Wild Flowers Exhibit Expanded

Recently the State Library acquired two new exhibit cases which are now located outside of the main library, room 341. This acquisition allowed the library to add six new images to the current exhibit, Mary Vaux Walcott's North American Wild Flowers. Additionally, new images have been added to the displays outside of the Special Collections Department, room 55. Please stop by the main library or Special Collections to enjoy the expanded exhibit.

North American Wild Flowers will be on display through September 30th.

- Lacy Crews, Preservation Assistant

Report on Compensation

Governor Patrick has appointed an advisory board on compensation of high-level officials to recommend any salary adjustments.

The report is available at the Library.

-Bette Siegel, Government Documents Librarian

From the Preservation Lab

Recently the State Library acquired sheet music for two Massachusetts songs: Massachusetts, You're A Grand Old State and A Toast to...Springfield, both written by William B. Belli in 1952.

Due to the delicate nature of sheet music, each piece received a custom acid-free folder and envelope upon receipt in the preservation lab. These enclosures will provide stability and protection from dust for these wonderful songs. Now that these items have been preserved, each piece of music will be cataloged and added to our collection.

Massachusetts, You're A Grand Old State

Yankee Doodle went to town, in Massachusetts
Yankee Doodle gained renown, in Massachusetts
Cradle of liberty,
Maker of history,
My Country 'tis of thee
Old Massachusetts

Massachusetts, you're a grand old state
Massachusetts, you've always been great
Even before Old Glory was unfurled,
You fired the shot, that was heard around the world
From the Pilgrims landing and Bunker Hill,
You've fought for freedom, and you always will
Proud and strong and hale and hearty,
Since that Boston Tea Party

Massachusetts, Massachusetts,
You're a Grand Old State

A Toast to...Springfield

More than three hundred years ago, Springfield was called a town,
And step by step it soon became a place of great renown.
And then a city it was made in Eighteen Fifty Two.
Well Springfield, here's a grand and gay Centennial to you.
S-P-R-I-N-G F-I-E-L-D
There's a Springfield in most ev'ry state,
From the coast of Maine to the Golden Gate,
All of them are lovely and show a lot of class,
But if you please, the greatest of these is "Springfield, Mass."

- Lacy Crews, Preservation Assistant

Library Closed for Bunker Hill Day

The library will be closed on Tuesday, June 17th in observation of Bunker Hill Day.

North American Wild Flowers Exhibit Now Open

Please join the library in celebrating summer with the exhibit: Mary Vaux Walcott's North American Wild Flowers.

Mary Vaux Walcott was an American botanist who used watercolors to capture the beauty of botany. The current exhibition assembles selected images from her 400 plate, five volume work published by the Smithsonian Institution in 1925.

The main exhibit is located just outside of the State Library, room 341 of the State House. Additional images can be viewed in Doric Hall on the second floor of the State House.

The exhibit runs through September 30, 2008.

-Lacy Crews, Preservation Assistant

Auditor's report on the funding of the Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel (BIG DIG) and Massport

The State Library holds paper copies of all the reports issued by the State Auditor.

-Bette Siegel, Government Documents Librarian

Celebrate Flag Day June 14th

Click for Larger Image

These tips on the proper way to display the American flag come from the December 1969 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Veteran Services' Newsletter. This item was one of many Veteran Services' Newsletters recently repaired in the library's preservation lab. Metal staples were removed from each newsletter to prevent rust and a custom acid-free enclosure was built to protect the newsletters into the future.

-Lacy Crews, Preservation Assisstant

Carpeting Work Underway in the Main Reading Room

The Main Reading Room (Room 341) is being recarpeted over the next several days. Because of this, resources in the reading room will be accessible on a limited basis. We hope to keep the room open during this process, but may be closed for short periods.



The library's Periodicals balcony (Room 442) and Special Collections (Room 55) are open as usual business.



We apologize for the inconvenience, but invite you to see the new refurbished room in a couple of weeks.

-Alix Quan, Head of Reference