| In This Issue |
Library Value Calculator
Volunteer Luncheon
Renaming "Socrates in Hillsdale"
Summer Reading Programs
Public Referendum
BBQ Tickets
Local Cultural Treasurer
Volunteer News
Raffle Winners |
| Are You Helping to Build Our New Library? |
Our primary source of funding is the people of the Roe-Jan community. Click here for a printable pledge form
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| Library Hours |
| Mon 10am - 5pm
Tue 10am - 5pm
Wed 10am - 2pm
Thur 10am - 8pm
Fri 12noon - 7pm
Sat 10am - 4pm |
| Construction Photos |
Click here to see latest construction photos of the new library.
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| Library Programs & Events |
July 11-August 15
Splish Splash Read
July 21
Socrates Café in Hillsdale
What does it mean to be rich?
August 3-14
Be Creative @ Your Library
August 9
Barbecue and Silent Auction
August 15
Hillsdale Community Day
September 19
Barn Dance
Go to the web calendar for more details
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| Socrates Café in Hillsdale |
A Philosophical Discussion Group
Third Tuesday of the month
5-6:30 pm
July 20, 2009
Topic:
What does it mean to be rich?
Everybody invited.
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Please give us your comments and discussion topics per e-mail at
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Job Hunting?
Let us Help
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Ask at the circulation desk for our new brochure Resources for Job Seekers
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Explore New York
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Borrow Flat Henry
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Take Henry Hudson home with you and on trips, picnics, family get togethers and take pictures of him being part of activities and places he never dreamed of.
On August 13, all the pictures will be displayed at a county-wide picnic at the Claverack Town Park.
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| Friends of the Library |
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Homebound Delivery
(go to archive and select April 2009 newsletter)
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For Sale
to benefit
The Friends
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Community Cookbook $20
Tote Bags $ 10
Maps 1873 Ancram, Copake and Hillsdale
1851 and 1959 Hillsdale
$5 each
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| Museum Passes |
Berkshire Museum
Clark (June-October) Norman Rockwell
Shaker Museum
offered by the Friends |
Quotable Reading Quotes
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"So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall."
Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
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Production Staff
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| Carol Briggs
Shirley Coward
Inge Etzbach |
| Back copies of Newsletters |
| Archives |
| Join our e-mail list |
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| Roeliff Jansen Community Library Newsletter |
Quotable Facts about America's Libraries
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Americans go to school, public and academic libraries 50% more often as they go to the movies.
Source:
ALA Office for Research and Statistics
1/8/2007
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How Much is Our Library Worth to You?
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Click on the icon above and use the online calculator to estimate what the Roe-Jan Library saves you per month in Dollars and Cents!
Priceless! |
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Volunteer Luncheon
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Carol Briggs, Library Director, welcomed the 22 library volunteers to the Annual Thank You Luncheon at the Mt. Washington House, where Kelly Fox put out a lovely buffet lunch. Carol thanked everyone for their inspiring dedication of time and talent to support the work of the library.
Marjorie Deitz, Volunteer Coordinator, shared with everyone her reasons of "Why You are so Happy Being a Volunteer".
- We accept anyone of any age from teenagers to 86-year-olds.
- There are no layoffs - you have absolute job security.
- You can work at your own convenience. And Marj's.
- There will never be any salary cuts. You are guaranteed to earn the same tomorrow as you do today.
Ned Schneier, President of the library's Board of Trustees, added his thanks to all the volunteers and spoke about the benefits of the new library: a staff work space, staff and public restrooms, air conditioning, windows that open, and space for five times the number of books that the library holds now. All this, and the fact that we want to make the library as "green" as possible, means that the final cost of the library will be higher than initially expected. In fact, we will need another $800,000 - $900,000. The big push over the summer will be selling more Associates Pledges, which are for at least $1,000 and can be paid out over 4 years. If paying semi-annually, each payment is only $125.
All agreed that the lunch had been a lot of fun,informative and delicious.
Carol Sacks
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| Renaming "Socrates in Hillsdale" |
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| Socrates in Hillsdale will be "Roe-Jan Socrates Cafe'" soon, as soon as we move to our new home on Rt. 22. "Socrates Cafe" is an organization with hundreds of locations worldwide, all frequented by people who like to ask questions and look for answers. We love people who are curious, perplexed and filled with an insatiable sense of wonder, who are more interested in learning how to think, not what to think.
Socrates did not "lead" people to a specific truth; rather, he inspired people to question and think and discover and articulate their own unique truths.
Here is a video by the founder and creator, Christopher Philips, speaking about the purpose and aims of Socrates Cafe'. |
Splish Splash Read
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Ages 3-5
Saturday
July 11 - August 15
10:00-11:00
Stories, games, songs, crafts,
fingerplays, fun stuff!
Week 1- Who lives in the sea?
Week 2- Who needs eight legs?
Week 3- Hiding in the sea
Week 4- Take your house with you
Week 5- A sea Giant
Week 6- This rainbow's not in the sky |
Be Creative @ Your Library
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Grades K-3
Monday, Wednesday & Friday
August 3-14
10:00-11:00
Listen to stories, create a craft,
enjoy games and musical activities
Session 1- I've got rhythm
Session 2- Ham it up
Session 3- Now you see it
Session 4- Dance and move
Session 5- Henry Hudson
Session 6- Free Play |
Hillsdale Town Board wants to make Library its Town Hall - Do the people agree?
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Following a public hearing at which all present expressed enthusiastic support, the Hillsdale Town Board on May 19 unanimously approved a plan under which the old Roeliff Jansen Library would become the new Town Hall. The structure, built in 1924, is expected to become vacant next year upon completion of a new library building.
The Board resolved to extend an offer of its appraised value, $245,000, to purchase the building from the Library Committee. With its historic roots in the community, notable architecture, spacious central room and parking, and prominent visibility, the Town Board believes the old library can become a viable town hall with relatively minimal renovation. Though no additional square footage would be added, the central room in the library will significantly increase the space currently available for public meetings. The ground level includes additional space with room for the construction of new offices. Preliminary renovation costs are estimated at $115,000 to $175,000.
Though its current town hall is inadequate in many ways - cramped meeting room, limited parking, no storage for public records, single bathroom - the situation is not urgent. Nonetheless, the Town Board believes the acquisition and preservation of the library building is a unique opportunity - one that will have an immediate result as well as appealing to future generations. Best of all, the money is available and will have no impact on taxes. A previous Town Board in 2003 dreamed of a better structure when they established a Town Hall capital improvement reserve. This fund is strictly earmarked for town hall development.
Some ask why aren't the funds being used for a new building? The total costs of this project are significantly less than what it would take to build an entirely new structure. Moreover, many agree, keeping the town hall in the center of town and preserving a long-loved building cannot be matched.
Others ask what will happen to the current town hall when town government moves to the library building? Though the building could be sold and put back on the tax rolls, the Town Board wants possible uses to be explored by the town planner.
Having said all this, any purchase of real property by the Town Board is subject to a permissive referendum - a public vote. Though the decision would have been final if un-petitioned, Hillsdale resident Larry Edelman gathered the necessary signatures to put this decision into the hands of the people.
The Town Board is scheduling a public referendum on August 28, from noon to 8 PM at the Hillsdale firehouse. All registered voters are eligible to participate. If not currently registered, Hillsdale residents must register through the County Board of Elections at least ten days before the scheduled election. The use of absentee ballots will not be applicable to the special election.
Power to the people - nothing wrong with that.
Peter Cipkowski |
BBQ Tickets on Sale at Library
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This weekend, tickets for "BBQ, Boogie & Bid at the Park", which will benefit the Roeliff Jansen Community Library Capital Campaign, will be available at the library. Featuring pork and chicken barbecued by Kevin Silvernail, the BBQ will take place Sunday August 9, from 12 to 4 at the Roeliff Jansen Park, which is on the east side of Rt. 22, about a half mile south of the Hillsdale traffic light. You'll be able to boogie to the rock and roll and rhythm and blues of The Outside Dogs and bid on unique services and items in the Silent Auction. Kids can play on the new playground equipment being installed at the park and anyone can join in a game at the new sand volleyball court or take a stroll on the trails of the park. Seating will be available in the big shed barn or you can bring your own lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy your meal out on the grass, enjoying the marvelous views in the park. Tours of the new library building, which is right across Rt. 22, will be offered during the afternoon. Tickets are $20 per person, and $10 per kid with those under 6 free. Tickets will also be available at local stores and from members of the library board and the Capital Campaign Steering Committee. Meg Wormley
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| Roe-Jan Library is a Local Cultural Treasurer |
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As a child in war-torn Germany I suffered the lack of many things, but what hurt me most was the lack of books. My partly bombed-out hometown had no town library, no school library, no bookstore, and we had no friends who could lend me reading material.
My hunger for the written word was so great, that, as a 12 year old, I spent hours trying to decypher the only book that somehow found its way to me, namely Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, which, of course, was over my head. I longed for books, for knowledge, enlightenment and understanding, simply for books that kept and treasured and collected the wisdom of the ages, and I found none.
When I came to America 54 years ago this year, I discovered the abundance of books, freely available without charge, as many as I wanted, in the many libraries all over the City of New York. Is this a great country or what? It was a gift without compare for an immigrant with limited resources. To acquire things may be important and necessary, but to be able to acquire knowledge and explore new ideas is priceless.
This little corner of rural Columbia County has a true treasure in its Roeliff Jansen Community Library. It may be small and cramped, but it has Books, many of them, on the shelves and available from the Main Library System. It has CDs, audio books, DVDs, historical information, newspapers, computers, events for children and a dedicated group of people who volunteer their time to sponsor adult and children's programs, raise money for special projects through book sales, shelve and check out books, all to make sure that, at least in this place, there is no room for ignorance.
The library, small as it is, is a depository of culture, a window into the world and an anchor of intellectual focus in this rural area. And now, with the construction of a more spacious building on Route 22, very soon there will be room for more BOOKS and more opportunities like exhibits, lectures, workshops, etc. Imagine what life would be like without the stimulation of this priceless institution in our midst! Add your voice and your ideas by filling out this online survey which lists a selection of possible future programs. We need your input and comments and hope that you will be as excited as we are!
Inge Etzbach
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Volunteer News
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In a recent Library Newsletter readers were
invited to volunteer at the Library.
In response several questions have been
asked:
HOW
DO I BECOME A VOLUNTEER?
1. Come to the library and ask for an application.
or
2. Call Marjorie Deitz, Volunteer Coordinator, at
325-4983 to indicate your interest.
3. Arrange a date and time
for a one hour preliminary orientation class at the library.
4. Training periods will follow depending on your
choice of becoming a desk worker or a shelver.
Since the library became computerized,
instruction has been given to more than 40 people. Some workers have left to take paid jobs,
retired, or moved away, but we are pleased to have 26 volunteers as part of our active group
with two new people trained this year.
The first
step in Orientation is learning where everything is in the building and how
to find it. It becomes increasingly difficult to find a
spot for new material as books, periodicals, DVD's, books on tape, and books on CD's are
purchased for the use of library patrons.
Our Library Director, Carol Briggs,
challenges us each week with new places to put books -on window sills, on top of the radiators in
the summer, on file cabinets, in the furnace room, or even in our so-called bathroom.
We love
our tasks, but we look forward to that new building!!
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Next time: WHAT DOES A
LIBRARY VOLUNTEER DO?
Marjorie Deitz
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Has Your Voice Been Heard?
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What exciting and interesting programs would you like offered in the meeting room at our new library?
Our program survey offers many suggestions. Click here to access the online survey and tell us what you would like to see offered and let us know if you can share your talents and experiences with others in the community.
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| Flat Henry Vists Florida |
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This is Flat Henry visiting the Harambe Wildlife Reserve with Teri Traver and her family on their recent trip to Florida.
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Winners of Friends Drawing
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On Copake Community Day, Max Koster drew the following winners of gift certificates donated by local businesses.
Guido's Marketplace $25 Gift Certificate - Judy Falconer
Book Barn $25 Gift Certificate - Rebecca Jacobsen
Verdigris $25 Gift Certificate - Marge McClure
Hawthorne Valley Farm Store $25 - Lori Schafer and $25 Mary Lou Rowe
The Greens Lunch - Yvonne Del Grande
Copake Country Club, Golf - Tim Boomer and Gary Bloom
The Ponds Restaurant $50 Gift Certificate - George and Pat Atwood
The Spirit Shop $35 Gift Certificate - Yvonne Del Grande
Ward's Nursery $20 Gift Certificate - K. Kirsis
John Andrews $50 Gift Certificate - Gloria Kadish
Bookloft $25 Gift Certificate - Janet Lincoln
Triplex Movies 2 Free Movie Passes - Laurel Clapp
and 2 Free Movie Passes - Maristany
The Friends thank all who participated in the drawing - both donors and winners.
Proceeds will go toward the Friends' $50,000 pledge to our Library Capital campaign.
Sally Laing |
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Get to Know Our Neighbor to be
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One of the advantages of the site for the new Roeliff Jansen Library is that it is almost completely surrounded by the new Roeliff Jansen Park, which will help ensure that we will always have beautiful views from the many windows. The park is already being a good neighbor by providing the venue for the Library BBQ at no cost. And, there have already been discussions between members of the Friends and members for the Park Steering Committee about holding joint programs at the park.
The park has a busy program of events this summer, with some very good kid-focused ones in July, including an African Drumming Workshop and an opportunity to explore the Roe-Jan Kill. Check out what's coming up at the park's website, www.roejanpark.org. To stay informed about the park, sign up at the web site for the parks eNewsletter. And if you want to learn more about a topic that is being presented at the park, the library is the perfect place to do it!
Meg Wormley
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Cast Your Mind Back
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Do you remember a diner located south on Route 22, beyond
the Roe-Jan School, on the left hand side of the road, where Vinnie's Vintage
Autos is now located?
Steve from Ohio
is restoring this diner and would like some history of the place. He knows it was a Silk City Diner built in Patterson, New
Jersey in the 1930's.
It was here until the 1960's and then transported to Stevenstown, New York
where it resided until he acquired it for restoration. Do you know its name? Can you tell us anything about it?
We have been told by locals
- Rattlesnake
Jim worked there (he was probably James Whitbeck)
- Jim
lived for a time in a cave at Boston Corners
- Drivers
who picked up milk from the dairy farms used to stop there
Please call the Library (325-4101) if you can help Steve with his research. | |
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