Welcome to our one-stop page for information on voting, small business resources, civic engagement, community health links, and current events.
Citizen Resources
Voting Information
- Elections and Voter Information
- Register to Vote
- Massachusetts Voting Laws
- League of Women Voters
- Ballotpedia: Encyclopedia of American politics and elections.
- Get Out the Vote: Voter Mobilization and Civic Education Series
Immigration Help
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- Immigration Help: ImmigrationHelp is a legal aid nonprofit founded at Harvard that provides free legal services for DACA, work permits, and citizenship.
- International Institute of New England: Serving newly arrived refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement and pathways to citizenship.
- English at Large Conversation Groups: Looking to practice your English speaking skills? Join a free spring conversation group with English At Large! Conversation groups meet in person at local public libraries and community centers. The groups will help you build your skills and confidence speaking English with the support of trained facilitators.
End Hate Now Hotline
- The End Hate Now hotline: 1-83-END-H8-NOW is a dedicated hotline for reporting hate-based incidents or potential criminal activity. Massachusetts residents and visitors are encouraged to call the hotline to report concerning or troubling incidents of hate, or potential hate crimes. Callers are encouraged to leave their contact information but may remain anonymous.
Civics: Local and Beyond
Town of Reading
- Town Meeting 101
- Town Meeting Information (including a link to Town Meeting schedule)
- Town Election Information
Who’s your Representative?
- Town Meeting Member
- State Representatives
- Federal Representatives
- U.S. Senate: Senators
Census Information
Community Health Resources
- Reading Health and Human Services
- Health Connector
- Behavioral Health Help Line in MA Those in need of behavioral health services can call 833-773-BHHL (2445) or walk into one of 25 designated mental health centers in MA cities and towns.
- Respond Inc.: Domestic Violence Prevention
- Mental Health Resource List
- Covid-19 Resources
- Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support
- MedlinePlus
- The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at MGH
- NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Consumer Advocacy and Resources
- Office of Attorney General of Massachusetts
- File a consumer complaint
- Help for homeowners and renters
- Consumer Reports – get full access with your library account.
- Electronics Recycling
Current Events and Hot Topics
Climate Change
- Crew: Communities Responding to Extreme Weather.
- NASA: Climate Change and Global Warning
Guns and Violence
Misinformation and the News
- Fake News, Misinformation and how to fact check
- Criteria for Websites
- Misinformation, Disinformation and Malinformation: Princeton Public Library
- Be MediaWise
Reproductive Rights
- Reproductive Rights: A Library Guide. Robbins Library, Arlington, MA, 2022
- Abortion Rights in Massachusetts
- Abortion: Gale Topic Search
- The Family Roe: An American Story, with Josh Prager: Program Recording
Ukraine Crisis
Housing Resources
- Emergency Shelters MA Emergency Housing Assistance Resource Contact (866) 584-0653
- Housing Families 254 Broadway Malden, MA 02148 781-324-1303 (site)
- Lowell Transitional Living Center 205-209 Middlesex Street Lowell MA, 01852 978-458-9888
**A more complete list can be found at mahomeless.org**
Housing Assistance
- MetroHousing Boston: Working with individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes to navigate available services, including residents of Reading.
- Mission of Deeds: Provides beds, furniture, and basic household items, free of charge to those in need.
- Reading Housing Authority
Legal help
- Greater Boston Legal Services
- Housing Families: provides free legal advice to help clients stay in their homes
LGBTQIA+ Resources
Our Community Partner
- NAGLY
National/Global Organizations
- The Trevor Project
- It Gets Better
Health and Wellness
Gender Identity
Research and Reader's Services
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- Our Reference librarians can be reached by phone at 781-942-6703. The Reference department can also be reached via text at 781-705-7117 and email at rdgref@noblenet.org
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Small Business Resources and Notary Information
- LinkedIn via the Boston Public Library
- Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce
- Virtual Meeting Room Space @the RPL
- RPL Online Resources
- The Town of Reading, including the Reading Public Library, no longer provides notary services to the public due to changes in the town’s insurance coverage.
To find a Notary Public, contact the Public Records Division in the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office at (617) 727-2836.
NOBLE Libraries that provide notary service:
Check the library website before you go or call ahead of time.