Oct. 28, 2010
Fundraising is not a word most people like to hear, but to keep your local libraries operating, it’s a necessity. The annual fundraising campaign is ongoing at the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library to help offset the almost 30 percent decrease in funding from the state in the past two years.
Fundraising letters were sent out to over 12,000 patrons early this fall and so far, about $12,000 has been returned, said Dinah Shockey, director of Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library and the Blue Ridge Summit Free Library. Although the libraries are part of the Franklin County Library System, neither the Waynesboro or Blue Ridge Summit libraries benefit from the county’s fundraising campaigns.
Because of the budget cuts, the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library was forced to cut their hours and close on Mondays. “We hope to extend our hours and reopen on Mondays if we can build up our funding,” said Shockey.
Besides the thousands of books, DVDs, VHSs and books on tape, the internet computers are very popular. “We have many patrons who depend on the library for our internet computers to fill out resumes, job applications or just keep in touch with friends and relatives through email. It would really benefit our patrons to be able to extend our hours so they can utilize this service,” Shockey said.
Repairs and maintenance to the almost 200-year-old historic downtown facility also eats up a large portion of the budget, said Shockey.
To help with the on-going costs of both libraries and keep books and programs flowing, patrons are urged to contribute what they can to the once-a-year campaign, said Shockey.
Computer classes
Free computer classes are offered to patrons at the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library Thursday, Nov. 4. Computer Basics is from 9:30 to 11 a.m.; Internet Basics from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Social Networking from 1 to 2 p.m. To sign-up, stop by the library or call 717-762-3335.
Book clubs
Two books clubs that meet at the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library always welcome new members.
The Waynesboro College Club meets the second Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and the Bas Bleu Book Club, or Blue Stockings, meet the third Saturday of the month at 10 a.m.
Next meeting for the College Club is Nov. 18 as the library is closed Nov. 11 for Veterans Day. The Bas Bleu Club meets Nov. 20. Both clubs are currently reading “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson.
Children’s activities
Story time for preschool children meets every Wednesday at 10 a.m. There is a lap time for babies and toddlers every Friday at 10 a.m. The story times give both children and parents the opportunity to interact and network with each other and enjoy snacks!
Thanksgiving craft
Children ages three to 12 can sign-up for the Thanksgiving Scarecrow craft on Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. Snacks will be provided. Signup at the library or call for more information.
Delivery for shut-ins
If you know someone who can’t get out or is in a nursing home, the library offers free delivery service. Staff will pick out books the patron requests and the books are delivered free to the residence. For more information, call the library at 717-762-3335.
New books
New books available the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library include: “Obama’s Wars” by Bob Woodward, “Pinheads and Patriots” by Bill O’Reilly, “Bloody Crimes” by James L. Swanson, “Earth (The Book)” by Jon Stewart and others, “The Reversal” by Michael Connelly, “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest” by Stieg Larsson, “Don’t Blink” by James Patterson, “Painted Ladies” by Robert Parker, “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett, and “Legacy” by Danielle Steel.
A few new children’s and youth books are: “Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg” by Gail Levine, “Amelia Bedelia’s First Apple Pie” by Herman Parish, “Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise” by Kate DiCamillo, “Nini Lost and Found” by Anita Lobel, “Miss Brooks Loves Books” by Barbara Bollner, “Yuck” by James Stevenson, “Father of Rain” by Lily King, and Neil Sedaka’s “Waking Up is Hard to Do.”
Library closings
The busy holiday season is almost here and both the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library and the Blue Ridge Summit Free Library are scheduled to be closed some days to give the staff time to enjoy the holidays and help with budget constraints.
Both libraries will be closed the following days: Veterans Day Nov. 11.
Both libraries will also be closed for Thanksgiving, Nov. 25 thru Nov. 29, and for Christmas, Dec. 23 through 27.
Both libraries are closed December 31 thru Jan. 3.
For more information, call the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library at 717-762-3335 or stop by at 45 E. Main St., Waynesboro.
See you @ the library!
Library Staff
No comments:
Post a Comment