HAZEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY

 

 

The Hazen Memorial Library is a community center where all age groups gather for meaningful programs, social interaction, internet access, recreational reading, research, magazines, newspapers, audios, and movies. We encourage you to visit the library and take advantage of all the services and programs available.

 

FY10 proved to be another challenging year for Shirley’s town finances, and the library budget was negatively affected. Summer hours in July and August were reduced to 25 hours per week, with no hours open on Saturday. Following a successful override election in September, the library hours were brought back to 36 hours per week. It is interesting to note that the number of items borrowed still increased even though access to the library and staffing hours were reduced. The summer reading program and meeting room usage was impacted slightly due to the reduced hours.

 

We thank all the voters who supported the library in the override election.

 

CIRCULATION/SERVICES

The Hazen Memorial Library is pleased to report continued increased usage of library services in FY10. Longer loan periods for books and increased access to online resources results in fewer daily visitors. On average, 1,150 people visit the library each week. Refer to the table below for more statistics.

 

 

 

LIBRARY STATISTICS

 

FY08

 

 

FY09

 

FY10

Total Circulation

(All Items Borrowed)

 

109,217

 

 

117,046

 

117,385

Visitors

 

66,556

 

 

63,850

 

59,727

 

Number of Meeting Room Uses

 

362

 

300

 

234

Number of Library Programs

 

422

 

 

451

 

437

 

Program Attendance

 

7,860

 

 

8,815

 

6,484

 

 

 

PROGRAMS

Children

Children’s programs are a vital aspect of library services, and we provide a rich children's collection including picture books, board books, beginning reader books, fiction books, non-fiction books, magazines, music, movies, audio books on CD and cassettes, materials in other languages, resources for parents and child care providers, reference books, databases and computer stations with internet access. Many children especially enjoy the play and reading area with puzzles, building blocks, a train set, and a dollhouse. Our “Goodnight Moon” story time room is brightly painted with scenes from Margaret Wise Brown's classic children's story. “Mother Goose on the Loose”, a program for babies up to age 3 is still going strong since its inception in 2005, made possible by a state grant. Preschool story time attracts families with children ages 3-5 eager to hear age appropriate stories and create fun craft projects.

 

The Youth Services librarian developed and led 124 programs in FY10, for infants to teenagers, with attendance of 4,501. The Friends of the Hazen Memorial Library sponsored Tykes Itsy Bitsy Yoga, a Trick or Treat Halloween Magic Show, a horticulture green classroom, Rainforest Animal show, Juggling lessons, LEGO club, and a Comics drawing class with Andy Fish. In addition, the Friends provide the funding for all craft supplies for storytime events.

 

Summer Reading

Hazen library supports the summer reading requirements of all area schools. In addition, we offer a summer reading program based on a statewide theme. A total of 132 children participated in the library’s 2010 “Go Green @ your Library” summer reading program. All funding for the program comes from sources outside of the town appropriated budget.

 

Summer programs included: Magician Scott Jameson, funded by the Shirley Cultural Council. Creature Teachers Frog Show, Boston Museum of Science’s traveling exhibit, Ice Cream social, and program prizes were funded by Bemis Corporation, without whose support our program would be impossible. Thank you Bemis for your generosity and the contribution you make to support children’s literacy.

 

Adults

Adult programs are funded by sources outside of the appropriated budget, mainly the Friends of the Hazen Memorial Library. Some programs held in FY10 were: the Holiday Fair, a Holiday Tea with musicians Trio Cordefiate, Book signing with Diane Rapaport, author of “The Naked Quaker”, author Sally Sacks of “How to Raise the Next President”, and David Brody, local author of “Cabal of the Westford Knight”. Shirley Recreation continues to sponsor Senior and Adult Yoga classes. In FY10, the library held 180 programs for adults with 2,518 participants.

 

GRANTS

1. The minimum State Aid requirements were met as a result of the passage of a Prop. 2 ½ override in September, therefore the library was certified to receive $12,023.00 from this grant.

2. The Small Libraries in Networks grant was also received this year, which applies a $2,500 savings on our network fees.

3. Federal E-Rate funds were applied for and awarded in the amount of $3,338.00. This reimbursement is applied to the town’s internet costs.

 

FRIENDS

The Friends of the Hazen Memorial Library provide all of the funding for programs, equipment and museum passes well beyond the scope of the library budget. Many popular events were again made possible in FY10 by the hard work and inspiration of our Friends. All museum passes are paid for by the group’s fundraising efforts: Butterfly Place, Boston Children’s Museum, Davis Farmland, Ecotarium, Fruitlands, Massachusetts State Parks, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Museum of Science, and the New England Aquarium. Your continued support of the Friends will keep these programs and museum passes available to all. If you are looking for a rewarding volunteer experience, check the Library’s online calendar of events at www.shirleylibrary.org and attend the next Friend’s meeting.

 

VOLUNTEERS

The contributions of our faithful volunteers are more important than ever. Grateful thanks to Barbara Masiero and our other volunteers for their dedicated service.

 

STAFF

Thanks to the Hazen Memorial Library staff: Director Debra Roy, Sue Cusick, Kathleen Farrar, Chris McNeal, Mary Lou Clark, Carol Landers, Steven Banks, and Shirley Lanteigne, whose commitment to providing knowledgeable and friendly customer service make our library successful and this board a pleasure on which to serve.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Trustees of the Hazen Memorial Library, FY10

Cornelia Donovan, Chair

Dwight W. Smith, Vice Chair

Elizabeth West, Secretary

Linda McClellan, Treasurer

Susan Johnston

Elizabeth Quinty