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Renovate and Expand A Community Treasure:
The North Adams Public Library
A Rich History
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as a gateway to knowledge. A.C. Houghton |
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- In 1830, local resident Ezra Whitaker established a circulating library in his store.
- By 1860 the North Adams Library Association was formed.
- In 1884 the city’s first free public library was established.
- In 1896 the first mayor of North Adams, Albert C. Houghton, purchased the mansion of industrialist Sanford Blackinton and donated it to the city to serve as a public library as a memorial to his brother, A. J. Houghton.
- In 1898 the renovated Houghton Memorial Building opened as our public library. This building, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, still stands proudly at the head of Main Street and is a community showplace of Victorian architecture and character.
A.C. Houghton’s enduring gift served as a gateway to knowledge for the people of North Adams and clearly demonstrated the value he placed on a public library. The significance of this gift cannot be overstated today.
The Houghton Memorial Building has served us well for more than one hundred years, but it cannot continue to serve the community for another century unless there are major improvements. Its limited space, outdated infrastructure and failure to meet building codes and handicap access guidelines make it difficult to address the needs of today’s library users. Therefore, renovation and expansion are essential if we are to prosper in the “Information Society” of the 21st Century.
| “A public library is a reflection of how a community values itself and as North Adams experiences a remarkable revitalization, it is extremely important that we establish, as a high priority, the modernization and expansion of our historic public library in the heart of downtown.”
Mayor John Barrett III |
Our Future Library
Just as A.C. Houghton's foresight provided a gateway to knowledge for the community 100 years ago, our renovated and expanded library will provide a gateway to our future by incorporating traditional media with the elements necessary for a modern, efficient library including the latest technology. The citizens of North Adams deserve a first-rate library that will include:
- The “Community’s Living Room,” with ample seating for both children and adults – a haven for learning, sharing and quiet space.
- A secure home for an expanded collection of both print and non-print materials that will meet current and future standards for a city of our size.
- A place of equal entry for all, including increased access via an elevator, improved layout and space utilization, and more parking.
- An energy-efficient building preserving the rich historical and cultural heritage of our community, and improved service for our Reference, Local History and Special Collections.
- A community meeting room with enhanced programming for both children and adults.
- Public restrooms.
- Literacy Program Office and tutoring space.
- Sufficient storage and workspace so that our mission can be sustained.
The plan blends the old with the new while retaining the warmth and character of the Houghton mansion. A handicapped accessible main entrance on the south side of the building provides easy access from the parking area.
Our Time
To ensure that the future belongs to everyone, the North Adams Public Library is embarking on a capital campaign to fund a portion of the $4.2 million renovation/expansion project. After more than 20 years of planning, the City is ready to move forward to revitalize this architectural jewel, thus creating a library inspiring civic pride and community spirit.
| “The North Adams Public Library has served the citizens of this community for the past century. However, costly improvements to the building’s structure and its current services are necessary to continue providing quality resources and open doors to all visitors.”
Representative Daniel Bosley |
Our Turn
Right now we all have an opportunity that rarely comes in the life of a city; A chance to remodel and enhance a beloved but aging treasure. The library represents something important to all of us, either for what it has given us or for what it can give to future generations. Following the generous example of A.C. Houghton, it is now our turn to create a new legacy for the City of North Adams.
Generous support from all sectors of the community is necessary to reach our campaign goal. $500,000 has already been raised in private funds. The City is contributing $1 million. Grants are being sought for another $2 million.
We invite you to explore the following plan and hope that you will contribute to the vision of the future North Adams Public Library. Together we can forge the future and make a difference that resonates throughout the new century. Remember that the North Adams Public Library is your library -- our library.
Now it is our time and our turn to continue the gateway into the 21st Century:
Our Legacy to Future Generations
| “There is no better gift that we can give our children than knowledge, and the North Adams Public Library is our gateway.”
Marcia Gross, Library
Director |
The Plans
The architects, Norman Baier, Kenneth Best and Thomas Bartels have worked with a dedicated building committee for two years, developing first the conceptual plans and finally the schematic plans. The plans are exciting, innovative, and address all the shortcomings of the Houghton Memorial Building.
Building Committee Members
| Hulda Jowett, Chair; Therese Taft & Joan Vincent, Library Trustees; Lisa Jarisch, Library Director (until 12/98); Marcia Gross, Library Director (1/99); Gailanne Cariddi (City Council Member and local business owner); Bill Cummings (local business owner and abutter to the east of the Library property); Joseph Truskowski (bank president); Geoffrey Buswick, City Administrative Officer (until 5/99) replaced by Angela Gray; Donald Pecor (teacher, City school system), and Roger LaRocca III (high school student)(4/99). |
