WHAT'S NEW?
West Bridgewater Public Library goes Wireless
The West Bridgewater Public Library now has wireless internet. Patrons are welcome to bring in their own laptop computers and connect to the internet. Wireless capabilities are throughout the building and extend into some parts of the parking lot. When a patron needs to use the wireless signal, he simply turns on his computer and connects to the wireless signal named "WBPL". The signal does not require a password in order for the connection to be established. The router has been set up with wireless isolation enabled security. This means that one computer on the wireless signal can't access data on other computers on this signal.
Mike Aucoin of Charlie's Computers in Bridgewater has installed the wireless technology for the WBPL through the library's courtesy Comcast modem. Wireless inside the building is available during library open house of Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10-5 PM and Tuesday and Wednesday from 10-7PM. Wireless is available 24/7 from outside the building. Patrons using the wireless internet through the Library's signal are expected to follow the Library's Internet Use Policy. Copies are available at the circulation desk
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR OF
THE WEST BRIDGEWATER PUBLIC LIBRARY
The highlight of the year 2008 was implementing the second year of the 'Tweens and Teens Grant from the Library Services and Technology Act through the Mass. Board of Library Commissioners. This grant enabled the Library to deliver programs and services that infused a sense of empowerment for young patrons by affording them a means to congregate, be entertained, learn new skills, work with peers on projects and school assignments, continue the Teens Club, and participate in a variety of educational activities and programs. This program appealed to 60 children from the Howard School and the Middle High School. Nanette Ryan, Children's Librarian, and Michelle Sheehan, Assistant Children’s Librarian, administered the program. The award was $7,500 in this second year of the project concluding October 2008.
The second reason for excitement was implementing the Equal Access Grant. This was developed by Libraries for the Future, the programming branch of the Americans for Libraries Council, a national non-profit organization for the purpose of promoting new approaches to sustaining and developing libraries in the 21st century. The Public Library earned the Health Access Grant administered by Michelle Sheehan and the Youth Access Grant administered by Nanette Ryan in October 2007. There was a one-year period to promote healthy communities through strengthening capacities. Programs focused on the purchase of health and wellness information, activities and programming, and purchasing books and multi-media for youth. Decisions on programming for youth were made through discussion with the Teen Advisory Board. Nineteen West Bridgewater adult residents were certified in CPR in July. The Health Access Grant focused on building partnerships in the community. The two aspects of the grant equally shared $5,000.
“Wild Reads at Your Library”, the summer reading program theme, attracted 250 children for a successful summer of reading and animal program activities. The end of summer “Jungle Safari” wrap-up party brought Tom Chamberlain to town with two bicycle raffles, the prizes donated by Estabrook & Chamberlain Insurance. Fourteen tickets were given as prizes by the Brockton Rox. One youth membership was given as a prize by the Old Colony YMCA in East Bridgewater. Local businesses and patrons gave generously for the purchase of prizes. The Children’s Librarian held an animal program every week in the summer. Radical Reptiles, Jungle Encounters, and the Museum of Science Reptile Program were all funded by The Howard Trust. Pony care with Oreo the Pony and Karen Douglas of Stonecroft Farm, Mom and Me Stamping Up, Wolf Talk, and Ed the Wizard: Reading is Magic were some of the programs enjoyed. The Sleep-Over Pajama party for ‘tweens and teens was held in July. Trucchi’s and Shaw’s donated the party refreshments. Davis Bates performed courtesy of the WB Cultural Council grant. The five week Incubation Egg Program was part of the animal themed summer program whereby the equipment and eggs were rented from Animal Affair of Rehoboth. Fifteen chickens were successfully hatched out of 18. Many children with their parents visited the Library weekly to check on the progress of the eggs and hatchlings.
During the rest of the year the Children’s Department hosted a variety of programs for children, parents, and caregivers. Picturing America was a display of 40 art reproductions from the National Endowment for the Humanities displayed in the Library Galleria. Study guide questions accompanied each picture for discussion. Story Time sessions and Toddler Story Times were held throughout the year accompanied by seasonal craftmaking activities and occasional guests Sona Hoisington and Katie Porro. Shaw’s Receipt Rewards Program was initiated whereby the Library received 1 % of receipts of allowed products purchased by library patrons in Shaw’s. In 2008 this amounted to $ 2,436. The Library is grateful to Shaw’s for this generous program. Tikatok.com was invited for a book making/creative writing workshop where ‘tweens and teens made their own books. The 4-H Babysitter course, adult CPR, and a Child/Infant CPR course were held for youth ages 12 and up. The Library received a donation from a patron to support the babysitter courses. A music and movement workshop and a Stories and More workshop were held with North River Collaborative for children under the age of 4. A parenting workshop on discipline run by South Bay Early Intervention was presented. The Paul Merklein program was held for the ‘tweens and teens at the WBMS High School in October. The teen book discussion group began in October.
Community Service youth volunteers, Emaleigh Robson and Christie Testa, were supervised by Nanette Ryan in the Children’s Room. Students from The Howard School continued to utilize the WBPL during monthly library class visits with School Librarian, Mrs. Dowling. April McDermott, Assistant Director, worked with the students on these visits. One hundred kindergarten children signed up as a group for their own library cards and were welcomed to the Library in November.
The Senior Citizen Volunteer Program saw Roberta Maraglia sharing the weekly duties as after school monitor with regular volunteers Denise Lewis and David Church. Tom Fiorentino made many improvements in the Library as handyman in the Senior Citizen Volunteer Program. Irene White worked as a volunteer throughout the year creating record files. Sona Hoisington assisted with story hours. Anne Gillis with her friends Mary Julius, Dorna Bevis, and Joan Daxberger planted and maintained the beauty of the side entrance English garden.
The Library has built a collection of materials numbering 78,195 and received 6,398 new items in the year. Circulation was 59,625. The Library is a Net Lender by loaning out to other libraries 16,176 and borrowing 9,999 items from other libraries. There are 5,042 registered borrowers up 168 from last year. There is an average of 21 reference questions asked per day. The Library website is www.sailsinc.org/westbridgewater. On the website there are links to Library Calendar of All Events and the Library Newsletter, HeddaLines, edited by Webmaster, Asst. Reference Librarian, Karen Ross.
There were many improvements made to the eighteen year old building. Two heat pumps and one condensate pan unit were replaced in the summer courtesy of funding through the Municipal Building Needs Committee. Trustee Jim Moore arranged to have a new metal book drop cover fabricated. Builder Glen Garfield installed the new cover. Southeastern Vocational Technical High School shop students created the new book drop sign which Glen installed.
The Library thanks the Friends of the Library and all the volunteers for the engaging lectures, museum pass program, and the continuation of the Reading Is Fundamental (R.I.F.) program. Friends membership dues, receipts from the ongoing book sale, and private donations funded the R.I.F. distribution of paperback books to the students in grades one through five in January, May, and October. Over 24,400 books have been distributed in this program since its start in 1989 reports Kristine Roberts, RIF Chairperson.
The Library Staff joins me in thanking the citizens of West Bridgewater who continuously support the Public Library. We appreciate that residents recognize that library services are an integral part of community life.
Respectfully submitted,
Beth Roll Smith
Library Director