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West Springfield temporary library to close, move to new building

Date: 10/30/2015

WEST SPRINGFIELD – The West Springfield Public Library is preparing to make its big move back to an old spot and new building.

The Main Street location, which has been its temporary home for nearly two years, will close on Nov. 13, and the staff will begin to move its offices and collection to the renovated building on Park Street.

Library Director Antonia Golinski-Foisy said the shelving units are being delivered and assembled, and the book collection will make the move just before Thanksgiving.     

During the six weeks the library will be closed, the staff will be trained on the new technology systems and work on final touches before it opens in January.

Golinski-Foisy said visitors could expect self-checkout kiosks, media dispensers, similar to Redbox, and a sorting system for returns. These updates, she said, will allow her staff to be more hands on with those who have questions.

“It frees up our staff to train the public on all of the new pieces of technology that are there,” she said.”

Aside from the new technology, Golinski-Foisy said the library has added a young adult department, which will run independently from the children’s department, a large community room that sits up to 150 people, quiet study rooms, a conference room, computer lab, adult learning lab and “pods of comfort” in which visitors can do work.

Children’s author Mo Willems also designed a mural that will be painted in the youth room.    

The history and genealogy room will be relocated upstairs and visitors will no longer need to “trudge to the basement” to utilize the resources.

Though much of the building is new, one will remain the same. The Carnegie Wing, built by Andrew Carnegie in 1916, will reopen and celebrate 100 years on April 2.

Golinski-Foisy said she is excited for the public to see the new space.

“I think we’re just looking forward to enjoying a brand new building that everyone has truly poured their heart and soul into. We’re so happy for the community that they now have this beautiful, aesthetically pleasing but super functional library,” she said. “You have the best of both worlds and as we say, right now, this library acts as a community center, a cultural center; the arts are going to be there. It’s the information center for the town.”

While the move marks a new chapter for the library, Golinski-Foisy said the temporary home on Main Street served them well for nearly two years. The former elementary school turned library gave her staff a unique environment.

“The building was wonderful to have for the temporary library. We were so lucky to have this space … We felt like we were part of the neighborhood,” she said. “We felt we had been welcomed. It’s been a wonderful journey while we’ve been here.”

The library will reopen on Jan. 4. West Springfield residents can visit any other library in surrounding communities while the move takes place.