According to the Oxford Dictionary, a library is defined as “a building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for people to read, borrow, or refer to.”
Yet, lifelong North Adams resident Audrey thinks that’s too narrow a definition to fit the North Adams Public Library. “It’s a home, not a library, not an institutionalized place.”
As the ‘Friends of North Adams Public Library’ get ready to celebrate their 50 years of community contribution, there is an overwhelming stress about what funding will look like for the next fifty years to come. “We are not getting the proper funding from the state,” explained Audrey, who volunteers at the library regularly.
She spent her high school career across the street from the library at Drury Senior High School, now transformed into Colegrove Elementary School. She remembers her time at the library fondly, feeling it was always a welcoming space. “If you ever had a research project, you could just go right across the street from school and start your exploration.”
However, long before this space was utilized as a library, it was a personal home for many years. From 1810-1826, Dr. James Cummings owned the land where the public library is now housed, near the intersection of Church and Main Street. The ownership was passed along to Dr. Elihu Hawkes, a physician in the town in 1829.
Sanford Blackinton was the last to purchase this land for a private residence in 1863. A wealthy wool mill owner, Blackinton tore down the original home and rebuilt a new estate with a $75,000 budget. The house became a social hub for the town, an elegant marker of the times, which is still loved by locals today. Blackinton lived out his last days in the home till his death in 1885, and Blackinton’s second wife, Eliza, shared a similar legacy until she died in 1896.
Following Eliza’s passing, the Blackinton house hit the market and was purchased by the first mayor of North Adams, Albert C. Houghton. Houghton donated it to the city as its newest library in the name of his late brother, Andrew Jackson Houghton. He further donated $10,000 to aid the necessary changes to turn the original home into a place for the general public to enjoy.
North Adams architect Edwin Barlow was hired for the job of renovating the house in 1897, and by 1898, the library was rehoused in the newly-named Houghton Memorial Building.
The North Adams Public Library was not only a place of knowledge, but a place of sanctuary during the 1930s, as the community weathered the Great Depression. The library stood as a safe haven of warmth and comfort for hundreds of unemployed North Adams residents during that time.
Nowadays, a buzzing hub of activity can be found in this homely space from open to close. A part-time employee named C.L. claims there are around 200-300 people who come to the library daily. “We like to consider ourselves a fun library- this is a community space where people can utilize the printers, computers, and especially read in.”
Despite the North Adams Public Library being a pillar within the community for well over 100 years, there is a distinct lack of funding that concerns many here. “We have four part-time paid employees for fifteen hours per week, and two part-time paid employees for seven hours per week,” C.L. commented.
The rest of the positions filled at the library consist of volunteers; however, C.L. explained, despite their hearts being in the right place, it is hard to account for any cancellations by the volunteers. “We do rely on our volunteers,” C.L. emphasized.
“Volunteers do just about everything; we work the circulation desk, answer phone calls, shelf the books, stuff like that,” added Audrey.
While collecting interviews for this story, it was only C.L. and Audrey at the front desk helping patrons check out, as well as answering the phone and speaking with me. The pair multitasked gracefully, making sure everyone who needed help was assisted. “We truly love our patrons,” C.L. said, with pride in her voice.
While there it raises some controversy amongst other patrons, there is a homeless population that goes to the library during open hours to find a quiet place to be. “They are held to the same standard as any other patron.” C.L. said, noting that their love is for all their patrons.
In light of the evident love and care shown by the workers, the Friends of the North Adams Public Library make it their goal to keep this special place open to the public. Throughout the year, they collect donated books and go through the rigorous process of cleaning them, as well as pricing. Come September, they host an annual book sale, open to the general public, to try and raise money for the things that the library needs. “Anything helps,” Audrey said.
The library isn’t just a place for reading, it’s a safe place for young children to develop their skills. “They learn how to be respectful in a public space, how to be quiet in the places that ask for it, that sort of thing.”
The North Adams Public Library has a room on the second floor dedicated solely to children- a colorful and inviting place to enable them to explore. The library hosts events for their youngest patrons periodically, drawing families from the local community. Story times are held bi-weekly, as well as longer-term projects, such as planting your own seedling. Audrey explained that each child can get their own pot and seeds, and is invited to come back and check on the growth of their plants.
The North Adams Public Library has gone through many hands and transformations since it was opened in the 1800s, yet its goal has stayed strong- to ignite passion for learning outside of the classroom setting. Being open to the public welcomes the community to share a home outside of their own; a space that invites you to explore anything you want to know, with a staff that is more than willing to guide you to the right places to find it.
So, next time it’s a rainy day out, the North Adams Public Library waits for you with open arms and velvety chairs to sink into and escape the gray. Cozy up and escape into faraway lands that only literature can take you to.
If you would like to donate to the North Adams Public Library, you can visit their website or speak directly to a librarian at their front desk.
