Congratulations Granby and Holyoke!!!

November was a banner month for western Massachusetts libraries.  The Granby Free Public Library dedicated their new building on November 16.  The Holyoke Public Library unveiled their new addition on November 22.  The residents of both of those communities have much to be thankful for. 

Both libraries have vastly increased their service areas with meeting rooms, areas for children, YA’s, and computer rooms.  Work and delivery areas and circulation points are much more usable, and both libraries have accessible buildings and convenient parking. 

The celebrations were perfect for each community and were very well attended.  Among the legislators attending:  Candaras and Story (Granby), Congressman Neal, retired Congressman Olver, Senator Humason, Representative Vega (Holyoke).  MBLC staff were out in force to celebrate these occasions as were Commissioners (Quinn, Resnick – Granby)(Kronholm, Murphy, Resnick – Holyoke.)

Please take the opportunity to visit both new libraries.

Granby

 

Holyoke – Library in a Park

Great news in Granby

From MassLive of Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Granby voters OK funds for new public library at special Town Meeting

Construction Grants Awarded to Western MA Libraries

Congratulations to the Granby Free Public Library, M.N. Spear Memorial Library (Shutesbury), South Hadley Public Library and West Springfield Public Library! They received 4 out of the 8 construction grants approved by the MA Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) this morning. We expect more information on the awarded grants and the wait list to be posted on the MBLC website very soon.

Catalogue of the Photographic Exhibition of Irish Carnegie Libraries

Catalog of the Photographic Exhibition of Irish Carnegie Libraries

As a result of my correspondence with Carnegie libraries for our recent 90th celebration, I received this fabulous look at the beautiful libraries on the Emerald Isle. All brick structures, there is one or two that look like quaint country homes, others grand and elaborate. Hope you enjoy scrolled down the list as much as I did. As the Irish say... Cheers!

~ Janice McArdle , Youth Service Librarian, Granby Free Public Library

Happy Anniversary to Granby Free Public Library

On December 1, 2007 the Granby Library Trustees held an Open House from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Granby Free Public Library’s Carnegie Building. This Building was officially opened on Nov. 23, 1917. It was built with the help of a $5,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation on land donated in the 1880’s by Dexter Taylor, a descendant of Granby’s original settlers.

December 1 was a day set aside to celebrate the present and remember the past. Food and entertainment were provided, including World War I recipes, baked by Library Trustees. Library staff, some Trustees, and two Granby patrons came dressed in period costume. Original blueprints and architectural renderings of the building were displayed. Many other Carnegie libraries sent the Library cards and other mementos, which were also on display. Entertainment included a performance by Richard Clark, who reenacted Andrew Carnegie’s life. Attendees were given commemorative bracelets and a newspaper entitled Then And Now. A commemorative quilt was on display at the Library and included the thank you Andrew Carnegie cards that school aged children had created. Available for sale were notecards depicting the Library during the different seasons. Also on sale were watercolor prints of the Library… A special cancellation stamp, designed by Library Trustee Nancy Evren, which commemorated the dedication of the Carnegie Library building, was available for use for the first time at the Open House. A time capsule, containing items culled from library patrons’ suggestions, was buried on the library grounds. Senator Gale Candaras presented the Library with a citation from the Commonwealth. Trustee chair, Virginia Snopek, presented Library Director, Jennifer Crosby, with a plaque, listing all the directors of the Library since its inception (pictured above right).

While planning for a future home in a community library, the Trustees of the Granby Free Public Library were proud to provide the Town with this special day of celebration, remembering our past.

~ Virginia Snopek, Trustee Chair, Granby Free Public Library