New Director, Hours For Cheshire Library

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CHESHIRE, Mass. — Katherine Westwood was appointed to head the Cheshire Library.

Westwood was appointed by the Cheshire Library Association in September and comes to the library with more then 20 years of experience, including nearly six years as director of the Lanesborough Public Library.

Most recently she was the special collections librarian at the North Adams Public Library, and prior to that was supervisor of the Berkshire Athenaeum's local history department.
 
"While I have enjoyed all my library jobs, my heart has always been in small town libraries," Westwood said. "They often serve as community centers. As a young woman, wherever I moved I volunteered in the local library as a way to meet people and learn about the town. And with today's technology, these small libraries offer a window on the wider world through library networks and online resources."
 
Westwood has already developed a website for the Cheshire Library and soon will issue "Shelf Talk," the periodic library newsletter.

 
"Cheshire has a lovely little library," Westwood said. "The collection is current. There is a large DVD section and an extensive magazine collection. Perhaps the biggest challenge I face is helping the community realize what a gem it is."
 
The library is a member of  the central and western Massachusetts library network. The catalog is already online, and Westwood anticipates that circulation will be automated early next year. Residents are invited to meet her during library hours and to register for a new card.

Westwood also announced new hours: Monday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. ; Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and Thursday from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. The library is closed on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

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Pittsfield School Committee to Again Vote on PHS Report Release

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee will again discuss releasing a redacted version of the PHS report after confusion over a March vote. 

On Wednesday, member Ciara Batory, who has been vocal about releasing last year’s investigation into allegations of staff misconduct at Pittsfield High School, demanded a date for its release to the public.  It was indicated that the item can be put on the next meeting's agenda. 

"I am done playing the game. The public wants a date of when the redacted PHS report will be released, and I will not stop until I get a date," she said before a five-minute recess was called on the meeting. 

Last school year, five past and present PHS staff members were investigated for alleged misconduct, and allegations were found to be "unsupported," according to executive summaries released by the last term's committee. 

The School Committee agenda for its March 25 meeting included a "request by Ciara Batory to release the May 2025 Pittsfield High report with required redactions." It was reported that there were threats of legal action if the redacted report were released. 

Batory on Wednesday said she did not request that agenda item, and that the motion had already passed. Mayor Peter Marchetti, also chair, said they voted in January to review the redacted version, not to release it. 

Batory played the motion that passed in January from her phone: 

"I move the committee vote to release a PHS investigation report in a redacted form by February 18, 2026, and I'd like to add to that the School Committee reviews it before its release to the public, to make sure that there is enough to present to the public."

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