Agawam library home to town activities

You may think a library is just a place for books, but the Agawam Public Library plays a much greater role in the community by being a center of town activities.

Every day of the week, whether in the afternoon or evening, the citizens of Agawam can go to the library to take part in a host of highly diversified activities including town issues, cultural events, political discussion, community groups or literary discourse.

For the civic minded, there are several meetings related to town business. For example, you can attend meetings of the Planning Board, the Conservation Commission, the Cultural Council, the Board of Appeals, the Liquor Commission, the Community Preservation Committee or the many Town Council subcommittees. These nightly events give the people the opportunity to voice their opinions no need to keep quiet in these parts of the library. The right to participate in these groups is democracy at its best.

There are also numerous cultural events. The Agawam Center Library Association sponsors speakers, songwriters and recording artists. The "Applause Series" is especially popular, hosting speakers, music and drama. There are book discussion groups to meet everyone's needs whether during the day or in the evening, including Pageturners and the Tuesday Night Book Club. Often these discussion groups focus on works by local authors. For those more interested in writing than reading, there is a popular novel writing class given each year. If neither reading or writing is appealing, then one can bring their sticks and string and join the knitting class that meets once a week in the afternoon or join the adult drop-in yoga class. Beyond adult functions, the Agawam Public Library has a tremendous schedule of youth activities throughout the year.

The gathering places at the library include the large Community Room and the smaller Peirce Room, named in honor of the former Peirce Elementary School's principal, Faolin M. Peirce. There is also the large children's room used for the many children activities during the day and evening. Within the library's foyer there is the Gallery Wall, used to display the monthly art exhibits as well as the yearly popular Art Show sponsored by the Agawam Friends of the Library. Along with the Gallery Wall, you can enjoy looking at the displays in the double glass case, the kiosk display and the memorial case that are changed every month.

The Agawam Public Library staff encourages the citizens of Agawam to gather together and communicate with each other, to enjoy cultural events (often free of charge) and to participate in group discussions that invigorate everyday life. Visit the library's Web site at www. agawamlibrary.org to see the full spectrum of activities and what community events may spark your interest.

The Friends of the Agawam Public Library is a volunteer group whose purpose is to promote and aid the library and its programs. New members are always welcome. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at the Agawam Public Library at 7 p.m.