Board
of Library Trustees Annual Report
This
may sound like a giant Thank You card and it should be!
Thank
You Voters!
Thank
you Town Voters, Selectmen and Town Manager for supporting our vision of
harboring a Town treasure, the Rose Dorothea, preserving a historic
landmark, the Center Street building know as the Heritage Museum, and allowing
us the space we truly need in supporting your needs through the Library. By a favorable vote at the last Town
Meeting, you secured the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Building
Grant Fund by guaranteeing the needed local funding – Thank You.
You
guaranteed funding through taxes as needed, but more importantly, you’ve shown
your support through volunteering your services, through your pledges, and
through your donations for this project.
Thank You All!
There
are many volunteers who are working quietly to make this Project a
reality. Reporting directly to the
Trustees is the Capital Building Campaign Committee chaired by Trustee Marcia
Fair and co-chaired by Margaret Bergman, along with a cadre of super-active
members: Gerry Brennan, Gail Enos, Sandy Fay, Roberta Lasley, Carol MacDonald,
Arthur Pike and Nancy Sirvent, with Library Director Debra DeJonker-Berry,
ex-officio.
At the close of 2002, the Committee reported to the Trustees and the Board of Selectmen that it had raised a total of $428,000 in cash gifts and pledges toward the $1.1 million goal. Thanks to the generosity of the 811 individuals who have given gifts over the year ranging from $21,500 to $10, the Campaign continues to progress well in these very tough economic times; 87 of these gifts were given in memory or honor of a friend or loved one.
Most exciting of all is that not only are Provincetown year-round residents supporting this Project wholeheartedly, but 50 percent of the gifts have come from individuals in 29 states and the District of Columbia. From Alaska south to California, New Mexico and Texas; west to Florida and sweeping north along the Atlantic seaboard and mid west to Maine, there has been an outpouring of interest and support that is surely representative of the constituency that we boast of as Library friends and aficionados. To all we send a resounding “thanks”!
Several special events in 2002 helped boost the Campaign’s bottom line: 1) a February Surf Club Entertainment Evening, thanks to Gail and Lenny Enos; 2) an outstanding musical evening offered by Donna Roll’s OperaFest in July arranged by Anita Berman; 3) a glorious Open House hosted by Dan Mullin in late July arranged by Arthur Pike and Margaret Bergman, where guests mingled out-of-doors on the water and indoors to enjoy Dan’s extensive art collection; and 4) an August Reception for 130 guests at the Packard Gallery managed by Leslie Packard and arranged by Marcia Fair, and hosted by Artist Anne Packard who generously gave one of her exceptionally brilliant paintings as a Silent Auction piece. It was at the latter event that our architects – Perry Dean Rogers|Partners of Boston – greeted guests and unveiled the first schematic designs for the New Library.
Special thanks are due the Supporters of the Provincetown Public Library led by Robin Reid, Stephan Nofield and Sandy Fay, who have provided for the entire administrative costs for the Campaign through their sales of baked goods, t-shirts and sweat shirts, and holiday cards. Our Campaign costs average only $788 per month – an extraordinarily low figure by any measure, assuring donors that every dollar given to the Campaign goes directly to the Building Project. This is only possible because the entire Campaign is ‘womanned and manned’ by volunteers working directly with the Library Director.
Finally, we must credit the extraordinary work that the Library Campaign volunteers have accomplished, assisting at special events and helping with the extensive mailings. Besides those mentioned above, they include Lina Berry, Lee Brenner – a leader of the Friends of the Library, Lee Ciliberto, Jennifer Germack, Joyce Guide, C.J. Noyes, Marie Pitman, Meg Stewart, Valerie Walker, and Maureen Wilson. In addition, pro-bono graphics and artwork were expertly provided by Sally Brophy and Elaine Quinn, and flowers by Maghi Geary.
Architectural Interview Team
In
late May, an Interview Team comprised of Library Trustees James Cole, Marcia
Fair, and Arthur Pike; Building Committee members Regina Binder and Joyce
Guide; William Ingraham representing the public; and Library Director Debra
DeJonker-Berry, met to interview four architectural firms for the Library
Building Project. At the end of the
day, the group selected the 79-year old Boston firm of Perry Dean
Rogers|Partners as best suited to the Project.
With their vision, we are utilizing all spaces available to their best
advantage as well as staying within budget.
This vision has met the standards set by the Massachusetts Board of
Library Commissioners and has won their approval.
Kudos
for DPW and Town Clerk
Special
thanks must be given to Stephan Nofield who worked tireless with the Department
of Public Works, Sandy Turner, David Guertin and their Staff, in relocating
artifacts and treasures of the Heritage Museum Collection. When all valuables were secured, the
building was cleared of debris, and selective demolition was begun.
Our
Exceptional Staff
Thanks
must be given 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 the
support and funding of everyday “wishes.” Thanks to the Supporters of the
Library. Without their hard work and
support this building program would have been impossible.
Lastly,
a very special thanks to Marcia Fair and Debra DeJonker-Berry. They have worked daily on this project,
overseeing every minute detail – they have kept this project on course and on
the timeline. Thanks.
We
look forward to the groundbreaking. See
you there? Thanks everyone.
Respectfully
submitted,
James
D. Cole, Chair