Annual Report FY2010

Annual Report

Amherst Libraries showed their community spirit in FY2010.

Library friends proudly displayed library banners in the Town's 250th Anniversary Parade in September, 2009. Organized by Friends of the Jones Library System volunteers, the library troupe gave children a special way to become part of our Town's history.

On October 24, 2009, Amherst's unique association with American poet Robert Frost received national recognition when the Jones Library was placed on the national Literary Landmark Register. In a series of events marking this special occasion, Amherst College Professor and Frost biographer William Pritchard spoke eloquently on "Frost's Mischievous Grip." Scholars of Frost's work met for a research symposium at Jones Library and, with members of the Charles Green family, enjoyed a talk by Dr. Jack Hagstrom on the early days of the Frost Collection, created by Librarian Charles Green. Frost's granddaughter Leslie Francis unveiled the handsome bronze Literary Landmark plaque, accompanied by State Senator Stanley Rosenberg; Select Board chair Stephanie O'Keefe; Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce Director Tony Maroulis; and library officials. Frost's poetry came alive with a performance by the Young People's Readers Theater.

Amherst joined libraries and schools in Pelham, Leverett, and Shutesbury for a "Community Read" of Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. 1,000 copies of the story of Mortenson's efforts to bring educational opportunity to the people of Pakistan were distributed throughout the four communities. Readers learned more about this remote region through introductions to Pakistani food and culture, documentary films and slide shows, music and dance performances, and lectures by international educators such as Dr. Paula Green from the Karuna Center for Peace Building.

Awards and Grants

American Library Association Office for Information Technology Policy selected Jones Library's local history website Digital Amherst as one of three outstanding examples of cutting-edge technology nationwide.

The History Channel awarded $1,000 to the Special Collections as a second place winner in their national library outreach contest "America The Story of Us" for the online exhibit website "Clifton Johnson: Chronicler of African Americans in the Early 20th Century South" .

Amherst received two LSTA grants. $5,000 was awarded for Spanish language outreach to improve library services to the growing Latino community in Amherst, and $12,500 was awarded to establish "English Conversation Circles". In year 2 of the grant, the number of volunteer led circles at the library grew from three to four, and English language students reported growth in vocabulary, more confidence in speaking, and a better understanding of American culture.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded $11,700 to update computers, printers, and promote information technology at North Amherst and Munson branch libraries.

Community Partnerships

Librarians worked with many groups in the community to present educational and cultural events.

• The jubilat/Jones poetry series was sponsored by the Friends of the Jones Library and the Amherst Cultural Council and was organized by graduate students from the University of Massachusetts.
• Bike Week offered a series of films on the value of cycling and a Bike Show of new and adaptive bikes on the Jones Library lawn, as part of "Baystate Bike Commute Week."
• For National Poetry Week, Jones Library and the Emily Dickinson Museum co-sponsored "Celebrating Emily Dickinson's Words", a series of workshops, walking tours, and a talk with poet Marilyn Nelson at the library.
• Mohawk Trail Concerts presented opportunities to "Meet the Composer" and hear about the creative process from Robert Stern and Gabriela Lena Frank.
• Amherst Cultural Council and the Friends of the Jones Library funded five free children's music concerts starring professional performers such as Nerissa and Katryna Nields and Markamusic.
• Summer Reading Clubs at Jones and Munson Libraries prepared special activities to support Crocker Farm School's focus on The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White.
• Jones Library continued to promote reading to second grade classes at all Amherst elementary schools. Field trips were funded by the Amherst schools, and the Friends of the Jones Library sponsored free books and snacks for each student.

Budget Impact

Budget cuts meant changes for the Amherst Town Libraries in Fiscal Year 2010. One third of all orders for new books, magazines, movies and audio recordings had to be cancelled. Over sixty magazine subscriptions were dropped. Public service and technical support staff were laid off to save $43,000, resulting in fewer staff available to help library users and the suspension of computer classes. Jones Library was unable to open on Friday afternoons for three months. Thanks to private donations raised by the Trustees and The Harp Restaurant, the library rehired staff in October and reopened on Friday afternoons.

Amherst voters approved an override of Proposition 2½ in March 2010, allocating an additional $89,000 for Town Libraries for next fiscal year. The Daily Hampshire Gazette called the vote "a smart bargain" which will repay taxpayers in frees books, DVDs and CDs.

Donor Generosity

Fiscal Year 2010 was a record-setting year for private giving to the Libraries. Extraordinary bequests from Nathalie F.S. Woodbury and Richard B. Woodbury will enable the Friends of the Jones Library to expand their activities. The Woodburys designated their gift to the Jones Library, Inc. to be used "solely for the purposes of and as directed by the Friends of the Jones Library." A joint committee of Trustees and Friends discussed the many worthy projects that could benefit our community.

Donors to the Library's Annual Fund drive contributed $70,922 for new books and AV materials, an increase of 33% over the previous year. Sabina Cournoyer, Kenneth Brownell, Margarita Shannon, Arthur and Elaine Mange, Lucy Wilson Benson, and Patricia Holland made leadership gifts to the fund drive.

The Friends of the Jones Library System donated $27,162 to sponsor free public programs, such as Mystery Desserts (a panel of mystery writers), Sing with your Baby (sing-along programs for pre-schoolers), and purchase of new books and audio books.

The estate of Phyllis B. Joyce named the Jones Library as a charitable beneficiary. Over $21,000 will be invested to purchase new library books in the future. Memorial contributions were gratefully received from the family and friends of former Trustee John L. Roberts, Margaret (Peggy) Gage, Dr. Ray Wyman, Edith Levine, and Carol J. Fuller.

Amherst's 250th Anniversary Committee donated $20,000 to the Special Collections department, in appreciation for all their help with the Town's commemorations.

Library users told us:
"I use the Jones more than I ever have before."
"I take my youngest almost every week to the Jones Library! He just loves it!"
"I cherish the interlibrary loan services, and the help I get finding the books I want."

Numbers

As of June 30, 2010, New England Capital, the Library's investment advisors, reported the market value of the Jones Library, Inc. endowment at $7,278,049 and the Woodbury Gift at $434,106.

Library Checkouts FY 2010 TOTAL 522,450 Jones Library 411,300 Munson Memorial 42,700 North Amherst Library 35,031 Sent to other libraries for checkout 33,419

Amherst Residents with C/W MARS cards as of June 30, 2010 TOTAL 18,947 Adults 16,120 Children, 4 to 13 yrs. 1,907 Young Adults, 12 to 17 yrs. 920 New Borrowers registered in FY2010 1,796

Cataloged Collections Available June 30, 2010 Books 210,845 Audio & Video Items 25,516 Electronic & Other Materials 929 Online AV - OverDrive 2,784 Purchased in FY 2010 (down 15%) 7,012 Donations added (up 18%) 1,290 Withdrawn in FY 2009 5,122	Research Assistance (Telephone, in-person, & email) TOTAL 42,926 Jones-Adults 20,020 Jones - Kids 6,812 Special Collections 4,459 Branch Libraries 10,452 ESL Center 1,183
Events and Public Meetings FY2010 TOTAL 1,603 All library events for adults 85 All library events for kids 195 Public meetings and events 282 ESL Tutor meetings and circles 1,041	Computer Sign-ups FY 2010 TOTAL 44,231 Jones - Reference 39,846 Special Collections 201 Jones - Kids 1,494 Branch Libraries 2,693