library will be closed to the public through May 18. All Library programs have been canceled through May 18.
Book Drop: For returning Library materials only. Book donations can be deposited in the Book Donations Bin located in the Library parking lot.
May 3-9: The Book Drop is open for returns from Ashburnham residents with last names beginning with A-M only.
May 10-16: The Book Drop is open for returns from Ashburnham residents with last names beginning with N-Z only.
May 17 and Thereafter: The Book Drop is open for returns from all Ashburnham residents.
You may continue to access online services, such as e-books, e-audiobooks, databases, and other electronic services, here on this website, or at https://www.masslibsystem.org.
Per Governor Baker’s Stay-at-home Advisory in effect through May 4, the Stevens Memorial Library will be closed to the public through May 4.
All Library programs have been canceled through May 4.
You may continue to access online services, such as e-books, e-audiobooks, databases, and other electronic services, through the library website: https://ashburnhamlibrary.org or by visiting: https://libraries.state.ma.us.
You will not be charged fines during this period of closure.
Please DO NOT return ANY checked out items at this time. The book drop is locked until further notice.
The Library is NOT able to accept donations of any kind at this time. The donation bin is full. Please do not leave donations at the Library.
Questions? Please email the Library using the form on the Library website on the “Contact” tab: https://ashburnhamlibrary.org/contact.html. Library staff will be checking Library email on a daily basis.
For a printable PDF of this announcement, please click here.
Per Governor Baker’s Stay-at-home Advisory in effect through April 7, the Stevens Memorial Library will be closed to the public through April 7.
You may continue to access online services, such as e-books, e-audiobooks, databases, and other electronic services, through here through our library website or by visiting: https://www.masslibsystem.org. Social media links are available on this website.
Please DO NOT return ANY checked out items at this time. This includes Ashburnham materials as well as other libraries’ materials. The book drop is locked. You will not be charged fines during this period of adjusted library operations.
All library programs have been canceled through April 7.
The Ashburnham Energy committee is happy to announce the installation of a Level 2 EV charging station. The station is located at the East (Water street) side of the Stevens Memorial Library, and has two charging cords available for use.
The charging station was made possible by a grant from the Commonwealth through the State's "Green Communities" competitive grant program, with additional financial support provided by your Ashburnham Municipal Light Plant (AMLP) and the Town's Economic Development Committee. Additionally, the Town's DPW provided all site preparation and finish work for the required infrastructure. Use of the charging station is provided free of charge for the near future courtesy of the Library. The two parking spots immediately in front of the station are marked for EV parking only."
The results are in for this year’s Summer Reading Program! Everyone did an amazing job.
224 Participants (Ages 0-18) 884.5 Hours logged (double the hours logged last year!) 381 Prizes were awarded!
Thank you to all of our volunteers, and to Brothers Pizza for providing pizza during our Kickoff Party and for their generous prize donations. Thank you also to the Friends of the Stevens Memorial Library for funding the fun activities at our Kickoff Party.
Lastly, we’d like to thank all of our patrons for making this a fun and "out of this world" summer!
The Trustees of Ashburnham’s Stevens Memorial Library are pleased to announce the appointment of Theresa “Terri” Anstiss to the position of Library Director, effective August 5, 2019. Terri received her undergraduate degree in Philosophy from the University of New Hampshire in Durham, her Masters’ in Library and Information Science from Simmons University in Boston, and is completing her Masters’ in Educational Technology and Literacy from Lesley University in Cambridge.
Terri has a strong and diverse background in both public and school libraries having worked in Massachusetts and New Hampshire as a Reference Librarian, Assistant Library Director and Library Director. She holds a Certificate of Professional Librarianship from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners issued in 2000.
When asked during the interview process why she wanted to return to public library service, Terri said she missed the openness and warmth of public libraries and missed being able to serve in a community with diverse needs. She felt that by leveraging her experience in public and school libraries, coupled with her broad management expertise, she could bring the most value to a public library setting.
The Trustees are confident that Terri is a great fit for Ashburnham and will ably guide the Library for years to come.
There will be a reception for Terri on Monday, August 26th at 6:30 at Stevens Memorial Library. Please join us to welcome Terri to her new role.
This year's theme is: A Universe of Stories, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. It's 6 Weeks of reading, prizes, programs and fun—now through Sat, Jul 27th at 2:00pm.
Summer Reading at the Stevens Memorial Library was a big hit. Look at what you logged.
A new electric heating and cooling system for the Stevens Memorial Library is expected to improve air quality and help the town be more energy-efficient. Read more in this July 11th article from the Sentinel-Enterprise.
THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM BEGINS JUNE 26 this year with lots of events and excitement. Check out our Facebook Events page for lots more!
Summer is perfect for studying the night sky with our telescope! Adult patrons (18+) may reserve and check out the Robert Leahy Memorial Telescope for one week. Read the policy and call 978-827-4115 to place a hold!!
The Friends of Ashburnham's Stevens Memorial Library will hold a book sale at Community Day on June 25 and are currently collecting fiction and children's books for the sale. Book drop off is at Ashburnham Hardware, 7 am to 7 pm through June 3. All sale proceeds will be used to benefit the library. Thank you for your support!
We're pleased to add The Joan Kelly Memorial Zoo New England Passes to our collection of discounted attraction, event and destination offerings. This new program admits up to SIX (6) people – $9 per Adult, $6 per Child (kids under 2 free). Contact the library for details and to reserve.
Joan Kelly was an outstanding member of our community and a much-appreciated supporter of our library. We are very excited that we are able to use the funds left in her name for something that will make so many people so happy.
We are thrilled to announce that we began circulating C/W MARS on February 4, 2016. Here are some important changes to how you use the library:
If you haven’t already, check in at the Circulation Desk so we can set up your account or update your library card preferences if you already have a C/W MARS card. You will not be able to access Stevens Memorial Library services until you have checked in with us to make these changes.
If you already have a card at a C/W MARS library, you will be asked to select one card to use at all C/W MARS libraries.
Once your C/W MARS account is set up, your online log-in password will change; contact us for more info, 978-827-4115.
As always, we do not charge fines for overdue library materials; instead, you are welcome to make a non-perishable, non-expired food donation at the desk, which goes to Ashburnham Community Church Food Pantry.
Benefits of C/W MARS
New Due Dates Loan periods are changing to match C/W MARS specifications. The new loan periods are as follows:
Books and Audio CDs: 3 Weeks DVDs and Magazines: 1 Week Inter-Library Loan: 3 Weeks (unless otherwise specified) Museum Passes: 2 Days (unless otherwise specified)
All items will be eligible for 1 renewal. Please contact us with any and all questions regarding this transition! We are happy to assist you.
New! Our patrons now have free access to a collection of digital magazines and online courses in a variety of subjects thanks to two new library subscriptions, Zinio and Universal Class from RBdigital. Browse magazines on any device. See the many popular titles available on Zinio for Libraries with no holds, no checkout periods, and no download limits. Universal Class offers over 500 online continuing education courses. Enjoy remote access via the internet, connections to real instructors and other students, and Continuing Education Units on select courses. Information on account set-up is available at the Library. One-on-one training is available if you have any trouble accessing these services. Contact us at 978-827-4115 or email Margaret French to schedule an appointment or ask any questions. Try them now by clicking below:
Want to learn a new language? Rosetta Stone® can teach you - FREE - from anywhere and learn a new language! Your library card number works as your Patron ID. Login here, or call or stop in with any questions! The TumblePremium Collection from TumbleBooks has nearly 1000 titles with content for kids up to sixth grade, including books, videos, games, and much more. Click here to start exploring! For those in grades 7 and older, TumbleBookCloud is an online collection of eBooks and read-along chapter books, graphic novels, educational videos, audio books and more. Begin your adventure here!
Story Hour & Craft for young children accompanied by an adult is taking place on Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.
Come twice a week. It's a different story every time!
