Annual Report

Town Meeting Report (May 2008)

The last year has seen many changes at the library. In August 2007, our library director, Rebecca Frank, moved to Seattle. Rebecca shaped the development of the library since its move to the Community Building, and she will be greatly missed.

Rosalba Baroni-Booth did sterling work as interim director, and Margaret Light and new staff member Sally Goldin worked extra hours while the trustees searched for a new director.

In November, we hired a new library director, Adam Novitt, who was Reference Librarian at the Forbes Library Northampton. His first weeks were marked by a heating breakdown and a town budget shortfall which threatened to reduce hours at the library!

Because of increasing energy costs, and unanticipated repairs to town buildings, the Select Board considered closing the library for a time in the spring. The Trustees, however, remained committed to maintaining library hours. We have been actively seeking to reduce the library's energy use by:

• Applying for a grant for a comprehensive energy audit of the Community Building to show us where we can conserve energy.
• Having a local expert appraise our heating and air conditioning and suggest where we might save.
• Applying for a grant for conversion to a biomass boiler (wood pellet or corn) that may give substantial savings.

It was a busy year: in 2007: over 1500 library patrons borrowed nearly 40,000 books, videos and DVDs. There were over 250 committee and group meetings at the library, and 54 residents volunteered more than 400 hours to maintain library services.

The History room, expertly cared for by Robert Lord Keyes, continues to serve the community and genealogy researchers.

The Friends of the Pelham Library focused community support with their 2007 Plant Sale bringing in $4000 to pay for new library materials and programs.

The Trustees thank Sharon Alworth for the loan of a 1902 Bechstein grand piano, which is nestling under the West window. Paul and Gail Berube, supported by Pelham Cultural Council and the Pelham Friends created a free concert series to show it off, and the delightful first concert in January 2008 was attended by over 70 people.

The library hosted a variety of educational and cultural events, many funded by the Pelham Cultural Council. These included, among others:

• A winter animal tracking program, a hands-on introduction to Computer Animation, a poetry reading and a harp recital.
• The Book Discussion group that continues to meet every month.
• The Summer Reading program conceived and presented by Children's Librarian Margaret Light which had a record 40 participants.
• " Two performances of "The Tempest" performed by the Pelham Players, directed by Cindy Naughton which played to over 150 people.

The Library now hosts a tea and music social on the final Saturday of each month.

The trustees were saddened by the deaths of Betty Hawley, a much-loved presence at the library, and Barbara Greenstein, an energetic activist and past-President of the Friends of Pelham Library. Betty was commemorated with a rug in the Children's area, and a local food project will commemorate Barbara.

Pat Cahill stepped down after many years as Trustee Chair. The Trustees and staff would like to thank her for years of dedicated service.

Respectfully submitted,
Jonathan Woodbridge, Trustee Chair