Balconies stain glass…read moreand gargoyles The Merrick Library was opened in 1884 with money donated by William Banister and Pliny Merrick. The land that the library sits on was donated by Nancy Felton. The library is still a lovely and very cool place. Actually pretty small, it's one of those old buildings that look larger from the outside because back then aesthetics were as important as volume and libraries were more than just a place to hold books. The library definitely looks cool from the outside, with it's peaked and slate roof, rough sandstone blocks, to the really cool gargoyle rain spouts. The inside is also pretty amazing with intricate stain glass windows and a unique if somewhat cramped balcony. All kinds of interesting stuff inside like the original grandfather watchman clock, globe and antiques. A wonderful library that has a feel all it's own and typifies how libraries use to be built. A building to enjoy, admire and appreciate and not just a place to keep the books dry in the bad weather.

Everyone that we have interacted with within the library have been kind and helpful. I want to…read moreespecially name Aidan as being kind and engaging. Always so kind and asking questions of my young granddaughter and explaining what he's doing. So kind. The Library itself is always clean, with lots of open spaces, charitable programs, WONDERFUL programs to join for adults & children. I've taken a few myself and enjoyed each course

Very nice and cozy library. good variety and beautiful architecture and historical building.read more

Nice library in a historic building. Very helpful staff. May not be as modern as some of the…read morenew libraries in other towns. But, this is still a great library. Nice evening programs too.

Cute library tucked away in the wooded 16 acres lot. It was quiet, comfortable, with a group of…read moreolder women whispering to each other as they knitted. They have a good selection of books for it being a smaller library. I especially appreciated how they had certain books standing out front and center so you could readily pick them up. Both of my book selections were like this, and they were really great reads. If there's a book you're looking for and they don't have it, ask and they'll order it for you. Cozy, comfortable, quiet, and inviting, everything you want in a library.

Wonderful, child friendly staff!! Always go above and beyond! Nice and quiet for reading!read more

The folks here at Hubbard Memorial Library are really great!…read moreThey had a giveaway going on where if you listed 10 of your favorite books they'd give you a book from their reserved area for free. My brother was able to take advantage of that being a local. We got to talking with the librarian there and found out a lot of history with regards to the Hubbard building. Also got some insight as to who Mr. Charles Townsend Hubbard was. I was curious seeing as there was a large portrait of him hanging on the 1st floor all dressed up in the early 1900's gentleman's attire. I love how all these libraries in town are so well synchronized with one another. It's a great place to sign up for things. I took a picture of an event happening where a master baker is going to show people (for free) how to make your own bread starter. There's also lots of other things like learning how to knit, crochet, I even saw something about painting. These are things where if you live in the area, you can totally take advantage of. Definitely recommend checking out this library.

huge selection of all media! if they don't have it they will request it from a nearby library. very…read morefriendly and helpful!

Sandstone High schools…read moreand towers The Gale Free Library is a stunning and amazing building indeed. The building is actually called The Damon Memorial Building and until 1926 housed both the high school and the library. The high school received it's own building and the Gale Library took over the entire building. The library is made of lovely granite from local quarries with brown sandstone trim and the roof is black and red slate from the state of Maine. The library was designed by the famous Boston architect Stephen Earle in the Romanesque Revival Style and even includes a clock tower. The money for the library was donated by Sam and Susan Damon Gale and was opened in 1888. This was the great era of library building and the inside is as impressive as the outside. A stunning and wonderful building, libraries like this will never be built again.

Perhaps I miss understood the situation. I only relaying what my son told me. I believe may be the…read moreday that she asked him to go elsewhere to read perhaps it was busy, which would explain asking him to go to a more private area. We still go here in the librarians have been great event tolerated my sometimes noisy baby in the play area.

Personal help finding things. Kind and experienced staff is super helpful. They reserved a book…read moreat another library and it was sent to Lilly library for me to check out. -For my book club. Computers available. Love the free Summer concerts just steps away on Thursdays.

From the owner: Lilly Library serves traditional and modern library user's needs. Come check out books, movies,…read moremusic, magazines & more. We also have ebooks and digital audiobooks available on our digital catalog. Find out about storytimes, book clubs for new readers, teens, and mystery lovers, as well as movie show times and other exciting programming on our website.

I've been a patron of this library since 2011, when I was briefly employed in this town. All the…read morelibrary staff are very professional and usually there will be someone on staff knowledgeable about your concerns. The environment is calm and peaceful, with sealed glass group activity rooms for which to carry on without distraction to patrons. The restrooms are male - female separated by 30 feet, well ventilated, paper supplied and clean. The computing stations are powered by up to date Dell Inspiron small computing networked hardware. Wifi is sluggish though rated at gigabit speed, with average password security; however, the hardline backbone network is fast with very little downtime. Printer services are expensive and require mild technical expertise and paper stock is not premium either. Parking is adequate with an allowable overflow into the adjacent strip mall. I enjoy this place.

What a great library!…read more It's a newer building, modern architecture and very flowing. They've got a peaceful adult reading room upstairs and quite a few computers. The location of the library is great too- right in East Longmeadow center. There's a Starbucks right in the plaza Their children's room and programs are WONDERFUL. Miss Jennie and the other librarians are so helpful and creative! They've got tons of holiday programs, the summer reading program, and always are involved in the community. I highly recommend this library!

The Forbes Library in Northampton, Massachusetts, was established through the will of Judge Charles…read moreEdward Forbes, who died in 1881. He left $220,000 to the city to create a public library that would be free and accessible to all residents. Construction began in 1893, and the library opened in 1894. The building was designed by architect William Brocklesby in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, using Longmeadow brownstone and fireproof steel framing. It remains one of the most architecturally distinctive civic buildings in western Massachusetts. Judge Forbes was not related to the Forbes family associated with Forbes magazine or the well-known Forbes millionaire rankings. His wealth came from investments in the New Haven and Northampton Canal and later in railroads. He lived modestly, never married, and rented rooms in town. His legacy was civic rather than commercial, focused on education and public access to knowledge. The library also houses the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum, reflecting its deep ties to local and national history. So while the name might suggest a connection to publishing or wealth, the Forbes Library stands as a monument to quiet generosity and intellectual accessibility. Beyond the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Museum, the Forbes Library offered a warm, welcoming space filled with quiet nooks, curated art displays, and shelves that seemed to stretch endlessly with local history, fiction, and research materials. We explored the main reading room, where natural light poured through tall windows and the original woodwork lent a sense of timeless dignity. A rotating exhibit near the entrance showcased regional artists, while tucked-away corners revealed archival maps and Northampton memorabilia. The elevator made it easy to reach the upper floors, ensuring that the library's resources and charm were accessible to everyone, regardless of mobility. [Review 1135 of 2025 - 1276 in Massachusetts - 24688 overall]

You know me and Libraries; can't keep me out of them!! and this one I daresay is my favorite in the…read moreWestern Mass area. Ok, ok, it's not just because Paco the vegetarian Pirahna is here. The building itself is an architectural marvel. There's something about this beautiful building that's up on the hill, surrounded by large oaks. It's as if the leaves billowing in the wind beckon you to: "please come in." There's just something about where this building is situated that exudes peace and tranquility. You'll see that others feel the same in the reviews. If you follow Forbes on Instagram, you'll not only see that it's active with events, but a lot of them strive to help the community. They have an upcoming event where they'll have clothes, shoes and general business attire available for people who are looking to get a job. I can't think of any other library that does that. To further expand on that note; they lend out musical instruments. You read right; you can borrow musical instruments here. I'm not sure what details are involved but I personally found that to be incredible, and a show of the willingness to go the extra mile for the community. Yes, you do have to pay for parking here. I know that sounds off putting, but there is a sign on the property that says the proceeds help the library and their programs. Besides, I think a dime gives you 20 minutes time so it's extremely cheap. Keep up the good work Forbes! You definitely have admirers.