Friends of the Eldredge Public Library
TIDINGS e-newsletter Chatham, MA
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"Connecting Chatham to the World"
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Spring 2016 Learning Series Has Begun!
Once again this spring we have a blend of the old and the new, returning favorites and some innovative new courses. Among the new classes will be Betsy Bray's class in Beatrix Potter's life and the world she created; Abid Raoof's examination of today's Middle East and the policies that have shaped it; a team-taught course in Acupuncture, Chi Kung and T'ai-Chi; a hands-on experience in Chinese Calligraphy and "Living on the Ocean's Edge," a four-session course dealing with the forces changing our coastline. We are also delighted that the Chatham Orpheum Theater has once again agreed to host Carol Yindra's very popular class in documentaries.
The returning favorites speak for themselves: we have wonderful teachers coming back again to provide new material, new ideas, and new perspectives on subjects they love and that will certainly be of interest to our community. You can find details about these courses by viewing the Learning Series brochure (Brochures also available at the Library). A final note: please be aware that some of the classes are limited in size, so be sure to register early.
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Let us Count you as a Friend!
The Friends support and enhance the Library's role in Chatham by allowing the library to offer services beyond it's operating budget and help ensure the EPL's continued excellence.
Join the Friends Today!
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Donate to the Library Annual Fund
and help support the
Library Operating Budget!
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Thursday, March 3 and March 17 at 7:00 pm
Line Dancing w/ Brett!
Sunday Afternoons at the Eldredge
Travel Series is Back!
February 28 @ 2:00 pm
Galapagos Islands
w/ Jennifer McMullen
March 6 @ 2:00 pm Argentina and Peru
w/ Sue Simpson and Deborah Clark
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A Good Friend is Gone
Barbara Serverson, a dedicated volunteer at the Eldredge Library for more than 20 years, passed away on January 17th. After a long hospital career as a registered nurse, when she retired to Chatham she continued to help her new community in numerous volunteer capacities. At the time of her passing, she was still a very active volunteer at the Cape Cod National Seashore, St. Christopher's Church, the South Chatham Library, and Eldredge Public Library.
If you make a habit of visiting the Library on Tuesday afternoons, you'll have seen her each week: the vivacious blonde with the cheerful, welcoming attitude. Without fail, she brought cookies for the staff and kind words for everyone. After her death, she gave to the Library one more time, specifying that the Eldredge should receive any memorial gifts. And, as one of her final requests, just two days after her passing, her daughter arrived at the Library with a final, big box of cookies.
We will miss our friend Barbara, and cherish the happy memories of her.
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Chatham's Star Library
by Joe Gagliano, Trustee President
Libraries are truly a treasure. They are a free and convenient source of inspiration, knowledge and discovery. They provide access to information in many desirable forms: prose, poetry, audio, video, Internet and lecture. As libraries go, of course, the Eldredge Public Library stands tall. For the eighth consecutive year, the Eldredge has received a Four Star rating from the Library Journal Index of Star Ratings, based on annual Federal Public Library surveys. It is one of only 261 libraries in the U.S. to receive this prestigious Star Library award. This puts the Eldredge in the top 3% of the 9082 public libraries in the country. The awards are based upon per capita measures of circulation, visits, program attendance and computer use, as measured against overall peer averages.
This accomplishment is even more amazing when one considers that many of the libraries receiving the award are in large cities with budgets of ten million dollars or more. The awards are spread among 40 states. New York ranked first with 39 awards. Massachusetts ranked fourth with 15.
This consistent recognition of the Eldredge as a superior library is a tribute indeed to the leadership, staff and volunteers who work so hard and responsively to plan for and serve the library's patrons. They are truly worthy of our gratitude and appreciation.
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You Gotta Have Friends!
by Irene Gillies, Library Director
Why do both the Friends of the Library and the Library itself have fundraising activities? Because it takes a joint effort to keep our 4-star-rated activities going! The money raised in the Library's Annual Fund Drive goes toward paying our operating costs: utilities, salaries, new books, etc. The money raised by the Friends goes toward things not covered in our operating budget: equipment and furnishings, special programs, staff needs, and more. To which organization should you give? That's up to you. Both are equally important, so I'd suggest giving to both if you're able!
Some recent gifts, large and small, from the Friends include: our new drop-off box in the parking lot, a new, upgraded sound system in the meeting room, new projector and media cart, disc repair machine for CDs and DVDs, a replacement for our Jeopardy game system, a document shredder for the office, a new mobile whiteboard, numerous web services, and a luncheon for the Library staff in honor of their hard work. Coming soon is a new picnic table for the convenience of our outdoor Wi-Fi users. This is just the tip of the iceberg of all the things the Friends do for us, and without this help we would be a much-diminished Library. So I repeat: you gotta have Friends!
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Family Adventures in Reading (FAIR) Comes to the EPL!
by Tammy DePasquale, Youth Services Librarian
FAIR is a six-week reading and discussion program for caregivers and children ages 6 to 11 years old. Sponsored by Mass Humanities, this grant-funded series introduces families to professional storyteller Jackson Gilman who will meet each week at the library with registrants to creatively engage participants in guided discussions and storytelling activities featuring themes of courage, fairness, and dreams.
The Youth Services staff will be on hand, as well, to highlight library services available to registrants. A healthy snack will be provided each week. All participants will receive a canvas book bag and a book to keep. Books up for discussion will be distributed and collected at each meeting. Registration is Required. Click HERE for more information.
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Friends Count!
by Sherry Hesch, Friends Membership Chair
Our 2015-2016 Friends of the Eldredge Public Library Membership Drive once again has met and even exceeded expectations. The loyalty of long time Friends is gratifying, especially to our hardworking EPL staff and volunteers. It is also uplifting to welcome new members and supporters from past years who have rejoined the Friends. Their generous financial support continues to provide the "extras" that help make the EPL what it is for all of us. If you have not yet joined this year, please log on to www.eldgredgelibrary.org, select "Donate" and then "Friends Membership" and complete the secure online form.
Once again, we thank all who have responded and we recognize the volunteers who provide time, effort and expertise in support of our able and dedicated library staff.
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Volunteer Highlight: Sharon Oudemool by Beth Holden, Friends President
Sharon Oudemool, a retired elementary school librarian, has worn many hats at the Eldredge Library. For some time she has been a Tuesday afternoon volunteer at the desk, but she has been busy behind the scenes for almost as many years. For the last year and a half she has been an ex officio member of the Friends Board of Trustees, having served the two previous years as board president. During that time she was very involved with the updating of both the Forgeron Meeting Room and the Staff Office at the library, a large monetary commitment of the Friends. When she has some spare time, she is very involved in the Master Gardener program as well as her own garden. Thank you Sharon for your commitment to the EPL.
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What's New for You at the Library!
Youth Services is about to add several Playaway Launchpads to its media collection. Launchpads are the first secure, preloaded children's learning tablets designed specifically for circulation. Borrowers will enjoy ad-free educational apps grouped by subject, theme, and grade and age level.
You now have access to even more FREE ebooks and eaudiobooks through the Commonwealth eBooks program. If you need help getting started reading the library emedia, you can register for a lesson, download an instruction sheet, or stop by the Library and talk to Reference Librarian Amy Andreasson.
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It's Tax Time!
While supplies last, forms are available at the Library. Need a special form? We can print it for you.
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Copyright � 2016. All Rights Reserved.
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