Friday, December 16, 2011

24/7 Library

The ELECTRONIC resources of the Holyoke Public Library are available all day, every day (24/7).


While the physical Library is CLOSED (Dec 12-Jan 2) and the book collection is being moved to temporary locations in City Hall, you can still take advantage of the extensive online resources:
No computer?   Visit the Gill Community Technology Center (inside the Picknelly Adult & Family Education Center), 206 Maple Street, Holyoke.   Look on schedule for Open sessions.

Don't know how to use a computer?  Attend free Computer Basics classes at the Gill Community Technology Center. To register, contact Melanie Diaz at the reception desk, 1st floor, or call 413-552-2990.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Moving Day Approaches

As of today, it appears that that Saturday, December 10, will be the last day that Holyoke Public Library will be open to the public prior to its move to temporary quarters at City Hall. Current plans call for the Library to resume service from the auditorium at City Hall on Monday, January 3, 2012. 

Patrons are advised that items which they have at the present time and are unable to return to the library by December 10, should be held by the patron until the Library is operating at City Hall in January. Those items will be automatically renewed without fines, and patrons will have until January 9 to return them to the temporary Library location. This procedure applies to all items with due dates of December 12 or later.

Items requested on reserve, or through Interlibrary Loans, that are received through December 10, can be picked up at the library’s Circulation desk. For requested items that have not  been received by December 10, please call the Library at 413-322-5640 for an update on the item.

All regular programs and activities offered by the library, including children’s story hours, game programs, etc., will be suspended during the period from Monday, December 12 through January 2 in order to complete the move from the Library’s location on Maple Street to its temporary home at City Hall. The actual move of Library materials will begin on Tuesday, December  12.

Current plans call for the Library to resume its regular schedule at City Hall starting January 3. Monday through Thursday the Library will be open from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM, Friday and Saturday hours are 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. For answers to any questions regarding programs, schedules, use of computers, or other information regarding the Library’s move to City Hall, please call 413-322-5640.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Grateful for Good Times

Happy Thanksgiving!  What a wonderful week of celebrations at the Holyoke Public Library!

Generations of descendants of early library donors and leaders gathered Sunday in the History Room for a special Heritage event hosted by the Library Capital Campaign.   

On Saturday evening Friends and guests enjoyed the Annual Cocktail Party with delicious food catered by the Holyoke Country Club and music by DJ Tony Pluta.

Two days before that party, on Thursday November 17, a celebratory Groundbreaking Ceremony drew a crowd outside the Library.

Patience Jackson (Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners) and Library Director María Pagán
celebrating this milestone in the Holyoke Public Library project,
on which both have worked for many years.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Groundbreaking for Library expansion!

Come to the Groundbreaking Ceremony Thursday November 17, 11:00am.   All welcome!  This will be a celebration of the Holyoke Public Library renovation/expansion project.

Among those participating in the event will be state and local officials as well as representatives of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners,  the architectural firm Finegold Alexander & Associates, and Fontaine Brothers, Inc., the general contractors for the project.

Construction is about to begin.  During the construction phase, library services will be provided on the 3rd floor of City Hall.  The move from 335 Maple Street to City Hall will occur in the coming weeks, as soon as the spaces there are prepared.

Note the NEW look on the Library's website:   www.holyokelibrary.org

Holyoke Public Library
~ A LIBRARY IN A PARK ~

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Cocktail Party in the Library!

Come party with us in the Holyoke Public Library!  Saturday November 19, 6:00pm-10pm.

Help us celebrate the Library of the last 100 years before work begins to renovate and expand our cherished library for the next 100 years.  Don't miss this last chance to mingle and reminisce in the old building after hours and support the Friends of the Library and the great programs we fund.

Catering by the Holyoke Country Club
Featuring DJ Tony Pluta
Cash Bar sponsored by Pat Brennen
Raffles will be held during the evening

Cost: $25 per person or $40 per couple

Please make checks payable to the Friends of the HPL
with Cocktail Party in the memo and mail to:
The Friends of the HPL, P.O. Box #604,  Holyoke, MA 01040

You can pay in advance at Library or by mail, or pay at the door.

Note: if you plan to attend MIFA's event that same night (Mark Twain at 8 pm at the High School), MIFA is offering a 10% discount on their tickets for anyone who also supports the Library Cocktail Party.   You can enjoy the beginning of the Cocktail party and then attend the MIFA event.
    

Friday, October 14, 2011

Yum!

We had a good turnout last night for the Pasta Dinner!


THANK YOU to all the volunteers who worked hard to make this event a success and to the businesses who donated supplies and equipment (e.g., huge cooking pots).  Thank you to the people who bought meal tickets and raffle tickets.  Special thanks to Friends board member Jim Massery who led this event and spent hours yesterday cooking and coordinating the team in the kitchen.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Come to Friends Pasta Dinner!

Join us for a fun time: Thursday, Oct 13, 5:00-7:30pm at UCC (enter side door on Appleton, between Maple and High Streets).   Pasta dinner, 50/50 Raffle, entertainment by Shuffles the Clown.  Tickets will be available at the door: $6 adult, $3 youth (ages 4-12), free for age 3 and under.

Want to know what else is being planned by the Friends of the Library?  Come to our monthly meeting on 2nd Wednesday of each month -- that's TODAY at 5:30pm at Career Point, 850 High Street, Holyoke.
Or contact President Tim Damon, 413-575-2446.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Pasta Dinner Fundraiser

Tickets are now on sale for a Friends of the Library Pasta Dinner on Thursday, October 13, 5:00 to 7:30 PM at the United Congregational Church, corner of Appleton and Maple Street, Holyoke. The dinner menu includes pasta with sauce, meatballs, grated cheese, rolls and butter, salad with dressing, beverage and dessert, all for $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children four to twelve years old. Children three and younger will receive their meal free of charge.

All are welcome!   Invite your friends and family to come enjoy this meal and support the Library at the same time. A good cause!
All proceeds from the dinner will be contributed to the renovation and expansion of the Holyoke Public Library. Tickets for the dinner are available at the Holyoke Public Library and will be available at the door that evening. The United Congregational Church is handicapped accessible; enter by the side door from Appleton.  Ample free parking is located in the lot immediately across from Appleton Street, and in the lot behind the War Memorial. 

Saturday, September 17, 2011

GALA plans expanding

Christine Alger, event chair for this fall's Holiday GALA, has called a planning meeting for Tuesday Sept 20, 5:30pm, in the Library Community Room.

There are some exciting new developments and a proposal to EXPAND the event in collaboration with the HPL Campaign Office. We're exploring whether the Library Building Project timeline would allow us to create a special event inside the 1902 Library just before the remodeling construction starts.

Same date (Saturday November 19), same caterers (Holyoke Country Club), but perhaps to be held at the Library.

Curious?  Come to Tuesday's meeting...  Help us make this a fantastic party.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Planning the big GALA!

Friends of HPL Holiday Gala party planning -- Tuesday, Sept. 13, 5:30p.m. in the HPL Community Room.   Come help with the planning for this festive party.   

This years event will be held in style at the Holyoke Country Club* on Saturday November 19, 6-11p.m.  Please mark your calendar now and SAVE THE DATE!
Help is always needed!  Raffle donations are great as well.  Feel free to contact the event chair at Chrialg6@gmail.com.   See the Gala on Facebook and the C.R.U.S.H. Events list.
*News-flash Sept 16:  Plans for this party are EXPANDING and the location MAY change to accommodate a larger crowd.  Save the date, but stay flexible about the location. 

Friday, September 2, 2011

Join Friends at the Block Party

Come find us at the Great Holyoke Block Party, which takes place on Saturday September 3rd on Chestnut Street at Veterans Park in downtown Holyoke.  The Friends of the Library will have an information table. Drop by and say Hello!   Help us promote the Library, and the Friends group, to the public.

This is the 3rd year of Block Party; here's the exciting schedule:
11-12       Tours with MIFA at the Victory Theatre (81-89 Suffolk St)
11:30        Parade around the site with Expandable Brass Band
12-12:45  Carpe Diem (Cover Rock)
1-1:45      Katelyn Richards (Rock)
1:30         One Mile Walk around the area with the Holyoke YMCA
1:45-2      Tango Performance with Veronika Kruta
2-2:45      Dicey Riley (Irish Rock)
2:45-3      Expandable Brass Band (Activist Street Band)
3-3:45      Shawn Patric Project (Blues)
4-4:45      Evelyn Harris (Soul/R&B)
4:45-5      Holyoke YMCA-Zumba!
5-5:45      InterTrip (Jazz)
5:45-6      Grupo Folklorico (Traditional Puerto Rican Dance)
6-6:45      Toussaint the Liberator (Reggae)
6:45-7      Artistic Dance Conservatory
7-7:45      DJ Jay One (Dance)
8-9:00      Conjunto Barrio (Latin)
[Rain date Sunday September 4]

Sunday, June 26, 2011

$13,476.85!

That's the total amount we earned for the Library during the Gala event "The Future Begins Here" held May 1 at the Holyoke Mall. The check came this week, reports Tim Damon, President of the Friends.  Tim wrote yesterday:
"A very sincere and heartfelt THANK YOU to all of you who helped make this years Future Begins Here event our best year ever! The Friends of the Holyoke Public Library earned a grand total of $13,476.85! Congratulations on a very successful project. These funds will be used towards the Friends pledge for the Library Building Campaign. I look forward to your continued help and participation in the future. Please join the Friends at our next meeting August 10 at 5:30 at Career Point, 850 High St, Holyoke."
Silent Auction
A big THANK YOU also to all the businesses and individuals who donated items for the auctions, sponsored tables, and invited colleagues and friends to come. We could not have had such success without you.
Delicious food prepared by chefs!
Anne Gorman, María Pagán, and Wanda Myslek
at the completion of the gala event, May 1.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Holyoke Public Library Day!

The Holyoke High Marching Band performed at the Library this afternoon and Mayor Elaine Pluta proclaimed today as Holyoke Public Library Day!

This was the Campaign Kick-Off for the Library for the 21st Century.

There was much GOOD NEWS to share as the public phase of the fundraising campaign was launched. Peoples Bank has pledged a generous gift of $200,000! The Davis Foundation is giving $100,000. The Friends of the Library were thanked for making an early pledge of $100,000. In all, behind-the-scenes fundraising over the past two years has already accumulated an impressive total, reaching 1/2 of the total goal of $2.5 million!  

Rory Casey and Terry Plum showing the progress to date.

Library Campaign leaders posed for pictures
We look forward to breaking ground on the significant library renovation/expansion project in October.
Friends President Tim Damon and Board Member Migdalia Thomas

Monday, June 6, 2011

Exciting week for Library Friends

There are TWO events of note this week for the Friends of the Library:

the first Board meeting with the newly-elected board members (Wed, June 8, 5:30-7:00 pm at the BOAT HOUSE, Jones Ferry River Access)
and

the Capital Campaign Kick-off Event Thursday June 9, 4:00-6:00pm, at the Library.   Join us!  The Holyoke High School Marching Band will play, the Mayor and others will speak, and we'll all be invited inside for a reception.  

Please come and bring your friends!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Annual Meeting today!

Come see the latest architectural plans for the Library!

Ellen Anselone, AIA, LEED AP, Senior Associate with Finegold Alexander & Associates, and Terry Plum, President of the Holyoke Public Library Corporation Board, will present the latest architectural design for this historic library expansion project, and give us an update on the timeline ahead.

A Business meeting (5:30pm) and REFRESHMENTS will precede the 6:30pm program. Community Room, 2nd floor, Holyoke Public Library.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Bananas Foster!

Channel 22 News recently interviewed Joe Stevens, owner of Hofbrauhaus, as he prepared a fabulous dessert and talked about his 18 years of bringing gourmet food to The Future Begins Here. COME to this gala event Sunday evening May 1 (6:30-9pm, Holyoke Mall) to taste his "Bananas Foster."

Watch the Channel 22 video here to see the dramatic flames and tempting recipe of "Bananas Foster."

$30 at door (Yellow entrance of Mall). All proceeds benefit children's services, including those at the Holyoke Public Library.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Raffle Tickets!

A chance to win $500!  A chance to win a car!

New this year at the May 1st Future Begins Here fundraiser is an opportunity to win $500 AND a chance to win a 2011 Suburu Outback!     
Raffle tickets are only $10 each and can be purchased in advance from Friends President Tim Damon or other Friends board members, or at the Holyoke Public Library.   You do not need to be present to win the $5oo.   

To win the car, however, you must be present at the event:  Sunday, May 1, 6:30-9 pm, Holyoke Mall.  Come show your support for children’s services at the Holyoke Public Library!  Silent and live auction items, great food, live music, cash bar, and also new this year: a beer garden!    If you do not already have your event tickets, you may pay  ($30) at the door.

Raffle tickets will also be sold by Holyoke's Colleens during this gala event.  The drawing will take place in connection with the Live Auction. The winner will get $500 and a chance --if present--to roll dice for the car.  In all, ten raffle ticket holders at the event will be in line to roll the dice for the Subaru.  The first one to get the correct roll wins the car.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Bring auction donations to Friends meeting

Come to the meeting of the Friends of HPL on Wednesday, April 13, 5:30-7pm, at the Library.
We are preparing for the gala fundraiser The Future Begins Here (May 1).  If you have any auction items to donate for either the Silent Auction or the Live Auction, please contact President Tim Damon this week, or BRING the items with you on Wednesday.

This is the final week before the newspaper deadline for submission of the auction list, so we need to know what items and/or services will be offered.  The Holyoke Public Library is one of three agencies participating in The Future Begins Here this year, the 20th anniversary of this fundraiser for children's services.

You can help us create attractive baskets and bundles  (combining smaller donated items into packages worth $50 or more).   We'll be working together in the History Room, 2nd floor, on Friday afternoon April 15. Contact Tim Damon, Peg McCarthy, or marypaz for details.

Additional help would be appreciated, too, in selling RAFFLE tickets  -- a new addition this year.  Come to Wednesday's meeting to learn more.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Come to the Friends Book Club

The Book Club meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm at the Library.  (Come earlier for the 5:30-7pm  Friends of the Library board meeting and refreshments.)   This month we're reading Anne Tyler's Digging to America.  Come join us on April 13.   All welcome.

“The author’s 17th novel exemplifies her skill at depicting seemingly quiet and unremarkable lives with sympathy and humor . . . A touching, well-crafted tale of friendship, families, and what it means to be an American.”   -- Library Journal
Description:
Anne Tyler’s richest, most deeply searching novel–a story about what it is to be an American, and about Iranian-born Maryam Yazdan, who, after 35 years in this country, must finally come to terms with her “outsiderness.”  Two families, who would otherwise never have come together, meet by chance at the Baltimore airport – the Donaldsons, a very American couple, and the Yazdans, Maryam’s fully assimilated son and his attractive Iranian wife. Each couple is awaiting the arrival of an adopted infant daughter from Korea.  ...

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Come join us!

Our Friends group will be active this spring on a number of fronts:
  • Preparing for the big Future Begins Here (FBH) event at the Holyoke Mall on Sunday May 1st.
  • Considering naming option for Friends-sponsored space in remodeled library.
  • Recruiting new board members (for election at May meeting).
  • Updating our organization's bylaws to reflect current practice.
  • Planning future events and fundraisers.
All welcome to come to our monthly meetings:  Wed March 9, 5:30pm and Wed April 13, 5:30pm, at the Library.   Hope to see you soon!


Thursday, February 24, 2011

Come see the Library plans!

Come TONIGHT to The Bungalow (behind the Waterfront Tavern, 920 Main St.) to see the latest plans for the renovation/expansion of our Library!  Architect Jim Alexander will be presenting drawings and floor plans at about 8:00pm.  Drop by any time from 7:00 pm on, joining the monthly "Party with a Purpose" hosted by Citizens for Revitalization and Urban Success of Holyoke (C.R.U.S.H.).    We're delighted that this month's purpose is the Holyoke Public Library.

Friday, February 18, 2011

For Love of Stories

On Saturday Feb 12, 2011, the Children's Museum at Holyoke hosted a joint fundraiser benefitting the Friends of the Holyoke Public Library and the Children's Museum.  


Shuffles the Clown greeted visitors and made balloon sculptures, Christine Alger helped kids make their own books,  storyteller Roger Tincknell performed, and Mr. Tim offered story reading.   

 The Expandable Brass Band played...
 Holyoke Civic Symphony demonstrated intruments
Roger Tincknell sang and told stories.
Friends board member Alex Morse and Miss Holyoke 2011

Monday, February 7, 2011

Come join our team

We invite you to come to our February 9th meeting (5:30 -7 pm, Wednesday) in the Library.    We are actively planning upcoming events and would WELCOME additional volunteers.

This is an ideal time to jump in and join the fun as we help facilitate the Feb 12th "For Love of Stories" event at the Children's Museum, 5-8pm this Saturday -- a joint fundraiser for the Library Friends and for the Children's Museum.    "Mr. Tim and friends" will be reading storybooks to children.  Would you like to be a story reader?  Or help as a "greeter" just outside the story-reading area?  Or help with craft activities encouraging kids to express their own stories?   Another way to help is to invite your family and friends to buy tickets ($9 in advance, 413-536-KIDS). 

We also invite you to join the Library's FBH team.  What's that?  FBH= The Future Begins Here, a gala event at the Holyoke Mall, May 1, 2011.    All FBH volunteers are invited to a social event Feb 21 at 7pm. Come to our Feb 9th meeting to learn more.
 
 We hope to see you on Feb 9th.  
  (In event of bad weather, call the Library 322-5640 to see if it is open. If open, we'll be meeting.)
    

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Upcoming events

Last night's Board Meeting of the Friends discussed plans for these upcoming events.
For Love of Stories, A Family Story Valentine.  This special event is a fundraiser benefitting the Friends of the Holyoke Public Library and the Children's Museum at Holyoke.   Saturday February 12, 5-8pm at the Children's Museum, 44 Dwight St, Holyoke.    Shuffles the Clown,  story tellers Tom McCabe, Roger Tincknell, live music, story reading by Mr. Tim and Friends, and opportunities to write, illustrate, and act out stories.  Tickets on sale at the Children's Museum 413-536-KIDS.  $10 per person ($1 off in advance, or for library card holders or museum members).
Future Begins Here 2011 - The Friends of the Holyoke Public Library will again participate in this annual community fundraiser for children's services in the Pioneer Valley.  Mark your calendars for Sunday evening May 1, 2011, for gourmet food, auctions, and live music at the Holyoke Mall. Contact us now to volunteer; much help will be needed in the February-April period.
The next Friends Board Meeting will be Wednesday Feb 9 at the Library, 5:30pm.  All welcome!
The next Friends Book Club will be Wednesday Feb 9 at the Library, 7:00 pm.  We'll be discussing Under Fishbone Clouds by Sam Meekings.  Come join us.