Date: 4/13/2022
CHESTER – Hamilton Memorial Library in Chester reopened its doors to the public on April 5 with interim librarian Judy Kelly joining the library trustees at the helm. Kelly was previously the librarian in Ludlow, and has since retiring, helped a few towns as an interim librarian, including Blandford and Westhampton.
“I’ll stay until they have someone and that person is trained to be here,” Kelly said on opening day. She said there is a lot of movement in the job market right now in every field, and trying to find people is difficult.
A handful of visitors on opening day got to see the refurbished library, with new paint, wooden floors sanded, and shelves and books all cleaned and in order. New hours for the library are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1 to 6 p.m., Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Library Trustee Lucia Browne said to encourage people to stop in, the library is giving away free vegetable and flower seeds, as long as supplies last. Browne said the library will also plan an open house this spring, to be announced.
Chester’s library, at 195 Route 20, had been closed since a mold infestation and low air quality were discovered last summer. After removing the books and shelves from the building and bringing in a mold remediation team, the library trustees said the building was “mold-free” in February.
The library is also seeking a library assistant for up to 10 hours a week. This position includes children’s programming, assisting the director, and a little cleaning. Anyone interested may contact trustee President Karen Savoy at klsavoy29@yahoo.com.