Library Director’s 2003
Annual Report
Looking to the Future
In
June, the Town signed a construction contract with the firm of JK Scanlan Inc,
a Falmouth-based firm that is currently rebuilding the
*A quiet Reading Room on the First Floor
*New books and audiovisual materials easily accessible
on the First Floor
*Major book stacks for the Adult Fiction and
Non-fiction Collections with a Reference
and Technology Center located on the Lower Level
*Children’s Library, offering spaces for every age
group, that fully incorporates and
historically interprets the Rose Dorothea model
*An Arts and Literature Mezzanine with quiet spaces,
with fabulous
views of the Harbor
*An elevator, making the building fully accessible to
all
The
New Library should open in early 2005.
Team Effort
On
a daily basis, I marvel at the professionalism of the Town Staff who have
worked with Library Staff and with the Trustees on the New Library
Project. David Guertin and Sandy Turner
of the DPW Department offer years of professional experience, which have kept
the Library project moving forward. The
Building and Grounds Department, and especially our custodian Brian Cowing,
keep the Library safe and clean.
Treasurer John Fitzgerald sees that every penny of interest is squeezed
from the donations and grant funds available.
Gary Delius and the Staff of the MIS Department not only maintain the
Library’s 18 computers but provide a technical sounding board for thoughts and
ideas that result in greater computer access and services for the public. Town Manager Keith Bergman has presented the
Library with a sound plan to continue forward with the Library Project. Finally, I have had the great pleasure of
again working with Bill Ingraham, the Clerk of the Works of the Library Construction
Project. Bill monitors each step of the
Library Construction, ensuring that the Town’s interests are protected.
Library Services
With
the upgrade to the CLAMS software complete, Library Staff are working with an
increased volume of materials being received as a result of Provincetown
Library Patrons requesting materials on their own through the CLAMS Online
Catalog, www.clamsnet.org. Library Staff are now fully trained on the
software and, for the first time, are able to search for magazines as well as
books. In addition, Library Staff are
now regularly updating the Library’s web-site, www.ptownlib.com. Among the many features that Library Patrons
access are monthly lists of new books, DVD’s, CD’s and Videocassettes added to
the collection on the Recent Acquisitions Page, and photos of the New
Construction Site on the New Building/Project Album pages.
As a result of
Town funding, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grant, and donations by
community members, the Library now has 11 public access computers with
printers. In addition, many laptop users
visit the Library on a regular basis to take advantage of the Library’s
wireless network.
The Library Trustees,
Supporters and Friends
Maghi
Geary left the Board last May after serving 3 full terms. Her hard work,
generosity, and sense of humor are missed at meetings, but Maghi is always
there for the Library as a friend and volunteer.
My
appreciation for the dedication and effort that the Library Trustees contribute
to the Town on a regular basis is difficult to express. Jim Cole, Marcia Fair, Arthur Pike, Anita
Berman and Carol Noyes make serving the Town a pleasure. Besides monitoring Library policies and
representing the Library at functions at the local, regional and State level,
the Trustees have dedicated themselves to ensuring that the fundraising goal
for the New Library is met while fully participating in the planning of the new
Library and monitoring the daily progress at the Construction site.
Each
Trustee has adopted a role. Jim Cole
provides direction at meetings and is always a phone call away for advice and
support. Marcia Fair spearheads the
Capital Campaign. Because of her efforts
and those of the many volunteers serving on the Campaign Committee, the
Trustees are nearing the half-way mark of their fundraising goal. Trustee Carol “Cj” Noyes, has adopted
merchandising and is photographing and videotaping the Building Project for use
on the Library Web-site and for posterity.
Arthur Pike’s keen analytical mind helps us interpret and communicate
data. Of special note, last Summer,
Arthur Pike testified at the State House in support of Library funding. Anita Berman helps to promote Library
programs and services.
The
members of the Supporters of the Provincetown Public Library continue to
fund the expenses of the Capital Campaign, which means that every dollar
that is donated to the Building Fund goes directly towards the Library Building
Project. In addition to this
fundraising effort, this year, the Supporters have taken a leadership role in
helping to restore the exterior of the new Library by establishing a “Belfry
Restoration Fund.”
The
Friends of the Library are raising additional funds to help furnish the
Children’s Room of the New Library besides continuing to fund the Library’s
Children’s Programs and the Library’s “Wish List”.
I am gratified to be working with an exceptionally dedicated and professional Staff. Library Operations Director Karen MacDonald sees that Library patrons’ questions are answered, trains Library Staff, and enthusiastically works with community members on Library Programs and Services. Children’s Librarian Renee Gibbs-Brady works vigorously to anticipate the next request ensuring that the Library has already ordered a title before a patron requests it. Technical Assistant Elaine Quinn is responsible for every magazine that comes into the building, for those tax forms that we cannot live without, and for seeking out and training our volunteers.
There are three new faces on the Weekend Staff Roster. Andrew Aull and Nancy Sirvent have been hired as new On-Call Weekend Staff, and Martha Hyams now substitutes for Linda Schlecter and Marti Knapp for many Saturday Story Hours and also works on the Front Desk. All three add new energy, enthusiasm, experiences and perspectives to our dedicated Staff. As a result of these new hires, the Library is now open on Sundays year-round. Library hours are:
Sunday 1:00–5:00 Thursday Noon–8:00
Monday 10:00–5:00 Friday 10:00–5:00
Tuesday Noon–8:00 Saturday 10:00–2:00
Wednesday 10:00–8:00
I
wish to thank the Library Staff and Volunteers for continuing to see that
Library patrons' requests are fulfilled and that operations run smoothly. Library Staff continues to aggressively
search for material for Library Patrons throughout the country when
necessary. In fact, this year our
Library was one of the highest requesters for Inter-Library Loan services in
Southeastern Massachusetts.
The
Library’s Front Desk Staff and Volunteers – Andrew Aull, Lee Ciliberto, Martha
Hyams, Jean Jarrett, Carol MacDonald, Diana Maher, Cj Noyes, Nancy Sirvent,
Mary Smith, and Linton Watts –always
deserve recognition and thanks from the community for their hard work and
dedication. Gerry Brennan, and Wendy
Willard worked hard shelving all the material that was returned. We are indebted to the Council on Aging’s
Senior Tax Program for funding Gerry and Wendy’s hours. Volunteers Andrew Aull, David Carrino, Dean
Coddens, Kevin Aeh, Carol MacDonald, Gene Meredith, Paula Post, Bernard
Rolland, Nancy Sirvent and Pat White helped Library Staff shelve the 51,248
items borrowed by Library patrons this year.
Volunteer Pebo Bohannon again beautifully maintained the Library’s
gardens, and Cecilia Hall helped to keep our indoor plants healthy. In addition, Junior Volunteer Pages Patricia
Sendao and MacKenzie Kiefer enthusiastically helped keep the Children’s Room in
order.
Children’s
Librarian Renee Gibbs-Brady ran an extremely popular and successful Children’s
Program this year. Storyteller Linda
Schlecter helped run the “Zero to Three” Program at the Community Center (in
the off-season) and at St. Mary of the Harbor (in the Summer). We are grateful to these organizations for
their trust and generosity in lending us their space. The theme for this year’s Summer Reading
Program was “READ! THINK! CREATE!” Renee
and Diana Morton, the Summer Reading Program Assistant, planned a different
activity for every day of the week throughout the Summer. The hard work and generosity of the Friends
of the Library and their Book Sale Volunteers, and the generosity of the
members of the local business community makes these
series possible. In addition, last
Winter, Renee worked with the Fellows at the Fine Arts Work Center to offer a
very successful poetry series for Children.
In
order to maintain the current Library hours and services, and in response to
the many cuts to the State and Federal programs upon which the Library has
relied for supplemental operating revenue, the Library Trustees decided to
begin to charge Non-Massachusetts Residents who are not Provincetown
taxpayers a $25.00 annual fee for a Library card. The Library Trustees are also investigating
ways to recoup the printing expenses associated with public Internet use. In addition, all the CLAMS Libraries have
agreed to charge the same late fees and use the same borrowing periods, making
it easier for Library patrons to keep track of the material they borrow and to
make the calculation of late fees more efficient and fair.
Statistics
In 2003, residents borrowed 51,248 items. The Library’s collection contains 30,910 volumes. The Library borrowed 6,586 items to satisfy the needs of patrons for material our Library does not own and loaned 6,812 volumes of materials to other Libraries for use by patrons in other communities. Each one of these statistics represents work performed by Library Staff and Volunteers ranging from finding the material for the patrons (both within our walls and beyond), preparing the item for loan and delivery, checking the items out and back in, and re-shelving the materials when returned.
This Fall, Library Staff conducted a patron survey. Patrons indicated appreciation for the Library’s new DVD collection; appreciation for the quantity and distribution of Library Hours; and an expressed interest in programming on Genealogy, Local History and Computer skills. Library Staff will work this year to address those needs.
This
year, the Library received $24,174 in
grants and gifts. These funds include
$3,450 as part of a three-year Operational Support grant from the Massachusetts
Cultural Council; $7,873 from the Massachusetts Family Network for the “Birth
to Three” Program for Children and their Families; and $10,000 from the
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for a grant for Children’s
programs and materials entitled “Mother Goose Asks ‘Why?’” Library patrons also
contributed $3,996 to Library fines and $400 to the Gift Fund.
The Larger World
Today’s
Libraries must keep a watchful eye on federal legislation and judicial
decisions. This summer, the American
Library Association lost its battle at the U.S. Supreme Court level with the
Federal Government over the Children’s Internet Protection Act, CIPA. In response, the Library Trustees adopted a
policy not to filter the Library’s public computers and rejecting
federal funding for computer technology.
In May, in response to the USA Patriot Act, the Library Trustees adopted
a set of policies and procedures for Library Staff to follow in the event that
the Library Staff are approached by a Federal Law Enforcement Agency.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Debra
DeJonker-Berry,
Library
Director
PHOTOS:
Vince
Bill
Ingraham (2)
Group
Photo, Groundbreaking
Interior
Shots?
King
Hiram’s Lodge Photo
Bill’s
Speech
CJ’s
poem
Group Photo
Construction Office
Board of Library Trustees 2003 Annual Report
The Dreams are Becoming a
Reality
Work
has begun in earnest on the Center Street Building soon to be known as the New
Provincetown Public Library. In early
June, an acceptable construction bid was received by the Falmouth firm of JK
Scanlan Inc. By mid-September, the
construction firm was on-site working closely with the Boston Architectural
firm of Perry Dean Rogers|Partners – in particular, architect Warren Van
Wees. In mid-November, groundbreaking
ceremonies were held and by years’ end the basement was excavated and a new
foundation almost in place.
Throughout
this construction phase, bi-weekly construction meetings are held on site to
identify problems, and to assure that the project remains on budget and moves
forward in a timely manner. In attendance at these meetings are Scanlan
representatives – Craig Gabri and Bruce Hanna, Architect Warren Van Wees, DPW
Director David Guertin, Library Director Debra DeJonker-Berry, Building
Committee Member Ellen Rousseau, Clerk of the Works Bill Ingraham, and two
Board of Library Trustee Members. We are
very fortunate to have Bill as our Clerk, for he is on the job daily overseeing
all operations and making on-the-spot decisions.
A Few Special Thanks
To
all the Trustees for their tireless energies and efforts in overseeing Library
policies and budgetary finances.
A
special thanks to Maghi Geary who left the Board after three terms.
The
Department of Public Works, David Guertin, Sandy Turner and their Staff for all
the prep demolition on the Center Street site.
The
friendly Staff and Volunteers of the Library who go out of their way to be
helpful and courteous.
The
Friends of the Library for their support and funding of everyday “Wishes” for
the Library.
The
Supporters of the Library for their continued financial fundings.
A
very special thanks to Marcia Fair and Debra DeJonker-Berry for their daily
work on this construction project, overseeing every minute detail.
Lastly,
to CJ Noyes, for her poem in honor of our new Library.
356 COMMERCIAL STREET (the Flagship)
by Carol Noyes Library Trustee
Written for and read at the Groundbreaking, November 13, 2003
They call you a construction site...
Though once you were consecrated
You will be whole again...
Born anew into the holy house of books
Sacred Space, for those who seek solitude
Communion Space, for those who share the love...
Of the written word
The record of history
Touch of fine paper
Weight of the bound bookword
Our children will be harboured by the “Rose Dorothea”
Beneath her sails they will enjoy storytimes
Some may learn to write
their first poems
Others will sailaway on the internet
We will sail on into the 21st century
in The Flagship
of the
Massachusetts Library System
With room to grow
Space to breathe
and
Light to find our way
Capital Building Campaign
The Trustees and members of
the Capital Campaign Committee along with community volunteers continued their
challenging pursuit of new donors and new funds for the Library Building
Fund.
Reporting directly to the
Trustees, the Campaign Committee is led by Trustee and Committee Chair Marcia
Fair and Vice Chair Nancy Sirvent, along with Trustee Arthur Pike, Supporter
representatives Sandy Fay and Carol MacDonald, and community representative
Gail Enos. In 2003, the Committee sadly
bade its last good-byes to Roberta Lasley, an inspiring ‘mover and shaker’ and
Library aficionado who passed away in October.
As 2003 drew to a close, the
Committee reported a total Building Fund cash balance of $465,912, with
outstanding pledges of $71,234, bringing the total to $537,146 toward the $1.1
million goal. At year end, records
indicate that 1,014 individuals had contributed to the Campaign since it was
launched in July, 2001, many having given multiple gifts over that time
period.
Contributions came from
supporters all over that United States – 31 states in all – spurring the
Campaign forward. This year, these
individuals with deep ties to Provincetown – some part-time residents and some
visitors – responded generously to the invitation to help see the Library
building reconstruction and renovation project through to completion.
Without exception, everyone
was energized as construction began in September, and during that period there
was a surge in giving. As work continues
and the Trustees seek funding to restore the belfry and complete the interior,
the Campaign Committee will be ‘on the hunt’ for new gifts.
It is with great appreciation
that the Committee extends its thanks to each and every donor to this wonderful
community effort to move the Library into one of the Town’s most historic
buildings. The reconstruction and
restoration of this beautiful 1860 building – a defining structure on our
skyline – will honor the thousands of residents who have invested their lives,
their goods and hard work in Provincetown over the years. And, transforming the former Center Methodist
Episcopal Church into our new Library only serves to confirm that the Library
remains the heartbeat of this community.
Volunteers continue to be the
mainstay of this Campaign, helping make the plethora of 2003 special events a
success – 1) “Razzle Dazzle Revue” produced by Melissa Becker in February at
the Surfside Club, courtesy of Gail and Lenny Enos; 2) YearRounders in March; 3)
“Raise the Roof” benefit produced by Gary Daniels at the Porchside Bar in May;
4) “Dinner and Music with Bobby Weatherbee” organized by John Twomey at his Pub
in May; 5) “Vintage Jewelry Sale I” in August; 6) “2nd Annual
Packard Gallery Reception” courtesy of Artist Anne Packard in September; 7)
“Vintage Jewelry Sale II” and 8) “Crone’s Luncheon” in October.
In addition, the Supporters
continued to underwrite Campaign expenses and volunteers handled the multitude
of administrative Campaign tasks, assuring that every contribution goes directly to building the new Library.
Besides the individuals
mentioned above, the volunteers who made it all possible include Laurie Allen,
Maria Andrews, Dana Berry, Lina Berry, Jane Bloom, Gerry Brennan, Lee Brenner –
a leader of the Friends of the Library, Beth Chapman, Lee Ciliberto, Jim Cole,
Laura Darsch, Ruby Druss, Bill Ingraham, Maghi Geary, Renee Gibbs-Brady; Joyce
Guide, Jean Jarrett, Tanya Leighton, Karen MacDonald, Sheila McGuinness, Bruce
Moidell, Cj Noyes, Anne Packard, Leslie Packard, Marie Pittman, Lucille Plante,
Paula Post, Barbara Prato, Laine Quinn, Robin Reid, Meg Stewart, Murray Wax,
Maureen Wilson, and Mike Wright. In
addition, pro-bono graphics were provided by Doug Allen, Sally Brophy and Laine
Quinn.
Respectfully Submitted,
James D. Cole
Chairman