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Annual Report FY2010

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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.

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
TOTAL522,450
Jones Library411,300
Munson Memorial42,700
North Amherst Library35,031
Sent to other libraries for checkout33,419
Amherst Residents with C/W MARS cards as of June 30, 2010
TOTAL18,947
Adults16,120
Children, 4 to 13 yrs.1,907
Young Adults, 12 to 17 yrs.920
New Borrowers registered in FY20101,796
Cataloged Collections Available June 30, 2010
Books210,845
Audio & Video Items25,516
Electronic & Other Materials929
Online AV - OverDrive2,784
Purchased in FY 2010 (down 15%)7,012
Donations added (up 18%)1,290
Withdrawn in FY 20095,122
Research Assistance
(Telephone, in-person, & email)
TOTAL42,926
Jones-Adults20,020
Jones - Kids6,812
Special Collections4,459
Branch Libraries10,452
ESL Center1,183
Events and Public Meetings FY2010
TOTAL1,603
All library events for adults85
All library events for kids195
Public meetings and events282
ESL Tutor meetings and circles1,041
Computer Sign-ups
FY 2010
TOTAL44,231
Jones - Reference39,846
Special Collections201
Jones - Kids1,494
Branch Libraries2,693

This page last updated on January 4, 2011.