Changes for the Your Library Just Got
Better
A Report from Library Leadership Listening to our patrons always inspires us to do better, and in 2014 we achieved several milestones in response. You've told us you want more and better MATERIALS AND SERVICES, you want more and better ACCESS to those materials and services, and you want the library itself to be a MORE COMFORTABLE place in which to access those materials and services. Here's a report: Expanded Access in 2014 For many years, the East Fishkill Community Library was open 55 hours per week. For its size, that is the minimum required by the state of NY; and while the hours accommodated most people, it missed some pretty regularly. Commuters and working families who wanted to visit on Sunday couldn’t, because we were closed. In 2014 we were able to open Sundays noon to 4, except for summer months, and as a result checked out an additional 6,191 items last year. Now the library is open 59 hours during a regular week, and when you add to that
our online accessibility, we really are here whenever you need us. Aiming for the Best Materials and Online Resources There’s a finite amount of space in any building and we’ve come very close to capacity. To make room for new material, we weed the collection regularly so that older, less-used and out-of-date materials are removed. We buy current popular fiction and non-fiction, best-sellers, indemand DVDs as well as less wellknown titles – because the library should be a place where you can find what you didn’t know you’d want until you found it. We also try to deliver exciting things as they become available online. In 2014 we introduced new sources for films and magazines, and brought back an old genealogy friend:
IndieFlix started as a curated database of 6,000 streaming award-winning independent films, and they’ve recently added mainstream content.
The new children’s area began construction in Fall 2014, and is now Action Central for a wide range of children’s activities week in and week out, thanks to the fundraising campaign of the Friends of East Fishkill Community Library. We can’t thank you enough for your support!
Zinio is a magazine database that downloads entire issues to your smart phone or tablet. Nothing is left out, no need to pay for premium content. HeritageQuest, a genealogy database, was brought back at our patrons' request when Mid -Hudson Library System discontinued it last year.
These three databases are for East Fishkill residents only, but we have lots of databases available to any cardholder in the MidHudson Library System. For more information, check eflibrary.org.
Children’s Corner
Tots,Teens,Tweens all have a place in the library By Cathy Nuding, Youth Services Librarian
Here, there, and everywhere - that’s how our library is used and enjoyed! In 2014, all age groups enjoyed our programs in the library and out in our community. We offered 189 events in the library for ages 1 to 12. We also ran 7 programs for teens, and 35 events at which they offered their time helping children as volunteers. Of course, our goal is to have all the kiddos - and tweens and teens - use the library. But sometimes, the library needs to visit the kids where they are.
2014 outreach efforts allowed us to deliver Storytimes, Booktalks and more to 18 schools and organizations, bringing the library's message (plus a few songs, and a lot of fun!) to over one thousand children.
And what is the message we’re so eager to deliver? Simply that the library has value for everyone. We strive to meet developmental needs related to literacy, school readiness, socialization, and technology. Happily, the word is getting out. Most events now require pre-registration, and fill up within days - or even hours - of posting. So visit our website Events Calendar. From toddler Playtime to Homework Help for the tweens, and daycare/school visits for every age, every child should enjoy the library!
Improved Comfort Our building needed a pick-me-up and in September we tackled a major renovation. New carpets, wall paint with a fresh blend of colors, new furniture, and importantly, a rearrangement of the departments so that children have a dedicated space... and adults have more quiet space. Children's programs are more comfortable in the new space, and with the use of portable acoustic sound barriers, the ambient noise level throughout the library has been reduced. There are more spaces for small groups to work together, and for individuals to sit quietly to read or study. We have more natural light coming in and more comfy furniture. In fact, just about everyone who’s seen the new configuration has been trying to figure out how the building got bigger on the inside without getting bigger on the outside.
Gloria Goverman is Library Director, and Pat Moore is President of the Library Board of Trustees
East Fishkill Community Library
E A S T F I S H K I L L C O M M U N I T Y L I B R A RY
Meet our Newest Board Member After years of volunteering at East Fishkill library events, longtime local educator John Merlino was elected to the Board of Trustees in the Fall, 2014 election. John is retired from the Wappingers Central School District where he served as assistant principal at John Jay HS, district science department head, and finally district coordinator for science and technology. He is treasurer of Phi Delta Kappa, New Paltz, scholar-
ship director of the Putnam County Italian American Club, and consultant for the Putnam/ Westchester BOCES Science 21 program. John lives in Hopewell Junction with his wife, Marisa. They have two children. Visit eflibrary.org for information about all nine of the Trustees who represent our community.
IN 2014 YOUR LIBRARY:
... managed the third-highest circulation in the 66-library Mid-Hudson system ... AGAIN!
... led the Mid-Hudson system in downloadable eBook and eAudio Circulation ... AGAIN!
... presented 606 programs with attendance of 9,279
... tallied 85,824 visits to our web page
... answered 15,483 reference questions
... provided 13,483 public computer sessions
... hosted 43 nonprofit groups in the library's meeting rooms
... and counted more than 133,000 patron visits!
Both the Library’s monthly Showcase and Gallery Wall exhibit the work of local artists and artisans. (See schedules for each on eflibrary.org.) Pictured above is February 2014 Gallery artist, watercolorist Melissa Fischer, greeting neighbor Lena Hilliard.
East Fishkill Community Library
A N N UA L R E P O RT TO T H E C O M M U N I T Y
Regular Library Programs Just Keep on Giving Our meeting spaces seem to always be booked. That could be because there were 606 library sponsored programs attended by 9,279 last year. Library programs fall into two categories. They might be single events on specific topics, such as how to use coupons to get the best deals or to learn about meditation. But the other kind of programming is ongoing. Week in, week out people either gather together forming a little community of sewers or knitters, or experts who come in to help you with a major life event. Here’s a quick rundown of the regulars, all listed on the website's Events Calendar: AARP Tax Help – In tax season each year, AARP in conjunction with United Way schedules tax preparers in our library free of charge. You don’t need to be an AARP member or even be a certain age. Job Search One - One-on-one assistance with resumes, applications, interview skills, and online job searching from Dutchess One Stop Field Coordinators. Knit N Knosh - Knitters and
other fiber crafts enthusiasts meet weekly over lunch with projects. Informal instruction is available within the group.
WE LOVE OUR FRIENDS! Every year the Friends of the East Fishkill Community Library coordinate enjoyable events that are also fundraisers.
Mark your calendars in 2015 for: Antique Appraisal – April 18 English High Tea at the Busheys – May 23 Grounds Beautification Day – May 30 After Hours at the Library – October 9 Artisans Craft Fair—November 14 Library Grounds Beautification Day 2014 with Pete Berasi, Carol Wall and Margaret Geary
Community Stitchers Sewers meet weekly on a variety of projects to benefit others, including bedrolls for the homeless and quilts for babies. Woman’s Writing Group – Published writers and those who wish to become published authors meet weekly to critique each other’s work. Book Groups – Two library book groups – afternoon and evening - gather roughly once a month. EFCL Photography Group – Professional and amateur photographers meet monthly
Join the Friends! Visit their website at befriendyourlibrary.org to explore new techniques and discover new software, applications and tools. Navigate Health Care Professionals available by appointment by calling 800453-4666, to help you navigate the Marketplace and make informed choices. Confidential and free of charge. Math Homework Help/ Homework Help - Students in grades K - 6 bring homework to our Children's Area where volunteers from John Jay H.S. Math Honor Society assist them one night each week. Chess Club – Interested adults at all levels meet weekly. Astor Early Childhood Screenings - Children ages 4 months to 5 years are screened in key areas of development at no charge,
by appointment: Call 211 (Dutchess County's Help line) Spring/Fall Book & Bake Sale Twice a year it's a celebration at EF Town Hall. Used books, hot fresh coffee and baked goods. Summer reading club – Every summer, incentives to read, read, read. For adults, children and teens. Books with Brendan – Young children sit in the floor sofa with Brendan, the library's trained Listening Dog, who does a trick in exchange for each book read to him! Four 15-minute appointments are posted on the Events Calendar every Wednesday, except for his summer breaks.
Visit the Events Calendar at eflibrary.org to see these and more! East Fishkill Community Library
Thank you for another great year at East Fishkill Community Library! EAST FISHKILL COMMUNITY LIBRARY 348 Route 376 Hopewell Junction, NY 12533