Annual Report
Supporting the Civic and Cultural Life of AmherstA Center for the Community
During FY 2006 use of the Town Libraries continued to grow at a steady rate. Library borrowing made a comeback from 528,116 in FY 2004 to 561,677 in FY 2006. This 6% increase results from three factors: higher usage at Jones Library despite reduced hours of service, restoration of open hours at the branch libraries, and a 20% rise in materials sent to other libraries for checkout. Demand for professional reference and research service was slightly ahead of FY 2005, and meeting room use for library programs and community events increased from 797 to 828 events in FY 2006.
One of the most popular events of the year was the installation of a temporary crosswalk linking the Jones Library to the parking lot across Amity Street. Library staff and Trustees wish to thank the Select Board and the Department of Public Works for making this long desired crosswalk a reality.
Ideas and Learning
Nationally known authors connected with their readers at Jones Library. Vermont mystery author Archer Mayor entertained his fans and donated the rights to name a character in his next book as part of the Friends annual basket auction. Charles Mann, author of 1491, gave an illustrated talk on pre-Columbian indigenous civilizations. The "Mystery Desserts" program brought together four authors from Sisters in Crime with mystery buffs. The jubilat/Jones Poetry Series presented twelve notable poets in six Sunday readings. As part of the Hampshire County "On the Same Page" community reading program, Town Libraries distributed sixty copies of The Garden of Martyrs, a novel based on Pioneer Valley history. Three book discussions explored Irish immigration and capital punishment, concluding with a fascinating talk by author Michael White.
Immigrants found essential community resources. The English as a Second Language (ESL) Center sponsored Intermediate Level English conversation classes and trained forty-three new volunteer ESL Tutors who then were matched with students from the waiting list. A New Citizens Party congratulated ESL students on achieving United States citizenship. "Library Services to Immigrants: a report on best practices" by the US Office of Citizenship featured the Jones Library ESL Center.
Local artists displayed creative works in many media. The Burnett Gallery offered paintings, drawings, flower portraits, photography, fractal geometry, traditional Korean pottery, sculpture, and quilts in monthly exhibits. Courtyard exhibits included the Amherst Energy Conservation Task Force "Climate Action Plan", holiday magazine covers from the New Yorker, Merry Musical posters designed by Bob McClung, and the vibrant artwork of Amherst Regional Middle and High School students
Readers and researchers used new online services via the library website. Factory drawings and step by step photographs from the Auto Repair Reference Center became available for use online in addition to newspapers, magazine articles, and business information. Town Libraries continued to experiment with online access to eBooks. Readers began downloading audio books and eBooks in September 2005 through "Overdrive" from the C/W MARS network. Munson Memorial Library added "Playaway" unabridged audio books recorded in MP3 format and stored on a very small portable player. Computer beginners learned basic skills at classes taught by Reference staff. "Introduction to Computers" and "Introduction to the Internet" classes were joined by more advanced sessions on Word Processing, Using eBay, and Online Forums.
Amherst Kids Love to Read
The amazing popularity of Harry Potter kept kids reading all summer. Town Libraries purchased 15 print and audio copies of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling in response to over 100 reserve requests. A Harry Potter Summer Camp for Young Wizards provided an opportunity to conjure up science and arts activities. 275 kids joined three Summer Reading Clubs, sharing their enthusiasm for the books that they read while winning prizes and collecting incentive coupons.
Hundreds of kids and their families enjoyed meeting author John Scieszka at "Amherst Reads John Scieszka" in October. The day combined storytelling, puppet shows, a costume parade, arts and crafts activities, and book signings by this clever award-winning children's author. The amazing Angela DiTerlizzi coordinated events and made this special day happen for kids with support from the Children's Library staff, Barnes and Noble Bookstore, and a coalition of energetic volunteers.
Families brought youngsters to the libraries throughout the year. "Stories for the Whole Family" presented four entrancing New England storytellers: Tim Van Egmond, John Porcino, Mary Jo Maichack, and Davis Bates. "Let's Explore Science" sessions for children in grades K-3 and "Building Big" workshops for grades 4 and up explored science themes. The Children's Music Series, funded by the Amherst Cultural Council and the Friends of the Library, presented Klezamir, fiddle music, African rhythms, and pre-school songs and games. The "City Dancin" program taught expressive movement and exercises to enrich learning. "Quilt Buddies" introduced children and adults to patchwork quilting. A musical theater and drama workshop for ages 7-9 performed "Odon, the Giant" based on a Philippine folktale. Weekly offerings include: pre-school story time, Book Chats, craft programs, a book club for teens, Head Start program visits to North Amherst Library, "Sing with your baby" pre-school music programs, Chess Clubs for kids, and Animal Tales featuring animal related stories with shelter animals from the Dakin Animal Center.
All second grade classes in the Amherst public schools visited the Jones Library as part of the Friends 'Every Child a Reader' program. During their visits, children signed up for library cards, explored the library, received free books as gifts and made friends with the library staff. Thanks to our volunteer Friends and the Amherst public schools for promoting reading at the Library.
Special Collections and Local History
Literary researchers gained new research tools during FY 2006. In preparation for the meeting of the International Emily Dickinson Society in Amherst, Special Collections staff compiled a thorough research index of all Dickinson manuscripts and Dickinson family correspondence at the Library. In addition, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners awarded the Library a federal LSTA grant of $10,660 for professional consultants to create in depth online research tools for the Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson manuscript collections. Archival processing of artwork, photographs, manuscripts, diaries and publications in the Clifton Johnson Collection began, thanks to the financial support of the Johnson family. Twenty Pioneer Valley photographs taken by Clifton Johnson at the turn of the century were scanned and mounted online as part of the C/W MARS Digital Treasures project. Community Preservation Act funding made it possible to obtain microfilm copies of historical records from the Town Clerk's office.
Special Collections staff welcomed thousands of tourists and student visitors to learn about the lives of Amherst poets from the exhibits. Talks included "The stuff of dreams", a program by Jane Wald from the Emily Dickinson History Museum, and seminars on Dickinson poetry co-sponsored with the Museum.
Private Fund Raising Made a Big Contribution
Many of the special features of the Town Libraries, including most of the programs listed above, depend on the generosity of private donors. Their contributions make it possible to improve library collections and services, expanding educational opportunities for all ages -- all of which makes Amherst a better place to live.
- The Annual Fund Drive raised $41,400 for new library materials from 625 donors. Donations ranged from $1,350 in stock shares to the pennies spun around the "vortex" in the Children's Library.
- The Clifton Johnson Fund was created by the Johnson family to support preservation and online research access to the literary and artistic works of Clifton Johnson.
- The Ray and Pat Budde Fund was established by Scott Budde and Charlotte Cole in honor of his parents to support Special Collections and Children's Literature.
- The Friends of the Jones Library System donated $23,800 for programs, equipment and materials. This year's "Basket, Books and Chocolate" Silent Auction offered 106 gorgeous gift baskets and raised over $7,000.
- The Wang Family Fund was established in memory of well known local artists Anna Look Wang and Hui-Ming Wang.
- The Friends' Beds for Books hospitality program generated close to $5,000 for the library book funds through the generosity of local families who hosted guests during Family Weekend and Commencements.
- The Harp Irish Pub donated funds to support the North Amherst Library and its summer reading club activities.
- Expanded hours at the North Amherst Library and the Munson Memorial Library were made possible by generous gifts from Patricia Holland, an anonymous donor, Steve and Carol Gross, and the Friends of the Jones Library System.
- Individual Memorial Funds honored local residents Donald Hastings, June George, Dr. Ralph Timberlake, and Harold Smith.
- The Emily Dickinson International Society and the Garden Club of Amherst made generous donations.
- Printing services were donated by Collective Copies, and bookmarks by the Jones Real Estate Group.
- The Library also participated in Hurricane Relief by collecting donations in October. A poster sale organized by local author Norton Juster generated over $3,000 to help rebuild damaged libraries.
- Town Libraries continued the tradition of collecting food in lieu of overdue fines to support the open pantry at the Amherst Survival Center during the end of year holidays.
Numbers
Endowment Balances: Vanguard Group Asset Management Services reports the investment value of the Jones Library Incorporated Endowment Fund at $8,226,078 as of June 30, 2006.
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