Our Friends organization is dedicated to the preservation of the historic Newton Corner Branch Library, Chaffin Park and 911 Memorial Peace Garden.
In June 2008, the City of Newton Mayor decided to close all branch libraries in the City of Newton, Massachusetts. The claim was stated as budgetary cuts.
However, the City of Newton allocated over 200 million dollars to the construction of a new high school. This construction was to replace the existing 30+ year old high school. This cost was not approved by the citizens for Newton. The excessive spending has contributed to the failure of other existing programs servicing elders, people with disabilities, and the most vulnerable in Newton.
The four branch libraries were located in Newton Corner, Auburndale, Nonantum and Waban.
The Newton Corner branch library was built in the mid 1800's. It was the home of John C. Chaffin. This estate was donated to the City of Newton in the mid 1940's, with the purpose of being used as a Boys and Girls's library. The deeds support the ongoing use of this building and its park only for educational purposes for children.
All of the branch libraries were open a total of 15 hours a week. We figured the cost to be approximately $30K to operate each branch per year. The use of these branches by children from the area and elders unable to drive, far outweighs the $30K cost for keeping them open.
We have submitted petitions for each of the branch libraries to reopen. Please get involved to help us save our most precious resources. Please send request to reopen the branch libraries to:
Nancy Purcell, Director
Newton Free Library
330 Homer Street
Newton Center, MA 02459
http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net/
Mayor David Cohen (end 12/09)
Newton City Hall
1000 Commonwealth Avenue
Newton, MA 02459
Our 911 Memorial Peace Garden has won several beautification awards.
For more information on how you may volunteer and assist with saving the branch libraries, please send request for information to gardensnewton@yahoo.com.
911 Memorial Peace Garden in Chaffin Park, Newton, MA
In 2002, I designed the 911 Memorial Peace Garden in Chaffin Park, Newton Corner, as a beacon of hope for peace. I had adopted the space along with a few other volunteers. Our Peace Garden is shaped into the universal symbol of peace. It is accessible for wheelchairs along a newly renovated walkway.
Children, elders, and members of the community come every year for our event to paint "Peace Rocks" in 27 different languages. - Maryan
A library book...is not, then, an article of mere consumption but fairly of capital, and often in the case of professional men, setting out in life, is their only capital.
— Thomas JEFFERSON (1743-1826)
— Thomas JEFFERSON (1743-1826)
