Top 19 Innovations at Dedham Public Library for 2019

As 2019 begins, the Dedham community is celebrating a myriad of innovations at Dedham Public Library's Main Library and Endicott Library branch. Here is just a sampling of the dramatic changes, which have been overseen by DPL's Library Director Bonnie Roalsen, DPL staff and supported by DPL's Library Board of Trustees:

1) HEAD-TURNING ATTENDANCE: Community utilization of the Dedham Public Library has skyrocketed. DPL welcomed over 250,000 visitors in 2018 – with a 2557% increase in program attendance!

2) HIGH-TECH CHECK OUT: New books now arriving ‘shelf ready’ in the libraries with RFID tags for faster delivery times into the hands of patrons.

3) FINES ARE FINISHED: DPL is now a fine-fee library! Another move to promote #EquitableAccess.

4) MORE SPACE & MOBILE: New more open library design allows greater those with limited mobility accessibility to collections, services, and programming. Can’t even get there? Get deliveries to right to your door! Library events are also live-streamed on Facebook to provide remote and distributed access, as well as archived on the library’s YouTube channel.

5) TECH TREASURES: A broad range of technology is now available at the library, including

- open computer access

- coding and robotics workshops to help residents build their digital literacy skills

- video gaming consoles (for on-site use and for circulation)

- 3D Design and 3D printing (Dedham is the first library in the country to provide 3D printers as part of its circulating collection)

- drone flying and training

- immersive/curated virtual reality (VR) experiences (from coral reefs and the aurora borealis to the U.A.E and the digestive system)

• circulating laptop computers, iPads, surface pros, kindles, and more

6) DEDHAM'S AR HISTORY APP: DPL recently launched an augmented reality (AR) app which overlays and maps the town’s rich historical information and digital content over the physical environment making Dedham’s history come to life for mobile phone users as they navigate the Dedham area.

7) BOOKS & DIGITAL ABOUND: Lending collection now includes not just books, audio materials, magazines, newspapers, and movies, but also streaming content, and online training and databases.

8) DON'T BUY STUFF - BORROW IT! DPL also sports a flourishing “object collection.” Yes, you can borrow everything from

- lawn games

- kitchen appliances

- tools & household appliances (steam cleaner, fabric steamer, rice cooker)

- games/dolls

- sewing machines

- musical instruments

- telescopes

- tech (USB drives, laptops, headphones, etc.)

- Arduino kits (programmable circuit boards for STEM learning)

- LOTS more at https://dedham-ma.libguides.com/objects!

9) MILLIONS IN A MINUTE: Patrons have easy access more than 6.5 million books in the Minuteman network.

10) SUPER-BOOKS: Books and items are being QR coded, linking to suggested readalikes which can be easily requested with the click of a button as well as suggesting additional related resources, digital resources, museum passes, etc.

11) NEW INNOVATION POSITION: Dedham Public Library also recently hired a Reading Advocate to promote reading, books, and literacy within the community.

12) BURGEONING BOOK CLUBS: The library hosts five active book groups– open and welcome to all!

13) CARING FOR ALL KIDS: To fill the void left by the lack of school lunch programs during the summer months, DPL is now a federally-funded open site distributing free breakfast and free lunch to any child under the age of 18 who needs it. During summer 2018, nearly 4000 free breakfasts and lunches were served, along with kids’ activities everyday!

14) ¿HABLA USTED INGLÉS?: The Endicott Branch library offers ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) tutoring program, which was started in response to the evacuees from Puerto Rico, living in Dedham after being displaced by Hurricane Maria.

15) FANTASTIC FARE FOR FAMILIES: Both Main library & Endicott branch offer other popular programs for families/children including:

• Museum pass program
• “Super Awesome Fun Time” programs
• Thrice-weekly interactive sensory learning environment for parents and toddlers,
• Baby dancetime program
• Drop-in storytimes
• Lego and anime clubs
• Arabic story time
• American Sign Language storytime
• Dungeons and Dragons club, and more

16) ANOTHER NEW INNOVATIVE POSITION: DPL now also has a new “Community Access Professional: Special Populations” staffer whose sole focus is on making the library and its offerings welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to all.

17) "BOOK" YOUR WEDDING: DPL can now be booked as an affordable wedding venue!

18) OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW (SPACE!): Out-of-date, unused books have been finally pared down to create allow more public gathering and flexible community learning & gathering spaces.

19) BUT WAIT - THERE'S MORE: DPL has offerings continue to grow. Including:

• A working beehive!
• Adult board game nights
• Pinterest craft group
• Visual journaling club
• Open piano play
• Ongoing music concert series
• Regular Author events – including prominent Smack Dab in the Middle – regional middle grade author festival
• Rotating art exhibits
• Outside speakers on a variety of topics
• Community meeting spaces for residents to utilize
• Printing robotic hands & ALS supports for those with challenges
• New open, web-based dedham.life community calendar for all civic events
• Joining #ofbyforall movement to help curate community issues and promote civil discourse
• Door-to-door library delivery service!

The community is encouraged to drop by to explore these new offerings. For those who need a library card, there is now an easy-to-use, online form. Main Branch (43 Church Street) hours: Monday - Thursday 9:30 am - 8:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Closed on Sundays. Endicott Branch, 257 Mt. Vernon Street: Monday through Thursday 9:30 am - 8:30 pm, Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Closed on Saturday & Sunday.

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