Staff Articles
Tech Tuesday: Gale In Context
Hello all! It’s time for another Tech Tuesday tutorial! This week we’re looking at Gale in Context. You might be noticing that a lot of our databases have “Gale” in the title, and you’re absolutely right! Gale offers a ton of different resources that all look at...
Tech Tuesday: General OneFile
Hello all! Welcome back to another one of our tutorials on using one of our online databases. This week we’re taking a look at Gale General OneFile. If you’ve been keeping up with our tech tips, you might be thinking how that sounds a lot like Academic OneFile,...
World Suicide Prevention Day and Mental Health Book List
Are you struggling in silence? What about the people you care about? The trials and tribulations of modern life often make it very difficult to notice when your loved ones are suffering from mental health issues, especially when they find it uncomfortable to talk...
Tech Tuesday: Academic OneFile
Hello all! I’m Erica, the Technology Services Librarian and I’m back with more information on one of our resources, and this week we’re looking at Gale Academic OneFile. Gale has a bunch of tools for making research a little easier, and this is one of those tools...
Tech Tuesday: Peterson’s Test Prep
Hello all! Today I, the Technology Librarian, will be covering the resource known as Peterson’s Test Prep! (Well, the full name is Gale Presents Peterson’s Test Prep, but that’s a mouthful.) Test Prep is one of our newer resources that I’m the most excited about,...
House Genealogy How-To: Part 1
Have you tried to trace the genealogy of your house? In this multi-part series, we will explore how to use local history resources at the library to write the genealogy of your house here in Westfield. In part one of this series, we’re going to focus on some of the...
Tech Tuesday: Gale LegalForms
Hello all! I’m Erica, the Technology Services Librarian, and I wanted to say welcome to the first in a series of Tech Tuesday tips on how to use our databases! This month we’re going to start a little easy with one of our newest databases: Gale LegalForms. Gale...
Cozy Mysteries & Thrillers Booklist
It’s officially the dog days of summer and we’re all looking for ways to beat the heat. If you like solving puzzles and crimes, why not play the detective and read a thriller or a cozy mystery? Check out our list of favorites below and drop by the library to pick...
Handicrafts Book List
Looking for a fun project for yourself or your family? We’ve got you covered! Stop in and take a look at our handicrafts display, where you’ll see books on papercraft, pottery, pixelcraft, and more. And if you make something you love, please post it on social media...
The Pennsy Girls
Back in the 1940s, summer in Westfield meant the arrival of the “Pennsy Girls”. The Pennsy Girls were young women from economically disadvantaged areas of rural Pennsylvania who were recruited to Westfield (along with teachers who served as chaperones and camp...
Let’s Read Modern Classics
When we think of reading the classics, often dusty tomes from the last two centuries come to mind. Yet there are many titles from the past few decades that have been so widely loved and read that they have become modern classics, earning their places on the shelves...
Our Favorite Beach Reads
Summer is here! Whether you’re on the sand or on the couch, these beach reads will help you relax. Please note that if you find an author you like, you can look up more titles by that author or ask a librarian to help you. Happy reading and chillaxing! ...
Wildflowers of Westfield and Beyond
Often when we think of gardens and flowers in Westfield, local gems such as Grandmother’s Garden and Stanley Park come to mind. Yet when it comes to flora and fauna,very few of us are likely to think of local teacher, Adelbert M. Jakeman (1905-1983). While you may...
Celebrate Juneteenth!
Juneteenth, held on June 19th, is the oldest national celebration of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. Commemorate this important day in history with books, audiobooks, and e-books that reflect on the experiences, struggles, and...
A Gourmet and a Grump Made a Book List for You
In advance of their upcoming presentation The Benefits of Plant Based Eating with a Gourmet and a Grump (here at the Athenaeum, Thursday June 30, 6:30-8pm!) Jennifer and Andrea are excited to share a book list of cookbooks they’d personally recommend to you! In...
Happy Rainbow Book Month!
It’s officially Rainbow Book Month here at the Westfield Athenaeum! This month, libraries nationwide celebrate authors and writing about the lives, experiences, and art of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, pansexual, genderqueer, queer, intersex, agender,...
Books That Are All About Bees
Spring is here, flowers are blooming, fruits are ripening… and it’s all thanks to the bees! Check out the buzz-y books below to dive into a honey-soaked world or learn how to keep your own happy hive. And if you want to learn more about backyard beekeeping, we are...
Youth Poetry Contest 2022
This year we had over 20 entries from students in middle school through high school to our Youth Poetry Contest. Our judges, librarians from the Youth Services department, had a difficult time choosing winners! The entries were split between middle school writers...
Kitchen Appliances at the Library?!
Do you ever watch cooking shows and wish you could try some of the amazing gadgets they use in their kitchens? Well, now you can! As part of our At the Table, In the Garden food-based programming, we’re now offering a number...
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental health awareness and care has changed dramatically since the 19th century when state institutions were first created to treat mental illnesses in Massachusetts. Some local institutions, such as the Northampton State Hospital and the Worcester State Hospital,...
