The Southbury Public Library, located at 100 Poverty Road, was opened on May 6, 2006. This new building is Southbury’s cultural and educational center of the community enjoyed by people of all ages.
The library is a department of the Town of Southbury, with its own 9-member Board of Directors who oversee library policies. Its mission is to provide an accessible and attractive central source of information, recreation and education for the town of Southbury.
The staff consists of 3 full-time professional librarians: Head Librarian Shirley Thorson, Assistant Librarian/Children’s Librarian Joan Stokes, Reference Librarian Katherine Mostacero and Teen Librarian Heather Aronson along with 1 part-time professional librarian, 2 Library Technical Assistants and 14 part-time Library Assistants.
The Southbury Public Library offers a variety of services and information.
Technology
The Library has two photocopiers situated in the Reference Department and one photocopier on the second floor in the Children's Department. The cost is 10 cents per copy. There is one typewriter
for public use located in the Reference area.
There are 11 public computers for patron usage. Patrons need a valid CT library card to login. Guest passes are available for out-of-state patrons only. All public computers have access to the Internet and Microsoft Office software. Print code cards are available at the circulation desks for $1.00 and $5.00 at 10 cents per page for black and white printing only. There is a three hour maximum per patron per day on all computers.
Electronic databases are available through the WebPACs or the Southbury Public Library website. They are: iCONN (Connecticut Digital Library), Reference USA, JobNow, WOWBRARY, Ancestry.com and Overdrive downloadable books. Please contact the Reference Dept. for details.
The Collection
The Library has a collection of more than 91,953 volumes and electronic access to the holdings of 300 Connecticut libraries throughout the state via reQuest. We also have an extensive collection of books in large print. The Library subscribes to more than 100 magazines and 14 newspapers.
The Library has a significant collection of audio books and music CDs, and a growing collection of DVDs. The Library also participates in one DVD Circuit that offers additional titles each month.
The Children's Department
The Children’s Department provides a safe, nurturing and culturally stimulating environment for children and adults that will encourage lifelong reading and learning. Books are separated by age appropriateness. For babies, there are Tiny Tot Board Books. There is an extensive Picture Book Collection for pre-school children. Beginners Readers are divided into two categories: Emergent Readers and Beginner Readers. In addition to Fiction and Non-Fiction areas, there are also separate poetry, language and graphic novel areas. The following services are available in this department: computers, audio books, CD-ROMs, music collection, educational toys, DVDs/videos and magazines.
In addition, a variety of children programs are regularly offered.
The Teen Department
The Teen Area has been designed to be a gathering place for teens to meet with friends, do homework, or just relax. Apart from the collection and programming, the Teen Librarian also finds information on any subject, and helps find new books for you to read either for summer reading, educational or recreational purposes. The Teen area has a great section of fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, audio books, music CDs and DVDs/Videos. There are 6 Internet computers. A diversified offering of monthly ongoing programs and special events are regularly offered.
The Reference Department
The Reference Deptartment staff is here to help you answer questions and to assist you in using the online catalog and databases along with all other library services. We are located on the main level of the library next to the Brinker Fireplace room.
The Library subscribes to several business sources including: Standard & Poor’s Outlook, Kiplinger’s Washington Newsletter, Valueline, Morningstar, and Mergent Industrial Manuals |
