Berkshire Athenaeum Celebrates National Library Card Sign-up Month

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library, in partnership with Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., and its member businesses, is observing National Library Card Sign-up Month during the month of September. 
 
The public is encouraged to sign up for or renew their library card at the Athenaeum and enjoy special discounts exclusive to library cardholders at participating Pittsfield businesses. 
 
Patrons of the library may enter a raffle to win a $150 Downtown Pittsfield gift card or a Family Membership for the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum. Prizes provided by the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum. A brochure listing the discounts offered is available at Athenaeum service desks, or online at https://downtownpittsfield.com/2023/09/library-card-deals. It's easy to take advantage of the discounts, simply show your library card at the time of purchase. 
 
Participating businesses include:  
  • 101 Restaurant & Bar 
  • 413shirts 
  • Ayelada 
  • Berkshire Fitness & Wellness Center 
  • Berkshire Museum 
  • Crust 
  • Garden Blossoms Florist 
  • Hot Harry's 
  • Mana Crypt 
  • On Pointe Barre & Fitness 
  • Patrick's Pub 
  • Soma's Aromas 
  • Studio of artist Sally Tiska Rice 
  • Witch Slapped 
 
Deals are subject to change and are at the discretion of participating businesses. 
 
"At this time of year, when the kids are back in school and we are all getting ready for fall, we like to remind our community that a library card is free and provides access to all our services," Supervisor of Circulation Services Catherine Congelosi said. "In addition to books, we offer a wide variety of downloadable titles and audiobooks, technology for in-house and take home use, a streaming service, research databases, museum passes, and our Library of Things collection. We are grateful to our Downtown Pittsfield partners for their recognition and support." 
 
Those with questions about National Library Card Sign-up Month at the Athenaeum can contact Congelosi at cathy@pittsfieldlibrary.org or 413 499 9480 x105 during regular library hours.
 
 

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Berkshire United Way to Massachusetts: Early-Learning Educators Need Better Wages

By Katherine von Haefen Guest Column
As reported in iBerkshires, state education officials met with Western Massachusetts childcare and early education advocates at Berkshire Community College recently. I had the opportunity to share the following testimony on behalf of Berkshire United Way and our community partners. 
 
Early childhood education provides tremendous benefits to our region. High-quality child care dramatically influences brain development and the future health and success for children in school and life, as well as provides a safe and secure space for our youngest community members so their parents or caregivers can work and provide for their families. 
 
Berkshire United Way has invested in improving early childhood development opportunities in the Berkshires for decades. We fund high-quality nonprofit child-care centers that provide slots for income-constrained families. We also support the sector by co-hosting monthly child-care director meetings to work on shared challenges and collectively propose solutions. We advocate for early childhood education and have a great partner in this work, state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier. 
 
Staffing is a key component of high-quality care. The research shows that skilled and consistent educators in a classroom create long-lasting change for children. However, wages are stagnant and frequently do not provide educators with basic financial stability. We often hear that educators have left the field because they are unable to make their finances work. Wages need to improve to better reflect the expertise and indelible impact teachers have in the field. 
 
When we look specifically at our region, our data is concerning. 
 
As Berkshire County emerges from the pandemic, we are struggling with transportation, affordable housing and lack of mental health resources, much like the rest of the state. We are also seeing a rise in economically challenged households. 
 
After nearly 10 years of decline, Berkshire County has experienced a significant jump in income inequality, now exceeding the state and national trends and far above comparable counties, according to the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. Over half of our population are "economically challenged," meaning they are working but struggling to make ends meet. A single parent with a school-aged child needs between $70,000 and $80,000 in income and public benefits just to meet their basic needs. 
 
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