Computers and Phone working!

Telephone service to the Library in City Hall was connected this week. The regular library number, 413-322-5640, again reaches the library's public service staff. (During the move, that number had gone only to a recording that announced a cell phone number for interim use.)

The public access COMPUTERS are also up and running, and free WiFi is available. A Fax machine and copiers are also working. Books, CDs, and DVDs may be borrowed for the usual loan periods.

The Library is open during its customary hours:
8:30 A.M. to 8:30 P.M. Monday through Thursday
8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Friday and Saturday.

If you haven't already visited this library location, do come! You'll find the library in the Auditorium of City Hall, accessible by elevator, which you can reach from the entrance at the back parking lot. 536 Dwight St, Holyoke.

Friends working together

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

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

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

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

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

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.