Wales Public Library, Wales, Massachusetts

As we made our way through south-central Massachusetts recently, we stopped at the Wales Public Library. The library has been located in the 1840s-era Fisk House since 1921. It serves a community of approximately 1200 people, of whom just 88 are under 18. This is a small library for a small town.

When we stepped inside, we were greeted by Chris, a chatty chap who told us a bit about the library once we’d had an opportunity to look around. The first floor is home to the library’s modest collection, the children’s area (which was amazingly colorful), a very comfortable seating area, a plant swap, a Magic 8 Ball to help with book selection, a seed library, and pubic computers.

Climbing a staircase, we found ourselves in a large space with many fine features. What we noticed first were the various workspaces. There was a large table at the top of the stairs, a smaller one nearby, and a small room that could also accommodate folks wanting a quiet place to work.

This floor is also home to the library’s museum. These places are so fascinating. We’ve seen super well-curated ones, and some very strange ones. This one was a pretty fun collection of items from the town’s past. There were embroidery samplers, book racks, games, and a sweet statue called Morningglory, which featured a child contemplating the flower.

Having exhausted the sights to see on this floor, we went downstairs, where we sat and chatted with Chris. He told us about the ghost called Nora, who tosses books off the shelves. He thinks it’s probably just the old building shifting and settling, and we tend to agree. He also talked about his favorite part of the library - engaging with the community. It’s a challenge, though, given the small population - especially of kids.

We enjoyed the visit. Yes, it was a small library, but we see so many small libraries that are making big differences for their patrons and communities. Wales is no exception.