Easthampton
Massachusetts
Emily Williston Memorial Library
Mission Statement:
The mission of Emily’s Friends of the Library is to provide an important source of assistance and revenue that will enhance the library’s offering of events, resources and programs.
Goals:
- To establish a membership in support of the Emily Williston Memorial Library and Museum.
- To advocate for the Friends organization and the interests of the library.
- To continue to hold events annually to promote the library and raise funds for special purchases.
History:
The First Library Association of Easthampton was organized in 1792 by Reverend Payson Williston, a noted local industrialist and philanthropist, just seven years after the incorporation of the town. This social library had 30 stockholders and was housed in the parsonage. In 1841 the library merged with the Youth's Library Association and became known as the Easthampton Social Library Association.
In 1869, Samuel, the son of Payson Williston, and a group of notable citizens of the town, officially incorporated The Public Library Association of Easthampton and a financial appropriation was received from the town. In 1871 the Association was authorized to form and maintain a museum in concert with the library.
10 years later the library had outgrown its quarters in the Town Hall. Emily Williston, widow of the late Samuel Williston, responded with a major gift of $16,000 to construct a new library. The building was designed by Boston architects Peabody and Stearns. On February 23, 1881 the building was opened to the public.
Two major renovations have been done since then. The first in 1930 when the basement was renovated to provide space for a Youth Department and to update the heating system. The second was in 1966 with the expansion of the Youth Department, modernization of the adult section, and the creation of a staff work space. The first computer was purchased for library use in 1988.
The Library building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. On the Library Association's 125th anniversary, the Library was renamed the Emily Williston Memorial Library and Museum.
Recent News
Easthampton Public Library News - January 2024
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Read More »Easthampton Public Library News - December 2023
Easthampton Public Library News December 2023 From the Director: Dear Library Friends and Followers, Wow. There's no doubt that the Easthampton community loves the Library. People came out in huge numbers to our Book Sale and to our…
Read More »Easthampton Public Library News - November 2023
Dear Library Friends and Followers, November is a busy month at the Library! Read on for all of the ways that you can have fun, advocate for Library services, and imagine a brand new Library for Easthampton. Spread the news! So many of you…
Read More »Emily Williston Memorial Library News - October 2023
October brings the return of what Library staff is tired of hearing me call my 'least favorite holiday.' October 1-7, 2023, is Banned Books Week, the annual celebration of the freedom to read and annual opportunity to spotlight "current and…
Read More »Emily Williston Memorial Library News - September 2023
From the Director: Dear Library Friends and Followers, I'm sitting here at the start of this new month thinking about memories. So many of you have built memories here at the library--recent memories from this wonderful summer, memories of…
Read More »Emily Williston Memorial Library Newsletter - August 2023
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Read More »Emily Williston Memorial Library Newsletter - July 2023
From the Director: Dear Library Friends and Followers, What a steamy summer it's shaping up to be. I hope your gardens are flourishing, your fans are whirring, the mosquitos are staying away, and you have the perfect porch chair/hot…
Read More »Easthampton Public Library News -June 1, 2023
From the Director: Dear Library Friends and Followers, Welcome to all of our new subscribers! I'm glad to be able to reach out to you in this way, and I hope you'll find my musings informative, exciting, and occasionally entertaining. This month,…
Read More »Emily Williston Memorial Library Newsletter - May 2023
From the Director: Dear Library Friends and Followers, It's Spring! It's freezing! Yay? No matter what the weather does, we at the Library have you covered for entertainment, exercise, education, and general enjoyment. First, some building and…
Read More »Emily Williston Memorial Library Newsletter - April 2023
Dear Library Friends and Followers, Wow! Things. Are. Happening. Thanks to your support and your advocacy, and the hard work of Library Board Members, City officials, and many others, the City of Easthampton has voted to award the Library an…
Read More »Emily Williston Memorial Library Newsletter - March 2023
From the Director: Dear Library Friends and Followers, As I watch the snow melt, I'm thinking about the Spring. There are changes ahead for our little Library, but what never changes is the pleasure we get in making sure that our community gets…
Read More »Emily Williston Memorial Library Newsletter - February 2023
From the Director: Dear Library Friends and Followers, 2023 is sure starting off with a bang! Thank you so much to all those of you who have expressed your support for the Library's future--at Public Speak time at City Council meetings, in person,…
Read More »Emily Williston Memorial Library: Let Your Voice Be Heard - January 17, 2023
Let Your Voice Be Heard January 17, 2023 From the Director: Dear Library Friends and Followers, Lots of exciting goings on here! As you may have heard, we have an exciting new real estate opportunity (a building! donated!) and some serious…
Read More »Emily Williston Memorial Library Newsletter - December 2022
Dear Library Friends and Followers, It's going to be a bright and eventful December at the Library. First, a book club update! Starting December 5, you can pick up copies of An Unnecessary Woman, Jan 19th ECOA Book Discussion. Don't sleep on…
Read More »Emily Williston Memorial Library : An Appeal from the Library Winter 2022
From the Director: Dear Library Friends and Followers, Our small but mighty Library is shining brightly in these dark winter months, and we’re reaching out to you to help us keep the lights on. This year, we’ve been working hard to…
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