Here are some things you might want to know how to do in and around the library. If you have any other questions, please stop by, call or send us an email. We’re here to help.
- Get a Library Card
Fill out a library card application (pdf) and bring it to the front desk during open hours. Please bring ID or piece of mail with your address on it. Children of any age may get a library card with a caretaker's permission. We are proudly fine-free. - See New Library Materials
Find out what new Books, DVDs and Audiobooks on CD have been added recently to the collection by checking out our Wowbrary page. - Reserve a Museum Pass
To reserve a pass, drop by the library or call 628-4414 during open hours. Only one pass may be reserved at a time per family. Passes may be returned in the book drop.
Here’s where you can use passes…
Free admission:
*Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst: Admits up to 2 adults & 4 children
*Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown: Admits one adult only.
*Massachusetts Parks Pass, State wide except Nahant & Nantasket Beaches : Admits 1 car
*MASS MoCA, North Adams: Admits 2 adults and 2 kids
*Historic Deerfield, Deerfield: Admits up to 4 people
Reduced admission:
*Springfield Museums, Springfield: Half-price admission with each full-price admission purchased
Museum Passes provided through the generosity of the Friends of the Belding Library. - Check out our "Library of Things"
We have a number of "nontraditional" items you can borrow. These include the framed paintings and photography you see around the library, a telescope, filmmaking equipment, and more. Find out more about our collections of "things" and what is currently available by following this link. To reserve an item, drop by the library or call 628-4414 during open hours. - Use a Public Computer
Belding Library has two computers with internet access for public use as well as a printer, copier, and fax machine. Print-outs cost 10 cents per page. Faxes cost $1 per page. - Access our Wireless Internet
Bring in your laptops, tablets or smartphones and access free wireless internet anywhere in the library. - Find Electronic Resources for Research and Homework
Find information from Newspapers, Databases and Encyclopedias provided by CWMARS, the Mass Library System, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. - Borrow e-books and e-audiobooks
OverDrive is the network-wide collection of ebooks, audio books, and magazines free for library member use. Titles in our OverDrive collection may be downloaded to a computer, transferred to a device, or accessed through an app on a smartphone or tablet. To borrow or place holds on digital titles you need a valid library card. More detailed information and links to the free software for OverDrive can be found at our digital catalog, linked here.
Smartphone and tablet users can download Overdrive's "Libby" app for free from their app store to get started. - Use our Community Meeting Room
All Ashfield residents may use the Community Meeting Room free of charge for non-profit educational, cultural and civic purposes. You may use the room for for-profit activities for a modest fee. To reserve the meeting room or for more information, drop by the library or call 628-4414 during open hours. Please contact us if you have any other questions. - Volunteer!
Volunteers have always played a valuable role in helping Belding Library thrive. A huge thank you to all past and current library volunteers! We are now expanding the ways volunteers can help in the library –
*Story readers – Animated folks to read stories on a Saturday morning to young children .
*Program organizers – Creative folks with ideas for programs that would appeal to the Ashfield community and would be willing to organize and facilitate these programs with library staff.
*Teen program facilitators — Energetic folks to arrange or present programs for middle and high school age youth at the library .
If you are interested in one of these volunteer opportunities, drop by the library, call (628-4414) or contact the library by email.