AIC offers community access to Shea Library
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| President Maniaci announces new Shea library program. |
SPRINGFIELD-- It’s called the "PALS" program - Public Access to Library Services - a plan by American International College to help provide library services to the community, while a new Mason Square Library is being built.
AIC President Vince M. Maniaci said, even though the college was not chosen as the future site of the Mason Square Library, the college is still offering to fill the void until the new facility is ready.
After a six-month search, the Mason Square Library Site Committee recommended the city begin negotiating to buy Muhammad’s Mosque 13 at 727 State St.
"We applaud the committee for it’s hard work in selecting a new library site, and we thank them for the opportunity to participate in the process," Maniaci said.
Maniaci said, as a member of the Mason Square community, AIC is in a position to fill an unmet need by providing access to a full service library, during some of the hours when the current Mason Square Library is not open."This is a marvelous opportunity for us to step up and do the right thing," he said.
James Morton, a member of the Springfield Control Board and the former chairman of the Mason Square Library Site Committee, applauded the college on the new program. "This is a a wonderful program. Creating a relationship between AIC students and neighborhood children will reap tremendous rewards."
Morton said the AIC Saturday Morning Children’s Reading Hour is a simple program that will have tremendous rewards. "Programs like these, where the resources of a college are open to the community and its children, will have enormous benefits in helping deal with the education gap, so that our children will start school on a level playing field and be as successful as other children," he said.
Springfield City Councilor Bud Williams, a member of the Mason Square Library Committee, praised Maniaci and the college for its efforts. "To open up the college's facilities to the community, especially children, and give them access to the college’s wireless network, computers and internet is just phenomenal." he said.
Starting September 6, the Shea Library will be open to the public on Tuesday and Thursday from 3-7 p.m., and on Saturday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. In addition, the college will offer a children’s reading hour on Saturday morning, conducted by AIC students and faculty.
Mayor Charles Ryan has said he will decide on a site for the new library in the fall, but Maniaci said regardless of which site is chosen, the offer still stands.
"Anyone with a valid Springfield library card will be able to use the facility, including books, reference materials, DVDs and computers," Maniaci said.
"The PALS program is another community engagement initiative by the college, like the Bay Area and Upper Hill Scholarship programs. It’s a way to show the public that we are trying hard to be Springfield’s best neighbor," said Maniaci.
American International College
1000 State Street
Springfield MA 01109
(800) 242-3142
inquiry@aic.edu