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Article 21. Capital Program - Equipment.
The Town Libraries request $5,000 to begin replacement of broken furniture at the Jones Library. Tables and chairs at the Jones Library were last upgraded during the building renovation in 1991-1992. During the last fifteen years the library maintenance staff has repaired tables and chairs when feasible, but new tables and chairs are required due to constant wear and tear. In addition, new patterns of building use have evolved with a growing demand for flexible group study areas and a need for more tables to accommodate wireless Internet access for laptops.
Funding is requested for routine replacement of Library Computers, including personal computer equipment and printers. $20,000 is requested for the Jones Library, North Amherst Library, and Munson Memorial Library computer equipment. There are now 82 computers currently in use by the general public and staff at the Town Libraries, plus networking equipment and servers connecting the libraries to the networks maintained by the Town's Information Technology Department.
Article 22. Capital Program - Buildings
The Library requests $6,000 for planning and design services for the replacement of the original 1928 windows in the Jones Library - especially 41 windows facing Amity Street. None of these windows were upgraded during the 1991-1992 renovation. These windows are single pane glass; most, but not all, have exterior storm windows dating from the 1970's. All these original windows are drafty and extremely energy inefficient. Due to the building's status on the National Historic Register, expert design work will be required to replicate and preserve the original designs using modern materials. The end result of installing new windows will be lower maintenance costs and higher energy efficiency.
Article 25. Community Preservation Act - Historic Preservation
The Library requests $5,000 to continue its five year program of archives restoration. CPA funds are being used for preservation microfilming of Amherst Tax Lists from 1759-1900, production of copy negatives, and purchase of archival storage equipment and boxes for fragile items.
Projects scheduled for FY 2008 include restoration of early documents from the Civil War era, such as photographs of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Military Register of the Massachusetts Volunteers 37th Regiment, the Muster-in Roll for Captain Timothy Sloan's Company, and the US Volunteer Enlistment List for Amherst, plus the transfer of audio tapes to CD format and the conversion of early Town Meeting videotapes to DVD format. This will be the third year of this important CPA funded work.