Category: News

January 24, 2022 — Please read Searching for Black History in a Public Library Archive, an illustrated essay by Dylan Gaffney, Forbes Library Local History Associate. This work is part of Documenting the Early History of Black Lives in the Connecticut River Valley, a community-based research project in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties to document the lives of free,…

January 11, 2022 — Submissions Closed: February 11, 2022 at 6 PM Online Virtual Exhibit: March 1 – April 30, 2022 Forbes Library invites western Mass. creatives to submit recent work for a Virtual Exhibit on the theme of “Home”. Home has many facets. We envision a range of creative work that engages with any aspect of the theme,…

December 8, 2021 — Forbes Library recently received a gift from the estate of David W. Shearer who was a former trustee and a longtime financial supporter of the library. Mr. Shearer was also a dedicated patron who could often be found in the library’s Chester Reading Room catching up on world affairs. The newly established David W. Shearer…

November 12, 2021 — Getting to the library during the pandemic has been difficult for readers of all ages and Forbes has worked hard to fill the need by offering a robust curbside pickup option and by expanding our Outreach Delivery Services. In addition to our Homebound Delivery Service and our As-Needed Delivery Service, we are excited to announce…

October 1, 2021 — We’re thrilled to offer 20 circulating WiFi hotspots, each one allowing up to 10 devices to connect. Hotspots will be available to check out for three weeks at a time from the Main Desk during our open hours. Our hotspots provide free wireless internet access over the T-Mobile network that lets you connect phones, tablets,…

September 16, 2021 — In collaboration with Lilly Library, we are designing our own version of Little Free Libraries. Neighborhood Book Boxes, made from refurbished newspaper vending machines, will be placed around Northampton, Leeds and Florence to supplement the Little Free Libraries in our community with a goal of increasing access to books in underserved neighborhoods. We plan to…

September 6, 2021 — Beginning on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, the library’s open hours will include evenings Monday through Thursday as well as additional hours on Saturday. Our new hours will be: Monday-Thursday 10 am-8 pm Friday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm In addition, the Children’s and Young Adult Department will be open whenever the library is open! We’re excited for…

August 18, 2021 — Forbes Library is partnering with the Center for New Americans and the International Language Institute (ILI) to recognize “Welcoming Week”, September 10-19, 2021 in Northampton. Welcoming Week is an initiative of Welcoming America and unites communities in our belief that all people, from long-time residents to newly-arrived immigrants, are valued contributors and are vital to…

June 25, 2021 — Friends of Forbes Summer 2021 Newsletter (6 pages PDF)

May 19, 2021 — Forbes Library eliminated late fees for children and young adults in 2019 and has now stopped charging adults late fees as well. The Trustees of Forbes Library unanimously approved this policy change at their April 2021 meeting upon the recommendation of the library’s Racial & Social Justice Committee. Research shows that rather than encourage people…

May 10, 2021 — We have opened our Reading Room for expanded browsing of new fiction, non-fiction and large print books. This space is in addition to the Reference Room where you will find expanded displays of items from our Children’s & Young Adult and Arts & Music collections. The Reading Room is open during Self-Service hours. This is…

May 10, 2021 — Forbes Library has established a fund to acquire artwork by local and regional BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists. The fund was the result of a $10,000 anonymous donation with the express intent of supporting the library in its desire to diversify its permanent art collection. The fund was approved and doubled by the…