Annual Report
Amherst's Meeting Place for Education and Cultural PursuitsWhere Readers Meet Authors, Poets and Artists
Amherst is known far and wide as a town that values books and literature. A New York Times travel article described the scene "In the Valley of the Literate" and highlighted Jones Library's book discussions and the jubilat/Jones poetry readings as contributions to the Valley's creative life. Readers in the "Let's Talk About It" discussion series explored five Jewish adventures portrayed through artwork in graphic novels. The American Library Association and Nextbook selected Jones Library to host the series in a nationwide grant competition. James Tate read from work appearing in his latest book The Ghost Soldiers to an overflow crowd as part of the jubilat series. Twelve poets engaged audiences with their latest poems in Sunday readings, thanks to funding from the Friends of the Jones Library System and the Amherst Cultural Council.
Jones Library was honored to host Leslie Garis reading from House of Happy Endings, her autobiographical account of growing up in Amherst which reveals poignant details of three generations of writers in the Garis family. Everywoman's Center brought together five women poets for an afternoon of inspiration. Mystery author Archer Mayor returned for a reading from his latest Vermont crime novel entitled Chat. Local foodies enjoyed readings by Mary Lou and Robert Heiss on The Story of Tea and by Leslie Cerrier on organic gourmet cooking for the holidays.
Susan Tilton Pecora, host of the WGBY television show "Reflections in Watercolor," answered questions from local artists as she demonstrated expert watercolor techniques. The Friends of the Jones Library system and the Amherst Cultural Council sponsored this special visit. Twenty local artists exhibited a wide variety of work in the Burnett Gallery, including bird photography by John Van de Graaff, mosaics by Cynthia Fisher, and paintings on the theme "Contemplations" by M.J. Alhabeeb. Exhibits in the courtyard ranged from "A soldier remembers Japan, 1945-1946" World War II photographs by John Roberts to documentary images of refugees in Darfur to information on black bears from the Connecticut Valley Wildlife District, complete with a full size furry black bear and cub.
Learning is Fun in the Children's Library!
Thousands of children visited the Amherst Town Libraries to learn something new while having fun. The tiniest babies developed sound and rhythm skills at super popular "Sing with your baby" programs led by Wendy Plummer. Pre-school children built sequencing and reading skills by listening to stories read aloud by library staff. Chess Clubs for kids developed critical thinking and strategy. Crafts and animal lore workshops provided opportunities for motor skill enhancement. Author Norton Juster talked with children about how books come to life while signing copies of his work. Summer Reading Clubs added an online option for kids to share written opinions about favorite books.
The Children's Music Series featured old Yiddish favorites with the band Klezamir, young musicians playing classical compositions led by Catalina Arrubla, nationally known children's performer Bill Schontz singing and playing the didgeridoo, a collection of multi-cultural puppet tales enacted by Jonathan Keezing, original rock music for kids by the Pop Rockets, and a very special performance by local favorites, singer-songwriters Nerissa and Katryna Nields. This outstanding free performance series would not be possible with the support of the Amherst Cultural Council and the Friends of the Jones Library System. Children's theater, magic shows, Harry Potter Camp and more - Town Libraries made learning a year-round, fun experience.
English as a Second Language Center Supports Success
Eighty ESL Center students and their volunteer tutors tackled language and literacy problems in order to meet personal goals. The story of ESL student Hang Lim was featured in the February 6, 2008 issue of the Daily Hampshire Gazette. Unable to read or write when she arrived in Amherst from a remote village in Cambodia, Hang Lim was a single working mother with six children. Through her own diligent effort and support from her tutor and the Library's ESL Center Coordinator, Hang Lim became literate in English. In 2008 she celebrated reaching her goal of becoming a U.S. Citizen. This remarkable story, years in the making, is living proof of the power of learning at the library.
Learning From the Past
Researchers explored the history of Amherst by using unique materials in the Jones Library Special Collections Department. For example, youngsters from Mark's Meadow School and the Smith College campus school were introduced to Amherst history. Groups of college students from Amherst College, Kean College, Lee University, and the University of Michigan spent time studying poets Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost. Seniors expanded their knowledge of New England literature in a seminar sponsored by Elder Hostel.
Special Collections accepted the papers of the Garden Club of Amherst back to 1915 as well as the records of Amherst's Fiber Arts Center which ceased operations last year. Nineteenth century editions of text books used at Amherst Academy were acquired for the Clifton Johnson Collection for use by Emily Dickinson scholars. The Robert Francis Trust donated publications, awards, and personal items owned by the Amherst poet. Dorothy Ives donated three manuscript collections of South Amherst memories. Dozens of wonderful donors helped to preserve Amherst history by bringing in rare photographs, architectural drawings, and historical publications.
If public taxes paid 75% of Library expenses, where did the rest come from?
- Who sponsored most of the Libraries' free educational and cultural events? The Friends of the Jones Library System! The Friends hosted the 13th Annual Library Legislative Breakfast at Jones Library. State Senator Stanley Rosenberg and State Representatives Ellen Story, John Scibak and Stephen Kulik discussed state funding for library services with a room full of library supporters. Proceeds from Friends memberships, the Book and Chocolate Basket auction, and the Annual "Best of Books" Book Sale -- all go to sponsor the Summer Reading Clubs, new library equipment, museum discount passes, and public outreach. The "Beds for Books" hospitality program exchanged overnight accommodations in local homes for donations of $7,430 to purchase new library books.
- The Annual Fund Drive raised $58,078.45 which will be used to purchase new library materials and to keep the Jones Library open on Monday afternoons in FY 2009. In particular, the Library wishes to thank the Xeric Foundation, Jeannine Atkins and Peter Laird and the anonymous donor of a challenge grant handled by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. In addition, the Town Libraries appreciate the very generous support of Mary Ellen Barden, Mary Catherine Phinney, A.M. Treston, Charles Johnson, Robert Winne and Patricia Holland, and George and Ann Levinger for their major gifts, and we applaud all 690 donors to this year's fund drive.
- North Amherst Library thanks the Harp Irish Pub for their financial support.
- ACTV donated DVD recording equipment to update VHS tapes in Special Collections.
- Realtors from Jones Town and Country Realtors sponsored programs for children.
- The ESL Center received grant support from the Amherst Club, the Cherwatti Foundation, and the Amherst Woman's Club.
- The Library Trustees gratefully accepted bequests from Thelma J. Isaacs to support Jones Library and Munson Memorial Library and from George E. Nichols, III, to help with cataloging expenses. Library Memorial Funds honored William L. Holland, a long time supporter of the North Amherst Library, and Dr. Vera Joseph Peterson, who served as a Library Trustee, 1975-1987.
Numbers
Endowment Balances: Vanguard Group Asset Management Services reports the market value of the Jones Library Inc. Endowment Fund as $8,448,423 as of June 30, 2008.
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