ERVING — After beginning her work last month, new Erving Public Library Director Abigail Baines is getting comfortable and looking forward to making her library “a place to play for everyone.”
The Greenfield resident began her role on May 2, following an extended search in the wake of Natane Halasz’s November decision to leave the position after a short tenure. Baines last served as head of public services for Smith College Libraries and previously held digital media-oriented positions within libraries at Simmons University, Hampshire College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In Erving, Baines sees a common enthusiasm for technological progress, praising the new library as a forward-thinking “sparkly building.”
“The building comes already with so many features,” she said. “I saw that Erving invested the best for their library and I thought that was really meaningful.”
Baines, who grew up in Shutesbury, said she was impressed by how Erving, despite its small size, could have so much to do. The town, she said, is “interesting in a number of ways,” with the library in particular being “a place where people can be brought together.” Specifically, she cited existing aspects such as plans for garden projects and the “library of things” as qualities she appreciates.
Baines said that as the library strives to offer the community even more, “the evolution of this library is going to be all about programming.” The future, she added, would include an emphasis on technology, resources to help people of all ages with internet usage and intergenerational activities such as an all-ages summer reading program with age-appropriate prizes. Other goals Baines has for the future include fostering relationships with locals and improving the library’s makerspace. Thus far, she said, pursuit of these aspirations has been a joy.
“Honestly,” she said, “it’s been a lot of fun.”
Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-772-0261, ext. 261 or jmendoza@recorder.com.