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Date: 12/27/2021
EASTHAMPTON – The Emily Williston Memorial Library has welcomed Katya Schapiro as their new director. She officially began serving in the role on Dec. 6.
Originally from Northampton, Schapiro has spent her last 20 years in Brooklyn. Schapiro has a background working in theater, educational nonprofits, arts nonprofits, publishing and library science. She began working for the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) while earning her Library Science degree and continued working there full-time after graduating.
During her 10 years with the BPL, Schapiro worked as a grants administrator, children’s librarian and supervisor.
“I’ve really spent a lot of time kind of integrated with a lot of Brooklyn’s community networks and city agencies and the way they work together,” said Schapiro.
Schapiro said that she has family in the area and was looking for an opportunity to move back to the Valley.
“I’ve been in New York a long time and I really have loved being really integrated with the Brooklyn community, but I am from this area and you always miss something. I have a young child also and it seemed like a good time to start looking for some new challenges,” she said.
The role as director of The Emily Williston Memorial Library seemed like a special fit, according to Schapiro, and a good chance to bring her skills and connect them to an area she loves in a town that is starting many new and exciting projects.
Since starting the position, Schapiro said she has had tremendous support.
“The support has been incredible. Both the board and the staff here at the library are really well-informed, really organized. The previous director left things in wonderful order. There’s a lot to come up to speed to, but, honestly, I couldn’t have entered a better situation,” she said.
She hopes that as director she can work to safely reimagine library services in the building and continue to safely serve the community during COVID-19.
Schapiro said that the library is currently looking at possible new locations or building alternatives so that they can modernize library services, be more ADA compliant and better service the community in the future.
“The real goal is to find the building solution that best suits the town’s needs. There are, of course, many opinions on what that might look like, from renovating this current building to adapting another space to building a new building, and I’m working with the town and with the library board to explore all the options,” said Schapiro.
The library is currently open to the public and offering both in-person and virtual programs.
“We are open and available. We are, like everything, not quite as normal, but we are having success offering this hybrid programming,” said Schapiro.
The library has book clubs, delivery and drop-off services, special programs for children and even programs for adults. Schapiro said that recent adult programming has included collaborations with gun violence organizations and race and racism conversations.
During the Easthampton Public Schools’ holiday break, the library has offered many children’s events such as a gnome making workshop, a candle making workshop, technology help, Lego club and more.
Schapiro said that they also plan to be a part of Easthampton’s WinterFest on Feb. 12, 2022.
Future events are always posted on their online calendar.
“We’re in a moment right now where we might have to dial back some of our in-person programming and I absolutely hate coming in and having that be the case, but I just encourage people that if they want to come to our events to always check our calendar and Facebook page for updates because we are in the world of COVID-19 flux,” said Schapiro.
For now, Schapiro said that she is most excited to work with the town, create partnerships and get outside to enjoy the Western Massachusetts air.
“I really am excited to be working with the town and working with all of the local cultural institutions and to create the partnerships that I really want to create. I feel like this is my opportunity to really work on a very personal level with the whole ecosystem of the town and that’s the way I like to run a library the most,” said Schapiro.
Those interested in learning more information on Schapiro or The Emily Williston Memorial Library are encouraged to visit their website at https://ewmlibrary.org/.
The library is also still offering curbside pickup during this time. Orders can be placed by calling 527-1031, emailing curbside@ewmlibrary.org or visiting their website.