Craftsbury
Public Library

The mission of the Craftsbury Public Library is to meet the evolving educational, cultural, informational, and recreational needs of the entire community through traditional resources and new technologies.  We will stimulate and encourage children, young people, and adults to embrace the concept of lifelong learning; offer resources of the Library as an opportunity for personal enrichment in their continuing education; and provide space for them to gather and communicate. 

Toddler Story Hour 4/15/08

Hours

Baby & Toddler Story Hour
Tuesday 10:00 am

Pre-School Story Hour 
Friday 10:00 am

Linda Wells, Library Director

Susan O'Connell, Librarian
Barbara Strong, Children's Services Director

Craftsbury Public Library
Report to Town 2008

The library has continued to grow in circulation of materials, increased numbers of new patrons, use of our DSL wireless connection from inside and outside by laptop users, and use of the public access computers. We have seen a 8% growth in circulation, and registered 138 new patrons. This year has also seen an increase in activities sponsored by the library or other community groups. Many local organizations use the library space for meetings or events.

We have a wonderful crew of 30 volunteers who help with circulation, covering books, computer tasks, shelving and lots more. We are so grateful for their help.

Over the past year, the library hosted some exciting new children's programs along with many old favorites.

· At the toddler and preschool story hours parents get to share and learn from each other along with enjoying great stories and activities with their children.
· There are after-school reading programs for younger and older children.
· This past year the library sponsored parent education sponsored by the Center for the Book.
· The high school book club book met during their lunch hour, once a month with Barb Strong, our librarian and Jodi Buzzell, the school librarian. They discussed books they had read and listened to book talks. After reading, Into the Wild , they saw the movie at the library.
· The summer reading program featured visiting artists, performers and book discussion programs. This program is partially funded by the Vermont Department of Libraries.
· The library and the school co-sponsored an author visit for grades K-8 . Students had the opportunity to meet Jessie Haas, a Vermont author at the library.

The library delivers many outreach services to our community. The staff and volunteers delivered books to homebound readers last year. Barb and I visited the Craftsbury Community Care Center regularly. Barb presented multigenerational story hours which included the preschool from across the road. I gave book talks and showed big screen movies to the residents. Barb brought story hour programs to the local Head Start.

This coming year will be financially difficult for the library as with so many organizations. Our expenses are up, but we will not increase our budget. If we have to cut costs, we are committed to maintaining services. We will pursue creative solutions including additional grant money in 2009.

To access our catalog online visit our website at www.craftsburypubliclibrary.org then select Craftsbury Public Library Catalog. Enter the username craftsbury and no password is required. Also available on the website is news of upcoming events, library hours, and useful internet links.

Sincerely,
Linda Wells, Library Director

Ongoing Programs
Toddler and Preschool Story Hours- Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:00AM

Adult and Children's Book Discussion Series

Book deliveries, movies and book talks at Craftsbury Community Care Center

Lunchtime book talks at Craftsbury Academy in collaboration with the school library

Monthly story hours with the Head Start and local preschool programs

Special Events for Adults in 2008
Parenting classes in January

Movie presentation on Martin Luther King in January

VINS Presentation on Coyotes in March

Movie "A Force More Powerful" in March

Library Open House during National Library Week in April

Computer Classes and Poetry Readings in June

Natural History Presentations in July- Cervids, Trees & Shrubs, Ferns, & Wildflowers

Movie and Author visit with Bill Lee "High and Outside" in August

Movie "11th Hour" in September

Button-Up Vermont energy efficiency presentation in October

Northern Travels slideshow presentations in November

Movie "The Visitor" in November

Special Events for Children in 2008
High School Book Discussion "Into the Wild" in April

Movie "Enchanted" in April

Puppet Show "Strega Nona" in April

Author visit Jessie Haas in collaboration with the school in April

Summer Reading Program in July and August- featuring book discussions, theater presentations, insect explorations, songs and storytelling.

Movies "Fly Away Home" and "The BFG" in November

Last updated 01/23/09