• May be submitted at the reference desk at the Main Library or at the Manomet Branch.
• Are usually filled within a few weeks. However, if the requested title is unusual, out of print, difficult to verify, very new or in high demand, it can take considerably longer for a request to be filled. Please plan accordingly.
• Circulate for two weeks.
• Cannot be renewed. Failure to return ILL items in a timely manner may affect yours and the library's borrowing privileges.
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The Plymouth Public Library is fortunate to hold several special collections which collect, preserve and provide access to numerous types of resources. By accepting these collections, the Library takes responsibility for maintaining them properly and making them available to the public. Most special collections are given or bequeathed to the Library by public-spirited citizens. The Library's current collections include:

• Lord Fund
  Rev. Robert Merrill Bartlett Fund
  Plymouth Local History and Genealogy Collection
  
  
• Irish Collection
  The Irish Collection concentrates on the literature, history and arts of Ireland as expressed by the Irish playwrights, poets, historians, novelists, and filmmakers.
  
  Genevieve Ash started the Irish collection at the Library in 1992 with a generous donation. Ms. Ash was a professor and former assistant dean of students at Bridgewater State College, trustee of the Plymouth Public Library Corporation, Plymouth Town Meeting member, active in community service and served on many local, regional, state and national organizations.
  
  Since this collection was started, it has gown to over 300 items that can be borrowed from the library. If you are interested in donating a book in your name as a birthday or memorial gift, please contact the library at 508-830-4250.
  
  
• Addie, Lucia and Mary Bartlett Fund
  Arts and Photography
  
  
• Colonel Loren B. Thompson Fund
  Antiques and Asian Studies
  
  
• John Croghan Fund
  
  
• Alice Christian Christmas Fund
  History and Social Sciences
  
  
• Joseph Gallitano, Sr. Fund
  Boating and sailing
  
  
• Mary Hodge Fund
  Engineering
  
  
• Newfield House Fund
  Large Print Book Collection
  
  
• Feinberg Horticultural Collection
  In memory of Judge Abraham S. and Jean S. Feinberg
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• Answering telephones
• Book preservation
• Data entry
• Monitoring the Plymouth Collection
• Program assistance
• Shelf reading
• Shelving library materials
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The reference department at the Library is staffed with a dedicated group of professionals who enjoy assisting people of all ages with their research needs:

• Lee Regan became Head of Reference Services in 1994. Lee began her career in 1980 at the "old" library on North Street in the Circulation Department. A life-long resident of Plymouth, Lee attended Plymouth schools, graduated from Bridgewater State College, and received her Masters in Library Science from Simmons College.
  
  
• Sharon LaRosa, Senior Services Librarian, works as Reference Librarian and also runs the Outreach/Senior Services Department. She has a degree in Art History and a Masters Degree in Library Science. Sharon has worked in public, academic, and special libraries, as well as ran her own information consulting business for many years.
  
  
• Beverly Ness has worked at the Plymouth Public Library since 1986 and became Reference Associate in 1999. She received an education degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and has completed graduate classes in Library Science at Bridgewater State College.

Lee, Sharon and Beverly are members of the library committee that recently published Beyond Plymouth Rock: America's Hometown in the 20th Century, a popular history book of 20th century Plymouth.
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