Cass Balzer

1 month ago | americanlibrariesmagazine.org | Cass Balzer |Carrie Smith

When the old Medford (Mass.) Public Library (MPL) opened in 1960, sustainability wasn’t even part of the conversation. By the 1990s, the facility already felt outdated and inefficient, with an old heating system, a flat roof that turned into a shallow pond with every storm, and few features that would help conserve energy. “The lights were either on or off,” MPL Director Barbara Kerr jokes.

Nov 1, 2024 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org | Cass Balzer |Becky Lomax

What would you do to keep your child clean, dry, and healthy? Skip meals? Miss bill payments? Take on an extra job? For nearly half of US families with young children, the answer is: all of the above and more. A National Diaper Bank Network study found that in 2023, an unprecedented 47% of families with young children nationwide struggled to afford diapers—a drastic increase from 2010, when 33% of families reported diaper need.

Jun 3, 2024 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org | Cass Balzer

On a leisurely Saturday afternoon, guests draped in Regency-era fashion—lightweight muslin and chiffon, adorned with delicate lace and ribbons—converge in an airy hall to indulge in a spread of tea, elaborate pastries, cakes crowned with sugared berries, and delicate canapés. Soft, ethereal light floods the space through arched windows, casting a serene glow on walls lined with bookcases.

Jan 2, 2024 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org | Cass Balzer

Alcohol-free events have gained significant traction in recent years. It’s a trend reflected in the growing popularity of wellness challenges like Dry January, a time when millions of people abstain from alcohol at the start of a new year. In response, several public libraries around the country are now providing adults-only, sober-curious programming to educate attendees on making alcohol-free mixed drinks, often called mocktails or sober cocktails.

Mar 1, 2023 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org | Cass Balzer