LFNAC UPDATE – December 2007

LFNAC (pronounced “elfnack”) stands for the Library Facilities Needs Assessment Committee. A long name for a group with an important assignment: To study all of the available options for a new or renovated public library in Hatfield and to make a recommendation to the town.

The group consists of nine members: Library Director Sheila McCormick; Library Trustee Dodie Gaudet; Historical Commission Liaison Lynn Omasta; Martin Antonetti, Sue Gaughan; Harold Green; Milton Howard; Mike Paszek; and Mary Williams.

LFNAC met on November 17 and after a brief session to learn about the shortcomings with the current library building and features to note in new library buildings, committee members set out to visit the public libraries in Sunderland, Wendell and Levertt. These are all new buildings built within the last 4 years.

Since what works in theory doesn’t always translate when put into practice, members of LFNAC talked with the staff of these libraries and asked their opinions as to the best features of their new libraries and what might have been done differently. We looked at their designs and layout, their furniture and lighting.

There are two more libraries to visit: Meekins in Williamsburg and Lilly in Florence. Both of these are old library buildings which were renovated and added to. This is another option for Hatfield.

Armed with this information, LFNAC will look at what sort of library will best serve the residents of Hatfield.

The work of this Committee is funded through a $40,000 grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, $8,000 from the Friends of Hatfield Library, $4,000 from Hatfield Library Funds and $8,000 from the town of Hatfield, approved at the May 2007 Town meeting.

Watch this space for more updates on the LFNAC’s progress.

12/8/07