Request this service at the Reference Department. The Athenaeum welcomes suggestions for purchase of materials not in the collection. Borrowers responsible for repairable damages will be charged one quarter of the replacement cost of the item. Those responsible for irreparable damage will be charged the full replacement cost. The library is handicapped accessible.
Referrals are welcome, and volunteers are always needed.
Materials for the Disabled available at the Athenaeum include such items as large print books, TDD, closed captioned decoders, closed captioned video cassettes, descriptive video cassettes, print magnifiers, assistive listening devices, a computer screen magnifier, books on tape, and materials on disabilities. Special Collections at the Athenaeum include the Berkshire Authors Collection, Herman Melville Room, and the Mary Rice Morgan Ballet Collection. Since 1938 the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum has assisted in providing your library with funds for materials and programs outside the City's operating budget. Local History and Genealogy Dept.