By Dot Bergin
Carol Bender, Head of Children’s Services, hired in March 2013, has resigned from the Bedford Free Public Library to take a position in Rockport, nearer to her home. Her last day in Bedford was September 13. Library Director Richard Callaghan assured the Trustees at their September 10 meeting that programs for children will continue as scheduled, with some new and exciting offerings coming up in October. Meantime, the position of Head of Children’s Services has been posted and will remain open until October 1. Seven applications have already been received, Callaghan said.
Summer may be a leisurely time for many but not for the Library staff. During July, 168 new patrons were registered, Callaghan reported; the usual number is about 90 per month. A substantial number of new registrations are coming from the Hanscom Air Base and the Library staff has observed increased usage and attendance from Hanscom families, reflecting the impact of cuts in base services.
Among the many summer activities that kept staff on the go was the “Dig into Reading” program, which Callaghan said was a hit with younger readers. Something new this year was an adult summer reading program, in which patrons were invited to fill out a form for every book read. There were 250 entries, with a grand prize of a $100 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble (drawn by lottery), provided by the Friends of the Library.
During October and November, there will be Wednesday Morning Music Specials for children ages 0-5 years and their parents and caregivers. Performers are Sarah Gardner, Charlie Hope (making a repeat appearance) and Tim Von Egmond, whose “Shudders and Shivers” program is especially geared to the 3rd through 5th grade set. Funds for these special events have been provided by the Friends of the Library. First musical morning is set for October 2, with Sarah Gardner, children’s entertainer, who is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and Emerson College and an enthusiastic proponent of music for young children.
You might not think that Bedford High School yearbooks would be a “hot” item in the Library collection but they are, so much so that they are currently being digitized, via an arrangement with the Boston Public Library. When the yearbooks are returned there will be a digitized copy on a hard drive which users can access through the Library web site. As Director Callaghan pointed out, technology is enabling more and more materials to be available to patrons directly from their home computers.
Have you used OverDrive? It allows a library user to download and read books on a home computer or mobile device. As one way to encourage reading and use of OverDrive, Callaghan said the Library is participating in the Big Library Read, in which Bedford kids will be able to read the eBook or listen to the audiobook Fancy Nancy: Nancy Clancy: Super Sleuth, a popular favorite. Through OverDrive, the book will be available to download with no waitlists or holds from September 16 through September 30. To learn more about OverDrive, go to the Library web site, sign in to your account, and check online databases. The Library staff is always happy to provide assistance, although the online “help” is almost self-explanatory.
Other items of interest reported at the September 9 meeting were:
- Trustee Rachel Field reviewed the design of the outdoor chess/checkers tables; they were approved by the Board and are now on order;
- Assistant Library Director Noreen O’Gara acknowledged good volunteer summer help from a group of Bedford High School students, who aided the staff in a variety of tasks including cleaning and washing all the shelves;
- Lisa Bayliss is leading a new program for fall, “Creative Connections,” which combines discussion of a short written piece each month along with a craft that reflects the material discussed. Patrons need not be artists to participate!
- An “Awesome Box” has been set up in both the adult area and in the Children’s Room; this is a box where patrons can return a particularly well-liked item, so other readers can know what fellow patrons thought is “awesome.”
Loading ...
