North Adams Hires New Library Director

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Public Library has a new director in Mindy Hackner.

Hackner has been director of the Dalton Free Library for the past year after 17 years at the Milne Public Library in Williamstown.

Her appointment was announced on Wednesday by the library Board of Trustees and Mayor Richard Alcombright.

"Mindy will be a great addition to our public library and our city team," said the mayor in a statement. "She brings great experience, a working knowledge of our library and a passion for this work. I could not be more pleased with Mindy's acceptance of the position."

He thanked the trustees for their efforts and Robin Martin for "her hard work and dedication as interim [director]."


Hackner declined comment when contacted Wednesday, demurring until she officially takes the post on March 17.

In the press release, she said she was excited about the opportunity and pledged to work with current staff and trustees to "continue providing the best library service in the heart of the city."

Martin has been interim director since August 2013; previous director Rick Moon left last summer to run the newly renovated library at McCann Technical School.

Hackner received her bachelor of arts in English from the University of Massachusetts and her masters of library science from State University of New York.

She has extensive knowledge of library operations and was webmaster, circulation and children's librarian in Williamstown.


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Williams College Receives Anonymous $25M Gift to Support Projects

Staff Reports
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williams College has received a $25 million gift commitment in support of three major initiatives currently underway on campus: constructing a new museum building, developing a comprehensive plan for athletics and wellbeing facilities, and endowing the All-Grant financial aid program. 
 
The donors, who wish to remain anonymous, say the gift reflects their desire to not only support Williams but also President Maud S. Mandel's strategic vision and plan for the college. 
 
"This remarkably generous commitment sustains our momentum for WCMA, will be a catalyst for financial aid, and is foundational for athletics and wellness. It will allow us to build upon areas of excellence that have long defined the college," Mandel said. "I could not be more appreciative of this extraordinary investment in Williams."
 
Of the donors' total gift, $10 million will help fund the first freestanding, purpose-built home for the Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA), a primary teaching resource for the college across all disciplines and home to more than 15,000 works. 
 
Each year, roughly 30 academic departments teach with WCMA's collection in as many as 130 different courses. 
 
The new building, designed by the internationally recognized firm SO-IL and slated to open in 2027, will provide dedicated areas for teaching and learning, greater access to the collection and space for everything from formal programs to impromptu gatherings. The college plans to fund at least $100 million of the total project cost with gifts.
 
Another $10 million will support planning for and early investments in a comprehensive approach to renewing the college's athletics and wellbeing facilities. 
 
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