Thomas Crane Memorial Library
Quincy, MA
H.H. Richardson, architect

The Crane Library (1880-1882) at Quincy, Massachusetts, is almost universally recognized as one of architect Henry Hobson Richardson’s greatest works. It was funded by the Crane family as a memorial to Thomas Crane, a wealthy stone contractor who got his start dealing in Quincy granite. Appropriately the Library is constructed of granite which contrasts with the Longmeadow brownstone trim. Richardson’s career coincided with the rise of public education and the spread of interest in cultural development, leading to the creation of many small public libraries, such as the Crane Library and the Norfolk Library, donated by patrons for the improvement of small New England towns. The architect of the Norfolk Library, George Keller, was a disciple of Richardson, and our building shares similar features, notably the use of East Longmeadow brownstone, red tile on the roof, and a stair turret nestled against the front of the building.

The Library will be closed on Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.

Home in a Vibrant Community: Seeds for Solidarity

One of the Yale student art installations on view at the Library is a beautifully painted chest. "Seeds for Solidarity" is a collaborative seed bank made by the artists Suzanna Zak and Ester Putukhova. It serves as a repository and distribution site for Ukrainian seeds from the Nikitovka Seed Company, based in Irpin. Agricultural products are Ukraine's most important exports, and Russia's invasion has torn through numerous arable lands, compromising the distribution of seeds to Ukrainian farmers. The artists were inspired by our seed catalog, and they invite the community to collect a packet from the chest and to plant seeds in solidarity with Ukraine while reflecting upon the ongoing effects of the war. The chest can be found with our Seed Library at the back of the building. Floral motifs gracing the surface of the chest suggest the work of one of Ukraine's most prolific folk painters, Maria Prymachenko. It is estimated that 25  cultural paintings at the Ivankiv Museum in Ukraine have been destroyed due to the war.

For those interested in purchasing a seed pack to support Ukrainian farmers for the next season, more information can be fond at nikitovka.com. 

Mindfulness can be defined as “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” In this 4-week course, mindfulness practitioner Miranda Lee will teach participants how to live a more mindful life and equip them with the tools they need to help build resilience against the challenges of day-to-day life. Some gentle movement (no special clothing or equipment required) will be incorporated into the course. This course will be offered free of charge from 9:00-10:00 a.m. on Fridays from July 8 to July 29 before the Library opens to the public. Please register here.

Miranda Lee received training from Mindful Schools, a non-profit organization that trains educators to bring mindfulness into schools and community spaces. Although mindfulness is an ancient practice coming from Eastern contemplative traditions, Miranda offers a secular and inclusive approach.

Join us for a summer discussion series of TED Talks. Similar to a book group, we'll watch a selected TED Talk ahead of time and then meet virtually through Zoom on Mondays from 1:00-2:00pm to discuss. Attend as your summer schedule and interest allows! The discussion group begins Monday, July 11, and runs through September 19 (no meeting on Labor Day, Monday, September 5).

Registration here gives you access to the entire discussion series:

Our summer schedule of TED talks can be found here.

First up on our schedule:

July 11: Elizabeth Gilbert,  Your Elusive Creative Genius

Elizabeth Gilbert is an American writer, best known for her 2006 best-selling memoir, ‘Eat, Pray, Love’. In her talk, she addresses mental health issues that sometimes accompany creative professions. After the self-proclaimed “freakish success” of her memoir, Gilbert recounts the climate of worry and doubt that began to follow her. “Somehow,” Gilbert says, “we’ve completely internalized and accepted collectively this notion that creativity and suffering are inherently linked.” As young students today decide upon their life trajectory, this is a collective concept that keeps many scared to pursue their dream in a creative field. Gilbert discusses how to construct barriers between a creative work and the anxiety about how it will be received.

And for a bit of fun ...

National Ice Cream Month Tournament of Taste
July is National Ice Cream Month, and we want to celebrate! We start with the top 16 flavors of ice cream according to our Internet research. Let us know which ice cream flavor you think tastes best in our flavor-to-flavor matchups. Round 1 voting takes places through Wednesday, July 6. Winning flavors will advance to the next round and will be announced in the July 8 Night Owl, as well as through social media. The winning flavor in our Tournament of Taste will be announced July 29. All voting participants will be entered to win a gift certificate to Peaches N' Cream Ice Cream Shop in Litchfield. Click here to play!