Home / Archive / VOL. VI NO. 08 05/01/2025 / SU FYI

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VOL. VI NO. 08 05/01/2025

SU FYI

  1. In a Representative democracy there are always options. When the SB chose not to place the Interlaken property on the agenda, supporters submitted a Citizens petition.

    The Citizens’ Petition
    • To see if the Town of Stockbridge will appropriate an amount not to exceed $600,000 from Free Cash for the purpose of exercising its Chapter 61 right to acquire the parcel for sale at 0 Interlaken Cross Rd. as described in the Middle District Berkshire County Registry of Deeds in Book 1347 Page 368
    • What This Petition Is All About
    • The enormous rise in Stockbridge property values creates the margin necessary for profitable development. Any open land in Stockbridge is vulnerable. We must make it harder to develop or lose our open spaces.
    • Ownership is the strongest protection. Stockbridge has the right of first refusal on 35 acres in Interlaken. Do we buy it? Since SB did not place the issue on Town Meeting Warrant, citizens did.
    • A vote the affirmative is necessary at Town. The total amount of money necessary to purchase ($600,000) may be reduced by the following:
    • Private individuals have signaled their willingness to contribute and pledged tens of thousands, CPC has conditionally committed funds, and then perhaps Stockbridge Land Trust and Laurel Hill Association will step up. Every contribution reduces the Town’s obligation.
    • Find out what happened next below at Notes from the SB Meeting April 24, 2025. 
  2. Library Services Under Threat Nationwide

    Submitted by the Stockbridge Library Association
    • Recent federal decisions have cast serious doubt on the future of library services across the United States – including those provided by the Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives.
    • On March 14th, 2025, the Trump Administration signed Executive Order 14238, which calls for the reduction of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to the fullest extent allowed by law. Just over two weeks later, on March 31st, all IMLS staff were placed on administrative leave, effectively halting the agency’s operations.
    • What Is the IMLS and Why It Matters
    • The IMLS is the primary federal agency supporting libraries and museums nationwide. In the last fiscal year, it awarded over $266 million in grants and research support. These funds power vital programs like literacy initiatives, access to digital resources, and cultural preservation efforts.
    • The Impact on Massachusetts Libraries
    • The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) receives roughly $3.6 million annually through the IMLS’s Grants to States program. This funding supports essential statewide services, including:
    • • Statewide Research Databases: for student and academic research
    • • The Commonwealth Catalog: A critical interlibrary loan system facilitating borrowing across the state.
    • • eBook & digital Audiobook Program: Providing free access to digital collections, including Libby.
    • • Summer Reading Programs: Promoting youth literacy
    • • Free Trainings: For librarians, library staff, and trustees
    • • E-Rate Program: Helping libraries, including the Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives, cover the cost of internet service and WIFI hardware.
    • The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners has already instituted cuts to services for Massachusetts library users.
    • Without this support, you’ll likely see fewer available digital titles and longer wait times.
    • Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives will continue to welcome our visitors and provide collections, programs, and services to library patrons in Stockbridge and across Western Mass.
    • If you have any questions regarding specific library services, please email us at info@stockbridgelibrary.org
    • Here’s How You Can Help:
    • Send a message to your legislators urging them to overturn the executive order and protect IMLS funding.
    • Spread the word: Share information on social media, write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, and talk about the issue with friends and family. We are grateful for the support of our community and the hard work of library advocates across the state. Thank you for standing with us to protect libraries nationwide, including your own Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives!
Photo: Lionel Delevingne
Photo: Lionel Delevingne

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To inform without opinion or pressure and give the people of Stockbridge the facts they need to make informed decisions.

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Carole Owens, Executive Editor

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