When I moved to Greenfield in the 1970s, downtown could have been a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. Parking was free on Friday nights, and the stores on Main Street stayed open late. Boys bought their first ties at Bartlett’s Men’s Store, and picking up a mail order at the Sears catalog store was a routine errand for everyone. Sullivan’s Drugstore would even stay open just for you if you couldn’t make it before their usual closing time.

At one end of Main Street stood the library — a place that radiated reliability. It seemed as though it had always been there and always would be, it’s quiet presence mingling with the soft rustle of potential. What unexpected magic might be found in this warm haven of gentle order? More than just a building, the library, like the rest of our downtown, was both a cornerstone of stability and a doorway to possibility.

Of course, that was then — before the internet, before our shopping arrived at our doorstep. It’s easy to feel nostalgic about what we’ve lost, about the sense that the whole town was stitched together by simple, everyday errands. But one thing is not only still here — it’s better. Today, our new, modern, brightly lit library remains a foundation of our community. More than that, it is a beacon of what we can still become.

A truly public institution

In a society increasingly divided, unequal, and commercialized, the Greenfield Public Library stands out as a truly public institution. It remains open to everyone, regardless of income, background, or circumstance. By offering countless resources free of financial, social, or physical barriers, our library makes a vital and irreplaceable contribution to both individual opportunity and community well-being. In a world where so many doors are closed unless you can afford the key, the library’s doors remain open to all.

Free access, lifelong learning

The Greenfield Public Library provides an astonishing array of materials — books, audiobooks, movies, music, and more — all free of charge. This commitment to universal access promotes literacy and lifelong learning for everyone in our community, from the youngest children attending story hour to adults pursuing new skills or simply the joy of a good book. The library’s programs foster early literacy, support students with research and tutoring, and offer adults opportunities for self-improvement and enrichment. In doing so, the library affirms that learning is not a privilege, but a right.

Bridging the digital divide

In today’s world, access to technology is as essential as access to books. The Greenfield Public Library plays a crucial role in bridging the digital divide — the gap between those with access to technology and those without. By providing free Wi-Fi and public computers, the library ensures that everyone in Greenfield can engage fully in the digital age — whether for schoolwork, job applications, telehealth, or staying connected with loved ones.

A gateway to global information

Beyond physical materials, the library offers free access to a vast range of digital resources, including online databases and global news platforms featuring thousands of newspapers and magazines. Whether you’re researching your ancestry, keeping up with world events, or exploring a new passion, the library’s digital offerings place a universe of information at your fingertips—no subscription required.

A safe, inclusive haven for all

Our beautiful new library is more than a building — it’s a space where everyone can find connection, community, and conversation. This inclusivity is not aspirational; it’s lived, every day. No matter when you visit, you’ll find people drawn by the stability, safety, and refuge that only a library can offer.

The Greenfield Public Library matters more than ever

Yes, I am nostalgic for the Greenfield I knew 50 years ago. But as the world changes, I take great comfort in knowing that the Greenfield Public Library remains a beacon of possibility, a guardian of equity, and a builder of community.

Its value cannot be measured by circulation statistics or program attendance alone — though both have grown significantly. Its true worth lies in the lives it touches, the barriers it breaks, and the hope it sustains. When I support our library, I support the very heart of the Greenfield I still love. That’s why I give both my time and my family’s financial support to an institution that has always been there for me — and that I want to always be there for others, too.

Mitch Anthony is a communications and strategy consultant who has raised three children in Greenfield. He is a member of the Greenfield Public Library Foundation board of directors.