Hadley will soon have an extra special town meeting to decide on building a new fire station, senior center and library. The state is kicking in $3.9 million for the library, and we have to come up with the rest. But we need a two-thirds vote at Town Meeting, and that’s always a big lift.
There are many supporters, but also surprising opposition or indifference to the new library. One group believes that “No one reads any more, we don’t need libraries.” I’ve given up trying to convince them; they probably don’t read the letters to the editor anyway.
Some don’t want the Hooker School torn down because it’s a historic building. But when does history start? Do we have to preserve something just because it’s there? Don’t we need a balance between the development of the new town center and preserving our most worthy historic buildings? Does Hadley need another old building that we won’t maintain?
Another group wants the library and senior center to share a building. This will never happen in Hadley. Don’t let the desire for perfection keep you from supporting the practical. Besides, the state match is for a stand-alone structure.
The last group, more indifferent then opposed, are progressives who prefer to use the Jones Library in Amherst and don’t seem to see the need for a modern library in their own town. Library supporters need to do all they can to make the case for a modern library, designed to be accessible to everyone. We could even landscape a park between the new library and the new senior center. That would be nice.
The old library building was designed in the 19th century for a town of 1,800 people. This is our chance to get a 21st century library at half price. We need our opponents to change their minds and vote yes, or we’ll be waiting another 100 years for this opportunity to return.
Andy Morris-Friedman
Hadley