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The David & Joyce Milne Public Library is developing a new strategic plan for the next five years (2027 - 2032), and we want to hear from you! Our community survey is now open, and we encourage everyone to participate. Your feedback will help guide the library's priorities, services, programs, collections, and spaces for years to come. Whether you use the library every week, visit occasionally, or haven't stopped by in a while, your perspective is valuable. Please take a few

Oh my gosh, it's summer, a great time to read outside! When deciding on what you'll read, consider taking a look at the library's book bingo card. If any of your reads fit into a category on the book card, fill out a row or more, give it back to the library and you could win a prize. This page will be periodically updated throughout the summer, so please come back and see what's new now and then! Need help getting started? Print the front and back of the card below, or com

Join us for a series of events centered around influential scholar and orator, Frederick Douglass, and other abolitionists that found themselves in Berkshire County and ventured further to take this meaningful work nationally.

This summer, the David & Joyce Milne Public Library is participating in the TED Democracy Live program. The main event is a full day of virtual talks about democracy on Saturday, June 13. We will broadcast this event here and all are welcome to attend! The schedule is as follows: Session 1: Foundations at 11:00am to 12:30pm EDT Session 2: Friction at 2 PM to 3:30 PM EDT Session 3: Forging Ahead at 4 PM to 5:30 PM EDT (the library will be open late for this last ses

Important dates for Massachusetts voters: Register in person, by mail or online by Wednesday, October 14th Election Day: Tuesday, November 3rd How to Register, How to Vote Find all kinds of details about the voting process on these non-partisan sites. Town of Williamstown - General Election Voting 2026 Details are provided here about how to vote if you are a Williamstown resident, and what this year's ballot will look like. State of Massachusetts - Elections Division Find ou

Earth Day was established in April of 1970 in response to a nationwide concern about environmental degradation. Fifty-six years later, it is still recognized! This Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22nd, the library is excited to announce that Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer-prize winning author who also lives in Williamstown, will be hosting a book talk about her latest book, Life on a Little-Known Planet: Dispatches from A Changing Worl d. All are welcome. All of our upcoming E

I My little old dog: A heart-beat At my feet. II Spring A winter wind, Primroses, And the new furrow. III Friendship The silence of midnight, A dying fire, And the best unsaid.... excerpt from "Lyrical Epigrams" by Edith Wharton "Launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month is a special occasion that celebrates poets’ integral role in our culture..." Visit Poets.org for more information on ways you can participate in creating & enjoy

We're launching a monthly spice club starting April 2026! This passive program allows patrons to try a new spice every month. Venture to a new country to learn the spice's origins, process, tasting notes, and what it pairs well with. In addition to learning about the spice, you'll have the opportunity to try it using a recipe and helpful cooking tips. We also want you to share your creation and thoughts about the monthly spice and recipe. To do so, email Brianna at bchristie@

The Seed Library has returned! Find non-GMO and (mostly) organic seeds of all kinds that you can take with you to grow vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit. Below are some updates, basic guidelines and a few links to gardening resources. Please email kwilliams@cwmars.org with any questions. We will start accepting collected seeds, if you have collected any this year or last year, to redistribute to other gardeners, starting Saturday, June 13th! Please look for the envelop

This year's Blind Date with a Book has come to a close. Over 40 disguised dates were checked out and 23 ratings came back. Eight readers fell head-over-heels in love with their book dates, twelve reported that they will just be friends (or are still on the fence), and three never want to see their blind dates again ! Everyone received a Chapter Two gift card, and three lucky winners got a banned book puzzle, a scratch-off book poster and a New York Times Games book! Al

Last year we won an Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) Sustainable & Resilient New England Libraries grant to purchase Terracycle ™ "Zero Waste Boxes” to be housed at the library, and they have arrived! The boxes are currently located in the hallway between the Community Room and the Friends' Donation Center. This project gives the public the opportunity to recycle things that are difficult, or impossible , to recycle otherwise. Each receptacle has signage

Our annual February event, Blind Date with a Book, has begun! If you are new to this event, it's a fun way to read a book based only on a description without knowing its title, author or viewing its cover. All of the titles we wrapped received positive reviews, quite a few won awards, and most were published in 2025. This is what you do: Stop by the Milne Public Library. Visit the Blind Date with a Book display and choose a disguised book using its "pickup line" only (first

We're celebrating Black History Month at the library! Join us for exciting programs, books displays, community partnerships, and more! This blog will highlight this month's events, books on display, books on the shelf, resources, and more. If you have any questions regarding Black History Month, please reach out to Brianna Christie, at bchristie@cwmars.org . We look forward to you joining us! Events Use the slider to scroll through the events. Bingo Night Thursday, February 5

This series of programs has concluded! Thank you to everyone who attended programs, and to those who spoke here this Spring, including: Berkshire Bird Observatory Hoffmann Bird Club Mass Audubon David McGowan, former director of Williamstown Rural Lands Tom Ricardi, Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center Professor Dan Shustack, MCLA Professor Heather Williams, Williams College Zach Adams, author of Birding in New England The Zilkha Center at Williams College and Stop the Thud p

At the David & Joyce Milne Public Library, we continually evaluate all of our offerings to make sure they serve our community well - providing valuable content, easy access, and sustainable use of library resources. After a careful review of digital borrowing habits, usage statistics, and overall costs, we have made the decision to discontinue the hoopla digital service . This change will take effect on February 11th. We recognize that many patrons have enjoyed using hoopla f

Starting in January, the library will offer a number of programs that are geared towards seniors in our community. After retirement, many seniors enjoy hobbies, travel, time with family and volunteering. But as the later stage of life can also present challenges, there are quite a few agencies and experts who offer help to this demographic. Several of them are coming to the Milne over the next few months, and some are already-established groups who will continue to meet.

From some of the biggest libraries to professional book reviewers of all kinds, check out these lists of bests from last year! Please note: Many of the same resources below are also listed in print in the “Find your next great read” binder at the library. Book Page From the best book covers to the top ten books of the year, you’re sure to find something good in this list. You can also grab a free print copy at the Milne Library. Book Riot This popular online book review

Have a look at what the Milne staff have chosen as their favorite books of the year, why they chose them and how you can get a hold of these titles. Are you interested in any of these books or similar ones? Or did you read one of them and want to share your thoughts? Please let us know the next time you're in the library! Recommended by Brianna Stone Blind, by Natalie Haynes Similar to my pick last year, Stone Blind is a retelling of Greek gods and goddesses with an empha

If you didn't get a chance to read one of the great nominees for 2025, visit the Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Awards site for age recommendations and descriptions. Click on the book below for access to our online catalog!

Started by the American Library Association in 1982, Banned Books Week takes place annually on the second week of October. The purpose...