The night before the night before Christmas party was great success, thanks everyone who showed up. 22 kids in PJs, and a bunch of parents, listened to "The Night Before Christmas," "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer," then watched "The Polar Express."
See you all next year!
Tuesday December 23rd at 6pm come to Pittsfield's Roger Clark Memorial Library.
We will read a few Christmas stories, enjoy coco and snacks and watch the movie Polar Express. Wear your PJs and bring pillows and blankets to sit on the floor for the movie.
The Polar Express:
This magical holiday tale tells of a young boy who still wants to believe in Santa even though his friends have “grown out of it.” His faith is rewarded when a steam train pulls up to his house and escorts him to the North Pole to meet Santa. The cutting-edge “motion capture process” used to film this story allows the real life actors to drive the emotions and movements of the animated characters.
Thanks everyone for a great season of after school programs. We had 20 to 25 kids at most of our programs, and we couldn't have done it without our volunteers. In fact we are nothing without our volunteers. Literally. We are a 100% volunteer run library. If you would like to see more programs like this in the spring, drop us a line at pittsfieldvtlibrary@gmail.com and let us know how you can help. Can you show up to unlock the door every week? Do you have a project or interest to share one week? Are you good at organizing? Join the competition for the 2009 Susie Martin Award.
Wow, we made snowglobes last week! The kids created an awesome variety of snowmen, palm trees, penguins and even a snowpizza! Snowglobes can be picked up on Tuesday at the library. Join us for our final after school program until spring: Gingerbread Houses!
See more photos here.
Last year Pittsfield's Roger Clark Memorial Library created the "Susie Martin Library Volunteer of the Year" award in honor of Susie's long and continuing service to the library. Volunteers are important at every library, but at our 100% volunteer library they are everything. This year the crown was handed to Angelique Lee. In the last year and a half Angelique wrote grant applications that brought the library thousands of dollars for new books, a new sign, a couch and several library programs. She organized our summer reading program and, along with Joyce, ran our incredibly well attended after school program. Angelique has recruited her family too, and together they have cataloged and mylared hundreds of new books. We've had an amazing year at our library, without Angelique's energy, ideas and time we would not have accomplished half of it.
So now the battle for the 2009 crown begins. Will Angelique hold onto the title for another year with the help of her family? Will she mylar, design and catalog her way to a 2 year run? Will Susie Martin spend enough hours emptying mouse traps, typeing catalog cards and managing budgets to get the crown back? Or will it be someone new? Nancy Blessing is the new kid to watch, heading up the "Listen Up" downloadable book program, but close at her heels will be Sharon Mayer and Lorraine Fielder. Both selecting books, mylaring, and now both covering desk shifts. The field is wide open. Will Eunice increase her shifts and achieve her secret dream of becoming a librarian? Will Karen Waterworth, the Thank You note and book sale queen take over the lead? Could April run and adult reading program? Joyce take over book catalogging? The field is wide open. It's an exciting competition, and all you have to do to join it is stop by the library.
Thank you Angelique for your time and your enthusiasm. You are a great example to our community.
Enjoy a slideshow of the afternoon.
Roger Clark Memorial Library
Pittsfield, Vermont
Minutes of meeting 12/04/08
Called to order at 7:07 pm
Present: Susie Martin, Marion Abrams, Sharon Mayer, April Hayden , Karen Waterworth
Nancy Blessing & Angelique Lee
Treasurer’s Report
Receipts $ 100.00 Donated in memory of Sara Flynn
Disbursed 375.64 Books
74.41 Supplies
Account Balance 2987.64
197.21 ½.com(Vonage)
Ranney CD 1036.76 Maturity date 12//04/08
Jutson CD 1036.70 Maturity date 12/10/08
(both to be renewed and interest deposited in ½.com account)
AEF Savings 642.20
Cash on hand 23.55
Nancy extended thanks to Angelique & family for massive effort and accomplishment during recent library work day.
Signage discussed.
Marion to follow up on previously cleared by select board plan to place two signs on green to heighten awareness of library presence.
Plexiglas cover suggested for bulletin board on front of building.
New signs on books shelves created by Angelique & Sharon noted and Sharon volunteered to
improve same with Velcro .
After school programming discussed.
In ‘09, Angelique will strive to provide programming for students in grade 5 and up.
Any volunteer wishing to carry on programming for younger children encouraged to step forward.
Tracy and Eunice mentioned as individuals who had expressed interest in providing programming.
Participation in The Big Read sponsored by The Vermont Humanities Council discussed. This year’s book selection is Fahrenheit 45, 10 free books available to participating libraries.
Library volunteers encouraged to attend the Women’s Alliance Dinner at the Swiss Farm on December 10th as the Trustees will at that time present an award to one deserving library volunteer.
Game night discussed. Hope to expand appeal to the adult community expressed. Timing and child care discussed; a Cabin Fever February Pot Luck Game Night suggested. Karen likely to follow up on plan.
Nancy Blessing indicated continued exploration of Listen Up Vermont downloadable books and plans to keep us informed.
Quarterly work days slated for January 11th, April 5th, July 12th & October 18th in the coming year.
Karen asked to write a letter to library users explaining purpose of registration and issuance of new library cards.
Thank you notes sent to Saskia Hagengroom and the Hayden family for presenting after school programs.
Decision made to again request $940.00 from town budget in 2009
Angelique plans to write Turrell grant by February 1st due date
Next Trustee Meeting scheduled for Sunday, January 11,2009, 12-1:00pm. Followed by the aforementioned workday.
Minutes submitted by Karen Waterworth
Thank you Saskia Groom for giving our latest After School Program! Saskia lead an enthusiastic crowd of 17 kids in an exploration of African dance and drumming. Before each program the kids meet in the library, giving them a chance to socialize, use the computer and browse the books.
Our program takes a short break next week and resumes December 2nd with the Hayden Family sharing their chickens with us. They have some special activities planned that you won't want to miss!
We still need babyfood jars for the December 9th Snow Globe program. Please drop them off at the library door anytime. THANK YOU!
See more photos from Saskia's program at here.
Other news:
Yoga instructor Gianna Gilmer will be presenting a program for all ages discussing the benefits of connecting the mind & body, the program will be for all ages and all levels. We will have more information soon. Monday December 1st at 3:30 (children must be accompanied by an adult).
Roger Clark Memorial Library
Pittsfield Vermont
Meeting Minutes
11/17/08
Meeting brought to order at 7:00pm
In attendance: Susie Martin, Marion Abrams, Sharon Mayor, Angelique Lee, Lorraine Fielder,
Karen Waterworth, Nancy Blessing
Treasurer’s Report
Regular Checking Account
Deposits: $305.00 Donations in memory of Sara Flynn
Disbursements: $141.57 Books
437.13 Books (per Turrell grant)
33.30 Postage
18.99 Events
87.97 Supplies
278.99 Sofa (per Turrell grant)
179.14 After school program
30.00 Saturday program
-------------
Total: $1207.09
Ending Balance: $3319.69
½.com Checking Account:
$ 197.21
CDs: 1000.00 Ranney
1000.00 Jutson
AEF Savings: 641.80
Volunteers encouraged to sign up for shifts.
Volunteers asked to catalog books during shifts. Instructions in folder.
Photos and certificate of appreciation from Philippines Library to which books were donated were reviewed.
Anticipated pen pal letters from Philippine students to follow.
Nancy Blessing continues to investigate use of www.listenupvermont.org.
Sharon presented new Rolodex and library cards. Those present registered and received cards and numbers allowing use of downloadable audio books at www.listenupvermont.org.
Karen presented draft of informational letter to patrons regarding registration and library cards; template for developing a Privacy and Confidentiality Policy; and copy pf Vermont Act 129
Plan made to present draft of Privacy and Confidentiality Policy at next meeting
Plan made to initiate registration and issue library cards after next library meeting in December.
Marion Abrams plans to move ahead with purchase of MP3 players for patron use when downloading audio books.
Lorraine Fielder reported on results of Usborne Book Sale. Total sales of $500.00 (including library purchases) and use of Literacy for a Lifetime grant netted RCML $350.00 worth of free books.
Sharon Mayer nominated and accepted to fill vacancy of trustee as Sandy Begin had previously made it know that she wanted to step down. Sandy will be asked to write letter of resignation.
Future of After School Program discussed. Angelique remains available to spearhead program along with Joyce through the spring of ‘09, but anticipates being unavailable in the fall of ‘09. Any individuals interested in maintaining or redirecting an after school program are encouraged to step forward.
Noted that Turrell grant writing due in February ‘09.
Thank you notes written to Judy Jenson, Trish & Jeff Hegewald, Edie Johnstone, Joe Desena and Becca Rubens for contributions to the after school program.
Noted that ad for RCML will appear in the White River Valley Telephone Directory compiled by the Park House in Rochester.
Sale of telephone directory in library suggested.
Afternoon of Sunday 11/23/08 designated as library work day. Volunteers strongly encouraged to attend from 1-5pm to facilitate the cataloging our many new books.
Possibility of library sponsoring a Yoga Community Awareness Class as offered by Gianna at the Town Hall discussed. Monday afternoon time slot suggested. Marion will follow up with Gianna and Select Board.
December meeting to take place on Thursday, December 4th.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05pm, after which newly purchased sofa assembled and tested for functionality.
Respectfully submitted by Karen Waterworth
News from Angelique:
Thank you so much to all of the parents who help with the program every week, we couldn't do without your participation - we had 27 kids this week! We were delighted to have Edie Johnstone lead us in a collage activity - using acid free art board, the finished pieces received a special layer of varnish making this beautiful art suitable for framing.
I posted the most recent photo album at: http://sites.google.com/site/pittsfieldvtlibrary/
Next week Saskia Groom will be leading us in a freestyle program of drumming, dance, storytelling and singing.
