BOARD OF LIBRARY
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2004
To the Residents of East Longmeadow:
The East
Longmeadow Public Library construction project has been controversial through
the years, but compliments have been in abundance since the doors opened to the
public last February. Upon its unveiling, the library was inundated with
curiosity seekers, as well as those who came to use the library’s
services. Eventually, the daily
attendance dropped to manageable levels while the amount of various library
services provided continued at a high rate.
The amount
of activity continued its upward trend as the year progressed. Registrations for new library cards soared by
200% over the same period in FY2002, when the former library building was still
in operation. By measuring the
circulation of new Young Adult materials, it was evident that teen usage of the
library increased as well. Tracking the
number of people using the library’s public computers indicated that computer
usage also experienced an upward trend in usage. The various children’s programs and story
times the library offered were always filled to capacity. This situation led to thoughts regarding how
to best provide additional children’s programs in order to accommodate others
who would like to participate on a more regular basis. The library’s new Community and Conference
Rooms, located on the first floor, each saw use on an almost daily basis for
meetings. Two study rooms on the second floor also saw use by individuals who
wished to have a quieter place to read or study. While the increased activity at the library
has been a welcome sight, due to budget constraints, staffing on weekends and
in the evenings very often does not provide an adequate level of service for
library patrons in need of assistance.
On May 8th
the long-awaited “Official Grand Opening” celebration took place. In attendance were John Arnold, Chairman of
the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, State Senator Brian Lees,
State Representative Gale Candaras, Board of Selectmen Chairman Gary DeLisle, and Selectmen John
Claffey and Jim Driscoll. Along with other town representa-
tives, family and friends, many
volunteers were on hand to assist with a variety of programs presented
throughout the day.
October
came upon us quickly. Staff and
dedicated library patrons came to say good-bye and to extend good wishes to two
veteran library staff members. Betty
Darsigny, Senior Library Assistant and Library Director, Gloria Carver, each
retired after having provided more that twenty years of public service to the
community. Their last scheduled days of
work were just one week apart. The
situation was not going to be easy, but as they have done so many times in the
past, the library staff pulled together and kept the library going in full
operation while they waited anxiously for their new director to begin her
tenure.
On November
1, 2004, Susan M. Peterson joined our library team as the new Library
Director. Her 27 years of experience in
both academic and public libraries, including the director’s position at three
previous libraries, are an asset both for our staff and this community.
The transition for everyone seems to have gone
smoothly. Goals have been achieved, but
new ones are already being developed.
The Board
of Library Trustees wants the community to know that with the completion of the
construction project and the focus now shifted to the operation of the library,
we are interested in any comments, be they positive or negative ones. We take our elected duties seriously and our
intention is to provide the best public library service possible for this
community. Your input is encouraged and
always welcomed.
In
conclusion, the Trustees wish to thank the many individuals and groups who have
helped make your new library a reality.
It is your support that has helped us achieve this goal.
Respectfully submitted,
East Longmeadow Board of
Library Trustees: Diane Tiago,
Chairperson
Shirley
Herrick Virginia Robbins Maxine Connor Cheryl Shields Carol Munro
