What a wonderful year this has been for the Library and its Trustees. Our efforts have been both challenging and rewarding. Circulation statistics and support for the Library have exceeded our wildest dreams.

In January 2001, after many months of hard work by Library Director Debbie DeJonker-Berry and Trustee Marcia Fair, and with the Support of the Selectmen, a Building Grant Application was presented to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners requesting $1,878,456. The State deadline for this grant was January 17, 2001, with final decisions announced on June 7, 2001.

After many years of indecision as to the disposition of the Town-owned historical Heritage Museum building and after an architectural building study by Tappé Associates, which was paid for by the Supporters of the Library, the Trustees decided to place a warrant on Town meeting requesting custody of the Center Street building as the future home of the Library.

In later Winter and early Spring of 2001, tours of both the Library building and the Heritage Museum building at Center Street were given weekly. Interested citizens could visualize the inadequate current facility as well as the future spacious areas of the Center Street building. An educated public at April Town Meeting resoundingly supported the Trustees’ vision and request. Our thanks to you, Provincetown Voters.

On June 7, 2001, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners announced that Provincetown was one of 10 libraries in the State to be awarded funding immediately. Our request for $1.878 million was fulfilled. Needless to say, we were ecstatic!

By later Summer-early Fall, a Provincetown Public Library Building Project Campaign began. The Trustees are currently working feverishly to raise our private match of $1.072 million in pledges and cash by June 1, 2002.

The preservation and revitalization of the Center Street building rests solely on raising the $1.072 million private match. Have you made you contribution or pledge yet? State and Local funding of ¾ of this Project are completed. Let’s not let this wonderful opportunity slip through our fingers.

A huge thanks to Trustee Arthur Pike and his Committee for providing a new 5-Year Long-Range Plan for the Library, as mandated by the State. Many hours of hard work and foresight were given by this volunteer group. It included Christine Frisco, Sandy Fay, Joan Siegfried, John Thomas and Debra DeJonker-Berry.

Another volunteer group that receives nothing but praise is Trustee Marcia Fair’s Capital Campaign Committee. This hard-working group has formalized and oversees the whole Capital Campaign Project. Committee members include, Co-Chair Margaret Bergman, Gail Enos, Sandy Fay, Roberta Lasley, Carol MacDonald, and Arthur Pike, with Debra DeJonker-Berry ex-officio. Great Job. Thanks.

The Trustees said many goodbyes to old friends this year. Lu Hetlyn, Assistant Library Director, retired in late Spring; Trustee Bonnie Steele-McGhee left our group in early Summer; and the death of former Trustee Mary Lewis left us saddened by her loss.

In turn, the Trustees said many hello’s and welcomes. Karen MacDonald was hired to replace Lu Hetlyn; Mary Smith became a Senior Aide; and Maghi Geary was appointed by the Selectmen to replace Trustee Bonnie Steele-McGhee. Welcome!

Special thanks, as well, to the friendly staff and volunteers of the Library who go out of their way to be helpful and to make every day a pleasant one. Thanks to the Friends of the Library for their support and funding of everyday “wishes.” Thanks is almost inadequate when speaking of the Supporters of the Library; without their hard work and support our building program would have been impossible.

We all dream of Opening Day at the Center Street location.

Thanks to all of you.

Respectfully Submitted,

James D. Cole

Chair, Board of Library Trustees