Category: News

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…

May 3, 2021 — <no preview available>

March 31, 2021 — Forbes Library, Northampton’s public library, is governed by an elected board of trustees, as stipulated in the will of Charles E. Forbes. The five trustees, who serve as volunteers, are elected for four-year terms. The next election of trustees will be in the general election in November 2021 for two positions on the board. One…

March 29, 2021 — Forbes Library supports the Statement Condemning the Anti-Asian and Gender Based Violence in Georgia recently issued by the Northampton Human Rights Commission.

March 25, 2021 — Five communities are coming together during March, April and May in a partnership called All Hamptons Read. The inspiration for this multi-community initiative is the book Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, an ALA Notable Book and Arthur C. Clarke Award winner. Spearheaded by the public libraries in Northampton, Florence, Easthampton, Southampton, Westhampton, and…

March 25, 2021 — Turning the calendar to March brings anticipation for spring and this year it also brings hope for a continuing decline in COVID-19 cases. We are monitoring cases locally, listening to the health experts, and following the roll out of widespread vaccinations along with the virus variants. Our next steps in reopening the library are tied…