LUDLOW - Between offering books to borrow and programs for all ages, the Hubbard Memorial Library is a resource for all Ludlow residents.

As patrons enter the library, Board of Trustees Chair Linda Collette said they are greeted by a cart of free books and a section of books for purchase.

“When you come into the library you always see a cart of free books available to take and then there is a section of two or three large bookshelves of books that are sold for 50 cents a book that goes to benefit the Friends of the Library organization,” she said.

On the main floor, patrons can find computers, nonfiction books, newer books, adult books and more, while the second floor houses the library’s children section and program rooms.

Library Director Patrick McGowan said if the library does not have a book someone is looking for, the library can easily procure the book.

“We are part of CW Mars so there is like 145 libraries in Central Massachusetts with a collection of over 8 million items, so if we do not have it, we can get it from another library or another consortium or we can purchase. We have the funds to purchase materials so we can purchase it from Amazon using a town account,” he said.

McGowan said the library offers a slate or programs for people of all ages.

“We offer a whole range of children’s programs, educational programs and entertainment programs, both conducted in house and through vendors that provide those programs. We primarily concentrate on children, young adults and adults. We have local history talks, film performances, our summer reading program, our annual car show and more,” he said.
Collette said she hopes people realize the library is full of free activities for all ages.

“There are so many free things here that I think people need to be made aware of more – that they are probably so busy in their lives they do not even realize. There is so much going on like the learn a language program online,” she said.

Even after COVID-19, McGowan said some programs are still offered virtually and in person.

“Some are virtual too, during COVID access to the library was restricted, but we opened up very early on an appointment basis and fully opened in June 2021 without restriction. A lot of the programs we still offer in a virtual format to allow people to access that content wherever they want,” he said.

Along with programs, McGowan said the library is always willing to help people that need assistance with navigating computers and online resources.

“We look at the library as a third place, you have home, you have work and then you have the library as a place where people can get together and interact with each other and that is really important now because people have not had the opportunity to do that for the past year and a half,” he said.

He added that most of the library’s resources and materials are freely accessible to the public.

“The library as a general concept is pretty much everything is free. This is a public building, you can come in here and we have free computers, free Wi-Fi, very affordable printing, we have scanning, we have all kinds of technology you can take home and we have free access to all kinds of databases,” he said.

Along with books, McGowan said there is a variety of other materials available to borrow.

“We have DVDs, we have CDs, we have Blu-rays, we have audio books, all kinds of different technology including robotics kits, sewing machines, photographs, record players, tablets, Chromebooks, speakers, cameras and a pretty hardcore, eight-inch telescope that comes in a big bin,” he said.

McGowan said one of the library’s mainstay programs is its summer reading program.

“The whole summer reading program is meant to preserve the reading skills of kids between the spring school session and the fall by keeping the kids engaged over the summer. It gives the opportunity for kids to socialize with kids in the whole community,” he said.

At the end of the program, Collette said the library celebrates with an all-day event for the children who participated.

“The whole summer reading program is fun because we do a big hoopla here. We have a magic show, and someone does balloon animals and it is just a huge fun event. It really is an all day, drop in and drop out thing to do and when the children reach so many books read, they can put their name in for a specific basket, it is just great,” she said.

One of the library’s most popular programs is a volunteering program for middle and high school students.

“We have a great volunteer program here, there are over 100 volunteers and most of them are middle school to high school age, but they come here a couple hours a week. It gives them a sense of giving back to the community and it helps us out. They do a little bit of everything,” she said.

Collette added that the volunteer program is capped off by a pizza party for all of the volunteers.

The Hubbard Memorial Library is located at 24 Center St. and can be reached at 583-3408 or online at http://www.hubbardlibrary.org/.