Mansfield

Mansfield Public Library

255 Hope Street

Mansfield, Massachusetts

M is for Mansfield

My library exploration brought me to my home town library!  Finally, the letter "M", and I was off to the Mansfield Public Library.  This time, I didn't have to pack a snack or consult my GPS.  I have made the the 3.3 mile drive MANY times.  

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Stocking the Book Store

I actually volunteer at this library, so I started off this adventure with a little "business". Every other Tuesday, I meet my friend Katie at the library to help restock the Library Book Store.  We get to go through the door that says, "Library Staff Only" and climb the stairs to the attic.  Yes -  it is like a real attic. 

Hundreds of donated books await their turn to be chosen!  The books are organized by theme and genre and all we have to do is choose.  The bookstore is located across from the circulation desk, where you pay the $1 per book.  The proceeds benefit the library programs.  

Story Time with Miss Stacy

Once the bookstore was fully stocked I followed the buzz of excitement to the children's room.  I stood to the side and observed the story time with a big smile on my face.  As a preschool teacher I loved watching young children, parents, grandparents and caregivers have a blast!  Miss Stacy, the children's librarian had the room rocking!  There were 77 people in attendance this morning! They were smiling, singing, chanting and making friends.  Stacy uses a lot of repetition enabling the children (and adults) to  sing along.  The adults were impressive singers. : )

Story Time begins at 10:30.  Patrons begin filing in when the library opens at 10:00.  The program ends at 11:00.  No one was in a hurry to leave the comfort and friendship of the library.  Stacy and the assistant librarian, Sue began to clean up some toys.  I could tell that Miss Stacy is a well loved librarian!  While cleaning up she had a kind word, a book recommendation and a farewell to those leaving.  New friendships between children and, as importantly, between adults kept a lot of people in the children's room long after story time ended.  Being a librarian is a second career for Stacy.  She returned to school at Simmons to earn her degree in library science.  

Stacy is very grateful for the "Friends of the Library", an organization that fund raises for the library.  They fund some awesome programs in the children's room.  Every third Saturday children are able to read to a (real) dog.  The kids receive a "Paws-Port".  Each time they read to a dog, such as a golden retriever, Bermese mountain dog, Corgi, Poodle, or Newfoundland, they get a stamp in their Paws-Port.  This is all possible through an all volunteer group called "Alliance Therapy Dogs."

Other Activities at the Library

Other options for fun and creativity include the Lego Club, which had an exhibit on display!  Spring will bring the beginning of the gardening season which is located just outside one of the doors.  Stacy runs an "Art Lab" for children in grades K-8.  Open ended art projects are the name of the game!  Using recycled items, art materials and imagination make for the coolest creations.

While talking with Miss Stacy, she told me that she "enjoys being a witness to the kindness and  community" that happens every day . The library is  a "third space."  I just learned that term today.  A third space is a social environment separate from home and work.  Other examples  include cafes, parks, gyms, and community centers.  Libraries foster community, reduce isolation, and promote relaxation, and all for free!  

The Mansfield Library provides far more than just fantastic books, computer stations, an adult puzzle table, a quiet study area, a teen hangout spot, and a children's room. Accessibility is a key focus at the library. There are numerous items available for checkout that might otherwise be costly, such as the Nintendo Switch. Bringing home a gaming system along with a couple of games would likely be exciting. It is also beneficial for families looking to regulate their children's gaming time.

I eventually got to the circulation desk and got to chat with the librarians and  the director of the library.  They were so kind and appeared to have plenty of time to boast about the wonderful programs and services the patrons can access.  I will say it again, library employees are a proud group, as they should be!  Their "Library of Things" is well used.  Some of the most popular items are the laminator, a shredder, and the Karaoke machine. 

There are two adult book clubs, which I intend to learn more about and join in.

Adults use the space to study, "work from home", do a puzzle, or socialize, as well as find their next great book.  There are two long shelves devoted to those who are a part of a book club.  There are about 20 bags of books.  Each plastic bag has 12 copies of the same book.  Imagine being able to choose a book for your next book club meeting AND provide everyone with a copy:)  

In February with a nod to Valentine's Day they offered a "Blind date with a Book."  Several books were creatively wrapped with a tea bag attached to it!  I took such a book home last year .  I loved it!  It was like getting a present. :)

Where do all these ideas come from ??   The ingenuity and creativity of the librarians make all the magic happen. The library director, Catherine explained that librarians network and share ideas with each other.  

The Library Building

The library shares the building with the council on aging.  It was built in 1989 for that purpose.  Both the library and COA are popular services for Mansfield.  The parking lot is FULL when the COA has bingo on the same morning that Miss Stacy has story time.  The cars are parked out on the street!

Having more space for children to gather, create and socialize is a dream of the librarians. They are creatively finding a way to accommodate movement around the art table. When the table is in full swing, with children and adults it a tight squeeze to navigate around. Being so welcoming and supportive brings a lot of people to the children's room!

Mansfield Public Library is part of the SAILS network which has over 70 libraries.  Patrons are encouraged to take advantage of this vast resource.  

I was made aware of an online nonprofit organization called "Library Land." Their mission is to "explore, document, and promote the essential role of public libraries in our communities." I still encounter people who claim libraries are unnecessary because we can read on our devices.

I sure did learn a lot at the Mansfield library!  I have been going there since moving to Mansfield in 1989.  I wasn't sure what I would  find that was new and interesting at a library I (thought ) I knew so well.  Come to find out, when you stop and talk to people you not only learn a lot, you find new ideas and treasures.  I love my home town library!!

Around Town

We stopped by Fulton's Pond on our way home to showcase a popular spot in Mansfield. Over the years we have brought our kids here to watch the ducks, play Billy Goats Gruff on the bridge, picnic, attend the annual "Great Duck Race" and ice skate. During the pandemic my friends and I went out to a waterfront dinner. That meant we set up our chairs six feet apart and ate our separately prepared meals at Fulton's Pond. Guess what? It was great:)