Annual Report
Amherst's Meeting Place for Education and Cultural PursuitsHas technology made libraries obsolete?
The facts show that libraries are providing more community services, not less. Over the past decade, the Amherst Town Libraries have experienced significant growth, especially in demand for audio and video titles and in requests for professional information assistance.
Libraries run on technology, producing a greater variety of services than ever before. Public computers and wireless Internet service are used over 1,000 times each week, plus people can use wireless service outside in the gardens after closing. Adult learners sign up for classes to develop their computer skills; sixty-four classes were given in FY 2007. Borrowers reserve books online any time, day or night, to be picked up at the most convenient branch location. Audio books come in download and MP3s, audio tape, and CD versions. Scholars across the country search online, then come to Amherst to study the rare materials they found using the Library's website. Reference resources can be searched by entrepreneurs, teachers, and students from home or office computers, greatly expanding the reach of the Reference Room.
| FY1997 | FY2007 | % Change | |
| Checkouts - Total | 507,640 | 560,189 | +10.3% |
| Reference & Information Services - Total | 34,175 | 41,694 | +22% |
| Amherst Population (MA Dept. of Rev. est.) | 35,468 | 34,047 | -4% |
Even though the hours of library service have declined over the past ten years, access to print and audiovisual titles has expanded because of library computer networks. Interlibrary lending can be set in motion automatically, supported by a fast, free, state-funded delivery system. Every day the delivery truck brings requested materials from all over the state. For example, one day the bins included DVD movies from Chicopee and South Hadley, antiques guides from Vineyard Haven, and research material from Salem State College for use in Amherst. In ten years delivery traffic has grown from 2,999 a year to 42,778 items via interlibrary loan (+ 1,331%).
Libraries Connect People with Books, Authors and Local Artists
Julius Lester entranced fans of mythology in a reading from Cupid, his retelling of the romance between Cupid and Psyche spiced with a southern flavor. Debby Applegate, the 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner for biography, revealed the secrets of her research for The Most Famous Man in America: the Biography of Henry Ward Beecher. Cammie McGovern, author of Eye Contact, spoke about the world of autism. Gale McClung recalled the challenges of World War II in At War and at Home: One Family's World War II Correspondence, edited by Gale and Robert McClung. Twelve poets came from around the country to share their work at six readings in the jubilat/Jones poetry series. Mystery author Archer Mayor returned to read from his latest detective novel The Second Mouse. R. Todd Fenton introduced his travel book A Journey Into the Transcendentalists' New England, and Catherine Sanderson addressed parents' concerns in Slow and Steady Parenting: Active Child-Raising for the Long Haul.
Free coffee and birthday cake were offered to everyone on "Jonesday," September 11, the 170th anniversary of the birthday of the Library's founder Samuel Minot Jones. "Mr. Jones" was on hand to greet visitors and draw the winning raffle tickets for door prizes.
Twenty-nine local artists connected with audiences in new shows every month at the Burnett Gallery. As part of Amherst's festive Art Walk downtown, the Gallery Committee hosted refreshments and a drawing for free artwork at each opening.
Permanent residents seeking citizenship instruction and English language literacy training found a ready resource in the volunteer tutors of the English as a Second Language Center. This unique program offers flexible scheduling and instruction targeted at the individual needs of its 80 students. The Center's citizenship success rate is 100%.
The Children's Library is Alive!
Children learned about books, animals, bugs, owls, and bats at the Library. The Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society brought friendly animals for story time, and twelve hands-on science workshops encouraged youngsters to explore insect life and to make homes for toads, owls and other beneficial backyard creatures. Two hundred and seventy youngsters joined the fun in Summer Reading Clubs at Jones, North Amherst and Munson Libraries. Weekly story time, lap time for little ones, "Sing with your Baby" programs, and book club discussions developed reading skills. Chess Clubs and craft programs gave children opportunities to learn new thinking skills. Nerissa and Katryna Nields gave an outstanding performance of music from their latest CD during the annual Children's Music Series. Children in the Theater Workshop produced a musical performance of "Thor's Hammer and Freya's Necklace," based on a Norse folk tale. Teens were attracted to an Anime movie club and an X-Box Challenge, where teens competed in video games.
What's New in Local History
The photo archives in Special Collections continue to be in high demand. For example, local historian Ed Wilfert mounted an excellent photo history exhibit in the Library's atrium documenting the development of the Gray Street neighborhood. Quabbin photographs and construction documentation from the Special Collections were featured in the "Quabbin Reflections" exhibit at Mt. Holyoke College.
Users of "Heritage Quest" and "Ancestry Online" pursued genealogy research online. Over 2,000 visitors every month use the research information on poets Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson on the Library's web pages, plus 200 more view the historical images available online. Substantial additions were donated to the collections on poet Robert Francis, and the Library accepted Pat Schneider's archive of published works, honoring her achievements and the work of Amherst Writers and Artists. Amherst College donated copies of the Amherst Bulletin from 1997 to 2005 on microfilm for the archives. The long awaited fine arts inventory project was launched, staffed by an intern from the University of Massachusetts.
Public Programs Depend on Private Contributors
- 149 volunteers donated more than 15,900 hours of work. Library services couldn't keep going without their help.
- The Annual Fund Drive topped $45,000 for the first time! Two benefit events in cooperation with Mohawk Trail Concerts and the Ha Ha Sisterhood comedy improv group put extra fun into this year's Fund Drive. Many, many thanks to the 650 contributors who made it possible to buy new books for the libraries.
- The fabulous Friends of the Jones Library System sponsored most of the Library's literary and educational events. Friends enjoyed putting on the Books, Baskets and Chocolates Auction, the "Best of the Books" Book Sale, and, new this year, an auction of Bird Houses inspired by books from Harry Potter to Emily Dickinson. Friends' memberships and events raised $40,245 to support the Town Libraries.
- The extended family of Clifton Johnson raised $12,000 to protect, preserve, and promote the works of this unique local author, illustrator, artist, photographer, and editor.
- Private donations once again funded one afternoon of public service at the North Amherst and Munson branch libraries. The Library sincerely thanks all donors for making it possible to keep these special places open for everyone to use.
- Fund raising for the English as a Second Language program became a critical need in order to keep the center fully staffed next year. The Library is very grateful for the generous financial support of private contributors, local restaurants, Wal-Mart, Amherst College, a very generous anonymous donor, and the Patrick-Murray Inaugural Committee.
- The Emily Dickinson Collection received a very generous donation in memory of Kate Gilbert Hanke, one of the founders of the Friends of the Library. This gift was from Tamim A. and Susan Hanke Abouhalkah. The Dickinson Collection also received financial support from the Emily Dickinson International Society.
- Memorial Donations from family and friends honored Robert McClung, author, trustee emeritus and good friend of the Library; political activist Ken Mosakowski, Barbara Anderson, and Joseph Hopkins who served as Massachusetts Library Commissioner from Amherst.
Numbers
Endowment Balances: Vanguard Group Asset Management Services reports the market value of the Jones Library Inc. Endowment Fund as $9,042,944 as of June 30, 2007.
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