BCC Invites Community Input on Library Renaming

07:35AM / Tuesday, January 06, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is inviting students, alumni, employees, and community members to take part in the College's ongoing library renaming process.

As a community-centered institution, BCC values broad input and encourages the public to help shape the future identity of this important campus space.

As part of the process, BCC will host a virtual feedback session to gather community perspectives on a short list of proposed library names.

Virtual Community Feedback Session
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Time: 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom (registration required; berkshirecc.edu/conversation)

During the session, members of the Library Naming Task Force will present a curated list of name suggestions developed after reviewing submissions from students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Participants will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed names, which will be used to refine the list before it is presented to BCC President Ellen Kennedy.

Following this review, one recommended name will advance through the College's Shared Governance process and, pending approval, move forward to the Berkshire Community College Board of Trustees and state-level review.

Additional details, including registration information for the virtual session, will be shared in the coming weeks. Community members are encouraged to participate and lend their voices to this important decision impacting the future of the BCC Library.

For updates and registration information, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/conversation.

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BHS Upgrades Respiratory Illness Alert to Moderate Level

02:01PM / Wednesday, January 07, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – As the Berkshire region experiences a heightened level of respiratory illnesses, Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) has raised its Respiratory Illness Alert level to Yellow, or Moderate, triggering updated masking and visitation requirements, effective Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at 7 am.

Respiratory illnesses are impacting a significant number of BHS patients, and the changes are being implemented to enhance safety for BHS staff, patients and visitors.

Yellow signifies moderate activity and now requires masking for all BHS staff when in direct contact with patients. Any patients with symptoms should mask, and BHS asks that visitors who have any respiratory illness symptoms, postpone their visits, if possible.

In the fall of 2025, Berkshire Health Systems implemented its three-tiered virus alert level system, which determines how the organization manages masking and visitor access, and whether staff, patients and visitors will require masking. The color-coded system is in effect at Berkshire Medical Center, Fairview Hospital, North Adams Regional Hospital and all outpatient centers, including BHS Physician Practices.

"Respiratory illnesses have risen significantly in the community, and these changes are being implemented in order to help protect our patients, visitors and staff from the whole host of respiratory viruses circulating at this time of year, especially influenza, COVID-19, and RSV," said James Lederer, MD, BHS Chief Medical Officer/Chief Quality Officer. "Masking, regular hand washing, and social distancing are all key factors in helping to prevent the spread of these very harmful viruses, and we will be vigilant in our efforts to combat these illnesses."

The level of virus activity is regularly reviewed to determine what tier BHS facilities will be assigned. Signage will be posted at all facilities, the BHS website will be updated regularly to reflect the current tier, and masks will be readily available at all facilities.

For more information, visit www.berkshirehealthsystems.org/virusalertlevel.

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