Susan DeMattos: Grateful for the joy and connection public libraries bring

Published: 04-16-2025 12:59 PM

A letter published April 11 had many criticisms of public libraries. I am saddened that the writer has not experienced the generosity, civic mindedness, joy, and the sense of connection that I experience at the Greenfield Public Library every week.

I live on a limited income and cannot afford all the books I would like to read but through the generosity of other taxpayers I am able to borrow books not just from the Greenfield Public Library but a whole network of libraries in western Massachusetts. Northfield, Amherst, and Williamstown have made it possible for me to read a series of novels by David Downing about Germany during World War II.

During this past summer, when the heat and humidity made being outdoors unhealthy, the library created cooling stations open even when the library was closed and welcomed anyone to shelter there.

When I am picking up books on hold I often see mothers and grandmothers with toddlers visiting the children’s reading room. The joy and excitement of these first readers is very contagious.

When a friendly librarian alerted me to the fact that many of a favorite author’s books were shelved in the young adult section, I discovered that I shared a love for a series of books about a young woman in Africa with people 60 years younger than me.

Back at the beginnings of this country, Ben Franklin acted on the fact that poor book and pamphlet owners pooling their resources into a library allowed for more thought, more action, and more democracy.

At a time when people are feeling less connected and more despair and powerlessness, I am grateful for the welcoming and connection and joyful energy the library offers.

Susan DeMattos

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