North Adams Public Library Announces Updated Early Literacy Programs for Families

03:26PM / Monday, April 14, 2025Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Youth Services Department of the North Adams Public Library has announced updates to its weekly early literacy programs.

Beginning Tuesday, April 15, "Wigglers & Crawlers" will be held for families with children aged 0-2 years. This program will be led by Youth Services Library Assistant, Ms. Nancy, and will take place weekly at 10:30 AM.

According to the announcement, "The Wigglers & Crawlers program is ideal for babies and toddlers from birth to 2 years old. Caregivers are encouraged to bring a small blanket, a favorite toy, and be ready for a cozy, joyful experience. Participants can expect gentle stories & rhymes, songs & movement, interactive play and bonding time. This program is replacing the current Tuesday “Toddler Time” program."

On Wednesday, April 16, "Junior Story Time" will be held for families with children aged 2-5 years. This program will be led by Youth Services Librarian, Ms. Holly, and will also take place weekly at 10:30 AM.

The announcement states, "Junior Story Time is ideal for children 2 to 5 years old. Ms. Holly will read engaging stories to captivate their young imaginations, sing songs, play games and create a craft based on the day's story to take home. This program will intentionally build language development, fine and gross motor skills, encourage critical thinking, strengthen early literacy skills to build a solid foundation and promote healthy social skills while preparing children for the pre-k and kindergarten setting. This program is replacing the current Wednesday 'Story Time' program."

The library is reportedly collaborating with the North Adams Public School district to align program goals with the school curriculum for school readiness skills.

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North Adams City Council Hears Housing Authority Grievances

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
06:28PM / Wednesday, October 14, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Unhealthy odors, drugs, mold, peeling paint, unsecured doors, lack of security and frightened residents.

That was the list of grievances that current and former tenants of the North Adams Housing Authority's high rise on Ashland Street laid before the City Council on Tuesday.

"I've stayed quiet long enough. I've been professional long enough. Somebody needs to do something. Damn it! It's getting too bad over there. It's worse than it's ever been. There's more drug people there. There's more dealers there. There's drunks rolling around in there, drinking out front, doing drugs out front," said Tenants Association President Cory Fortin.

"Everybody's pointing fingers at everybody. Let's all get together and do this damn thing. Get it done. I'm sick of it."

Tenants have been speaking out at council meetings about security issues and Councilor Lillian Zavatsky, liaison to the authority, requested time for Fortin to speak. The authority has been in some upheaval lately with the loss of commissioner and the abrupt resignation of the executive director last week.

The association had called for a formal grievance hearing against Jennifer Hohn after she locked their offices. Hohn has not publicly spoken about her resignation. The Housing Authority is meeting on Thursday for "acknowledgement" of the vacancy.

"My paperwork that I put in for my maintenance request, ah, disappeared. We have nothing on record. There's a lot of things that this board, this council, the mayor, everybody needs to look at the big picture," Fortin said, adding that some tenants were worried about attending the meeting because of fears of retaliation. "All I'm asking for is the right support and for this this council, this mayor, and everybody to do what's right."

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