FM #1378 - Franklin Public Library: Group Shares Highlights - 02/05/25

This session shares my conversation with Felicia Oti, Director of the Franklin Public Library. We were joined by many of her staff, see the names below. We had our discussion virtually on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

I opened the conversation with my recitation of “Hail, hail, the gang's all here… what the heck do we care now?”  We all care about the Franklin Library which is why we are here now, and are about to find out some of the breadth of services they cover.

• Felicia Oti, Library Director
• Allison Smith, Deputy Director
• Kara Naff, Circulation Supervisor
• Vicki Earls, Head of Reference 
• Mitzi Gousie, Public Services Librarian
• Caleigh Keating, Youth Services Librarian

Among the many services the Library offer are:

• Digitization of Franklin History
• US Citizenship test prep
• Subscription to Khan Academy
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) both a opportunity that provides training for those that volunteer , as well as a service for those with income less than 65K to file their taxes
• Decodable books for beginning readers now in the library
• Citizen science kits co-sponsored by Conservation Commission
• From Mass Cultural Council, Franklin Cultural Council & Franklin  Cultural District come grant funded programs, including a typewriter orchestra concert coming in April

The show notes include links to the Library page and to the calendar of events where registration for some of the events is required/recommended.

The recording runs about 58 minutes, so let’s listen in.

--------------

Franklin Public Library page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/233/Franklin-Public-Library 

Event calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events 

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

https://franklinma.gov/313/English-for-Speakers-of-Other-Languages-

Prior recording April 2020 #248

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/fm-248-franklin-public-library-staff.html 

-------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know
• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"