2008 Annual Report
MISSION
Robbins Library is a vital community resource, cost-effectively providing residents with a broad range of materials, information and personalized services to assist them in leading satisfying lives in a complex world. The library provides information and answers to questions on a wide variety of topics related to work, school and personal life through print, online databases, the Internet and other resources; it helps patrons develop skills to find and evaluate information sources effectively. The library nurtures the love of reading in children and provides materials and services which support formal learning and the desire for personal growth and development for people of all ages. The library offers a high quality collection of current materials to meet residents’ desires for leisure reading, listening and viewing and for recreational and cultural enrichment. The library creates a welcoming and inviting environment for accessing library resources, interacting with others in the community and attending community meetings and events.
USAGE
In 2008, the citizens of Arlington increasingly accessed the many and varied resources offered by Robbins Library and the Fox Branch. Library use was up in the first six months of the year and rose substantially more after the economic crisis as citizens realized the advantages provided for free by the library. The public of all ages enjoyed library programs; they constantly used the computer workstations for access to the Internet and electronic databases. Professional librarians at the Reference Desk, in the Children’s Room and at Fox Branch assisted the public in meeting their informational needs through the library’s book and periodical collections and with electronic resources. Residents continued to avail themselves of the opportunity to access from home the library resources. Although the Robbins Library continues to be closed Thursday mornings, the public was delighted when private donations allowed the library to restore Sunday afternoon hours that were eliminated in FY2003 due to budget reductions.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/AWARDS
Sunday Openings
The Board of Library Trustees and the Friends of the Robbins Library joined forces to launch a successful fundraising campaign that raised sufficient funds to be open on Sunday afternoons from October 2008 to May 2009. The campaign was bolstered by an anonymous donor who matched each donation. Appreciation is owed to the generosity of over 140 individuals and businesses in the community. The library had been open on Sundays intermittently over the last 30 years using grant funding. Because of reductions in municipal and state funding several years ago, the Robbins Library was forced to cut back hours including Sundays. Sunday was always a very popular day with families and individuals who found that afternoon to be a very convenient time to utilize the library’s vast resources. The Board of Trustees intends to continue fundraising so that Sundays can also be offered in continuing years.
Services to English Language Learners
Library staff implemented a $12,500 LSTA grant to expand services to immigrants. The English as a Second Language collection was expanded with books, videos, CDs and audiotapes to assist speakers of several foreign languages in their efforts to master spoken English. The library, in partnership with English at Large, provided group opportunities to practice English for foreign-born residents. Grant funds were also used to help recruit and train volunteers who facilitated these conversation groups at the library. ELL learners enthusiastically attended an open house where they received an orientation to the Literacy collection, met the staff and toured the library. The library also served as a training facility for English at Large tutors and offered space for individual sessions.
New Circulation Desk
Charles L. Poulos, a local businessman, donated funds to build a new circulation desk in the lobby of the library. Mr. Poulos had been very generous to the library in the past and was a major donor to the 1992 building project. For years the library had needed a new circulation desk with a low station to better serve children and persons with disabilities. In addition the depth of the previous desk contributed to ergonomic problems for the staff. The rich dark wood, granite top and curved design of the new desk enhances the building architecture and serves as the focal point of the library entrance and first floor. The spacious and well-designed work area assists the circulation staff in better serving the public.
Programs/Outreach
Library staff continued efforts to reach out to the community through a presentation to students attending a local vocational program, hosting of seminars for the Chamber of Commerce Business Forward program, collaboration with the Friends of the Drama, partnering with English at Large, orientation for the Arlington Historical Society, participation in the 200th Anniversary Celebration of the Town, and letters to local organizations encouraging them to create displays at the library to promote their services. The English as a Second Language collection continued to be expanded with books, videos, CDs and audiotapes to assist speakers of several foreign languages in their efforts to master spoken English.
Library staff continued efforts to reach out to the community. The business community was targeted through hosting of several breakfast seminars for the Chamber of Commerce, posting to a local businesses blog, creation of business-related booklists and one-on-one reference assistance. The library also provided individualized basic computer training for senior citizens by pairing each individual with a high school student. Other programs for adults included personal finance, investment, and the co-sponsorship with several organizations of a film series and dialogue on racial issues. The library’s annual summer reading program for children, young adults and adults continued to be popular and this year the children’s librarians prepared the summer reading list titles for the elementary schools. The library continued to encourage local organizations to create displays at the library to promote their services. The library’s new email alert for children’s programs has proved so successful that library staff hopes to expand it to adult programs next year. Middle and high schools students who serve on the library’s Young Adult Advisory Board assisted with planning services and programs for this age group. The group helped with the children’s/young adult book sale and planned a sleepover at the library. They also assisted with decorating the teen area after it was moved and re-organized. Arlington residents enthusiastically read “Digging to America” by Anne Tyler as part of the sixth annual “Arlington Reads Together” program which promotes closer ties among community members through reading the same book and coming together at book discussions and other programs related to the themes of the book. The novel was enjoyed by the entire community and selected by Arlington High School as a mandatory summer reading selection title for grade twelve. Community programs included book discussions at the Robbins and Fox libraries, a panel on the adoption process, cultural festival on the heritage of Iran and Korea, and stories and music on the immigrant experience. The Community Read project was sponsored by the Board of Library Trustees, Friends of the Library and the Diversity Task Force of Vision 2020.
SERVICES FOR ADULTS AND YOUNG ADULTS
Adults and young adults of middle and high school age utilized the services provided by the librarians in the Adult Services Department for school, work and personal life. The library continued to staff the Reference Desk whenever the library was open to the public and tried to provide two librarians whenever possible during busy hours. Forty-four online databases were provided with municipal funding and through the library’s participation in the Minuteman Library Network and the Metrowest Regional Library System. With the public workstations in almost constant use, the staff assisted patrons in the use of the Internet and electronic databases and with computer troubleshooting. The library recorded 125,730 visits to its web site, an increase of 49% from last year. Staff created book and audiovisual displays to highlight the collections and assist citizens in their pursuit of life-long learning. Adults and young adults enjoyed the summer reading program with a raffle for gift certificates funded by the Friends of the Library. Many local organizations also took advantage of the library’s exhibit space in the lobby to publicize their organizations and to present informational displays. Exhibits by artists and photographers enhanced the Reading Room. The ever-popular “Speed Read” collection provided the opportunity to browse this small collection of new and popular materials for which there was a significant demand. Adult Services staff selected materials to increase the English Language Learning collection and actively promoted these as well as expanding the Chinese language collection. The Community Room and Conference Room were used by ninety-three local organizations for a total of 639 meetings. In addition, the two study rooms were in constant demand by students and tutors and the Local History Room received heavy usage by researchers with Independent Research Cards.
SERVICES TO YOUNG ADULTS
Young adults in grades six through twelve continued to make use of the facility and services. The Reference Desk staff assisted students with class assignments and bibliographic instruction and offered orientations to classes from the Ottoson Middle School. Young adults enjoyed several programs planned by library staff and the Young Adult Advisory Committee including a sleepover, mask-making, knitting, Friday night movies, cooking, photography and writing workshop, Teen book club, duct tape wallet making and an author visit to the Ottoson Middle School. The highlight of the year was the Teen Band Concert that entertained a crowd of teenagers, children and adults on the lawn at the Robbins House well into the evening. Library staff visited the Ottoson Middle School to present a book talk that was very popular with students. Artwork from Arlington High School was displayed in the Young Adult area of the library throughout the year. Teenagers participated in the summer reading program and had the opportunity to win raffle prizes funded by trust funds and local businesses. Multiple copies of titles on the middle and high school summer reading lists were available for students.SERVICES FOR CHILDREN
Children from infancy to fifth grade enjoyed the materials and programs offered by the Children’s Department. Materials included books, magazines, books on tape, music and spoken word on cassette and CD, videocassettes, CD-ROMs, puppets and educational toys. Children and parents participated in 349 activities at the Robbins and Fox Libraries including storytimes in English and Spanish languages, sing-a-longs for infants and toddlers, craft times, craft fair with the Recreation Department, toddler programs, workshops and various performances. Over 1,000 children participated in the summer reading program with a theme of “Wild Reads.” Funding from the trust funds, Friends of the Library and local businesses enabled children who participated to choose a free book to keep and to win small prizes. The children’s librarians offered assistance to children, parents and teachers in researching homework assignments and for general use of the book collection and the Internet. The public continued to request the very popular graded and subject booklists that are updated annually by library staff and several new booklists were prepared. The library continued to prepare “Quick Pick” boxes with thematic picture books to assist parents who do not have time to browse the shelves. The public and school libraries continued their cooperative efforts, although the lack of elementary school librarians continues to negatively impact this partnership. The public library maintained collaboration with the schools through letters to teachers, attendance at elementary school faculty meetings, assignment support for teachers and students, extended loan periods for teachers, library tours, and preparation of curriculum kits. The children’s librarians at the Robbins and Fox presented book talks in the schools and instruction for classes at the library. As in previous years, the library considered the needs of the curriculum frameworks when selecting materials for purchase. Russell Fund The library is very fortunate to have the Anne A. Russell Children’s Educational and Cultural Enrichment Fund which sponsors many special programs for children that could not be afforded through the municipal budget. In 2008 these included Marble Machine Madness, jewelry making, Arlington Philharmonic Concert, Hamstead Players Theatre, knitting classes, creative movement classes for infants and caregivers, Japanese Kendo fighting, mask making, cooking, Spanish story times, collage workshops, nature, storytelling, picnic concerts, crafts fair, celebration of author’ birthdays, scavenger hunt, children’s theatre, six-part workshop on writing and illustrating a book, backyard Safari, clay workshop on African animals, drawing, animation and Chess Club. The Children’s Department celebrated National Poetry Month with a Haiku Poetry Writing workshop and card design and a performance by a teen choir of poetry by children who passed through Therein on their way to Auschwitz. Over 500 children and adults attended a picnic concert on the grounds of the library during the summer. The Russell Fund also finances the very popular infant-toddler sing-a-longs. The 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. The library introduced several sessions of a “Baby Brunch” to welcome parents and infants to the Robbins and Fox Libraries.
EDITH FOX LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY CENTER
Children and adults in East Arlington continued to enjoy branch library services on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Children and parents enjoyed story times, sing-a-longs, craft programs, a Chinese New Year party, Baby Brunch, adult and children’s book clubs, “Open Mike”, Family Game Night, Movie Nights, Spanish story times, the summer reading program, and a Halloween celebration, Elementary and nursery schools brought classes to the library for stories and instruction. All ages enjoyed the monthly book displays that highlighted the collection and exhibits from community groups and the schools including artwork from the local Wayside Youth Program, photography by a Robbins Library staff member, and work from the Thompson School Photo Club. The Branch participated in the Feast of the East Festival with bookmarks and a children’s book raffle. The Branch Librarian also offered a book workshop for the Arlington Boys and Girls Club Babysitting Class.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Library staff worked diligently to offer quality services to the community. The number of items borrowed for library patrons from other libraries and loaned to other libraries for their patrons continued to increase. Despite the fact that the public can request items electronically, the staff must still locate the materials and process them for loan and return. The Adult Services and Technical Services Departments selected, ordered, cataloged and processed 18,549 new items including books, magazines, music compact discs, books on CD, DVDs, CD-ROMs, puppets and educational toys. The Circulation Department checked out and returned 529,738 items to the shelves. The Adult Services Department continued to order various tax forms and serve as a distribution center to assist patrons in filing their state and federal income taxes. Library administration maintained all state mandated standards to receive $59,907 in a state aid grant that was used for participation in the Minuteman Library Network and to purchase library materials. The library collected $58,156 in overdue fines and lost book money that was returned to the general town fund. The Adult Services Department successfully implemented a federal grant to provide resources and programs for English as Second Language learners and successfully applied for a grant for a preservation survey of the collections. The Local History Room was monitored for humidity control and a proposal submitted to the Town for funding of a new climate control system. Library staff prepared the monthly children’s newsletter and the quarterly newsletter for adults to keep the public aware of services available to them. The children’s newsletter for the schools was revised for better presentation of services. Other staff activities included selecting, weeding and updating the collection, responding to local history questions of which many were from out -of- state patrons, revision of the email reference form, updating the periodical list, shifting collections, creating booklists and displays, scheduling the meeting rooms, attendance at a Digital Commonwealth Conference, and processing books that need re-binding.
Administrative Projects Library administration coordinated several special projects: specification for new signage following the re-location of the collections, installation of new carpeting, publicity for promoting the rental of the Reading Room as a function site, installation of new shelving for the music compact discs, on-line survey of user satisfaction with the collections, coordination of a major capital project to waterproof the basement magazine storage area and the Community Room, compilation of statistical data to participate in a nationwide comparison of library usage, participation in the town’s financial summit and analysis of several cost saving proposals and the re-organization of the Adult Services and Children’s Services staffing. Library administration and branch staff continued to work with the Fox Revenue Study Committee to identify ways to raise revenue to make the Fox Library as self-sustaining as possible by 2011 and coordinated with the volunteers during the transition of the Thrift Shop to the first floor of the library to raise funds exclusively for branch services. The library attempted to meet patron demands for new audiovisual materials including DVDs, music CDs and books on cassette and CD. Library administration presented to the Board of Selectmen the results of an in-depth study of funding for audiovisual materials and books. The study documented that Arlington’s audiovisual collection ranked 9th among 10 libraries in the Minuteman Library Network and that a substantial increase in funding is required to provide an adequate collection. The Friends DVD rental collection continued to prove very successful and the proceeds from the rentals will allow for the further expansion of the collection. Technology Projects Several technology projects were completed this year: the implementation of a self-checkout station to ease the waiting line, installation of a new Minuteman Library Network server, new copy machine/vend printing station and a new microfilm/reader printer.BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The seven member Board of Trustees continued its commitment to sponsor a twice-yearly author program, administer the trust funds for the optimum benefit of the community, raise private funds to augment the municipal budget and advocate for adequate staffing and delivery of essential library services. The Board approved funding in FY08 for reference and circulating books, books on CD, music CDs, DVD non-fiction, literacy materials, local history, art prints, children’s materials, young adult books, materials for the Fox Branch, shelving, summer reading programs, activities for children, Community Read, author program, public relations, volunteer appreciation and staff development. The fourth annual Arlington Authors panel was well received and will be held again next year. The Board conducted a mail solicitation of individuals and businesses to raise funds for the collections. It also raised private funds to restore Sunday openings from October 2008 to May 2009 and will continue this endeavor next year. Board members also participated in Town Day by staffing a table providing information on library activities and resources. Two long-term board members resigned after more than twenty years of service: David Castiglioni and Patricia Deal The Board is grateful to both for their dedication and hard work.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
The Friends of the Robbins Library with a membership of 450, continues to assist the Robbins and Fox Branch libraries with programming, fundraising and advocacy efforts. This vital support group raises supplemental funds for materials and equipment not provided through the municipal budget. They also sponsor the family museum pass program. Under the direction of program chairperson Terry Barry, the Friends hosted a well-attended genealogy program in February. In March, Martha Parravano of Horn Book Magazine treated a smaller audience to reviews and recommendations of good books for children. April was a busy month for Friends’ activities, beginning with the second annual Children’s/Young Adult book sale, co-sponsored by the Russell Fund, with able assistance from members of the library’s Youth Advisory Board. April concluded with the Friends’ annual meeting following by an amazing musical event with hip harpist Deborah Henson-Conant. Attendees thoroughly enjoyed themselves and several said that they would never view or listen to the harp in the same way again. In May, Stuart Whitehurst of Skinner, Inc. appraised treasures brought by audience members in a repeat of a very popular program. On a beautiful late September day, book lovers came out in droves for the Friends’ Town Day book sale. Many visitors also regularly peruse and make purchases from the ongoing book sale on the fourth floor of the library. The rental DVD collection continues to draw many users to the convenient location on the first floor. In November, a follow-up genealogy program was offered with the always-popular Walter Hickey of the National Archives in Waltham. In December, a wine tasting fundraiser was held in cooperation with Menotomy Beer and Wine. The Friends of the Library is fortunate to have an active Board of Directors as well as the services of Amy McElroy who continues to capably coordinate all the organization’s activities.
VOLUNTEERS
Once again this year, the library benefited from the work of dedicated volunteers. The library staff is grateful for the contributions made by volunteers who donated over 3,000 hours assisting with many aspects of library operations. Bill Bradley and Margarida Mapletoft gave significant numbers of hours, as did Beverly Brinkerhoff, who coordinates the important homebound delivery program. Also deserving of special note is Anne Honeycutt who has facilitated the popular book discussion group for more than a decade. Volunteers assisting at the Robbins Library in a variety of capacities were: Diane Alexandre, Swati Bhattacharya, Monika Brodsky, Joan Caterino, Caley Chastell, David Gersh, Kim Haase, Carol Hoover, Reena Idiculla, Shibani Joshi, Morris Keesan, Aparna Khanna, Susan Leonard, Ami Malia, Kentaro Marchionni, Leslie Medoff, Debbie Minns, Stephanie Norton, Akila Padmanabhan, Dave Pienta, Asha Rao, Nancy Rodriquez, Brigitte Romeo, Leon Sasky, Paulette Schwartz, Ron Sender, Ellen Shearer, I-Hwa Shiue, Mia Stange, Betty Veinot, Barbara Wagner, Marjorie Wills, Shannetta Young and Jayne Zaccagnini. Volunteers assisting with the Town Day book sale were: Susie Barbarossa, Michael and Julia Bloom, Carole Burns, Helena Christensen, Beth Ann Dahan, Andrew Fischer, Gretchen Flock, Alison Goulder, Catherine Grynkiewicz, Mary Grynkiewicz, Sally Hale, Jennie Hango, Kathy Jones, Peter Kelley, Helen Krikorian, Helen Leonard, Richard McElroy, Sally Naish, Ruth Norcross, Sheila O’Donnell, Annmarie Ostrowski, Judi Paradis, Jane Piechota, Ave Rongone, Daniel Rosen, Skye Stewart, Marcie Theriault, Greg Tighe, Wendy Watson and Tim Wilson. The library is grateful for the work of participants in the town’s Senior Citizen Community Service Reimbursement Program. The Fox Branch Library staff is appreciative of the efforts of its volunteers Joanne Burns, Susanne Dorson and Amy Weitzman. . .
DONATIONS
In Fiscal 2008 citizens, businesses and organizations donated over $86,000 for general purposes and a specific project. The library acknowledges with appreciation these gifts which allow for the purchase of books and audiovisual materials which could not be afforded through the municipal budget. The library is very appreciative to Charles L. Poulos for his funding of the new circulation desk. As in previous years the programs and services of the Anne A. Russell Educational and Cultural Enrichment Fund have enriched the community. The library is also grateful to Arlington resident Richard Duffy who continued to donate the profits from the sale of his book, “Arlington Then and Now” to the library and to Miriam Levine who did a poetry reading at the library in April and donated that evening’s proceeds from the sale of her poetry book, “The Dark Opens.” The library received $1,895 from the Public Libraries Fund. The state legislature passed legislation in 2006 for a program that allowed a $0.50 match on every eligible dollar raised by public libraries; however it appropriated insufficient funds for that level and discontinued the program in the future. The Friends of the Library donated $53,288 to the library for membership to five museums, reference books, books on CD, DVDs, children’s books, local history, multicultural, materials for the Fox branch, database, web site design, Community Read, raffle prizes for summer reading program and other supplementary materials.
LOOKING AHEAD
With the severe financial crisis impacting federal, state and municipal governments and the anticipated budget cuts to all town departments, the library will face a tremendous challenge to provide quality library services. It is will not be possible to restore Thursday morning hours that were cut back due to reductions in the municipal budget in fiscal 2004; in addition the Robbins Library may close at 5:00 PM one weekday evening and the Children’s Room may lose its only evening open. The Fox Branch Library will rely on funding from the Fox Thrift Shop to maintain its schedule. Service reductions will occur in both Adult and Children’s Services. The materials budget will also be reduced substantially. If the town appropriates insufficient funds to meet state requirements, the library could loose state aid, be de-certified and residents could be denied borrowing privileges at local libraries. Library administration and the Board of Trustees will continue fundraising efforts to solicit private funding for materials and services not afforded through the municipal budget. The library will maintain its commitment to high quality children’s services through the financial support of the Anne A. Russell Children’s Educational and Cultural Enrichment Fund.
Future activities include:
Library administration, staff and the Board of Trustees remain committed to maintaining high standards of service so that the library will fulfill its mission to be a vital community resource that assists residents in leading satisfying lives.