I don’t remember the first time I went to the library, but I heard the story so often over years from my mother that I can picture it: 3-month old me, lightly bundled in my carriage because it was September and summer’s warmth lingered, as we headed toward the Aldenville branch of the Chicopee Public Library. Mom, an elementary school teacher turned stay-at-home mother, would check out a dozen or so books from the children’s section, head back home, and read them to me.

Reading — and going to the library — became my first and best habits that continue to this day.

The benefits of reading to young children are well documented: reading unlocks a child’s creativity, boosts their brain development, builds their vocabulary and — among other positive attributes — improves their listening skills. I’m not sure if reading helped me in that respect, but I do know that it exponentially added words to my vocabulary and grew my imagination — inspiring me and offering a welcome escape during the ups and downs of adolescence.

I’ve been “all grown up” for quite some time now, but the simple joys of reading, and going to the library to pick up new books, remain. So when I was asked to join the Greenfield Public Library’s Foundation Board, it was a clear opportunity to give back to an institution that had given so much to me — and since joining the foundation’s board, I have discovered even more to appreciate about libraries.

Adapting, thriving in changing world

Libraries are essential because they provide free access to information. This democratization of knowledge is invaluable, especially in a time when access to online content often requires subscriptions or fees. At the library, people can access newspapers, magazines and research databases without cost. Libraries also offer physical and digital resources to help with career development, such as resume-building workshops, interview practice, and skill-building courses, among other topics. The Greenfield Public Library does this and more; it also offers an inviting space for personal growth and community engagement.

The variety of programs and events offered is extensive, and a quick perusal of the library’s calendar highlights events such as a Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority Information Session; a Young People’s Business Program; a writers workshop; and “Toddler Time,” featuring stories, songs and activities focused on, you guessed it, early literacy.

These events bring together people of different ages, backgrounds and interests. I’ve found myself not only expanding my knowledge but also connecting with neighbors and friends I might not otherwise meet. I can walk into the library and experience an unexpected art exhibit, attend a class on genealogy, or hear an author speak about their latest work. The library is a place of constant discovery.

Libraries also have become incredibly tech-savvy, and Greenfield’s library is currently one of the savviest with free access to computers, including laptops that may be checked out, printers, scanners, and access to the internet, which is incredibly useful for anyone without these tools at home. The Greenfield Public Library is also supporting our diverse community by offering services tailored to various needs, such as resources for non-native English speakers, tutoring for students, spaces for community meetings, and even partnerships with social services.

I will always love libraries first and foremost for offering me more books than I could ever read in my lifetime, but I’ve also come to recognize them as indispensable institutions that adapt and thrive in our changing world. They do more than house books; they nurture learning, bridge the digital divide, and create inclusive spaces for people of all backgrounds.

They are places of endless possibility, surprising me time and again with new resources, events, and connections. Libraries remind us that the pursuit of knowledge and community is timeless, and I am grateful to be a part of their evolving story.

A resident of Greenfield, Jessica Day is a lifelong library lover. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Greenfield Public Library Foundation.