Benjamin Franklin started the first public library in Philadelphia in 1731. He borrowed books from the well-to-do and put them in one place. Lenders take the books for a fee. Any damage/loss would have to be paid.

Students of middle and high schools and colleges come to the Greenfield Public Library do their homework. The computers help folks who seek information of interest especially job searches. One can print one’s efforts.

Many from Greenfield and others gave hundreds of thousands of dollars for this new library. Some come in during the cold weather to warm up. This whole facility is friendly, especially the children’s section downstairs and the teen part on the second floor. All the librarians are pleasant, patient, and helpful. DVDs and music CDs are very popular.

Others come to read newspapers and magazines. One can make photocopies upstairs. There are various visits by food vendors and other interesting parties. Downstairs there are movies shown in a good size room. The library is spacious on purpose to accommodate many people. Fiction, non-fiction, how-to, and history books can be borrowed for six weeks and can be renewed. One can even borrow tapes of presidential speeches. In short, Greenfield Public Library is great!

Today, many are involved with hand-held electronic devices and don’t read. Take out a book and you will be surprisingly pleased. Keep the library, many think it’s a good idea.

Lew La Chance

Greenfield