Flexibility and optimism have been key words as the New Salem Public Library moved 
through the ups and downs of the ongoing COVID pandemic. In January 2021, the library was 
circulating materials using only curbside pickup, and patrons were able to schedule time on the 
computer by appointment. In May, the library started allowing patrons to make appointments to 
browse the collection as well as use the computers. By mid-June, the library opened for the 
normal pre-lockdown hours and has continued to stay open through the fall COVID surge with 
masks and sanitizing protocols to keep everyone safe.
Throughout the year, the library has strived to offer as many programs as possible to 
bring people together both virtually and in person with precautions to keep people safe. The 
Summer Reading Program had participants at all age levels (20 children, 3 teens, and 10 adults) 
and concluded with “Bees, Beavers, and Beasts: Animal Tales” presented by storyteller Rona 
Leventhal. Other children’s programming included: the annual Swift River School 4th grade 
field trip and a special collaboration with the Community Network for Children (CNC) that 
brought two special parent/toddler reading programs to the library. Through the fall, a total of 
more than 130 participants enjoyed the 6-week “Tales & Tunes with Katie” and the 3-week 
“Autumn Story Walks at the Quabbin Overlook.” 

Through most of 2021, programs for adults met virtually including: a monthly book
discussion group that read a wide range of topics; a “De-clutter/Simplify” program (Feb), a
“Let’s Talk About Race” series (Apr., May, Nov.); and a “Conversation with Emily St. John 
Mandel” (Apr.). We offered two in-person programs: “Write Outside Your Door” (Sept.) and a
wreath-making workshop (Dec.). Yoga continued to be offered weekly on Zoom.
In addition to the programming, the library had 1,700 patron visits and we circulated a 
total of 7,932 items, borrowing 1,726 items from other libraries and loaning 1,633 items to other 
libraries. The library has a total of 572 cardholders out of a town of ~1,000 people. We have
continued to add new materials to the collection in all areas, adding a total of 292 new items in 
2021. The actual collection size has only increased by about 250 items since 2020; this is 
because, like most small libraries, the library must continually remove items that are damaged or 
not circulating from the collection to remain within the limited space available. The current 
collection contains 10,723 books, 2,816 DVDs and Blu-Rays, 895 audiobooks, 286 magazines, 
209 music CDs, and more for a total of 15,611 items.

While we’re still waiting for the end of the pandemic to safely use our new community 
room and other newly renovated parts of the library for special programming, the library opened 
a Mini Art Gallery for local artists in the new entry way. Amy Fagin’s water color prints and 
Else Sturtevant’s pastels were exhibited in 2021. 

Trustees Prepare for New Director
For the first half of 2021, the Trustees focused on navigating the pandemic, working on 
improving the nuts and bolts of Library policies, as well as developing the Racial Justice 
programming series which provided a forum for people in small, rural communities to examine 
the Racial Justice issues that the country is dealing with. Three virtual programs were very well received with participants from the greater North Quabbin region including: “Let’s Talk About 
Racism” with local activists Jade Barker and Cate Woolner with an April participatory 
presentation and a May book discussion session. In November, Alpana Chhibber of Baltimore 
virtually presented “What is Systemic Racism and How Do We Dismantle It”. 
Our focus changed in September when our long-time library director Diana Smith retired.
Thanks to everyone who participated in making her retirement party a very special event, 
celebrating her 23 years of dedicated service to the library and the community. The Trustees 
immediately began working with the MA Board of Library Commissioners to start the search; 
rewrote the job description; and appointed a 5-person Search Community Committee 
representing a range of community interests: Eli MacCullagh, Hugh Mackay, Sue Dunbar, Betsy 
Bergantino, and Jennifer Bamford. We hope to have a new director on board by summer or 
sooner.

Fortunately for New Salem, Linda Chatfield accepted the position of Acting Library 
Director until we hire a new director. She’s been an important addition to our library team,
bringing her expertise in library services and many other areas. Our wonderful staff, Sue Dunbar 
and JoAnn Tresback, continue to be a great asset for our town and community during the 
COVID crisis and the transition. 

Library Friends Provide Important Support and Programming
Undeterred by the COVID restrictions in the early parts of 2021, the Friends of the New 
Salem Public Library group rallied to provide stimulating and virtually accessible programming 
throughout the year. In the winter, the popular “Reading Aloud for Grownups” program returned 
with 3 readings, and “Cooking with Nalini” let people cook along with Nalini from their own 
kitchens with an Indian cuisine ingredient package from the Quabbin Harvest Food Coop. The 
spring brought a reading with Sally Bellerose and Susan Stinson, as well as, “Gardening Ideas to 
Nourish the Soul”, “Land and Community” with Deb Habib from Seeds of Solidarity. The fall 
brought an opening up to in-person events with: Dorothy Johnson reading from her new poetry 
collection; a Holiday Used Book Sale; an outdoor retirement celebration for Diana Smith; and a 
beautiful warm moonlit evening hard cider testing fundraiser at the New Salem Preserves 
Orchard cafe. 

The hard-working NSPL Friends Board members include: Co-Chairs Anna Channing and 
Lisa Finestone; Secretary Jo Ellen Boskind; Treasurer George Perides; Publicity Marny 
Ashburne; Programming Betsy Bergantino; and Barbara Franck, Martha Hank-Nicoll, and Karen 
Stevens. 

Thanks to Our Community
Heading into 2022, we look forward to being able to gather in person to fully use our 
wonderful newly re-imagined library. We can’t thank enough the townspeople, our government 
leaders, and all the people who stayed involved in the library virtually and in person through the 
pandemic. The library wishes to thank the two library trustees who left during 2021: Martha 
Hanks-Nicoll and Ramona Hamblin, and the continued volunteer support on many fronts of 
Linda Finestone, Monica Winters and Chris Bouda, and all of you who showed up to help 
virtually and in person on committees and events. We are greatly appreciative for our 2021 
financial supporters: The Friends of the Library, the New Salem Academy, the New Salem 
Cultural Council and the Mass Cultural Council, the Community Network for Children (CNC), 
the New Salem General Store, New Salem Preserves (Orchard) and the taxpayers of New Salem. 
Thanks also to the many unnamed individuals who have donated their time, energy and dollars in 
support of the library during this second COVID year. 

The New Salem Public Library Board of Trustees
Eli MacCullagh, Chair 
Judith Northup-Bennett, Secretary