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Date: 6/27/2022
EASTHAMPTON – Emily Williston Memorial Library and Museum received $50,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for staff salary and key renovations to the building.
According to library Director Katya Schapiro, the $50,000 is a crucial earmark for the library because there are no “tight strings” or restrictions to how the money must be used.
“When we get money like this, it means we do not need to deplete the endowment [account],” Schapiro told Reminder Publishing. “The grant money opens up a lot of avenues for us.”
Schapiro added that the $50,000 will go toward staff salary and even allow one person to transition to a full-time position, now. Additionally, the money will also cover essential renovations like gutters, leaking pipes, improvements to the entrance ramp, and back-facing technology support.
On June 23, Schapiro was joined outside Emily Williston with members of the library’s staff and board, state Sen. John Velis, state Rep. Dan Carey, and Mayor Nicole LaChapelle for the presentation of the ARPA money.
“This is truly, in my opinion like many things we do, a collaboration,” said Velis, referring to the process of obtaining this money. “All of the community stakeholders came together and said, ‘There’s a need here, let’s go after it and get it,’ and we did what we needed to do … this isn’t a place you go just to get a book. It’s a sense of community.”
Carey, meanwhile, also emphasized the importance of a library like Emily Williston Memorial, describing its resourcefulness and wealth of knowledge as critical attributes. “This was such a no-brainer,” he said. “We saw the importance of [libraries] during the pandemic when nobody had anywhere to turn. It’s a resource and community center … we have to continue to support it so it remains that community center.”
LaChapelle gave credit to the library’s board for keeping the library alive throughout the course of two difficult years. “[The board] has opened doors beyond closed doors during the pandemic,” she said. “This is fantastic.”
ARPA legislation was officially signed into state law by Gov. Charlie Baker in December 2021.