Tucker Free Library Annual Report 2007
NEW HOURS AT THE TUCKER FREE LIBRARY !
At the December meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Tucker Free Library it was decided to change the library hours of operation. The Board felt it was necessary to offer more consistent hours for the Henniker community. “Our current schedule was confusing for the patrons, especially the Wednesday evening hours and being closed on Thursday,” reported Terrance Simkin, chair of the Board of Trustees. “We are especially excited about the expanded evening hours, adding two extra hours to serve our commuting residents who are coming home later in the day,” said Simkin.
NEW HOURS OF THE TUCKER FREE LIBRARY
Monday Closed
Tuesday 10-8
Wednesday 10-8
Thursday 10-5
Friday 10-5
Saturday 10-1
Sunday Closed
The new hours took effect on February 1, 2008.
Numbers aren’t everything but they are something…
· This year the Tucker Free Library circulated 29,251 items (up from 27,301 in 2006). Circulation during the month of July was an all time high of 3482 (compared to 2599 last July.)
· 685 books were downloaded by Henniker residents through the NH State Library Downloadable Audiobook program.
· During the year 249 residents became NEW patrons of the Tucker Free Library; including four non-residents! This brings our total number of patrons to 2679 (56% of Henniker residents are library patrons).
· 1456 patrons took advantage of our free internet service, not including those who utilized our wireless internet service on their own laptops and other devices.
· Program attendance totaled 1714 for youth participants and 659 for adult attendees for a total of 2473 Henniker residents who enjoyed special programs at Tucker Free Library throughout the year.
· This year we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Summer Reading Program. The Tucker Free reading goal for Henniker kids was 2000 books over the summer of 2007. During the first four weeks of summer 148 kids had read 1087 books! (Last year, during the same four weeks period, 92 kids read 620 books). We achieved our goal of 2000 books for the summer of 2007 on August 20th!
It has been a busy year at Tucker Free…
· Several BUILDING improvements occurred this year. To prevent mold problems and to decrease the musty smell of the lower level an Energy Recovery Unit and new baseboard heating units were installed in the sub-basement level of the library. Two small heating units were also installed at the main floor circulation desk. To eliminate the use of a space heater and a window air conditioning unit, unused ductwork was re-routed from the back hallway to an interior office that houses our file server. These projects were funded by the Expendable Trust Fund for Building Maintenance.
· SUMMER READING PROGRAM
o Kick-off Party on the lawn of the library. D.J. Dave provided the entertainment free of charge, White Mountain Kettle Corn generously provided popcorn for all to eat, and Western Avenue Pizza even surprised us when they chipped in a bunch of pizzas for the hungry party goers!
o Marilyn Knapp lead of group of believers and built portable Fairie Houses.
o Librarian was found by Rosie the Search/Rescue dog.
o Harry Potter fans shared trivia, thoughts on the last book, and snacks.
o Weekly readers entertained a loyal audience.
o Local author Dan Whitney worked to develop the skills of young aspiring authors.
o Wildlife Adventures educated over 100 Henniker kids about animals. The Friends of the Tucker Free Library then served up ice cream on the front lawn!
· Henniker author Joe Hurka read from his book, Before.
· Betty Rood enchanted the residents of Henniker with atmosphere and ghost stories on Halloween night. For an hour she read progressively more frightening juvenile versions of scary tales, including the story of Ocean Born Mary and the “Tell Tale Heart.” She did this with grand style – a dark scary mask, intonations, and incantations that made everyone tingle with excitement - all pulled off in a darkened NH Room and performed by candlelight.
· A reception was held at the Tucker Free Library on October 24, 2007 to unveil a commemorative print that was designed to honor the forty years of service that the
Friends of the Tucker Free Library have given. This event was in recognition of the Friends and was celebrated during National Friends of the Library Week.
· The Walter K. Robinson Classics Collection was dedicated on Wednesday, November 14, 2007. Robinson, a Library Trustee until just before his death, made a significant donation to the library prior to his passing. The collection of more than 85 titles was created with Robinson’s donation and the additional money the library received in his memory. The Board of Trustees of the Tucker Free Library believed this to be a fitting tribute to a man whose life epitomized a quest for knowledge and love of books.
We couldn’t do it without the generous support of the community…
The Friends of the Tucker Free Library provide not only volunteer support at library programs but have made significant financial contributions for special projects. This support was possible because of the overwhelming success of their annual Bookfest, held on the Saturday morning of Columbus Day weekend. The New England College Athletic Department helped us again this year. Several teams gathered to quickly move boxes of books from the attic of the library to the Grange.
· The Friends of the Tucker Free Library fund all activities associated with the Summer Reading Program. This year that included t-shirts for staff, trustees, and friends. The group also pays for entertainment for the final program and this year served up an ice cream sundae for all who attended!
· The Friends of the Tucker Free Library have paid our annual subscription for our website, tuckerfreelibrary.org.
· Henniker residents downloaded 685 audio books offered through the NH State Library. This service, which costs $500, annually was paid for by the Friends of the Tucker Free Library.
· 387 children and 250 parents enjoyed the weekly PRE-SCHOOL ACTIVITY program funded by the Friends of the Tucker Free Library. This program was developed and administered by the staff of the Tucker Free Library.
The current officers of the Friends group include Janine Bates, Marilyn Borgendale, Mary Corsetti, Laurie Goldberg, and Marilyn Knapp. We are appreciative of their continued dedication, support, and service.
The Board of Trustees and the staff of the Tucker Free Library are especially appreciative of all the assistance the Town of Henniker provides. Special thanks to the crew of the Transfer Station, the Parks Department, and the Highway Department for all the ways they help us throughout the year.
The Trustees of the Tucker Free Library accepted monetary donations from (in order of donations received):
· Trustees of the Tucker Free Library to honor Wayne Colby
· Katherine Patenaude in memory of Dot Bergh
· Katherine Patenaude in memory of Marilyn Savage
· Andrew Nemicolo for Mary F. Kjellman Fund
· Alicia MacLeay for Mary F. Kjellman Fund
· Lois Fitch for Robert N. Fitch Fund
· Takeda Pharmaceuticals matching funds on behalf of Andrew Nemicolo (Mary F. Kjellman Fund)
· Laurie Radar in memory of George Parmenter
· Walter Robinson for books
· Jim & Marilyn Knapp-Broas to honor Hannah Knapp-Broas
· Phil & Donna Richardson for audiobooks
· Gary & Melinda McGrath in memory of Walter Robinson
· Jody Whelton for general materials
· Katherine Patenaude in memory of Alice Patenaude
· Mary Catherine Jones for general materials
· Gary & Melinda McGrath in memory of Walter Robinson
· Trustees of the Tucker Free Library in memory of Walter Robinson
· Rhonda Frisch-Cooper for general materials
· Martha Nemicolo for Mary F. Kjellman Fund
· Carolyn Patenaude for Robert N. Fitch Fund
· Robert & Marjorie Elinor in memory of Walter Robinson
· Lynnea Koester & Family for general materials
· Judy Englander for general materials
Proceeds from long established funds continue to greatly benefit the operation of the library and also allow the purchase of equipment, books, and other media in specific categories. These funds include:
· Marjorie B. Bennett Fund
· Scott J. Berry Fund
· Anna L. Childs Fund
· D&W and E.L. Cogswell Fund
· L.A. Cogswell Fund
· Willis Cogswell Fund
· Alice Colby Fund
· James W. Doon Fund
· Robert N. Fitch Fund
· Francis O. Holmes Fund
· A.D. Huntoon Fund
· Mary F. Kjellman Fund
· Henry Preston Fund
· George W. Tucker Fund
The library not only appreciates the financial gains from these bequests, but also the honor of having the memories of past members of the Henniker community perpetuated at the Tucker Free Library.
All activities and projects at the Tucker Free Library are possible because of the support of the taxpayers of Henniker, volunteers, and special contributions.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Trustees of the Tucker Free Library by,
Lynn M. Piotrowicz, M.A., M.L.S.
Director
TUCKER FREE LIBRARY
CIRCULATION 2007 29,251
Downloadable Audiobook Circulation 685
ILL Requests made of Tucker Free Library 414
ILLRequests made for Tucker Free Library 495
TOTAL CIRCULATION 30,845
Registered Patrons 2679
New Patrons 2007 249
Non-Resident Patrons 4
CIRCULATION BREAKDOWN BY PATRON TYPE
PATRON TYPE #PATRON/TYPE CIRCULATION
1 Year Resident 100 784
Adult Resident 1637 21556
Juvenile Residents 828 4301
NEC Students 71 399
Non-Residents 12 187
Provisional 14 47
Staff 9 1345
Home Delivery 3 302
Internet Useage 1456
Program Attendance 2473
Summer Reading Club Participants 148
Summer Reading Club ˝ Way Mark 1087
Summer Reading Club Goal Achieved 8/20/07 2000
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