L is for Lakeville
Lakeville Public Library
Lakeville Public Library
An easy 30 minute drive down 495 and voila, I reached my destination. I would have driven twice that distance to get to the Lakeville Public Library! I was accompanied by my niece Annie!
This library has space, comfort, calming color on the walls, tons of books, and a lot more. Most impressive was the friendly staff that spent time talking and educating us about their library. I love touring beautiful old library buildings, but there is a lot to be said for a new library as well. The Lakeville library is only 23 years old and it is pristine and welcoming.
We began our tour of the library at the front desk where Pami, the library assistant was very welcoming. Pami told us that patrons say that the library "is like a community center." Popular programs that keep them coming in include children's story times, summer concerts funded by the Lakeville Art Council, genealogy, cribbage, a knitting group, local authors, several book clubs, and guest speakers. They write up a monthly "Library Newsletter." Annie and I agreed that having a paper copy of all the library has going on is a great benefit. It is really well done, complete with pictures and all the information you need.
We were joined by Nick, a library assistant, and Jennifer, the director of the library. The five of us chatted about books and authors. I am always curious as to what books library employees gravitate toward. It is a hard question to answer as everyone has a long list. Jennifer's answer was Jane Austin. Pami went with Edith Wharton, the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Nick said he didn't want to appear pretentious, but he likes Shakespeare! He also tossed in The Lord of the Rings.
I also was given suggestions for other libraries to visit. Nick tells us the Attleboro library has awesome technology available. Pami raved about the Woburn library. They added a new addition to the old library and it is beautiful the way they blended the new the old.
They are aware of and invested in what their community needs are. While CD's are still being checked out, especially when a new album is released, the movies seem to be less popular and may eventually need to be phased out. Movie lovers can still watch movies at home courtesy of the library by using the "Hoopla" app. They are looking for more space to house large print books. As the baby boomers age, so does the demand for the large print books. They are looking to give the teen space a facelift with a fresh coat of paint.
My niece, Annie is going into a master's program in library science. The library director, Jennifer graduated from the same program. She was generous with her time as she offered Annie her insight and knowledge of the school.
Lakeville is on the SAILS library network, which includes my hometown of Mansfield. Annie and I realized that we both entered the "Mass. Center for the Book 2026 Reading Challenge." The challenge is to read a book each month. The genre is posted on a calendar. Upon completion you register the book you read on line. All dedicated readers will be invited to a party at the end of the year. We are both determined to be on the invite list! There is also a tote bag full of books to be awarded. Am I in competition for that prize with my niece?? You bet I am! I was able to borrow my next "Book Reading Challenge" book at the Lakeville library. After reading the book, I will return it to my library four miles from my home. Library vans are crisscrossing the area returning books to their original library and delivering books requested by patrons. I think that is a pretty cool perk of our libraries.
We thanked Jennifer, Pami, and Nick, and set off to explore the library. Comfortable seating and soft overhead lighting was very inviting. We perused the rows of books, peeked in the young adult room, and stopped in the lobby to read the quotes on the wall surrounding the grandfather clock, passed more groupings of comfy chairs, and found the "book store." The "book store" is a little room dedicated to MANY second hand books, each for sale for $1. The funds collected help purchase museum passes as well as other fun adventures.
The children's room is huge! There is a separate room that was set up for artwork. An inviting, cozy, reading nook caught my attention. Nothing like a special spot to read with a child. The final room we explored was "The Great Ponds Gallery". Each month a different art exhibit/ artists are displayed. This month was Cultural Heritage Weaving by students from Apponequet Reginal High School. We were impressed!!
The Lakeville Public Library is simply awesome!
"M" is my next letter. I am off to my local library in Mansfield.