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By Daniel Curtin
Hometown Weekly Reporter
On Wednesday, August 1, libraries belonging to the Minuteman Library Network hosted a scavenger hunt. The event, now in its second year, introduced attendees to the friendly staff and myriad resources available to them at their local libraries.
During the event, each participating library invited attendees to take a picture with an item, piece of art, or area that makes that specific space unique. By visiting at least five libraries, participants were eligible to receive a prize.
For example, visitors to the Needham Library were asked to take a picture in the space's STEAM room. The prize at the Needham Library was a ten dollar voucher at the libraries next book sale.
More than 20 libraries of the Minuteman Library Network took part in the event, which sought to introduce the community to the Network’s expanded offerings.
“If you play word association with hundred people and you say ‘library’ they’re going to say ‘books,’” said Assistant Director of Library Services Elise C. Maclennan at the Wellesley Free Library. “That’s great, and we do love books, and we love to help find people good books to read and help them do their research and all of that stuff - but there is a bunch of other stuff that we do, [as well].”
Children’s Supervisor Paula Dugan at the Needham Library thought the library crawl served a valuable purpose. “I think this is really nice because it highlights libraries - the importance of the libraries - and it brings people into libraries,” she said.
“The Minuteman Library Network is the best thing I have ever seen, and I have been going to the library since I was four years old,” said Elaine Murphy, who was visiting the Dover Library with her friend. Murphy had already been to three Minuteman libraries before stopping in Dover. “People find more in the library than they ever thought they would.”
Liz Rowland, a librarian at the Sherborn Library, was appreciative of the benefits that come along with being a member of the Minuteman Library Network. “We send stuff to other libraries, and they send stuff to us. It's great, especially being a small library. We’re able to get stuff that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford,” Rowland said.
For its part, the Medfield Library instructed its scavenger hunters to take a photo with some chairs that look like they come from a 1950s diner. “It’s a really fun idea,” said Circulation Assistant Nicole Vandyar. “It educates patrons in the Minuteman system that they can come and use their library cards at any of the libraries in the consortium.”
“I think it is really important that we collaborate as a network,” Library Director Tricia Perry of Westwood summed up. “This a more fun collaboration than just sharing resources, but that’s really what it is all about.”
