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Henry Whittemore Library Literary Cake Decorating Contest - 4/7/2022

All are welcome to participate in our 12^th annual “Book-themed” cake decorating contest. All you need to do is bake a cake and decorate it to represent a scene or character from a favorite book, be it a beloved children’s or a favorite adult book.

Only one cake per person and no commercially decorated cakes allowed, only edible decorations on cake.

The rules for the event are simple. Register with Colleen Previte at cprevite@framingham.edu or 508-626-4648, if you wish to participate in the contest. Bring in your “Book-themed” cake to the Henry Whittemore Library by 9:00am Thursday, April 7^th. Please have your cake properly covered with clear plastic wrap or cake container. This will be taken off when the judging commences. Please do not put your name on your cake; you will be assigned a number for your cake submission. (It has been useful if you bring in a copy of the book your cake is portraying that we place next to your literary creation.) We are allowing anyone coming through the library to judge the cakes, and they will put a token in the box of the cake they find to be the best. The prize is merely bragging rights, a photo in our library blog, and ribbons for 1^st-3^rd place. Judging will run from 9:00am-12:00pm. Winners will be announced at 12:30pm or via phone/e-mail. At that time we will cut into these delicious creations and offer them to library patrons. We hope you will consider participating in our 12^th Annual Library Cake Decorating Contest!

Thanks – Henry Whittemore Library Staff

Joy Harjo - Online Event - 12/8/21 4:30pm

We invite you to attend the BIG Read Key Note Author Event on Wednesday, 12/8 at 4:30pm with Joy Harjo, Internationally renowned performer, writer of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate. She'll speak online about her book "An American Sunrise". Register here.

Cocoa by the Fire - 12/9/21 2:30pm

RAMS: Stop by the Library on Thursday 12/9 at 2:30p for a warm cup of cocoa and some yummy goodies!

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Rams Renew!

With gratitude for the generous donation by alum Joan Murtaugh, the Whittemore Library is thrilled to announce a new multipurpose room to support mental health wellness and reflection. The RAMS Renew Space is a quiet, private room for students, faculty and staff to devote time towards:

mental health wellness to ease anxiety or stress
reflection, meditation, or prayer
calmness from sensory overload

The Library consulted Pam Lehmberg from the Wellness Center to create an ideal relaxation space based on what has worked well at the Wellness Center. The Library Graduate Intern, Yoshio, created a guide with information about the room and resources on wellness and meditation. The RAMS Renew Space has a massage chair, a chair for meditation, a yoga mat, fidget toys, coloring books, a light therapy lamp, Bluetooth speakers, cozy blankets, and more.

Reserve time online on our reservation site. You deserve it! Once you reserve a time, go to the library front desk, show your reservation email, and get the key (and prayer rug if need it).

Remember: one person per session, no food, and tidy up after your visit.

If you have any questions, feedback, recommendations for the room, please do not hesitate to reach out to Interim Dean of the Library Millie Gonzalez at vgonzalez@framingham.edu.

The Big Read

We are so excited to host the National Endowment for the Arts "THE BIG READ" at FSU! The community read will honor and highlight the Native American experience. We are providing free copies of Joy Harjo's book, An American Sunrise, and will be hosting an online talk with the author in December. Stop by the Library's front desk to pick up your FREE copy of the book. E-book copies are also available to borrow with a valid Minuteman Library Network account. If you would like an e-book copy but do not have a tablet, please inquire at our Circulation desk about borrowing an iPad from us.

Learn more about the NEA Big Read and upcoming fantastic Big Read events in our Libguide.

Halloween Fiesta!

Stop by the Library on Thursday, 10/28/21 from 4:00pm-6:00pm to celebrate the spooky season! * Food & Drinks * Fun & Games * Costumes encouraged!

See you there!

Effective 2/17/21: The Library Doors Are Open!

As of 2/17/2021, access to the Library is no longer restricted to only the FSU community. The main entry doors have been unlocked – you do not need to: enter through the side doors, swipe your FSU ID, ring a doorbell or call the main desk to gain access to the building. Members of the campus community and the general public can once again enter the building through the main entrance. Be advised, all patrons, students, staff and faculty must wear a face mask while in the building.

Please see our "Library Hours" page for hours of operation.

Effective 11/10/20: Restricted Access to Library

As of 11/10/2020, access to the Library is restricted to current students, faculty and staff for the rest of the semester. Library doors will be locked. Members of the campus community can enter the Library through the left side door entrance by swiping their FSU ID card or by calling the Library’s main desk at 508-626-4650 to have Library staff open the door. Only those who need to enter through the Library’s accessible entrance will be able to do so.

The Library is not restricting access to its collections - public patrons may request items through the Minuteman Library catalog and can arrange for a non-contact pick-up.

Send an email to our circulation staff circulation@framingham.edu or call us at 508-626-4650 to set up a pick-up time for items you have ordered through Minuteman or to have us get an item that we own that you want to borrow.
Pick-up is only available during the Library’s normal operating hours.
A cart will be set up in our entry-way lobby for pick-up. Your item(s) will be put in a bag with your name on it and placed on the cart. The outer doors of the Library’s main entrance will be unlocked so that you may enter to pick-up your items.
Return your items to the outside book drop – note: oversized items should be brought into the entry-way lobby and left on the cart.

This information will be updated when these restrictions are altered.

Chat With A Librarian!

Beginning September 8, 2020, you will be able to connect with us through our new Virtual Library Reference Services. Get help by using live chat, texting or via an online form. You can also use Ram Answers, our new FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) resource, to find the answer to your question on your own. Look for these new links on the Library's website!

The Library Has Re-Opened!

Effective August 24, 2020, the Whittemore Library building re-opened to our patrons; however, our hours of operation have changed. Please see our "Library Hours" page for up-to-date information.

Henry Whittemore Library Strives to be an Anti-Racist Library -

The Whittemore Library is committed to be an anti-racist, welcoming and supportive library. We condemn the persistent systemic racism and violence toward Black people and all People of Color. We stand in solidarity with FSU’s Black students, colleagues, and neighbors.

As allies, we acknowledge that in order to move forward to build an inclusive community, we must take action. Our Library pledges to commit to the following actions:

Ensure our physical and virtual environments are inclusive and welcoming.
Review our policies and procedures through an equity lens.
Prioritize the purchase of books and materials authored by and about the experiences of people of color.
Engage in diversity, inclusion training offered by the Center for Inclusive Excellence and Human Resource departments.
Maintain our anti-racism, equity, diversity, and social justice research guides that include curated books, articles, videos and podcasts.
Create more social justice online exhibits (such as the Black Live Matter teach-in, Napkins Against Hate, and Day of Protest 2017.)
Promote and support the activities of the Library Diversity Committee (LDAC).
Host inclusive events at library such as racial healing circles and inclusive book groups.
Support our students, faculty and staff in the effort to create an inclusive, equitable, anti-racist community.

We know we have work to do. We must listen and educate ourselves about the experiences of people of color. Our responsibility as librarians and library staff is to treat each other with dignity and respect not only during times of crisis, but every day. This is our covenant to each other.

Please review our online research guides (Libguides) on diversity, anti-racist resources, LGBTQ+ resources and DACA resources:

Diversity Libguide

Black Lives Matter Movement Libguide

Anti-Racism Libguide

LGBTQ+ Libguide

DACA Libguide

Library Services During COVID-19 Libguide -

Effective, March 19, 2020, the Whittemore Library building was closed for on-site services due to Covid-19 precautions. However, though the doors may be closed, the Library staff are still here and ready to serve you! FSU students, faculty and staff will continue to have access to materials and receive support for their academic needs electronically. Click here for our "Library Services During COVID-19 LibGuide" which provides contact information for Library staff and information on accessing services (i.e. borrowing/returning books, ILL, e-resources, reserves, remote research help, etc.) during this time of remote learning. This LibGuide will be continually updated as new information and resources become available so please check back often.

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