The library's Reference department is the starting point for conducting and exploring research in all subject areas. The Maynard Public Library offers reference and information services to every segment of the community and is located on the second floor of the building.

Reference Collection

The library's Reference Collection contains a wide variety of non-circulating books. Some types of reference books include encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, indexes, handbooks, and directories. These books must be used in the library and can only be checked out overnight.

Online Databases

The library subscribes to a total of 33 subscription databases that supplement the Reference Collection. The databases cover a wide variety of information including genealogy, biographies, medical information, historical sources, and more.

The databases can provides you with quality information from many reputable sources. For example, Periodical databases such as Academic OneFile, General OneFile, and Massachusetts Newsstand provide thousands of magazine, journal, and newspaper articles in full-text. Novelist is a reader's advisory database to help you select new fiction books to read next. Opposing Viewpoints is a terrific starting point for research projects and provides contextual information and opinions on hot social issues.

Click here to access the all of the databases we subscribe to.

Interlibrary Loan

If you require material that is not available within the library or the Minuteman Library Network, the Reference staff will attempt to borrow the material from outside of the network. To learn more, click here.

Periodicals

The library subscribes to a wide variety of newspapers, newsletters, and magazines for a varied number of subjects. For a complete listing of the periodicals we subscribe to, click here.

Local History Collection

Materials about the history of Maynard are located in the Reference office and cannot be loaned out, but are accessible for in-library use. The library keeps books about Maynard history, annual town reports (1872-present), high school yearbooks, and microfilm of town newspapers dating back to 1899.

For more information...

Our Reference staff is available to help you answer your questions and to use our print and electronic resources to find the information you need. Librarians can assist you in person, on the phone, and through email. You can contact the staff in person on the second floor of the library or by telephone: 978-897-1010 x104. You can also ask your question on the “Ask a Librarian” form on the left hand side of this page.

Photo courtesy of Warren Jagger.