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You can document any aspects of your life during this time, especially with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, that you feel comfortable sharing. Our form allows you to remain anonymous. You can also keep a journal, write poems or stories, create art, write or record music, create video or audio recordings, or take photographs. We’re interested in almost anything that helps to document the Amherst community during these times. If you email or mail us your responses and wish to remain anonymous, please make your choice clear. Don’t worry - we are not going to judge anyone on spelling or grammar!
Note: Please do not include any identifiable medical information about yourself or others.
No - while our focus is on the experiences of those who live and/or work in Amherst, we welcome submissions from any area resident who would like to share their thoughts.
Yes. Please be clear when you submit that you would like to remain anonymous or simply do not include your name if you are submitting our form..
Yes - you can request that your submissions remain private for a specified length of time (say, 10 years) and they will be classified as “restricted” within the collection and will not be available to the public during that time period.
Absolutely not! Our current situation is changing so quickly that we encourage more than one submission. Conversely, you could submit everything all at once at a later date.
Submission will not automatically be made public; however, they will be available in our Special Collections department, which is accessible to everyone. If we use any portion of your submission in our own work (i.e. in exhibits, on social media, etc.), we will not include any personally identifiable information.
All submissions will become the property of Jones Library Special Collections and will be included in the Documenting Experiences Collection. The collection will be open for public use.
We are always interested in materials documenting Amherst’s history and, while the form may not always remain available, we will always be interested in materials by or about our community members. You can call or email us at any time to discuss donations.
We’re probably interested! However, you can always get in touch with us by phone or email and we’re happy to provide guidance regarding what we collect.
When materials have no more automatic renewals and are overdue by 2 to 4 weeks (depending on the format) they enter “Lost” status in our circulation system, and your account is charged a replacement fee. This may block your ability to request items from other libraries, or borrow items from Jones Library. When materials are returned and checked in, the “Lost” status is cleared from your account and no fines will remain for that item.
There is no data showing that library fines deter patrons from returning library materials on or before the due date. Studies have shown that 95% of items are returned within one week of their due date. Studies also show the only way fines serve as a deterrent is by imposing steep fines. We will continue to maintain our collection and replace lost items in accordance with our Collection Development Policy.
No. The library will still charge patrons to replace lost or damaged items. However, if a library item enters “lost” status and is subsequently returned in good condition, no fines or fees will be associated with the item.
So far, we have not seen a change in our circulation statistics as a result of eliminating fines. The number of reminders we send out for books that are 60 to 90 days late has not changed. The number of adult AV items specifically that become “Lost” each week has not changed. This data affirms our belief that holds will continue to be fulfilled in a timely manner and our collection will remain robust.
By law, overdue fines have always been turned over to the Town of Amherst. With automatic renewals and increased usage of electronic items, the amount we receive in overdue fines continues to decrease substantially every year. Although the amount we receive in overdue fines has been a source of revenue for the town in the past, the staff and Trustees feel that overdue fines do more harm than good.
All materials returned through the Jones Library System will be checked in without fines, even if they belong to another library. Overdue fines stay at the library where the patron is paying them, so the owning library loses that revenue anyway. We have made this policy decision based on what we feel is best for our patrons.
Thank you! We have collection boxes at our circulation desks and are grateful to accept donations in lieu of fines. Donations can also be made online. These donations will continue to support library services and collections.
Please contact Director Sharon Sharry at sharrys@joneslibrary.org.
Renewable items will renew automatically! See Renewing for details.
As of August 2019, no overdue fines accrue on Jones Library and its branches’ materials. However, having overdue items on your account may restrict further borrowing and access to digital collections. Please see What happens if I have overdue items? for details. Please note that other CW MARS libraries may charge overdue fines.
See Borrowing for details.
Yes, you can pay fines and fees online with Visa, MasterCard, or Discover, by logging into My Account.
Yes! We have several free apps for accessing our collections and services. See Library Apps for details.
Two meeting rooms at the Jones Library may be reserved for use in advance. See Meeting Rooms for details. To reserve the hall or the downstairs room at the Munson Memorial Library, please call the Town of Amherst at 413-259-3002.
Yes! Our collection of instruments includes a banjo, a doumbek drum, a dulcimer, an electronic keyboard, glockenspiels, a lap harp, a rainstick, and ukuleles. See the complete list. If an instrument is available, you can check it out at the Jones Library Circulation Desk. If not, you can place a hold.
Yes! See Wi-Fi Hotspots for details.
Yes. See Print from Home / Pick Up at Jones for details.
All three of the large academic libraries in Amherst allow unaffiliated local residents to apply for a library card and borrow items at no cost. Residents of Massachusetts are eligible to apply for a card at the UMass Du Bois Library. Residents of Hampshire, Franklin, Hampden, Worcester, or Berkshire counties with a Massachusetts photo ID are eligible to apply for a card at Amherst College's Frost Library. "Area residents" are eligible to apply for a card at Hampshire College's Harold F. Johnson Library.
NOTE: There may be pandemic restrictions in place, so it's best to call ahead.
Thank you very much for your interest in the Jones Library and branches. While we do not have high demand for volunteers at this time, we do have occasional or temporary general volunteer opportunities. If you would like to be considered, please complete this form.
If you are aged 12 to 18, please fill out the Teen Volunteer form instead.
Please also consider volunteering with our ESL program or joining and volunteering with the Friends of the Jones Libraries.
We accept books and other materials according to our Donating Materials to the Library Policy (PDF).
Other local organizations accepting book donations include: Goodwill, 183 University Drive, Amherst (413-835-0096) and Reader to Reader, 38 Woodside Avenue, Amherst (413-256-8595).
Town libraries close when other Town offices – not the schools – close due to hazardous winter weather. Announcements regarding library closings are made after 6:30 a.m. via TV stations WWLP Channel 22 and WGGB Channel 40, as well as via the library closure line at 413-259-3094. You can also sign up to receive news alerts by email or text message.
You can reserve a tablet for pick up at the Jones Library. See below for details.
You must be a resident of Amherst who is at least 18 years old, and you must have a CW MARS library card in good standing to borrow a tablet. Limited to one tablet per household.
Yes. You can place a hold through our catalog using your library card and PIN. Please note that tablets can only be picked up and returned to the Jones Library.
Tablets check out for 3 weeks and there are no renewals. If a tablet isn’t returned by its due date, it will be remotely locked.
We expect our tablets to be very popular, so we ask that you please return it by its due date.
No. Tablets are not renewable. But you may place a hold on another tablet.
The tablets connect to the T-Mobile network. See the T-Mobile coverage area.
Data usage is unlimited and internet content is not filtered. The library does not track internet usage. By borrowing and using the tablet, you are agreeing not to engage in illegal activity. The library is not responsible for any files, data, or personal information accessed or transmitted using the tablet.
If you lose or damage a tablet you will be charged a replacement fee, as described below:
You can borrow a Wi-Fi hotspot at the Jones Library Reference Desk, the Munson Memorial Library, or the North Amherst Library. Hotspots may be available on a walk-in basis, but due to high demand we recommend that you request one and we'll contact you when it's ready for pick-up. See below for details.
You must be at least 18 years old and have a CW MARS library card in good standing to borrow a hotspot. Limited to one hotspot per household.
Yes. You can request a hotspot through our catalog using your library card number and PIN. Please note that Wi-Fi hotspots can only be picked up the Jones Library Reference Desk, the Munson Memorial Library, or the North Amherst Library.
Wi-Fi hotspots check out for 14 days and there are no renewals. If a hotspot isn’t returned by its due date, the wireless service to the hotspot will be remotely turned off.
Our hotspots are very popular, so we ask that you please return it by its due date.
No. Wi-Fi hotspots are not renewable. But you may place a hold on another hotspot.
The hotspots connect to the T-Mobile network. See a map of the T-Mobile coverage area.
You can view hotspot user manuals (by hotspot type) here: Franklin T9 (PDF), Franklin T10 (PDF), Coolpad Surf (PDF), or Alcatel Linkzone (PDF).
TO GET STARTED:
If the hotspot’s battery runs low, you can plug it into a wall outlet using the included cable. It may take 3 to 4 hours for the battery to fully charge, but it can be used while it is charging.
Need additional help? Call T-Mobile at 1-800-375-1126.
Data usage is unlimited and internet content is not filtered. The library does not track internet usage. By borrowing and using the hotspot, you are agreeing not to engage in illegal activity. The library is not responsible for any files, data, or personal information accessed or transmitted using the Wi-Fi hotspot.
Hotspots can be used inside the continental U.S. and in Puerto Rico. There is no international data or roaming available. See the T-Mobile coverage area for further details.
If you lose or damage a hotspot, you will be charged a replacement fee, as described below: