Library patrons can now enjoy faster wireless internet connections at the Berkshire Athenaeum, thanks to efforts of local businesses Cornerstone Telephone Company and CompuWorks.  Increased usage had limited connection speeds and increased frustrations, but a renewed commitment to the community has resolved such problems.  Patrons can simply connect to the “Berkshire Athenaeum” network and obtain unlimited access to the web.  The wireless access is available to all visitors free of charge, courtesy of Cornerstone Telephone Company.

“Upgrading services can prove quite a challenge, particularly when we are faced with reduced budgets,” said Alex Reczkowski, supervisor of technical services at the Athenaeum.  “We investigated various options for increasing the speed of the wi-fi network and found them all cost-prohibitive.  Luckily, we have a supportive community dedicated to the library and its patrons.”

The Athenaeum first began offering free wireless internet access in 2008 as part of renovations to the reference and local history departments.  Richmond Networx (now part of CornerStone Telephone Company) worked with CompuWorks to install a new internet connection and wireless access points.  The next year, another access point was added to the network to improve signal coverage and strength on the second floor.  Since then, use of the wi-fi network has grown to more than 1,000 users per month.

During the period since wi-fi inception at the Athenaeum, internet use has grown so that nearly 80% of the population now spends time online.  The explosion in popularity of streaming media, social networking, and, more recently, the plethora of apps available, has demanded more and more of our networks.  In the fall of 2011, library patrons began abandoning the wireless network, as high bandwidth demand slowed wireless connections to a crawl.  In response, Cornerstone Telephone Company upgraded its generous donation to improve average download speeds as much as thirty times.  Upgrades to the network were completed on Friday, January 6, 2012 by technicians from Cornerstone and CompuWorks, and patrons have been enjoying the improved wi-fi access since.

Neville recalls his day on the “Chitlin’ Circuit,” playing in a band called Turquoise with his brother Art and friends.  In small clubs, radiating out from Memphis, he played with music icons like Jimmy Reed and B.B. King. In New Orleans at the Dew Drop Inn, he shared the stage with Allen Toussaint and Huey “Piano” Smith.  Living in New York intoduced him to major saxophone players like Charlie Parker,  John Coltrane, and, Neville’s personal inspiration, Louis Jordan. The Neville Brothers (Cyril, Aaron, Art and Charles) established their reputation as the First Family of Funk with the release of TREACHEROUS in 1986 which includes Aaron Neville’s chart topper, “Tell It Like It Is” and “Fever” featuring Charles Neville on sax. Charles Neville went on to win a Grammy for “Healing Chant” on the Yellow Moon CD in 1989.  His own band Diversity performs at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festivals and continues to record.

Free and open to the public.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum in collaboration with the BSO’s Office of Education and Community Programs, offering ongoing support to the Library Arts Series.

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The Berkshire Gas Links for Literacy Mini Golf Classic will take place at the Athenaeum on Saturday, February 25, 2012. The daylong event, cohosted by Literacy Volunteers of Berkshire County and the Athenaeum, will turn the three floors of the library into an 18-hole mini-golf course, complete with hazards. Scheduled for school vacation week, we hope local families will plan on joining us for this fun event!

Thank you to our Sponsors!  If you or your organization are interested in a sponsorship, available at an affordable range of financial commitment levels, contact Library Director Ron Latham at 499-9480 x102 or rlatham@cwmars.org

Thank you to our Sponsors!

TITLE SPONSOR:        Berkshire Gas

1^st HOLE:                    The Berkshire Eagle

2^nd HOLE:                  General Systems Company

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ADDITIONAL SPONSORS

Tee or Green:

Adelson Moynihan Kowalszyk
Mary Jane Burke
Robert H. Bascom, CPA
Carr Hardware
CompuWorks
Crescent Creamery
Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum
Hill Engineers, Architects, Planners
Kushi & Meyers PC
Pittsfield Cooperative Bank
Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital

Auditorium Advertiser:

Sheriff Thomas Bowler

A new video collection is now available from the Digital Media Catalog; and it offers 300 different titles from A&E, Biography & History Channel programming. Choose  episodes from popular series such as  American Justice; Haunted History; Criss Angel: Mindfreak; Food Tech; and Biography Channel documentaries about contemporary and historic individuals. Take a look: There’s something for everyone!

Here’s how to get started: Videos are checked out with a library card from the Digital Media Catalog  and downloaded  to your Windows computer.  Like all our digital items, the videos return themselves automatically: No overdue fines!  Downloaded videos may be viewed on your Windows computer or transferred to compatible portable devices that support WMV format (Sorry, no Apple products at this time.)

Need assistance getting started? Contact the Reference Department at pittsref@cwmars.org or 499-9480 x202 during regular library hours.

The Berkshire Gas Links for Literacy Mini Golf Classic will take place at the Athenaeum on Saturday, February 25, 2012. The daylong event, cohosted by Literacy Volunteers of Berkshire County and the Athenaeum, will turn the three floors of the library into an 18-hole mini-golf course, complete with hazards. Scheduled for school vacation week, we hope local families will plan on joining us for this fun event!

Thank you to our Sponsors!  If you or your organization are interested in a sponsorship, available at an affordable range of financial commitment levels, contact Library Director Ron Latham at 499-9480 x102 or rlatham@cwmars.org

Thank you to our Sponsors!

TITLE SPONSOR:        Berkshire Gas

1^st HOLE:                    The Berkshire Eagle

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Tee or Green:

Carr Hardware
CompuWorks
Crescent Creamery
Martin, Olivera and Hamel
Robert A. Bascom, CPA
Kushi & Meyers PC
Sheriff Thomas Bowler

During last month’s Food for Fines collection the Athenaeum received 2000 pounds of nonperishable food donations which we have provided to local food pantries. Thank you!

In accord with this year’s theme of Under the Big Top, the Athenaeum tree includes circus-themed ornaments, including a cast of acrobatic Santas, and those traditional circus treats, popcorn and cotton candy.

We encourage you to stop by the Festival and see all the wonderful trees, and perhaps take part in some of the family-friendly activities; the Festival of Trees is on display through January 2. See you there!