Great Brook Valley Branch Celebrates 40 Years!

 

"Going Bookish," Worcester Telegram, March 3, 1981

The Great Brook Valley Branch (GBV) opened its doors for the first time on March 2, 1981 in this busy residential community. The space is provided by the Worcester Housing Authority and was initially located above the community daycare center. In the late 1980s, the library was offered an entire townhouse and relocated to 87 Tacoma Street. The kids in the community helped with the move, pushing book carts down the street into their new, larger library.

"Branch Library to Expand," Worcester Telegram & Gazette, April 27, 1993

In 1993, the library moved next door to its present location at 89 Tacoma Street, which had been renovated and made accessible. We are grateful for the Worcester Housing Authority's recognition of the need for library services in this community and their continued support!

"A 'Special Library' Opens at GBV," Worcester Telegram & Gazette, January 19, 1995

For 40 years, the GBV Branch has brought library services to the culturally diverse and multigenerational neighborhood of Great Brook Valley. The branch offers an array of library services other than just borrowing books, including programs, answering reference questions, internet service, and computer use. Although the branch was forced to close temporarily a few times over the years as a result of budget constraints, and even a fire in 1995, it always reopened thanks to the continued support of the City, the Worcester Housing Authority, and our library patrons, who recognize how important it is to have a library branch at this location.

While the GBV librarians mostly welcome kids and teens from the neighborhood throughout the day, there is material for all ages and everyone is welcome. A huge hit at this branch is the six public computers and two literacy stations for younger visitors. This branch may be small at only 900 sq. ft.; however, the impact of this public space is immeasurable! Some of the students living in Great Brook Valley became volunteers and found jobs as Pages at the library. Many other patrons who frequented the branch went on to serve the community, becoming teachers, firefighters, and a school principal. The library was a great stepping stone, and many of our patrons have wonderful stories about their time spent there.

The GBV Branch has also welcomed special guests to the library through the years, including City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr., “World Boxing” champ Jose Rivera, international journalist Erika Ayisi, and the Higgins Armory Museum, just to name a few. The librarians often collaborate with the Resident’s Services Department, the Boys & Girls Club, the GBV Health Center, and take part in other initiatives going on in “The Valley”.

City Manager Ed Augustus reading to young patrons, 2014

The size of the branch can be challenging when it comes to executing some of these programs, but a little creative thinking, including setting up folding tables amid the computers and the collection, does the trick. This space has served as a location for the free Summer Food Program in recent years, serving close to 800 free lunches on site each summer.

There are exciting things in store for this little library branch in FY 2022. The branch has been offered an opportunity to be housed in a new building, which will be constructed with funding from a grant the Worcester Housing Authority has received for the GBV community. Stay tuned for details!

Great Brook Valley Branch, December 2018