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MASON SQUARE LIBRARY: BRIEF HISTORY – page 1. 1952 Annie G. Curran leaves money in her will to build & maintain a public library in Winchester Square 1955 New Winchester Square Library opens 1999 SLMA receives $550,000 public bond for MSL renovations
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MASON SQUARE LIBRARY: BRIEF HISTORY – page 1 • 1952 Annie G. Curran leaves money in her will to build & maintain a public library in Winchester Square • 1955 New Winchester Square Library opens • 1999 SLMA receives $550,000 public bond for MSL renovations • Oct. 18, 2001 Mason Square Library Grand Reopening • Fall 2002 Urban League & SLMA begin negotiations on sale of MSL building • Jan. 2003 Henry Thomas & David Starr meet privately with community leaders – tell them sale is irreversible
MASON SQUARE LIBRARY: BRIEF HISTORY – page 2 • March 2003 City Council sets up Library Study Committee after SLMA reduces library hours • April 9, 2003 – Morning: Joe Carvalho tells Library Advisory Board “the sale is not carved in stone” • April 9, 2003 – Afternoon: Purchase and Sale Agreement is signed by SLMA executives • April 10, 2003 – SLMA issues press release on sale • May 22, 2003 - Henry Thomas advises City Council of sale
MASON SQUARE LIBRARY: BRIEF HISTORY – page 3 • May 2003 Attorney General of Mass. declines to intervene; says only Spfd Mayor can challenge sale • July 2003 City takes over library system • Jan. 2004 Charles V. Ryan takes office as Mayor • March 2004 MSLAC established by 5 neighborhood councils surrounding Mason Square • April 2005 Mayor Ryan and City of Springfield file lawsuit against SLMA regarding sale of Mason Square Library