Photos of the Week: Town Celebrates Improvements to North Amherst Library
Entrance to the new addition at the North Amherst Library. Photoi: Hetty Startup
by Maura Keene and Art Keene
The official ribbon cutting for the expanded North Amherst Library took place under sunny skies and 80 degree temperatures on Thursday, May 2. Almost 100 people attended the ceremony, including State Representative Mindy Domb, several town councilors, Jones Library trustees, CRESS responders , librarians, town employees and grateful North Amherst residents. Missing, however, was the anonymous donor for the $2 million project, who Town Manager Paul Bockelman revealed to be long-time North Amherst resident Hilda Greenbaum. Greenbaum missed the festivities due to illness, but the program was recorded for her to enjoy.
Greenbaum’s son Joel and daughter Jessie were in attendance. Joel said that his mother is an avid reader and a long-time user of the library, but several years ago realized that the charming 1890’s building had significant shortcomings, namely no parking, a single restroom in the basement and no accessible entrance. She approached her family about remedying the situation with a new addition containing accessible restrooms and a community room, as well as a parking lot. “I already called Paul,” Joel recalled his mother telling him. The rest of the family felt this was a fitting legacy for Greenbaum to give to the town.
Operating under the code name Frieda, Greenbaum was fully involved in the design of the new addition and remodeling of the original building. Kuhn, Riddle Architects did the design and Wright Builders was the contractor. Greenbaum remained committed to the project as the cost ballooned from $500,000 to $2 million and as the pandemic caused delays in material delivery. The library opened to the public on February 5.
The renovated library includes a community room that can accommodate 50 people, a sizable parking lot, spacious, accessible restrooms, an elevator running between the main library and the lower level containing the community room and restrooms, and a revitalized interior including a welcoming, cozy children’s nook.
A series of speakers praised Greenbaum for her service to the town and shared stories of the importance of the North Amherst Library in their own lives.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was enhanced by beautiful plantings, newly planted by Facilities Maintenance Manager Jeremiah LaPlante and delicious cupcakes, cookies, sandwiches and beverages provided by the District One Neighborhood Association. Music was provided by the North Amherst String Band. District 1 plans to hold its public meetings in the new meeting room.
The North Amherst Library’s hours are Monday 3:30-7:30; Tuesday 10:00-2:00; Wednesday 3:30-7:30; Thursday CLOSED; Friday 10:00-2:00; Saturday 10:00-2:00; Sunday CLOSED.
A North Amherst Library Photo Gallery
A Few Historic Photos
Thank you, Hilda!
Such an generous and impactful contribution. Amherst is SO fortunate to have you as a community member. What a fantastic building, and what a legacy, indeed!
I’m glad that we can publicly acknowledge Hilda’s great gift to Amherst, and North Amherst in particular. And thanks to all whose work and vision sustained the beauty, character and scale of this great building.
Thank you so much Mrs. Greenbaum! I was first introduced to the library in the 1950’s when I was in the first grade across the street and Mrs. Billings was the librarian. To see it preserved and enhanced in such a beautiful way is so touching. Behind it, where the new addition is now, was Elmer Holden’s wood shop where the custom woodwork to restore Old Deerfield was crafted. It feels like the woody ambiance of the new addition’s interior pays homage to that legacy.
It takes a village to expand a library. Thank you to all the many kind souls who helped make this venerable landmark ready to service North Amherst (the center of the known universe) for the next 100+ years. May all the North Amherst first graders of today enjoy it as much as we did.
Best wishes –
I’m overwhelmed by these gracious comments. I knew of the Holden window factory but did not know they made Deerfield interiors! I don’t think Lou knew that either. I remember when it before removed for the ugly gas station. A big part of my motivation was to beautify a gateway to the Town—very shabby and more and more embarrassing as UMass improves its campus.
Thank you Hilda!!! What a phenomenal, thoughtful contribution to our community that will last forever!!!!
You were missed, Hilda but your son Joel and family did a very nice job in your absence. Hetty
I couldn’t help but think of Louis and how pleased he would be. I always thought of you as quite a positive, caring, dynamic duo.
Congratulations on the opening. And thank you to Hilda and the Greenbaum family for their extraordinary generosity and public spiritedness. I hope that the North Amherst Branch serves the community well for decades to come.