Town of Arlington, MA - Libraries, 2002 Annual Report

The Robbins Library continued to experience tremendous usage by the community, as the circulation of materials was the highest in the history of the library at 541,172. The public workstations with access to the Internet and the electronic databases were in constant demand. Use of the book and periodical collection remained high, audiovisual use continued to increase, the databases provided resources to fulfill citizens’ need for information, and children’s programs were enthusiastically attended. As in previous years, the public relied heavily on the professional librarians at the Reference Desk, Children’s Room, and the Fox Branch Library to answer reference questions and assist in navigating the World Wide Web.

The librarians in the Adult Services Department provided a wide range of services to adults and young adults of middle and high school, age. Citizens utilized the library for information and answers to questions on topics related to work, school and personal life. The library’s collection includes: reference and circulating books, periodicals, compact discs, books on tape, audiocassettes, videocassettes, DVDs, and art prints. The library continued to staff the Reference Desk whenever the library was open to the public and to provide two librarians whenever possible during busy hours to accommodate patrons needing assistance. Twenty-six online databases were provided through the library’s participation in the Minuteman Library Network and the Metrowest Regional Library System. Web-based catalog and Internet classes were offered in small group sessions throughout the year to familiarize citizens with the operation of the book and audiovisual catalog, to educate them in the use and value of the electronic databases, and to provide basic training in navigating the World Wide Web. Tours of the library were given that highlighted the architecture of the library and reviewed the location of the various collections. Staff created book and audiovisual displays to publicize the collections and assist citizens in locating interesting and enjoyable materials. Library staff also coordinated with the local organizations to present informational displays in the library’s exhibit space located in the lobby. The adult summer reading program, introduced in 2000, increased in popularity, as participants were able to enter a raffle for gift certificates funded by the Friends of the Library.

Young adults continued to utilize the resources of the library for schoolwork and personal interests. The Reference Desk staff assisted students with class assignments and bibliographic instruction. The library has an area on the first floor that is decorated with student artwork and houses the young adult book and audiovisual collection that has proven to be popular with the continued expansion of the music compact discs and books on tape. Each year the library staff coordinates with both Arlington High School and the Ottoson Middle School on the summer reading lists. Multiple copies of the summer reading list books are provided by the loan of books from the schools and funding through library trust funds. The Summer Reading Program for young adults was very successful and the number of participants increased over last year. Students submitted artwork to decorate the Young Adult Room during the summer as part of the summer reading program. Young adults enjoyed six programs through the Russell Fund including a drama workshop, mask making workshop, magic show, teen book/movie discussion, Night Sky/Star program, and a presentation by author Carole Vogel on non-fiction writing to seventh grade students at the Ottoson Middle School.

The Children’s Services Department provides services and materials to children from birth to fifth grade. The children’s collection includes: books, magazines, books on tape, music on cassette, CD-ROMs, videocassettes, puppets, and educational toys. Over 17,239 children and parents enjoyed 353 programs. Children participated in the summer reading program whose theme was “Go For the Stars”. At the end of the program certificates were distributed to the schools for presentation to the children who participated. Library staff distributed books to the Recreation Department summer camps to encourage reading. Other activities throughout the year included story times for three, four and five year olds, sing-alongs for infants and toddlers, crafts programs, performances, staff visits to the schools, and class visits to the library for instruction on how to best use the library’s resources. The children’s librarians continued to offer assistance to children, parents, and teachers for researching homework assignments and for general use both in the book collection and via the Internet. The public also enjoyed book displays that highlighted areas of the collection and special exhibits. The public was very enthusiastic about the graded and subject booklists compiled by the staff to assist children and parents in choosing appropriate reading level material. These booklists included ones for infants, toddlers, elementary grades, historical fiction, series, short books, and spooky stories. The staff also researched and produced a list of websites that would be useful for homework assignments and a list of good websites for children. The staff continued to publish a monthly children’s newsletter that is distributed to all the elementary schools in Arlington and is also available at the library. The staff provided a workshop on new books for the Arlington Early Childhood Association.

The Anne A. Russell Children’s Educational and Cultural Enrichment Fund afforded children and their parents the opportunity to enjoy unique and diverse programs that could not otherwise be provided with municipal funding. These programs included: science crafts, drama workshops, Martin Luther King Day celebration, acting workshop, annual Philharmonic Society concert, computer workshops at the Hardy School computer lab, workshop by the Arlington’s Children’s Theatre, interactive stage presentation, Family Picnic Concert, reptile program, play performed by students, Harvest Moon Festival, and Chess Club. Funds were also used to enhance the library’s collection for children through the purchase of books, cassettes, videotapes, CD-ROMs, and other material with particular attention given to selecting materials to support the curriculum frameworks at the schools. The Russell Fund continued to provide kindergarten packets to children to introduce them to the library and baby bundle packets to new parents with information on library services for infants and toddlers. This year the program was expanded to include distribution to new parents by pediatricians at the six-month visit.

The public library and the schools continued their collaborative efforts which included: communication between the public and school librarians, letters from the public librarians to new teachers, assignment support for teachers and students, extended loan periods for teachers, library tours and development of summer reading lists. The children’s librarians at Robbins and Fox presented book talks in the schools and instruction for classes at the library. The popular visits by authors to the schools continued to be funded by the Russell Fund. The schools selected the authors they wished to appear: Norah Dooley at the Brackett, Matt Tavares at the Dallin, and Michael Glaser at the Bishop. The children’s librarians participated in the Literacy Night at the Thompson School and co-sponsored the parents book discussion groups held at the schools. During the year curriculum units were prepared by the public library for various teachers. Cooperative programs included the Harvest Moon Festival, which was jointly planned by the library and the elementary schools science department, and the Martin Luther King Day program at Hardy School in cooperation with METCO.

Adults and children in East Arlington enjoyed a wide range of programs and services at the Edith M. Fox Library and Community Center. Children participated in sing-alongs, story times, lap-sits, craft times, school and nursery school visits, performances, special holiday programs, and workshops. Staff participated in community events including the Thompson School Literacy Program. Adults and children enjoyed the ongoing book displays and exhibits. Books purchased by the Friends of the Library were given to children signing up for the summer reading program. A volunteer established a book group at Fox.

The library staff embarked on several special projects submitting applications and received funding for two grants for a Community Language Collection and a Family Literacy Program. An $18,395 grant will enable the library to purchase Chinese Language and English as a Second Language materials. A $5,830 grant will provide for two sets of six-week literacy workshops for 20-24 children aged pre-K through third grade and their parents. Both projects will be implemented in 2003 and are federally funded with LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) funds through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The staff also began preparations for the implementation of a wireless computer training room where the public can be instructed in the use of the library’s automated catalog, online databases, and the World Wide Web. This project is funded through the Town’s capital information and technology budget. Projects in the Local History Room included placing all historical photographs in archival plastic sleeves, photocopying of all newspaper articles in the Cyrus Dallin collection on acid free paper, inventory of the Local History Collection, and preparation of an index for the microfilming of the local history photographs. The Administration worked with the Sustainable Arlington Committee to receive a grant from NSTAR to install new lighting to conserve energy and save utility costs. The Adult Services Department refined its manual on Disaster Preparedness and prepared training courses for library staff on preservation issues. Several staff devoted many hours to evaluating the vendors under consideration to provide a new automated system for the Minuteman Library Network.

Other duties included processing the increasing number of interlibrary loan requests, continued weeding and updating of collections areas, extensive reference assistance for patrons with local history questions, preparation of a brochure on business resources, creation of book displays and booklists, updating of the periodical list and re-organization of the magazine collection, purchase of cycling materials with a grant from the Arlington Bicycle Committee, database clean-up of patron and materials records for the Minuteman Library Network, purchase and processing of the rental book collection, processing of books that need re-binding, coordination of the Reading is Fundamental Program with the schools, and the shifting of various collections. The number of hours devoted to technology related duties increased substantially for purchasing and upgrading computer equipment and to maintain all equipment in good working order. Staff time was also devoted to updating and improving the library website which was implemented last year. The library staff and the Friends of the Library produced a quarterly newsletter for the public with information on programs and services of interest. Staff attended several workshops to enhance their skills in serving the public which included: training in reader’s advisory, outreach, public relations, time management, Internet resources, and computer skills and technology.

Among the objectives of the Board of Trustees were to insure that the library meets community needs, continue the sponsorship of a twice yearly author’s program, and to raise private funds for increasing the collections. The Board approved funding from trust funds in Fiscal Year 2002 for reference books, multicultural books, local history projects, audio books, music compact discs, videos, art prints, Young Adult Summer Reading list, Children’s and Young Adult Summer Reading Clubs, Reading is Fundamental program, performers, book and tape kits for children, audio books for children, educational toys and puppets, children’s books, books for the Fox Library, binding of books, volunteer appreciation, author program, public relations, quarterly newsletter, and staff development.

Board members participated in Town Day by staffing a table providing information on library activities and resources. The Board sponsored two author programs that were enthusiastically received by the audiences. In April, Boston Globe horticultural columnist Ruth Foster offered many helpful landscaping techniques and answered questions from participants on a variety of gardening concerns. The October program showcased novelist Mameve Medwed who delighted the audience with her recollections of the creative writing process, the travails of trying to get published, and how her personal life interweaves with her writing. The Board did a fundraising solicitation of individuals and businesses. The Board was appreciative of the efforts of Trustee, Katharine Lawrence, who served for six years and welcomed new board member, Katharine Fennelly.

The Friends offered several well-attended programs starting with a very enjoyable “Revere Beach Memories” in January, which was nostalgic and fun. In March, local author Patricia Thomas discussed her book Big Shot about the search for an AIDS vaccine. In April, the Friends partnered with the Arlington Family Connection to host author Alfred Koumans, talking about “The Rewards of Parenting”. Rounding out the year was a return visit by author and naturalist Michael Tougias, who spoke to a packed room about the history of the Quabbin Reservoir and enlivened his presentation with some outdoor humor based on his recent publication There’s a Porcupine in My Outhouse. The Friends plan to continue their programming efforts in the coming year.

The Robbins and Fox libraries are grateful for the dedicated assistance of their volunteers who shelved books and audiovisual materials and performed a variety of clerical tasks. These thirteen volunteers, who donated 985 hours, are: Melissa Banta, June Barry, Carol Clarke, Gretchen Flock, Kim Haase, Suzanne Hilton, Michel Jackson, Michael Kaplan, Beth Lanigan, Ann Rawston, Mary Jo Sanz, Eileen Shanahan and Barbara Wagner. Ten “Volunteens” who provided assistance with the young adult summer reading program donated additional hours. Special recognition is given to Beverly Brinkerhoff, Mary Eaton and Alice Seelinger, who again this year visited homebound residents on a weekly basis to deliver library materials and companionship. Susanne Blair accepted responsibility for the weekly maintenance of the Friends of the Library book sale room. The library was fortunate to receive volunteer services through the Town’s Senior Citizen Community Service Reimbursement Program. The annual Friends of the Library Town Day book sale benefited from the work of many volunteers, including: Colin and Susanne Blair, Patricia Clark, Maureen Dolan, Katharine Fennelly, Margaret Fitzgerald, Gretchen Flock, Robert Gahtan, Catherine and Mary Grynkiewicz, Judith Lilienfeld, Alice McGinty, Maura McLaughlin, Frank Murphy, Stephen Sanzo, Dorothy Schager, Skye Stewart, Aimee Taberner, Cynthia Tollen, and Wendy Watson.

The library faces an extreme challenge in the next several years to maintain the quality of library services during a time of economic crisis and a reduced budget. The library will attempt to maintain the quality of its collections through fundraising and the continued generosity of private donors. The library will also attempt to recruit additional volunteers to assist with shelving books if staff reductions occur. In addition to a reduction in municipal funding, the library has already suffered a decrease in state aid from $67,000 to $51,000. The reduction in municipal funding will make it difficult to maintain the standards necessary to receive state aid. Reduction in state funding to the Metrowest Regional Library System will result in a loss of several electronic databases.

The main objective of the next several years is to maintain the library’s core services and to provide quality services during the hours that the building is open. These services include: the materials collections, professional reference assistance for adults, young adults, and children, and continuation of children’s programs. All other services, which were detailed previously in this report, will be examined carefully and may need to be discontinued. Hours of operation may be reduced however every effort will be made to coordinate hours of operation with local libraries so that residents may have access to library services every day.