Franklin's Community Vision
“To be a vibrant community that supports the arts, nonprofit organizations, higher education and businesses in an atmosphere that allows growth and prosperity while at the same time conserving our heritage, natural resources, and history. We will build on and celebrate our uniqueness as a
community and maintain the quality of life that is a strength and competitive advantage.”
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| Franklin's Public Library, 118 Main St |
Franklin Public Library Vision
Franklin Public Library strengthens the Town of Franklin’s culture of learning, innovation and engagement.
Highlights and New Services:
Facility
Plans to address code issues, renovate and expand the facility are underway. The Library is profoundly grateful for the hard work and diligence of the Building Committee.
Services:
Sunday hours have made easy, continuous and convenient access to the library possible for all Franklin residents.
Collections - The Digital Branch
Expanding access and resources beyond the physical building is a library priority. In 2015, the library added five new databases, bringing the library’s digital collection to eight. In addition to the e-book collection from Overdrive, Hoopla for e-audio books, music and movies, and genealogy and Ancestry, Franklin residents of all ages now have unlimited access, anytime, anywhere to online resources for research, education, personal growth and entertainment.
New databases
1.Rosetta Stone
With a simple log-in through the Library, Franklin residents now have the freedom to learn a new language free of charge whenever, wherever, they choose from the leading provider of online services designed to help people master a new language. The Rosetta Stone can be accessed on almost any device with a mobile app. and provides instant feedback, fun activities and expert guidance for differing learning styles or core lessens that build reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
11. Learning Express
Library an online test preparation database with over 800 practice tests and self paced study opportunities to help Franklin Residents achieve their educational and career goals free of charge.
Featured resources include:
1. Adult Learning Center
• Build math, grammar, writing and reading skills.
2. Become a U.S. Citizen
• Prepare for the Citizenship Exam
• Get a Green Card
3. College Center
Math Skills Review
• Algebra
• Basic Math
• Calculus
• Geometry and Measurement
• Trigonometry
• Statistics
• Logic and Reasoning
• Quantitative Comparison and Word Problems
Reading Skills Review
• Reading Comprehension
• Vocabulary and Spelling
Grammar and Writing Skills Review
• Grammar
• Writing
• Public Speaking
Science Skills Review
• Chemistry
• Biology
Prepare for Graduate School Admissions Exams
• GMAT Preparation
• GRE Preparation
• LSAT Preparation
• MAT Preparation
• PCAT Preparation
Prepare for College Placement Exams
• ACCUPLACER Preparation
• ASSET Preparation
• COMPASS Preparation
• College Placement Preparation eBooks
Prepare for the CLEP* Exams
• CLEP* Preparation
4. College Preparation Center
Prepare for Your ACT Test
• Prepare for Your ACT Test
• ACT Practice Tests
Prepare for Your SAT Test
• SAT Test Preparation Tutorial
• SAT Practice Tests
Prepare for your AP* Exam
• Practice for Your AP Exam
• AP Exam Preparation eBooks
Prepare for Your PSAT/NMSQT Test
• Practice for Your PSAT/NMSQT Test
• PSAT/NMSQT Test Preparation Prepare for Your TOEFL Test
• Practice for Your TOEFL Test College Admissions Essay Writing
• Learn to Write a College Admissions Essay
5. High School Equivalency Center
Build Your Basic Skills
• Build Your Reading Skills
• Build Your Writing Skills
• Build Your Math Skills
• Build Your Grammar Skills
• Build Your Vocabulary and Spelling Skills
Prepare for the GED® Test
• Learn About the New GED® Test
• Reasoning through Language Arts
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Science
• Social Studies
6. School Center
Elementary School
• Math Skills Improvement
• Reading Comprehension Skills Improvement
Middle School
• Math Skills Improvement
• Reading Comprehension Skills Improvement
• Writing and Grammar Skills Improvement
• Social Studies Skills Improvement
• Vocabulary and Spelling Skills Improvement
• High School Entrance Exams Preparation
High School
• Logic and Reasoning Skills Improvement
• Math Skills Improvement
• Reading Comprehension Skills Improvement
• Science Skills Improvement
• Social Studies Skills Improvement
• Statistics Skills Improvement
• Trigonometry Skills Improvement
• Vocabulary and Spelling Skills Improvement
• Writing and Grammar Skills Improvement
7. Career Center
Learn More about a Career
• Allied Health
• Caseworker
• Culinary Arts
• Firefighting
• Green Careers
• Homeland Security
• Law Enforcement
• Legal
• Nursing
• Teaching
• Career Information for Veterans
Prepare for an Entrance Exam
• Prepare for Allied Health Programs Entrance Tests
• Prepare for Nursing School Entrance Tests
Prepare for an Occupation Exam
• Allied Health
• Air Traffic Controller
• Civil Service
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
• Cosmetology
• Culinary Arts
• Emergency Medical Services
• Firefighting
• Homeland Security
• Law Enforcement
• Postal Worker
• Nursing
• Real Estate
• Plumbing
• Teaching
Join the Military or Become an Officer
• Prepare for the ASVAB
• Prepare for the Military Flight Aptitude Tests
• Prepare for the Officer Candidate Tests
• Prepare for the CFAT
Job Search and Workplace Skills
• Improve Your Job Search, Interviewing, and Networking Skills
• Build Your Workplace Skills
111. Reference USA
Reference USA is the premier source for consumer and business information. With access to over 24 million US businesses it is a valuable tool for students, job seekers and small business owners/entrepreneurs.
1V. Zinio - Magazine newsstand
The world's largest newsstand offering free full color to digital magazines from the library’s collection of popular titles with no holds, no checkout periods, and no limits to the number of magazines that Franklin residents can download. Zinio can be accessed on variety of devices including iPads, iPhones, Android, Macs, and the PC.
V. America’s Genealogy Bank with America’s Obituaries and Dearth Notices
This new database is now available to Franklin residents with your Minuteman Library Card, America’s Genealogy Bank provides Web-based access to nearly 241 million of United States core genealogical records from 1690 to the present day. Most of these sources are unique to this collection and are difficult to find on microfilm or in print. Through basic name search or advanced search options, genealogists can find and browse digital images of obituaries, marriage notices, birth announcements, casualty lists, military and government documents, and other essential primary sources. It also provides the full text of modern U.S. newspaper obituaries and death notices, as well as enhanced Social Security Death Index (SSDI) records. By searching more than 151 million records found in more than 4,600 historical U.S. newspapers and other sources, researchers can quickly find their ancestors in obituaries, marriage notices, birth announcements and other items.
To access databases Go to
www.mln.lib.ma.us Click on Databases Enter your library card number, and select the database.
Outreach - Partnering with the Schools
Outreach efforts to the Franklin Public Schools, the Charter School and Tri-County included:
• Library visits to the schools to read, share information and meet with parents.
• School Library orientation programs and tours.
• Library card campaigns at the schools.
• Teen book discussion group.
• Sharing programming information and services with the schools.
• Regularly scheduled reading programs at the Library.
• Library's year round 'get ready for kindergarten' program.
• Free Tutoring/ homework assistance for students in grades 2-8.
• Free books for Franklin school teachers for their classrooms at the library's monthly book sales.
• Library books /digital collections developed to assist students complete assignments throughout the school year.
• Summer reading programs and lists
• Hosting the Charter School Art show for the sixth year in a row.
Programs
In FY2015, the Library offered nine powerful weekly programs designed to increase reading readiness, support school readiness, improve learning outcomes, teach technology and programming skills and create informal learning environments for tweens and teens.
In addition, three monthly clubs (Lego club, genealogy club, adult coffee and craft) transformed library visits into teachable moments and social gatherings for youngsters, families and adults.
Monthly adult programs included author visits, ghost stories, computer workshops and open computer labs.
Special thanks
- The Franklin Library Association gift
We are very grateful to the Franklin Library Association (FLA) whose generous donation of $28,750 allowed us to expand the digital collection and purchased 15 laptops, 15 chrome books, a digital cart, a 3D printer and supplies. Their generosity provided the financial support needed to
establish Technology Talk for teens and tweens, technology workshops for adults and an open computer lab.
- The Friends of the Franklin Library Gift
All of the 2015 Summer programming has been funded through a generous donation of $10,000 by the Friends of the Franklin Library. We are thankful for their financial support and commitment to the Library.
- The Town Council for the FY2016 Budget
Town Council approved a 2% increase of the FY 2016 budget. Although this modest increase is $271,024 short of the $962,020 Municipal Appropriation Requirement, we are grateful for the stability and continuity it provides.
- Digital Credit Union's $4,000 gift will significantly impact Library Services.
- The Mom's Club of Franklin North's donation of $250 for improvements in the Children's room is welcome and inspiring.
The Library values the vision set forth by the Library Board of Directors, the continued support of the Town Council, Finance Committee, Town Administrator, the Friends, the Franklin Library, the Franklin Library Association, our hard working staff and volunteers.
Exploring additional funding revenue streams going forward
The Library Board has begun exploring the establishment of a Foundation to support the Library's capital and the operational needs
Respectfully submitted,
Felicia Oti
Library Director
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"Prior to November 1 of each year, the Town Clerk shall cause to be prepared and made available to the inhabitants of the Town an annual report for the preceding fiscal year which shall include: the annual Town budget, the reports of all Town officers, the records of all Town Council bylaw amendments and resolutions, an abstract of births, marriages and deaths, and the wages, salaries, or other compensation of all Town employees." [Added 5-2-2012 by Bylaw Amendment 12-681]
Shared from the full and complete PDF version of the Town of Franklin Annual Report for 2015
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The library expansion plans were approved after the Annual Report entry was completed
although the presentation to the Town Council occurred in April 2015
The architect document can be viewed here (PDF)
