Sunday, October 17, 2010

Library #19 Boston Free Library




The Boston Public Library is a really tiny and cute two story brick building that used to be the schoolhouse. We arrived just before it closed. We had a few minutes to check out some books, and then Marilyn was nice enough to stay late and show us around. She recognized us and was very excited to see us! She and the rest of the staff are very proud of their neat and homey library, and the fact that because they are small they have the time to know their patrons so well. She told us stories about some of them and their dogs, who are also welcome in the library! Lucky for Sookie, who was in the car! She had fun zipping around the stacks. Marilyn told us about a special resident of the library. They believe it is the ghost of Mr. Foley, who was the caretaker of the school. He gets upset when the library is messy and sends books flying off the shelves! When the library is decorated and tidy, he is relaxed and just a warm presence in the room. It is a very cool building with lots of neat details because it is so old .
On the way home we drove to Chestnut Ridge Park to see the Eternal Flame. It is really cool! We hiked down the ridge path off Seufert Road. The trail leads to a beautiful waterfall. Behind some of the rocks, in a little carved out spot, is a natural gas leak that burns a bright flame! It is neat to see fire and water together, and it gave a us a peaceful feeling. It was a tough hike, but with Sookie pulling us it wasn't so bad! And the day was perfect for hiking- sunny and cool and the leaves were colorful. What a great fall day!

18 comments:

  1. my family loves the boston library. staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. this is a used and valuable community resource.

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  2. I absolutely love the Boston library! They have a great selection of books in all genres and they offer a whole bunch of programs for all ages! I always feel welcome there because the staff all have an effortless rapport with their patrons and help make everyone's library experience a great one!

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  3. Our family goes to the Boston library every week. We love the staff! Every one there genuinely helps us and make families feel welcome.

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  4. The Boston Library has always been a warm, friendly and helpful place. My family has been able to do research and borrow the newest books and dvds. The staff is always ready to help with requests. The seasonal decorations welcome patrons of all ages and make the library very cozy.

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  5. I love the idea of this blog. Would you be interested in co-posting your entries to the WGRZ.com Williamsville community website?

    Just send an email to neighborhoods@wgrz.com for a password and instructions.

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  6. Wow! That is incredible that a library could be so open like that to new things! My family is from the Concord library and we are definetly going to stop in!

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  7. been to many libraries! none as friendly and helpful as Boston! nice article!

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  8. Boston Library book sale begins this Sunday, October 24th. If you haven't come to it before, come this year! We get all our Christmas books here!

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  9. Dear Jafarjian family...we enjoyed reading Sunday's News(10/17/10)about your mission to remind citizens of the importance of public libraries, and also finding our own wonderful Boston Library featured on your blog site the same day. You bring attention to our beautiful WNY communities' love for their individual libraries and the vital servives each provides; and of the people---staff and patrons who depend on these libraries. You are, ironically, poignantly chronicling Americana that is in jeopardy, which makes your blog site historically precious. These libraries,their employees and their users, are being devastated because of financial deficits. A year from now, what you saw and felt and wrote about during 2010 will no longer exist. For those who cherish the public library and its community benefits, you have given a last glimpse of a treasure we took for granted and valued.

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  10. We've met Boston Library Laura's Bernese Mountain dog! Laura and her staff do know and love our family pets and will take a minute to meet them ! One more special and happy way this library greets people! Passing along her advise about training materials available at the library and suggesting local dog training schools just adds to the quality and detailed concern we find at our "tiny" local library with huge heart, lots of knowledge to share and people who love being there for us!

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  11. What is most awesome about the Boston library? The people who work there! We have been other libraries and none ever compare to Boston. We are never left confused or go away without all our questions answered and stuff we need for projects.

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  12. The Boston library is the greatest library. I travel and get to many libraries. I rely on Boston getting me books on CD. And they always ask about my cats, even ask to see pictures.

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  13. Mr. Jafarjian, I am a former student of yours! I had you in 7th and 8th grade and now I am a graduate student at UB for Library and Information Science/School Library Media. Your name came up in my Tuesday night class about your library endeavor. It's so great to hear that you are doing this with your family. I look forward to reading more about your experiences.
    Take care!
    Kerra T.

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  14. Kerra, I remember you! Thanks for your message and best of luck in completing your studies! You take care too! Al Jafarjian and family

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  15. Thanks for posting all of your great comments. We will look into getting connected to the WGRZ Williamsville Community site! Have a great day!

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  16. We like your blog. We visit different libraries too because of schedules and work. Our dentist is in Boston so that is how we found this library. Your descriptions are fun to read. We also get books, dvds, music cds, and notice displays, toys and special things about each library. We find the librarians at Boston are very helpful and friendly. It's become our favorite so far.

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  17. This is a real neat thing you are doing Jafarjian family! Going to every library is a great way to spend your time,both fun and educational. The boston library is a place we never visited but will hopefully visit in the future. Sounds like a wonderful place!

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  18. Our little library is wonderful, I always look forward to our "thursday talk night". They generally have what I need, if not, I can get on the request list. I have no qualms about paying .25 for a book or $1.00 for dvd to be transferred. I hate the thought of the cut backs affecting the library and that the library hours are getting cut more than half to a mere 16 hours per week.

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