Cambridge

 

C is for Cambridge

Cambridge Public Library

449  Broadway

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Where to begin when you visit a library that is as vast as the main branch of the Cambridge library system?? 

Actually you start at the desk with large, red letters boldly written that say, "Questions & Answers." Both librarians at the desk were welcoming, friendly and provided me with lots of stories, suggestions and insight. Regrettably I only learned Amie's name.

The library holds a yearly poetry contest. The winners get their poems displayed on the risers of their impressive stair cases! Imagine your words being appreciated each day by people who appreciate the written word.

The Cambridge library offers 100 programs each month. I know that if lived closer I would be attending the many cooking classes that are taught by local chefs. Amie says the aromas that waft through the library are enticing! Make your own bento-box, a dumpling class and a cheese class are among her favorites. I have to remind myself that everything is free at the library.

I asked Amie what part of the library she enjoyed and that we should see. She responded enthusiastically, "The Hive." She directed us to a lower level room that was formerly a storage space, which, given the appearance of the space now, seems impossible.

The "Hive" was staffed by two people.  I spoke with and learned  a lot from Jean.  He did a high school internship at Cambridge Rindge & Latin next door, which led to his current role at the library.  The Hive is a room you go to to CREATE!  There were plenty of children making good use of the space on a school vacation week.  

The projects include 3D printing, leather embossing,  a laser cutter, 3D pens and more than I had time to jot down!  Jean said the kids really enjoy using the vinyl cutter to make stickers.  There were a few studios!  People can schedule time to create a podcast, record music and use the green screen.  It really was amazing to realize all the options available to people.  Loved this room in the lower level of the library!!  

The Hive is actually one of the many, "Makers Spaces" that are found in and around the Boston area.  Jean appeared proud to tell me that this one is the only one that is free.  It was created two and half years ago.  People attend a safety and equipment training before getting creative.  Once you have done that are good to join a workshop or attend drop-in sessions.

The children's room is a huge, sunny space on the third floor.  Books are lined up as far as the eye could see!  What I loved the most in the children's room is that librarians desk is at a child's height!  Those who designed the room had children in mind.

Curious George, the monkey from the books by the same name is all over the children's room.  The authors, husband and wife team, Hans and Margret Ray lived in Cambridge, near Harvard Square.

My niece Mary recently moved to Cambridge and quickly discovered this gem of a library just a few blocks from her apartment.  She loves spending some of her  work-from-home time in this beautiful space.  There are desks as well as single chairs that face looking out the window at the expansive lawn.  During our visit the room was packed with adults working.  There are small glass ,sound proof rooms that groups can reserve.  How cool is that?  You can work together without the fear of being shushed!:)  You can also take a call is the futuristic looking booth!  I wonder if a phone call ever turns into a nap??

Mary is looking forward to the return of the good weather so she can enjoy sitting out on the veranda where there a little bistro style table and chairs.  It is on the old stone side of the library and it gives the feel of a castle, to me anyway.

We passed through a glass hallway from the new addition to the original library.  We essentially walked back in time.  The architecture is stunning.  Dark wood, high ceilings and dramatic lighting.  This part of the library was very popular.

I know we didn't come close to seeing everything at the Cambridge library's main branch this day.  It was a lot of fun being with my sister Gail, her daughter Mary, my daughter Caitlin and her girlfriend Dailey.  The five of us had fun and were impressed, especially with the friendliness of the people we spoke with.

Touring a big library can make a person hungry and thirsty!  We walked a few blocks, cut through Harvard yard and found a great spot called, Source, in Harvard Square to have a bite and sip.  

One of the best aspects of this library touring idea is that people actually want to join me!  It turns out that I am not the only one who enjoys a good library.  

If you ever go to Source, get the Brussel sprouts!

The letter "D" will bring me to Danvers. I don't know much about the north shore and look forward to exploring.  

Belchertown

B is for Belchertown

Clapp Memorial Library

19 South Main Street 

Belchertown, Massachusetts

 The letter "B" brought me to Belchertown and I am so glad it did!!

The hour and a half drive flew by as my friend, sister in law, and chauffeur Katie, was so much fun to be with!  Katie notices the cool architecture of the Belchertown library every time she visits her daughter at UMASS.  Her observation was spot on. 

This library is dramatic and imposing from the outside.  Once I opened the large wooden door and stepped in I felt like I  was in a  combination welcoming country estate/museum/church.  

Front and center was the librarians desk where Malinda and Annie sat just waiting for crazy library adventurers like myself and Katie to come and ask a ton of questions.  These two librarians were full of stories, historical information, folklore, and book recommendations. 

One end of the library has a huge stained glass window showing a literary figure in a striking red dress.  Annie told  us as the sun sets the women's dress turns from red to white and her skins darkens.  Malinda commented that she didn't believe at first, but confirms that it is true!  The second amazing stained glass window didn't perform any tricks, but was impressive none the less.  

Did you know that the movie, Labor Day was filmed in Belchertown!?  Coincidentally parts of the movie were also filmed in our hometown of Mansfield.  

How long do you think it would take you do a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle?  My guess would be around 10 hours.  The library has team puzzle competitions.  So popular they have a wait list!  Two teams.  Both teams get the same puzzle that they had never seen before.  The record set was just over 12 minutes!!!  The races are schedule in the morning, so we are guessing retired folks are kick-butt puzzler doers!

There is a rumor that there was/is  a tunnel that connected the library to a beautiful Victorian house across the street.   It was the  home of one of the Clapp brothers who  the library is named for.  Why would one need a tunnel?  We had fun speculating.  The librarians can not confirm its existence.  

Is the Belchertown library haunted??  The TV show, Ghost Hunters filmed an episode called, "Words From Beyond".  Not sure any evidence was found, but if I were a ghost I would be happy to call this library home.

Malinda suggested we visit the Forbes library in Northampton when we reach the letter "N"  Apparently they have a fish that is 37 years old!!  Oh yeah, it also houses the presidential library of Calvin Coolidge.

There is a library built on the border of Vermont and Canada.  Half of the library in the U.S.  The other half in Canada.  The way Annie described this library definitely made us want to visit.  Evidently post 9/11 there are some unique rules about where you can and cannot stand  on sidewalks depending on which country you enter and which you exit.  It is the Haskell Free library and Opera House.  Worth a trip?  I think so!

As we were leaving I asked a group of knitters if I could take their picture.  A lot of knitting, coffee drinking, and talking was taking place.  I briefly described my "library adventure" and asked if they minded a photo being taken.  The women at the head of the table smiled and said, "We're old women from the country.  We're not afraid of anything!"  They meet around the big wooden table on a regular basis and call themselves "The Woolies."  It was the perfect way to end our visit at this very old, very friendly, and way cool library.  

I did leave with book recommendations.  Both librarians read a lot of fantasy, while my go to genre is historical fiction.  They suggested I check out the author Michelle Moran for historical fiction reads.  I am also going to try the middle grade series, The Penderwicks, by Jeanne Birdsall.  

I am may have to return in April when they have their annual book sale.  Apparently people come from all over  to check out this event.  

After leaving the Clapp Library we headed to UMASS. We visited with my niece (A.K.A. Katie's daughter) Annie.  It was sunny and nearly 60 degrees, making it a perfect afternoon to walk around Amherst.  Annie is an English major and great to talk books with AND she is an  awesome tour guide.  Lunch was delicious!  She showed us the Amherst library that has a vaulted, glass ceiling room that she likes to study in. We popped into a book store and finally, Insomnia Cookies.   

I know I mentioned that the Arlington library was going be hard to beat.  Impossible to compare as they are dramatically different.  Obviously I (and my side-kicks) loved both.  Unique is a word I think I will be using a lot as I/we travel the state from A to Z.  

Next library:  Cambridge.   I have another niece to visit at this one.

Arlington

 A is for Arlington!

 Robbins  Library

700 Massachusetts Avenue

Arlington, Massachusetts

My first library visit to kick off "Kathy's Library Adventure; A-Z" was amazing!!  Off to Arlington I went with an open mind, curiosity, a notebook, pen and camera.  

This library is going to be difficult to beat!  The outside looks impressive and stately, but it is the interior that knocks your socks off!  The architectural design is Italian renaissance.  The front entrance mimics the Cancellara Palace in Rome.   

I approached the librarians desk, explained  my love of all things books and libraries and  described my quest to discover what made their library special.  I learned that librarians (Arlington's anyway) are a proud bunch who appear to enjoy their jobs.  They pointed out several areas of the building to visit and boasted about the unique services offered.  Although Arlington is a town, NOT a city is the fifth busiest library in the state!

In 1892 Maria Robbins, in memory of her husband Eli, granted the town money to build the library.  The statue in the picture is of Eli and sons.  

As suggested by  a librarian we took the stairs to the second and third floors.  The library was added on to in 1994.  The original exterior remained intact.  As we climbed the stairs we got to observe the old and the new construction side by side.  It was like walking through a time capsule.  As I enjoy a good ghost story I imagined what it would be like to pass a library patron from the 1890's on the stairs.  I bet our outfits would be dramatically different.  

Seriously!?  You can borrow art work for your home!  See a print you like?  Take it right of the wall!  Arlington is the only library (in Massachusetts) that lends out artwork.

The shelf marked, "FICTION SPEED READS" tends to the most popular reads of the year. 

As a long time preschool teacher (and mother) my favorite location in a library is the children's room. The children's portion of the library is large, clean and well stocked. Colleen, the librarian I spoke with went out of her way to explain how the room was organized. They have books that read to the children, bilingual books, books geared to dyslexic readers and a section loaded with parenting books.

In under five minutes Colleen presented me with a dozen of her favorite books for preschoolers.  Yes, another helpful, friendly librarian that was happy to answer questions and talk books.  She told me that the families really enjoy the  evening sing-alongs and family game nights!

On this library adventure I had a side-kick in the form of my husband Carl.  Yes!  He did enjoy it.  We did not take in down town Arlington as it was a cold, rainy day.  Mass. Ave in Arlington does look worth a return trip though.  

The Arlington public library was a wonderful start to my library appreciation, exploration project.

I am not sure where the letter, "B" will bring me.  Any suggestions?  Boston is the obvious choice, but do I want to go big or find an obscure town and library to check out??

Random book recommendation:  

This Tender Land, by William Kent Krueger

Depression era, historical fiction.