By Katherine Decker, Head of Circulation
Next week, April 19 – April 25, we will celebrate National Library Week. As stated on the American Library Association website, National Library Week “is an annual celebration of highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities.” National Library Week was first celebrated in 1958 and had a theme of “Wake Up and Read.” Included in the national celebration are the following celebration days:
Monday, April 20: Right To Read Day
Tuesday, April 21: National Library Workers Day
Wednesday, April 22: National Library Outreach Day
Thursday, April 23: Take Action for Libraries Day
This year’s theme is “Find Your Joy,” and we invite people to discover and perhaps share what brings you joy at the library. Highlighted below are some of our many library services that might spark joy in, and bring patrons to, the Lynnfield Library.
Additionally, we would like to once again thank everyone who provided responses to the questions “what do you love about the library” and “why do you love the Library” during Love Your Library Month in February.
Books and More
We offer many, many books for all ages. Fiction and nonfiction, regular and large print, graphic novels and travel books. In addition to the books, we also have a large selection of movies, TV series and educational programs on DVD, music CDs, audiobooks, and our Library of Things. In 2025, our community checked out 129,086 items!
Library of Things
The Library of Things is a collection of non-traditional library items, such as board games, puzzles, Chromebook Kits, crafting supplies, exploration kits, hotspots, memory kits, Nintendo Switch Lites, Tonies, video games, and so much more. Check out our Library of Things webpage or stop by the Library to see what we offer.
eBooks, aAudiobooks & eMagazines
In addition to the many physical materials, patrons can also download free eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines through hoopla and Libby. For those unfamiliar with either resource, information and instructions for specific devices is available online through our Library Services tab as well as in printed brochures located in the building.
Museum Pass Program
Our Museum Pass Program allows patrons to reserve passes that reduce admission fees to local museums & attractions. Included in the list of passes is Boston Children’s Museum, House of Seven Gables, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, Peabody Essex Museum and Zoo New England. In 2025, there were a total of 641 passes checked out to patrons.
Programs & Events
Our Library offers fun and educational events and programs for all ages, from Story Time for young children, to crafts for teens, to lectures for adults. Our virtual yoga classes on Thursdays have been a big hit. In 2025, we had 15,170 people attend 453 programs.
Newspapers & Magazines
The Library provides access to a wide variety of newspapers and magazines on topics like local news, business, gardening, home design, & popular culture. Newspapers must be read in the Library, but issues of magazines may be checked out.
Study and Reading Spaces
We have several tables and chairs throughout the library available for studying and reading. Whether you’re studying alone or working with others, there’s space for you.
Foreign Language Resources
Our collection includes resources to help you learn new languages for travel or advance study. The Library carries books, CDs, foreign films and children’s books in a number of languages. Reading, listening, and viewing materials in other languages can be ordered upon request.
Genealogy Tools & Resources
Visit our Local History & Genealogy collection in the Marcia Wiswall Lindberg Room, located on the first floor, to research your family tree or local history. On most Wednesday mornings, you can stop by and talk with a volunteer from the Essex Society of Genealogists (ESOG). We also have in Library access to Ancestry.com and FamilySearch, as well as in Library and home access to various other genealogy databases. Check out our Local History Genealogy page for more information.
Online Research Databases
In addition to the Genealogy databases, the Library offers access to many specialized online resources that you can access remotely 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from your home, school or office. Search for scholarly articles, read back issues of the Boston Globe, peruse Magill’s Medical Encyclopedia, and more.
Technology Equipment
The Library has wireless internet, computers, printers (both color and black & white), scanners, and a photocopier. Charging cables are available for in-Library use. We also have a microfilm machine as well as our back issues of The Lynnfield Advocate, The Village Press, the Lynnfield Weekly News, and the Lynnfield Villager in microfilm format.