Friends of the Holyoke Public Library

Friends working together

2012-02-07T23:03:00.000-08:00

The Friends of the Holyoke Public Library work together on many activities each year. This photo was taken at the Feb 4th Library Open House sponsored by the Friends.

Come to our next meeting, Wednesday, February 8, 5:30-7pm, at CareerPoint, 850 High Street, Holyoke, to learn more about us and upcoming plans.

Winter Carnival events

2012-02-01T08:58:00.000-08:00

The Holyoke Winter Carnival is underway.

Friends of the Library are sponsoring several events: a Hot Cocoa Social at the Merry-Go-Round on Thursday, February 2, 5:00-7:00pm, and a Library Open House on Saturday, February 4, 12:00 - 3:30pm. Mr. Tim will read stories to children at 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. These events are FREE.

Also on February 4th, HPL Board Member Joel Patruno is hosting a "Comic Book Day" at the Library, 10:00am- 4:00pm. He will be sharing many copies of comics he has collected.

The Holyoke Public Library Board also sponsored several events: a benefit concert by Pioneer Valley Capella on the opening day of the Winter Carnival and a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday January 30 to make official the re-opening of the Library in the City Hall Auditorium.

Library Open House

2012-01-23T13:39:00.000-08:00

The Library has now re-opened in its temporary location, City Hall, 536 Dwight Street, Holyoke.

You are Invited to the
Library Open House!

We've Finally Settled In!

The Library Board of Directors and Library Staff
Cordially Invite You to a

Special Open House

To Mark the Occasion of the Official Opening of the Holyoke Public Library
in its Temporary Home in the City Hall Auditorium

Monday, January 30, 2012
from 9:00AM to 11:00 AM

Ribbon Cutting – 9:30 AM

Lack of Heat Delays Library Reopening

2012-01-09T16:39:00.000-08:00

With inside temperature in the Holyoke City Hall Auditorium hovering in the low to mid 50s, and efforts to remedy the situation still in process, a decision was made Monday afternoon (January 9) to delay the library’s reopening until Monday, January 23^rd.

During a mid-afternoon meeting in the Mayor’s office, attended by Mayor Alex Morse, key City Hall staff members, and Library representatives, the various issues concerning heating problems were reviewed. Alternative proposals were discussed and decisions made to provide a temporary portable heating system to meet immediate needs. Preliminary estimates indicate that this equipment can be installed during the next two weeks to enable the library to officially reopen with most regular library services operational.

“We appreciated the Mayor’s participation as well as his concerns for both working conditions (due to low temperatures), under which the library staff has been working , as well as his desire to have the library up and running, providing regular service to Holyoke patrons”, said Maria G. Pagan, Library Director.

“We are all on the same page regarding our objectives of restoring service as quickly as possible. The staff has been doing an exceptional job under very difficult conditions and other circumstances. With the aid and cooperation of Mayor Morse and other City Officials we are now well on our way to a workable solution to these difficulties and look forward to welcoming patrons to our temporary library”, she added.

Library move update

2012-01-02T18:23:00.000-08:00

Professional movers (Sitterly) have been very busy moving books, furniture, and equipment from the 335 Maple Street building, which is now empty and ready for renovation. The next step will be to unpack and get settled in City Hall, aiming to re-open the library as soon as possible. We anticipate a one-week delay. Public computers will not be available until after January 11. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Note: The library’s History Room, currently in temporary quarters at Holyoke Community College, will be operating on a new schedule between January 3 and January 22: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM weekdays, except closed on Wednesdays. Regular hours will resume January 23.

The library's online databases and services will continue to be available 24/7.

24/7 Library

2011-12-16T09:29:00.000-08:00

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

Electronic collections of HPL

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:

Catalog of e-Books, e-Audiobooks, e-Videos. Guide for new users.
Databases for researching Jobs, Information, including hundreds of great articles in electronic format
Reference resources
State Digital Collections

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.

Moving Day Approaches

2011-11-30T10:44:00.000-08:00

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.

Grateful for Good Times

2011-11-24T07:57:00.000-08:00

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.

Groundbreaking for Library expansion!

2011-11-16T10:21:00.000-08:00

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 ~

Cocktail Party in the Library!

2011-11-08T05:14:00.000-08:00

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.

Yum!

2011-10-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

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.

Come to Friends Pasta Dinner!

2011-10-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

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.

Pasta Dinner Fundraiser

2011-09-28T04:17:00.000-07:00

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.

GALA plans expanding

2011-09-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

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.

Planning the big GALA!

2011-09-12T16:25:00.000-07:00

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.

Join Friends at the Block Party

2011-09-02T13:41:00.000-07:00

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]

$13,476.85!

2011-06-26T17:16:00.000-07:00

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.

Holyoke Public Library Day!

2011-06-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

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

Exciting week for Library Friends

2011-06-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

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!

Annual Meeting today!

2011-05-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

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.

Bananas Foster!

2011-04-27T07:07:00.000-07:00

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.

Raffle Tickets!

2011-04-22T19:50:00.000-07:00

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

New this year at the May 1^st 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.

Bring auction donations to Friends meeting

2011-04-11T05:43:00.000-07:00

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.

Come to the Friends Book Club

2011-03-31T19:21:00.000-07:00

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. ...

Come join us!

2011-03-08T11:59:00.000-08:00

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!

Come see the Library plans!

2011-02-24T10:54:00.000-08:00

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.

For Love of Stories

2011-02-18T15:11:00.000-08:00

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

Come join our team

2011-02-07T22:14:00.000-08:00

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.)

Upcoming events

2011-01-20T07:13:00.000-08:00

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.

Book Club choices for Jan and Feb

2010-12-22T11:23:00.000-08:00

The Friends Book Club meets in the Library the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm, immediately following the Friends Board Meeting (5:30-7pm).

We will be discussing these books in the upcoming months:

January 12: The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey
February 9: Under Fishbone Clouds by Sam Meekings

Come join us! All welcome.

What a Party!!

2010-12-11T20:29:00.000-08:00

The Holyoke Holiday Gala and Silent Auction at the Library tonight was well-attended and lots of fun. Here are some photos to give a sense of the event, which included entertainment by Holyoke Strings, the Madrigal Choir from Holyoke High School, and the Sea Tea Improv group.

View from the mezzanine while choir sang;
Cash bar at center desk served by Brennan's Place

Sea Tea Improv

Opening a door prize...

Impressionistic view of people and lights on mezzanine

The Silent Auction included paintings, photographs, baskets of goodies, a tea set, jewelry, and services.

Silent Auction items on display

Auction team tallying the bids

The proceeds from tickets, bar sales, and auction bids will be shared equally by Homework House and the Friends of the Library. THANK YOU to all who participated in making this Gala such a success!
For more photos visit MassLive "Seen@" gallery.

Holiday Gala & Silent Auction

2010-12-04T14:42:00.000-08:00

The Holyoke Holiday Gala and Silent Auction is right around the corner: Saturday, December 11, 6-10pm at the Holyoke Public Library.
NOW is the time to buy (or reserve) your tickets. Don't delay! We want to have an accurate head count by Monday, December 6, to help with the food planning.

This year the Gala will benefit two wonderful Holyoke organizations that support the academic lives of our youth: the Library and Homework House. Live entertainment by Holyoke Strings, the Madrigal Choir & the Sea Tea Improv Group (comedy); Cash bar donated by Brennan's.
See our Facebook event page.

To reserve your ticket or for any more information, please email the planning group at HolyokeHolidayGala@gmail.com or call 413-422-0506.
Or you may (for $1 processing fee) purchase tickets online using a credit card.

Please join us for this wonderful party!

Book Club: Three Cups of Tea

2010-11-24T21:55:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving! And, wishing you time to read a good book! How about Three Cups of Tea?

That's the selection for the next meeting of the Friends Book Club, Wednesday, December 8, 7:00 - 8:00pm, in the Library's Holyoke Room, second floor. All welcome!

Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time, by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin
http://www.threecupsoftea.com/

Come join us! Come earlier, if you wish, for the Friends Board meeting (and refreshments), starting at 5:30pm December 8 in the Community Room. All our meetings are open to the public.

Book Club/OneBookHolyoke

2010-10-14T06:44:00.000-07:00

After a lively Friends of the Library board meeting last night, several of us talked about OneBookHolyoke and decided to schedule a BOOK CLUB date. Instead of staying to eat more of the delicious refreshments, we went downstairs and consulted the room scheduling calendar and our calendars. The result? Wednesday November 10, 7:30-8:30pm, in the Community Room at the Library. That will be after next month's Friends of the Library board meeting (5:30-7:00pm).

TONIGHT is the grand kick-off for OneBookHolyoke. Don't miss it! Dramatic readings, music, motivating speakers.

PLEASE JOIN US:

One Book Holyoke's Opening Event
Thursday, 10/14/10, 7 PM

Holyoke High School Auditorium

500 Beech Street Holyoke

PROGRAM

Greetings from Mayor Pluta

Holyoke High School student Nick Allende

Dramatic Reading by:

John Haag, Enchanted Circle Theater

Vietnam veteran speakers:

Jim Munroe and Gumersindo Gomez

Holyoke High School Chorus

Holyoke High School Band

This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Refreshments will be served.

Board Meeting Wed October 13, 5:30pm

2010-10-12T14:22:00.000-07:00

Come to the Friends of the Library Board Meeting. All are welcome!

5:30 pm Wednesday October 13, 2010, at the Library.

The agenda will include discussion of the Library's Capital Campaign and the role of the Friends. Nina Mankin of the Campaign office will come to speak with us.

You'll also hear updates about this year's Cocktail Party, which is shaping up to be an exciting event. It is being planning in conjunction with Homework House.

Join us!

New ornament to benefit Friends

2010-09-09T14:45:00.000-07:00

President Tim Damon recently announced the arrival of a shiny new ornament in the Friends of the Library's series of historic ornaments. This one depicts the popular Holyoke landmark of Scott Tower. The design was selected by long-time Friends volunteer Michael Baron.

The sale of each ornament ($14) benefits the Friends and ultimately the Library, helping to fulfill the Friends mission of supporting the Library. You can buy the ornaments at the Library, in the Mayor's Office, or whenever you see a Friends of the Library table at a community event.

The Scott Tower ornament made its debut at the Great Holyoke Block Party, Sunday September 5, 2010. It was on display in Veterans Park along with the Civil War Memorial ornament honoring the statue that is being restored by Cesar Lopez in the center of that park.

Karlene Shea (pictured here) was one of the volunteers staffing the Friends table.

Walter Scott Memorial Tower is the official name of the tower, as noted in the information card that accompanies the new ornament. (See photo below).

September's coming!

2010-08-26T18:38:00.000-07:00

September will start with much activity, and YOU could be a helpful volunteer for the Friends.

President Timothy Damon is seeking people to help staff a Friends of the Library table on Sunday, September 5 during the Great Holyoke Block Party (11am-8pm on Chestnut Street by Veterans Park, Holyoke). Our role is to encourage the public to use the Library and to consider joining the Friends of the Library. Last year at this event we recruited several new members and had fun in the process. Come enjoy the music, food, and games AND volunteer at the Library table to help for an hour or two.

This is also the time of year for our membership mailing about dues renewal. Come socialize with Friends as we hold a "work bee" to stuff envelopes starting Wednesday afternoon, September 1. (The materials are being printed... schedule may shift slightly, but our hope is to get all in the mail by September 3.) Contact Sandy Ward, Tim Damon, or Margaret McCarthy if interested in helping for an hour or two.

Join us also on Wednesday, September 8, 5:30-7:00pm, in the Community Room of the Library for the first full BOARD MEETING of the Friends of the Holyoke Public Library under our new monthly schedule (2nd Wednesday of each month, 5:30pm). All meetings open to the public, and refreshments* are provided.

*Another volunteer opportunity! Contact us if you can help with refreshments for one or more meetings.

THANK YOU!
Sandy Ward, Corresponding Secretary 413-250-8079

Summer activities

2010-08-06T09:33:00.000-07:00

The Friends of the Library sponsored an Information Table and an Activity Table at the Noche de San Juan festival in Heritage Park on June 27. This was a fun opportunity to promote the Library, meet people, and recruit new Friends members.

Loida did outreach in Spanish while Tim manned the table.

Friends volunteers Tim Damon, Christine Alger, Loida Martinez, Sandy Ward, and Rory Casey were among the active participants.

Tim read books to younsters

Another outreach opportunity will come on Labor Day Weekend: we'll have a table at the Great Holyoke Block Party on Sunday afternoon September 5, 2010. Here's a photo from last year's Block party, at which we recruited several new Friends members.

Come join us! Chestnut Street & Veterans Park.

Sept 5, 2010 11am-7pm

Drop by whenever you wish --enjoy the music, food, games, dancing-- and help us talk to people about the Library and its many services).

It's Official! Contracts signed for Library Project

2010-06-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, June 24th at 11:00 am, in Mayor Elaine Pluta's office at City Hall, important documents related to the Holyoke Public Library Building Project were signed by Mayor Pluta, HPLC President Terry Plum, and City Solicitor Lisa Ball:

City-Library contract formalizing the on-going partnership between the HPLC and City
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners contract for $4.4M state grant

Friends, public officials, and the media were present to witness this historic step.

WAMC reported on 2010-06-26, "At a time when public libraries in Massachusetts are being hit by budget cuts ..., there is reason for library supporters in one Western Massachusetts city to cheer. A plan has been put together to pay for a 15 million dollar renovation and expansion of the 108 year old Holyoke Public Library building..."
[link to WAMC report]

Community Meetings with Library Design team

2010-05-21T12:46:00.000-07:00

Come to the Library Community Room on Tuesday, May 25, to see drawings of the proposed library expansion/renovation and give your reactions! You have a choice of two sessions:

11:30am-1pm

5:30 - 7 pm

This is a follow-up to the well-attended May 13th community meetings pictured here. Community input was helpful. We expect to see further development in the design by May 25.

ANNUAL MEETING

2010-05-18T05:11:00.000-07:00

May 20, 5:30pm, Community Room, Library, 335 Maple St, Holyoke. Brief business meeting to elect new Board and Officers, then Refreshments at 6:00 pm, Program at 6:30pm:

Come hear author Timothy Black discuss his award-winning book, When a Heart Turns Rock Solid: The Lives of Three Puerto Rican Brothers On and Off the Streets.

Photos taken May 20: Delicious food provided Rory Casey and Michael Baron

Book-signing after the very moving program.

Future Begins Here 2010

2010-05-17T17:32:00.000-07:00

Friends of the Holyoke Public Library participated in the 19th Annual Future Begins Here event at the Holyoke Mall, Sunday, May 2, 2010.

Christine Alger (photo, right) and many other volunteers assisted at the Silent Auction tables.

THANK YOU to all the people who volunteered their time and/or spent their money at this gala event!

Funds raised by ticket sales, auctions sales, bar sales, balloon sales, and sponsorships help support the Children's Room at the Holyoke Public Library.

Peg McCarthy (left) staffed another table with Silent Auction items.

Rory Casey was Chair of the Library team. Thanks, Rory!

Christine Alger, Peg McCarthy, Karlene Shea, Tim Damon, Rory and Melissa Casey.

Library Bond Authorization: YES!

2010-05-05T18:33:00.000-07:00

Library supporters turned out in force last night and the City Council voted 14-1 to approve borrowing for the Library renovation/expansion project. Hooray! Thank you all!

Thanks to this YES vote, the project will now roll forward very quickly. COMMUNITY MEETINGS to see preliminary plans have been set for next week, Thursday May 13. (Two Spanish meetings 10am & 4pm; two English 11:30am & 5:30pm at the Library.) The architectural firm from Boston is now hard at work creating drawings and scenarios for public input. At least 3 choices will be on view.

A second day of community meetings (to look at refinements after a preferred plan has been selected) is scheduled for Tuesday May 25.

Library Building Renovation/Expansion Project

2010-05-03T09:03:00.000-07:00

The 2009/2010 year has been a very active one! The Friends group has had representatives attending a wide range of meetings regarding the long-awaited building project. We have been well represented on the Campaign Working Committee, led by the FDA team hired by HPL Corp to direct the fundraising. We set up TOURS of the building in January to educate our membership about the conditions of the existing structure (see photo of old stacks, which no longer meet building codes). We participated in interviews for hiring the Owner's Project Manager (OPM). One of us was then invited to join the Building Committee, and participated in reviewing 14 Design Team proposals, interviewing 6 teams, and recommending an architectural/design team.

See Sandy Ward's online Library Project photo album documenting the library tours and many subsequent meetings.

The Friends group was asked in September 2009 to make a formal pledge to the Library Building Campaign. We did so, pledging $100,000! Of this, $26,000 was donated immediately and another $14,000 promised to be paid before June 2010 -- to be used during this year to offset costs associated with redesign of schematics required by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). The remaining $60,000 is to be raised in future years, conditional on City commitment to bonding for the project.

President Tim Damon and Sandy Ward visited many other public libraries in western Mass. Sandy made several trip to eastern MA libraries as well, focusing particularly on historic buildings with new additions. We can learn from these examples. See Sandy's "Ideas from elsewhere" photo albums.

2009 Annual Friends of the Holyoke Public Library Cocktail Party.

2009-11-21T18:51:00.000-08:00

The annual Friends of the Holyoke Public Library Cocktail Party was held on Saturday, November 14, 2009. Culinary Arts students from Dean Tech served food, including the popular mashed potato cocktail, and a good time was had by all. Quilts and special baskets were raffled off to raise funds for the Library. Ellen Moriarty was honored for her years of service on the HPL Board of Trustees and her years as a Friend of the HPL. -Sandy Ward

Photos by Sandy Ward

We hope you will join us in 2010!