Gilbertville Public Library, Hardwick, Massachusetts
While visiting the Warren Public Library, a patron told us about the Gilbertville Library, just up the road in Hardwick. We’d never heard of it and decided to head up to have a look - and we’re sure glad we did!
The town of Hardwick, of which Gilbertville is a part, is a small New England mill town. It also has TWO amazing libraries! The Gilbertville Public Library and the Paige Memorial Library. While we have visited both, this post is focused on Gilbertville.
Between 1860 and the 1930s, the Gilbertville Manufacturing Company was the principal employer in this small corner of Hardwick. The company’s founder, George H. Gilbert, purchased land to expand his woolens factories. Gilbert not only gave his name to the town but also provided a Congregational Church, a high school, and, in 1912, a public library.
From the outside, this squat sandstone structure is unremarkable. It’s nice looking, but maybe a bit austere. That impression vanishes the moment one walks through the door. The wood interior and rising roof give it an almost sacred feeling. It is really impressive.
You want to know what else was impressive? Meeting Laura, the library’s interim director. The previous director departed abruptly, leaving the library in disarray. Laura has been focused on reorganizing things, and that currently means a state of cozy clutter.
Laura is also cuckoo for shoebills and made a life-sized one for the library. It’s amazing. It’s just one example of the creativity and enthusiasm she brings. Others are the items she got from the town’s swap shed and her efforts to unravel the mess the library finds itself in. Sadly, this little library might be forced to close due to budget constraints. Hopefully, that won’t happen.
As we toured the library, Laura pointed out some of the coolest features. We especially enjoyed the stained glass windows, each immortalizing a major publisher of the era. We also liked the vintage signage that she found in the basement and brought back to the light of day. The library also sports a nice children’s area, a fair-sized collection, public computers, and comfortable seating areas. We really loved hearing about how many programs the library is doing!
During this visit, Julie, the director of the Paige Memorial Library, stopped by. While she was there, a patron came in and needed help with the fax machine (for which the library charges nothing). Problems arose, and all of the librarians in the room hopped up to lend a hand!
After the patron left, we all sat down and chatted for hours! It was really lovely. This is a small library serving a small community, and it serves with such gusto. We hope that the community can find a way to keep this wonderful library alive!