Hubbard Memorial Library to Be Recognized with adMIRAtion Award

LUDLOW — Hubbard Memorial Library will be honored as the first recipient in 2024 of MiraVista Behavioral Health Center’s You Have Our adMIRAtion Award on Thursday, Feb. 22 at noon. The ceremony will take place in the library’s Program Room at 24 Center St. in Ludlow.

The public library, housed in a building gifted to the town in 1888 by the Hubbard family in memory of Charles Hubbard, founder of Ludlow Manufacturing Co., is being honored in particular for its programs that serve the town’s children under July Siebecker, head of Youth Services at Hubbard Memorial and a 27-year staff member there.

“July has introduced and facilitated innovative programs that go beyond traditional reading activities,” said Kimberley Lee, chief of Creative Strategy and Development at MiraVista Behavioral Health Center in Holyoke. “From storytelling sessions that explore themes of empathy and resilience to arts and crafts activities that encourage self-expression, she has curated a diverse range of activities that address the holistic well-being of our young community members.”

The psychiatric hospital, which treats mental and behavioral health conditions in adults and teens ages 13 through 17 and has just renovated its adolescent unit, created its adMIRAtion Award to honor organizations and individuals that help foster connectedness and community in their cities and towns.

Lee added that libraries can be where young people discover lifelong interests and the possibility of career pursuits.

“This type of engagement is particularly important as addressing the mental-health needs of our young people in the wake of their isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a number-one priority across the country,” said Lee, adding that the award ceremony will include brief remarks by library staff, civic leaders, and youth volunteers. “The activities offered at Hubbard Memorial connect young people to each other, their community, and learning in a supportive environment.”

Hubbard Memorial Library interim Director Melissa Rickson said she is “very pleased” for the library to be so honored, adding, “I think sometimes that people do not realize that libraries are more than books, and this award highlights how the services we provide impact people.”

She said the library’s mission “matches the heart of MiraVista’s award” in creating community with a small staff of 10, including three part-timers, serving thousands of patrons each year. “We bring together community members of all ages. We have wonderful programs for every age group. These programs include programs for seniors, a general adult audience, teens, children, toddlers, and babies. People look forward to returning to the library to participate in events and socialize with the other attendees.”

Rickson described the Youth Services staff as doing a “spectacular job in welcoming our young community members,” adding that “it is wonderful to see children and teens come into the library. It goes beyond them finding a book. They get an important social connection to an adult community member who is outside their household, who often serves as a mentor.”

Rickson’s words were echoed by Siebecker in her work with the library’s young patrons, who are offered programs ranging from book clubs to gaming clubs to a youth volunteer program that allows middle- and high-schoolers to work one hour a week in the Youth Room.

“Providing a safe space is at the core of our mission in working with tweens and teens,” Siebecker said. “Because we offer a lot of programs that happen weekly, we are able to get to know many of our tween and teen patrons. We prioritize lending an ear if they want to talk, and ask for their feedback as well; many of our ideas for programs come from the kids themselves.”

Siebecker said that “a lot of people are involved,” including her assistant, Kristin Santos, in supporting the programs and encouraging teens to take leadership roles in them.

“One thing that is unique about public library programs for young adults is that they allow homeschooled kids, students from both public and private schools, and even from different towns to connect with one another. We are open to all, and that gives kids who might feel alone a broader base in which to find their tribe.”

Previous recipients of the adMIRAtion Award include William N. DeBerry Elementary School in Springfield, Sober Chef owner Chris Bland, and Western Mass. college student and picture-book author Isabella “Izy” Hess.

https://healthcarenews.com/hubbard-memorial-library-to-be-recognized-with-admiration-award/

Copying and Printing Fee Increase

Starting March 1, the Hubbard Memorial Library will be increasing the fee for photocopying and printing items. It will now cost 15¢ for black and white copies and prints and 35¢ for color copies and prints. 

Employment Opportunity

The Hubbard Memorial Library is now hiring a Youth Room Library Page.  The Youth Room Library Page will perform various duties to support Hubbard Memorial Library. Duties include shelving, shelf reading, assisting with set-up, breakdown, and preparation for youth programs, and assisting staff and library patrons when needed. This work requires frequent contact with the public and is under the supervision of the Youth Services Librarian. 

Please click here to see the full job posting.

Summer Holiday Closings

We will be closed on the following federal holidays:

Juneteenth, Monday June 19th

Independence Day, Tuesday, July 4th

Labor Day, Monday, September 4th

Library Closing

We will be closed on Friday, March 31 from 11 am to 2:30 pm so that the library staff may provide valuable information in a strategic planning staff focus group.  Thank you for your understanding.

Access NewsBank Special Reports

Hubbard Memorial Library now has access to NewsBank Special Reports.
These grouped and condensed news items are intended to allow patrons to gain insights into ongoing world events quickly and easily.

A how-to video for accessing these reports can be found here.

We're Going Fine Free!

As of October 17 we're going fine free!... almost.  We will still charge $5 per day on museum passes. 

Congratulations Adult Summer Reading Program Winners

Congratulations to our Adult Summer reading program prize winners!  Thank you all participants and sponsors.  Our sponsors are The Friends of the Ludlow Library, Tony & Penny's, and Pride Stores.

And the winners are...

Pride gas gift card: Jasmin Blake

Dinner for Two @ Tony & Penny's: Jen Zawalski

Book light, book & bag : Olivia Chartrand

We're in the news!

Spectrum News recently came in to chat with Library Director Patrick McGowan.  Read the story here:

Ludlow library looking to identify historic photos (spectrumnews1.com)

Share your Summer Library Success Story with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners wants to see Massachusetts Libraries' summer success stories and wants to hear from you, our patrons.  Let them know your favorite library experience this summer by clicking the photo below and filling out their form to upload your story.  They’ll use these stories to help stakeholders understand the value and importance of summer library programs.

Learn to use Libby!

Curb-side pick-up ending

With COVID restrictions lifting and a hopeful return to normal, as of April 1st we will no longer offer curb-side pick-up.  This was a COVID modification to our services, but with increased patronage inside our building and a small staff it has become a service that is increasingly difficult to maintain.  We are pleased that so many have been returning to visit us inside the library and hope to see everyone soon. 

Programs have retuned and are offered in a variety of options, including indoors, virtual and soon outdoors!  We have exciting books, movies, CDs and databases including streaming services.  Come in and find out what's new.

Join us!

Late fees return

As of today, we resume our pre-COVID fine schedule and late fees will begin accruing again. Late fees are not charged to seniors 60+ or children under 18.

THE HUBBARD MEMORIAL LIBRARY IS OPEN normal business hours, no appointment needed!

Safety rules:  1. For the sake of our unvaccinated children, we still request masks be worn inside the building.  2. Maintain six feet distance between other patrons and staff at all times. 3. If you or anyone you have regular contact with has a temperature or displays signs of COVID within the previous 72 hours, please refrain from visiting the library. If you are unable to follow these rules, our curbside service remains available for access to library materials.

Curbside pick-up: Curbside appointments are no longer necessary, when your items are ready - "JUST DRIVE AND CALL, THAT'S ALL!!".  Dial 583-3408 x0 when you arrive.  Place materials on hold via the computer catalog, the CWMARS app, or call the library to ask for help. If you're not sure what you want, we're happy to make suggestions! Curbside services will continue for the foreseeable future!

For help from Youth Room staff, call (413)583-3408 x3. Tell us what you like, and we can make suggestions, find books to match your child's interests, help with reference questions, get required reading books, or materials to complete assignments.

 

Our book drop is still open 24/7 for those who wish not to come in yet due to the pandemic.

No donations are being accepted at this time please.

Note: we have resumed our normal loan periods on all items, late fees incurred during the pandemic are being forgiven.

Youth Services Department

We are excited to announce that the Youth Services room has acquired some new shelving for the graphic novel collection! Thank you to the Friends of the Library for partially funding this project.

Service update

 Hello, our book return is now open for item returns only, no donations at this time please.  Please do not return anything if you or anyone in your household is ill and for 3 days of no fever without the use of fever reducing medications.  You will not incur late fees at this time.    Also, since the book return is now open, we will be resuming our normal loan periods on all items.  We continue to provide curbside pick-up, online programs, and wi-fi access outside the building.

Outdoor pick-up coming!

Any items currently in our library are available for outdoor pick-up.

New Due Date for all CWMARS Libraries

Hello everyone!

We all hope you and your families are doing well and staying safe.  We miss sure miss you all.

We would like to announce that CWMARS has adjusted the due dates on ALL currently checked out materials to July 1.  We thank you for taking care of our materials in these uncertain times.  If you notice an item is in need of a repair, please do not try to repair it yourself.  Melissa will be glad to repair it when we return.

We are eager to hear if you tried out any of our electronic resources or databases upon our return and would love your feedback.

If you need assistance please reach out to us on Facebook or by e-mail to PMcGowan@cwmars.org.

Be well-

The staff

Updated Coronavirus Statement

In support of State efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), Hubbard Memorial Library will be closed through at least April 7. We are also suspending all programs, events, and meeting room bookings during this time. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Please hold onto all library materials checked out to you until at least this time, the outside book drop will remain locked.  There will be no late fees charged.  The new due date on all your materials currently checked out is May 1.  We thank you for taking care of our materials for a little while longer while we all help combat the spread of COVID-19.

Please visit us on Facebook, where staff will be monitoring from home.

View our ebook collections by clicking here.  We also have many databases that you may use remotely from home with your library card.