Berkshire Enterprises Library Orientation
Library Card
A library card is free of charge to any Massachusetts resident. Your library card allows you to borrow books, videos,
books on tape, books on CD, music CDs, and musical scores as well as a variety of children's materials.
Library Facilities
The Athenaeum has photocopy machines; a public typewriter; public pay phones; and computers with word
processing and other Microsoft applications as well as free Internet access for drop-in use or by reservation.
Interlibrary Loan
If we don't own something you need, we may be able to borrow it from another library.
Contact the Reference Department at 499-9488 or by
email (pittsref@cwmars.org)
Library Catalog
The catalog is online and can be searched from any computer with an Internet connection.
Go to the library's homepage at
www.berkshire.net/PittsfieldLibrary and choose Online Catalog.
You can also view your library record online, renew items currently on loan, and request items from
any participating CWMARS library.
Magazines and Journals
Your Athenaeum library card allows you to search our online magazine/journal databases from
your home or business with any Internet-connected computer. Go to the library's homepage at
www.berkshire.net/PittsfieldLibrary
and select Library Bookmarks; then choose Magazine Index and
follow the directions to enter your library card number. Many of these publications are available full text,
i.e. offer the citation and the complete article.
Suggested web sites
- Mass Bedrock
www.massbedrock.org
Specialized reference site developed by librarians from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
A gateway to accurate and carefully reviewed business and economic development information related to doing business
in Massachusetts. Browse subject areas or search resources form demographics, projections, market reports.
- North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) System
www.osha.gov/oshstats
Two systems for classifying businesses by their goods or services.
- Thomas Register
www.thomasregister.com
Companies and products manufactured in North America. Can be searched by company name, product,
and brand name. Offers a "Can't Find It" service for assistance in locating product or company information by
email, fax or mail. Registration required (no charge).
- Thomas Regional
www.thomasregional.com
Allows searching limited to specific states or parts of states (e.g. Western Massachusetts).
- Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
www.berkshireplanning.org
Berkshire County's planning agency makes census data available.
- Berkshire Chamber of Commerce
www.berkshirechamber.com
Online Member directory available for browsing or searching for a business using company name,
key contact name, business category or address.
- Small Business Administration
www.sba.gov
Readable information and convenient links to authoritative sources on: taxes,
employee-related issues, patents & trademarks, sginage. Includes online tutorial
for Writing Your Business Plan and a comprehensive online Small Business StartUp Kit.
See also
SBA's Online Women's Business Center www.onlinewbc.gov
- Switchboard
www.switchboard.com
Search for telephone numbers for an individual, business or business category. Can limit by city or state.
- Entrepreneur.com
www.entrepreneur.com
Contains tips, lists, resource materials, message boards, full text articles on a variety
of issues relevant for business owners.