West Stockbridge Poetry Slam a BIG HIT!

The West Stockbridge Public Library hosted it's first Poety Slam on March 13th! The emcee, Vanessa Vargas, was wonderful and really had everyone participating. There were three winners who are all eligible to go on to the Regional Competition in May. Hilary Russell, from Sheffield, came in first place, Karel Fisher, from Richmond, was second, and the super brave local youngster, Juri Kiin of West Stockbridge, stole third. Prizes were donated by Hotchkiss Mobiles, Molly Bruce Jacobs, Hoffman Pottery, West Stockbridge Video, and the Bookloft. The West Stockbridge Public Library Friends of the Library and Cultural Council also helped sponsored the event. A big THANKS to everyone that helped pull this together!

~ AJ Cole, West Stockbridge Library Director

READ MORE ABOUT IT ~ Western Massachusetts Poetry Slam Series!

West Stockbridge Public Library Open House

On Saturday November 3 I attended an open house at the new library in West Stockbridge, a town of 1450. The library is part of a renovated school building in which all municipal departments are now located. This beautiful space has lots of natural light, a beautiful open circulation desk, four public internet workstations, a separate staff work area, and a small meeting room. There are also bookshelves on wheels in the children’s/YA area that can be pushed to the sides of the room to create space for an audience during programs, a great idea that trustees discovered while on a library tour of the New Marlborough Public Library.

Photos include: Library Director Alison (A.J.)Cole, trustee chair Nancy Hearn and an unidentified patron; the bright and colorful children’s area---can you spot Brutus???; and A.J. with her therapy/READ dog Owen.

~ Mary King, WMRLS