Cover to Cover
Have you ever wondered how we acquire the framed art on our walls?

Well, every now and again we are granted the opportunity to accept a donation like a recent framed photograph from William McQueen! Bill and his sister Lucinda grew up in West Springfield and regularly visited the library in the 50’s and 60’s. Their mother, Elizabeth, did as well, beginning in the 1920s - and she was also an active member of the Friends of the Library. Their original homestead, the Leonard House, was built in the mid to late 1700’s, around the same time as the Josiah Day House. Bill wrote to us sharing that his family’s lore held that their Elm Street home became the site on which the Library was built.

Bill’s letter went on to share known details of his family’s history and to ask that we do what we do best… dig deep to confirm what they believed and find out any additional information on the Leonard House and his grandmother, Gertrude, the librarian of the family. Using town history books and annual reports, we were able to confirm that the original site of the home was used for the 1958 addition to the library - and that Gertrude White had been a Librarian for West Springfield back when the Library was still housed in the Town Hall building.

Bill has followed our many construction projects throughout the years, even giving a talk here in the mid-1980’s on Boston’s Faneuil Hall Markets restoration and redevelopment, for the Ramapogue Historical Society (of which his parents were members). Most recently, Bill visited us in 2016 upon the completion of our most recent renovation and expansion. As a result of his family’s long history with the Library, Bill found it fitting to donate a framed photograph of the homestead, a file of family history to be kept in our Bertera History Collection, as well as a gift to the library in memory of his mother and grandmother. Our Trustees have gratefully accepted these gifts and look forward to hanging the photograph in a prominent location nearest to where Bill’s home originally stood. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Bill McQueen and his family!

The Library will be closed on:
Monday, April 17th
in observance of Patriots’ Day
Monday, May 29th
in observance of Memorial Day
Monday, June 19th
in observance of Juneteenth
Tuesday, July 4th
in observance of Independence Day

Inside this issue...

Notes from WSPL's new Director
Spring happenings in the Youth Room
Genealogy, test prep, and more...
A nature-themed reading list for all ages
An arboreal word search

Click here to View More Information About West Springfield Public Library Cover to Cover: Spring 2023