Libraries in Central MA have come a long way since I was a little shaver reading every Beverly Cleary book I could get my hands on at the Bolton Library. Today’s libraries offer incentives like passes to museums, DVDs, Internet access, health and educational meeting areas, and downloadable books, in addition to the traditional Children’s Reading hour and print books.

The library of the 21st century is committed to connecting you to the outside world. It’s your Father’s Library, with a ton of extras!

Below is a list of area Massachusetts Libraries, with links and brief descriptions of the “extras” they offer:

Ashburnham MA – Stevens Memorial Library: events calendar, audio book collection

Ashby MA – Ashby Free Public Library: books on CD, museum passes, community meeting room

Ayer MA – Downloadable books, reference databases, museum passes, calendar of events

Bolton MA – over 15 passes to museums and MA State Park system, Internet, Cheesy Movie Series.

Boston MA – if you live in MA, you can apply for a card. Follow these instructions to apply online. The Mother of all libraries, this one offers too many perks to list

Fitchburg MA – events, children’s and teen resources, Chat with a Librarian link

Groton MA – reference databases, 23 museum and local attraction passes, a Groton-specific collection

Harvard MA – museum passes, student links including college information

Lancaster MA – Thayer Memorial Library: Classic Movies and Musicals (Tuesdays), events calendar, passes to local attractions

Leominster MA – museum passes (must be a Friend of the library), kids teens and homework help, genealogy help, events calendar

Lunenburg MA - Ritter Memorial Public Library: new books list, meeting room, teens and children info, museum passes

Shirley MA – Hazen Memorial Library: calendar of events, museum passes, children’s room and homework center, meeting room