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Date: 12/30/2021
WILBRAHAM/HAMPDEN – Communities turn to libraries as more than just a place to read. They serve as information centers, chances to socialize and sources to explore culture. The libraries in Hampden and Wilbraham are offering a host of opportunities to do all those things in the year ahead.
New in 2022
The Hampden Library is going fine-free as of Jan. 1, 2022. “A lot of libraries in Massachusetts are doing that,” said Hampden Public Library Director Ellen Moriarty. She explained that for large libraries, late fees and fines can prevent someone from returning to the library. While that is less likely at a small library, like the one in Hampden, Moriarty said, “We want to be open and remove barriers.”
Fees for materials over $50 and replacement costs for lost or damaged materials will still be in place. Moriarty also pointed out that the program is not retroactive. Patrons will still have to pay fees incurred before Jan. 1, 2022.
One room of the Hampden Library will have a new purpose in the spring. The Sheila R. Flynn Teen Center will be a space dedicated to young adults.
“It will be a nice place for tweens and teens to hang out, do homework,” Moriarty said. “It gives them a place to be social together, rather than on their devices.” She said there are no other spaces in town that fulfill that need.
Moriarty said the nation’s supply chain issues have delayed receiving some items, but the room is coming together. It was completely redesigned with input from a teen advisory board. There will be an area to play video games, as well as new shelving and modular furniture.
Moriarty said she was not sure about the video games, since the idea is to have teens reading, but decided, “Whatever gets them in the building.” Hopefully, she added, they will become interested in reading once they are there.
The entire project was paid for by a donation from a local family, Moriarty said.
Over at the Wilbraham Public Library (WPL), Director Karen Demers said, a new story walk is being installed, though construction has been put on hold for the winter. It will feature a rotating line-up of stories, each on display for two to three weeks, which families can experience one page at a time while walking the path.
Demers said during the fall, it can be lit will jack-o-lanterns from a festive evening event. “It’s got a lot of potential beyond just the stories,” she said.
Programs and Services
Several programs are offered through both libraries, such as Kanopy, a streaming service with more than 30,000 movies, documentaries and films. As Moriarty described it, “Like Netflix, but better.”
Museum passes are another resource that both libraries offer. For discounted prices, library patrons can visit several area museums and parks, such as the Zoo at Forest Park, The Eric Carle Museum, The Springfield Museums, The Basketball Hall of Fame, and several others throughout the state.
Both libraries offer guest speakers, book clubs and yoga for adults, story times for children and “Grow, Play, Learn” events for toddlers and their parents, among other programs.
WPL is bringing back its “Bright Spot Reading Buddy” program, in which school children can register to read aloud to Cadence, a trained dog therapy dog. The program helps children with their reading skills.
Proving that libraries offer more than just books, WPL has a small food pantry on site that stocks items for those in need.
COVID-19 Precautions
Masks are not required for any of the town buildings in either Hampden or Wilbraham. The WPL has a sign posted “strongly encouraging” people to wear masks. The same language is used at the Hampden Public Library. Moriarty pointed out that since staff are not allowed to ask who is vaccinated, it makes requiring a mask for unvaccinated individuals difficult.
For those individuals who are still hesitant to come into the libraries, both facilities are continuing curbside pick-up. “It’s been very handy to keep that going,” said Moriarty. In Hampden, the service is by appointment, but Wilbraham employs a system in which people can pull up in their vehicles on Wednesdays and Fridays and call a dedicated number to receive curbside service. WPL also offers free home delivery of regular and large print books, DVDs, magazines, music or audiobooks for residents who are homebound.
Readers Return
Even with the ongoing pandemic, Demers said, plenty of readers have returned to using in-person library services. “We definitely have a steady flow of people. Traffic is about half of what it was pre-[COVID-19],” she said. While some programs are still virtual, others are in person. A concert on Nov. 30 had 35 people in attendance. There is so much interest in some programs that there is a wait list to register.
Moriarty shared the sentiment. “We have a very wonderful group of hardcore book readers in this town,” she said. Moriarty said the Hampden Library stocks new-release books as well as old favorites. Because of the library’s size, there are titles it doesn’t have on-hand, but the director said, “We can get it for them,” through the inter-library loan system.
“We’re small but mighty,” said Moriarty.
For more information on the programs and services at the Hampden Library, 625 Main St., on the top floor of the Hampden Town Hall, visit hampden-library.org or call 566-3047. The WPL is located at 25 Crane Park Dr. To learn more, visit https://www.wilbrahamlibrary.org or call 596-6141.