Sheffield
Massachusetts
Bushnell-Sage Library
History :
According to A History of the Bushnell-Sage Library by Martha Greene, the public library in Sheffield has moved all over town. In 1876, when the town meeting voted to institute the first free town library, the library committee housed it above where Silk’s Variety is now. Three years later, the townspeople voted the library out of existence. The Sheffield Friendly Union took responsibility for the books until 1891, when interest in a tax supported public library revived and the public library shared space with the Friendly Union library in the Dewey Memorial Hall.
In 1901, the trustees of the library moved the collection to two rooms in the town hall. When a library trustee, Miss Alice B. Sage, died in 1921, she bequeathed $10,000 to the town for the building of a free public library. Two years later a library patron, Samuel Hopkins Bushnell passed away, leaving another bequest of $25,000. With this money, the town erected a building on the corner of Main Street and what is now Berkshire School Road. When the space for 10,000 books became inadequate in 1936, an extra room was built onto the back of the building.
The expanding collection soon crowded that building. Then, in 1993, the Americans with Disabilities Act, requiring that all public buildings be made accessible to everyone, made the building obsolete. That same year, the last students left the old Sheffield Center School for the new Undermountain Elementary School. With grant money and generous contributions from local citizens, the building was renovated and converted to serve as the new library building in 1997.
In the 130 years the Sheffield Town Library has existed, there have been very few librarians. Eugene Vosburgh acted as librarian for one dollar a week when the library opened above his store. Mary Leonard became the librarian for both the Dewey Hall Library and the public library when the collection moved to Dewey Hall. There have been only three librarians since the library moved into it’s own building in 1929; Willard French (1929-1973), John Campbell (1973-2000) and Nancy Hahn (2001-present and hopefully, much of the future).
Set well back from Route 7, the library is a cheerful and vibrant place, full of light and bustle. Comfortable seating areas are scattered throughout the building. The circulation desk, public-use computer terminals, new fiction and non-fiction books, Bookmobile and video sections, the periodicals and the delightful children’s wing are all located on the main floor. The other fiction and non-fiction books and audio book stacks are on the second floor. The basement houses a large meeting room and kitchen facilities. There is ample parking space in front of the library building.
Many people have told us that the Bushnell-Sage Library is one of the best small town libraries in Massachusetts. Visit us and find out why!
Recent News
Bushnell-Sage Library Updates - January 2024
The featured artist for the month of January at Bushnell-Sage Library is Jody King Camarra. A Multimedia Teaching Artist, published children's book Illustrator, Ceramicist, Floral Designer and Wandmaker, Jody King Camarra has studied and taught…
Read More »Bushnell-Sage Library We're Hiring
Bushnell-Sage Library in Sheffield is looking for a friendly, customer service-oriented person to join our team as part-time circulation clerk (13 hrs/wk). Must be available to work Fridays 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. – 2…
Read More »Bushnell-Sage Library Programs And Events - October 2023
The featured artist for the month of October at Bushnell-Sage Library is Nanci Worthington. Nanci's extraordinary artwork will be on exhibition beginning October 1 through October 31. There will be an opening reception of Nanci's exhibition on…
Read More »Bushnell-Sage Library Programs And Events - September 2023
Get in Your Element this September—sign up for a library card! From borrowing books, ebooks, and museum passes to getting research help, learning new skills, or attending story time, a library card helps you do more of what you enjoy. Get a…
Read More »Bushnell-Sage Library Updates - August 2023
Summer reading participants, it’s time to start turning in your VOICE sheets Don’t forget to stop in and try our weekly challenge to earn extra raffle tickets! Join us for an end-of-summer-reading party on Friday, August 18 from 2 - 4…
Read More »Bushnell-Sage Library News - July 6, 2023
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Read More »Bushnell-Sage Library Updates - July 2023
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Read More »Bushnell-Sage Library Updates - June 2023
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Read More »Bushnell-Sage Library News - May 2, 2023
Stop in and see Crossroads: Change in Rural America before it leaves on Saturday, May 6! We’re in the home stretch of hosting the traveling Smithsonian exhibit “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” in our program room! The…
Read More »Bushnell-Sage Library News - April 15, 2023
Sheffield, let’s talk about our future! Creating Community in Sheffield: A Community Conversation Thursday, April 20 at 7 pm Dewey Memorial Hall, 91 Main St. **Registration required! Sign up here or call 413-229-7004 to reserve your seat. …
Read More »Rural Berkshires: Always Adapting
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Read More »Bushnell-Sage Library News - April 2023
Crossroads: Change in America is here and open for public viewing! Thank you to all of our patrons, small groups, and guests for being patient and flexible as we shift events in the library to accommodate this exciting exhibit. Shaw Israel…
Read More »Bushnell-Sage Library : Crossroads Events And Exhibits
Thanks to everyone who joined us on Sunday, March 26 as we kicked off our exhibit opening! The weather couldn’t have been lovelier. What a great chance for us to celebrate the exhibit’s arrival as a community. The Crossroads: Change in…
Read More »Volunteers Still Needed For Crossroads: Sheffield Exhibit!
Be part of the traveling Smithsonian Crossroads: Change in Rural America exhibit at the Bushnell-Sage Library March 26 - May 6! Volunteer docents are needed during library hours to greet, welcome, and answer questions about the exhibit. No…
Read More »Bushnell-Sage Library Updates - March 2023
Our featured artist for the month of March is Harvey Kimmelman. The exhibition will run from March 3 to March 31. An opening reception for this beautiful exhibition of Harvey's work will be held on Sunday, March 5 from 2:30 to 4 pm. Bruce…
Read More »Volunteers Needed For Crossroads : Sheffield Exhibit
The Smithsonian traveling exhibit Crossroads: Change in Rural America arrives in Sheffield on Sunday, March 26 and will be on view in the Bushnell-Sage Library program room through Saturday, May 6. We are looking for volunteer docents during…
Read More »Bushnell-Sage Library Newsletter - February 2023
Art show deadline Wednesday, February 1! The Smithsonian traveling exhibit Crossroads: Change in Rural America arrives in Sheffield on Sunday, March 26 and will be on view in the Bushnell-Sage Library program room through Saturday, May 6.…
Read More »Bushnell-Sage Library Newsletter - January 2023
Bushnell-Sage Library wishes you and yours a happy and healthy 2023! Read on to find out what’s in store for January. Join facilitator Margo Davis, MSW, LICSW on Fridays from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. beginning Friday, January 6, 2023 for…
Read More »Bushnell-Sage Library - Calling all Berkshire Artists!
Calling all Berkshire artists! The Smithsonian traveling exhibit Crossroads: Change in Rural America arrives in Sheffield on Sunday, March 26 and will be on view in the Bushnell-Sage Library program room through Saturday, May 6. Let’s…
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