The Trustees and staff of Forbes Library are grateful to the voters of Northampton who passed the override. The library will still have to make cuts in services for FY10 because of reductions in the library’s income, but because of funds from the override, those cuts will be much less severe.
Because of reduced income from the city appropriation and state aid, the library will spend less for books, DVDs and library supplies. The only reduction in hours will be that the library will close on Saturdays this summer from July 4th through September 5th. The library will resume its current hours after Labor Day. We are sorry to inconvenience any of our patrons because we know how important library services are to Northampton, especially in tough economic times. Our usage has increased by 20% since July 2008! We are hoping the economy will improve in the next couple of years, so Forbes can resume summer Saturdays and ideally increase hours in the future.
Funds from the override have also enabled Forbes to keep its state certification which entitles the library to state aid, grant eligibility and, most importantly, interlibrary loan privileges. Without certification, residents of Northampton could not request books and videos from other libraries through interlibrary loan. We could not even go to another library and check out materials. Without certification, Northampton would become isolated from the whole library consortium. Because of the override, Forbes will also be able to keep the Hampshire Room for Local History and the Calvin Coolidge Museum open for limited hours each week. We are relieved that we won’t have to turn away historians and genealogists. Our collections are essential to many people’s research.
Starting July 4th, Forbes will be open from 9:00 to 9:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 1:00 to 5:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 9:00 to 5:00 on Fridays. The library will be closed Saturdays and Sundays until Labor Day.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The Override Passed
The override passed. That means Forbes gets $52,000 more in our FY10 budget!
I am working on a “best case scenario” budget now to present to the library's Trustees next week. It is only a best case scenario, because I am assuming that Forbes will get about $45,000 in state aid (which still is under discussion at the State House) and I am assuming that the city will be able to give Forbes the full amount budgeted (but that depends on how much the state gives in Aid to Cities and Towns, which is still under discussion at the State House).
Anyway, the “best case scenario” does not seem too bad compared to the “worst case scenario”. The library will be cutting supply purchases, material purchases, and some staff hours. There will most likely be some cuts in hours open, but not too much, I hope.
I am working on a “best case scenario” budget now to present to the library's Trustees next week. It is only a best case scenario, because I am assuming that Forbes will get about $45,000 in state aid (which still is under discussion at the State House) and I am assuming that the city will be able to give Forbes the full amount budgeted (but that depends on how much the state gives in Aid to Cities and Towns, which is still under discussion at the State House).
Anyway, the “best case scenario” does not seem too bad compared to the “worst case scenario”. The library will be cutting supply purchases, material purchases, and some staff hours. There will most likely be some cuts in hours open, but not too much, I hope.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Trustee Opening & Great News
There will be an opening on the Forbes Library Board of Trustees. The election will be held in November 2009 and the position will begin January 2010. Contact me at the library for more information.
The exterior wall renovation project at Forbes Library is proceeding on schedule with visible progress in all stages. Happily the handicap lift is now functioning after some difficulties with its reinstallation. The main entry interior doors are being replaced and repairs to the roof continue. Most visible is how beautiful the newly cleaned front elevation is. The building really shines! The work is expected to continue into September with new granite and glass in the entrance portico and complete stabilization of all exterior walls completed. This final phase of the restoration of the library’s exterior was completely funded by the Community Preservation Committee.
The exterior wall renovation project at Forbes Library is proceeding on schedule with visible progress in all stages. Happily the handicap lift is now functioning after some difficulties with its reinstallation. The main entry interior doors are being replaced and repairs to the roof continue. Most visible is how beautiful the newly cleaned front elevation is. The building really shines! The work is expected to continue into September with new granite and glass in the entrance portico and complete stabilization of all exterior walls completed. This final phase of the restoration of the library’s exterior was completely funded by the Community Preservation Committee.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Trustees Award Honors Margaret Bowhill & Elinor Dole
This month the public is invited to attend as the Trustees of Forbes Library bestow their highest honor on library volunteers Margaret Bowhill and Elinor Dole. The ceremony and reception will take place on Saturday, April 25 at 2:00PM in the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Museum at Forbes Library, 20 West Street, Northampton. There will be a brief program of a sampling of historic photos of Northampton from the library’s collection followed refreshments.
Each year the Trustees of Forbes Library present their Trustees Award to a member or members of the community who have made significant contributions to the library by donating his or her time, expertise, and creativity.
This year’s Trustees Award recipients are Margaret Bowhill and Elinor Dole. Ms. Bowhill, a former board member of the Friends of Forbes, has volunteered for many years in various areas of Forbes logging several hours a week which add up hundreds of hours per year. In the mid-1990s she helped prepare for Phase I interior building renovations by completing an inventory of Arts & Music periodical collections which included measuring the entire collection for shelving computations. More recently, Margaret has been diligently re-housing Gazette negatives, a huge and necessary project requiring endless patience and care. Arts & Music Librarian, Faith Kaufmann, says “Margaret is always willing to share her time and talents to help with whatever needs to be done. She has taken on important behind-the-scenes projects, especially in the photo archives, that literally could not have been achieved without her help. Her skills and commitment are a tremendous gift to the community.”
Ms. Dole has volunteered in the Children’s Room for the past 6 years bringing joy and laughter to the children who attend her weekly story times. She is a great favorite with both the children and their parents as she instills in her listeners an appreciation of literature while entertaining them all. Children’s Librarian, Jude McGowan, said “Ellie deserves the highest of praise and thanks! She is consistent, loyal and dedicated to the children whom she loves and shares her love of books with-every Monday morning.”
The Trustees Award will be presented to Ms. Bowhill and Ms. Dole at a ceremony and reception held in the Coolidge Museum at Forbes Library Saturday, April 25th at 2:00PM. All of Margaret and Ellie’s friends are invited to attend.
For more information visit www.forbeslibrary.org or call the library at 587-1011.
Each year the Trustees of Forbes Library present their Trustees Award to a member or members of the community who have made significant contributions to the library by donating his or her time, expertise, and creativity.
This year’s Trustees Award recipients are Margaret Bowhill and Elinor Dole. Ms. Bowhill, a former board member of the Friends of Forbes, has volunteered for many years in various areas of Forbes logging several hours a week which add up hundreds of hours per year. In the mid-1990s she helped prepare for Phase I interior building renovations by completing an inventory of Arts & Music periodical collections which included measuring the entire collection for shelving computations. More recently, Margaret has been diligently re-housing Gazette negatives, a huge and necessary project requiring endless patience and care. Arts & Music Librarian, Faith Kaufmann, says “Margaret is always willing to share her time and talents to help with whatever needs to be done. She has taken on important behind-the-scenes projects, especially in the photo archives, that literally could not have been achieved without her help. Her skills and commitment are a tremendous gift to the community.”
Ms. Dole has volunteered in the Children’s Room for the past 6 years bringing joy and laughter to the children who attend her weekly story times. She is a great favorite with both the children and their parents as she instills in her listeners an appreciation of literature while entertaining them all. Children’s Librarian, Jude McGowan, said “Ellie deserves the highest of praise and thanks! She is consistent, loyal and dedicated to the children whom she loves and shares her love of books with-every Monday morning.”
The Trustees Award will be presented to Ms. Bowhill and Ms. Dole at a ceremony and reception held in the Coolidge Museum at Forbes Library Saturday, April 25th at 2:00PM. All of Margaret and Ellie’s friends are invited to attend.
For more information visit www.forbeslibrary.org or call the library at 587-1011.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Cafe a big success!
Sam's Cafe at Forbes Library is getting rave reviews! The food is yummy and the selection of baked goods is delightful! The cafe is open basically the same hours as the library and food can be eaten anywhere in the library except the Coolidge Museum and the Hampshire Room for Local History.
The wall restoration project at the library is moving along with scaffolding, noise, and dust (on the outside)! The handicap lift is scheduled to be reinstalled on Thursday and Friday, April 23 and 24. The library will be open those days, with entry through the Children's Room entrance on the west side of the building. Those who need help getting in the building can call 587-1017 and special arrangements will be made.
The wall restoration project at the library is moving along with scaffolding, noise, and dust (on the outside)! The handicap lift is scheduled to be reinstalled on Thursday and Friday, April 23 and 24. The library will be open those days, with entry through the Children's Room entrance on the west side of the building. Those who need help getting in the building can call 587-1017 and special arrangements will be made.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Handicap Lift Removed Temporarily
Construction will begin next week with the restoration of the library's entrance portico. In order to repair the walls of the portico, the handicap lift will be temporarily removed on Thursday, March 19th and be in storage for three to four weeks. During those weeks that the building is not handicap accessible, patrons should call the library at 587-1017 to make alternate arrangements. During the month long portico restoration, there will also be days when the front entrance will be closed. The library will remain open its normal hours with all patrons welcome to use the Children’s Room entrance on the building’s west side if the front entrance is unavailable.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Construction Beginning at Forbes
In mid March construction will begin on the final phase of the library building envelope restoration project. Entirely funded by funds from the Community Preservation Act, the library's exterior will be restored, repaired, and sealed. Various areas of the roof will be repaired with broken slates and terracotta pieces and metal flashings replaced. The front and west walls will be repaired, cleaned, and repointed so they look as beautiful and are as sturdy as the previously repaired south and east walls. The entrance portico will be cleaned, repaired and repointed.
The portico work will require that the handicap lift be removed. During the few weeks the building is not handicap accessible, patrons should call the library at 587-1017 to make alternate arrangements.
It is wonderful to have this magnificent building completely restored at last!
Many, many thanks to the Community Preservation Committee and the residents of Northampton.
The portico work will require that the handicap lift be removed. During the few weeks the building is not handicap accessible, patrons should call the library at 587-1017 to make alternate arrangements.
It is wonderful to have this magnificent building completely restored at last!
Many, many thanks to the Community Preservation Committee and the residents of Northampton.
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