Author: Reading

Librarian’s Note, August 2016

Librarian’s Note

Reading Public Library provides downloadable audio books and e-books for adults and children at no cost through “Listen Up Vermont.” The collection can be accessed at listenupvermont.org. Once you’ve installed the free software and decided on a book, just add the title to your basket and sign it out with your patron number. If the audio book you want is checked out, you can place it on reserve and you’ll receive an email when it becomes available.

After downloading the audio file to your computer, you can close the Internet connection and listen offline. You can also transfer the file to portable devices, and some books can be burned to CD. You can check out up to three titles at a time. At the end of the loan period, the computer files automatically expire and the books are returned to the digital collection. There are never any late fees or damage costs. For more information, take the guided tour on the “Listen Up Vermont” website. If you don’t know your patron number, call or email me at the library.

The library offers a pass for many of Vermont’s state parks, good for free entry into designated park day-areas for up to 8 people in a vehicle. The pass can be checked out for 2 days and is good at Ascutney, Plymouth, Wilgus, and Silver Lake state parks, among others. We’ve got a similar pass for half a dozen Vermont historical sites, including the Eureka Schoolhouse in Springfield, the Old Constitution House in Windsor, and the Calvin Coolidge Birthplace at Plymouth Notch. The passes are good until the parks and historic sites close for the season; those dates vary according to the rules of the individual park or site. The libary also has a free year-round pass for VINS (VT Institute of Natural Science) in Quechee.

It’s worth mentioning that the library does have air conditioning. If you’re ever in need of a respite from the summer heat, stop in.

Cordially,

Tony

Reading Public Library. Tues. 12-3:30 p.m. & 4-7; Thurs. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. & 2-5; Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mail: P.O. Box 7, Reading, VT 05062. Tel. 802-484-5588. E-mail: [email protected]. Web: www.readinglibrary.org. The board meets the last Tues. of each mth. at 6 p.m. Wi-Fi 24/7.

 

Librarian’s Note, July 2016

Librarian’s Note

The library has purchased about 25 of the books from the current Dorothy Canfield Fisher (DCF) Children’s Book Award Master List. Since 1957, the DCF award has honored quality literature for grades 4-8. Each spring, a committee nominates 30 books. After reading at least 5 books from the list, Vermont students then vote for their favorites.

The library offers a pass for many of Vermont’s state parks, good for free entry into designated park day-areas for up to 8 people in a vehicle. The pass can be checked out for 2 days and is good at Ascutney, Plymouth, Wilgus, and Silver Lake state parks, among others. We’ve got a similar pass for half a dozen Vermont historical sites, including the Eureka Schoolhouse in Springfield, the Old Constitution House in Windsor, and the Calvin Coolidge Birthplace at Plymouth Notch. The passes are good until the parks and historic sites close for the season. The libary also has a free year-round pass for VINS.

The library provides free access to Universal Class, an online continuing education service with a growing catalog of more than 500 courses. Classes normally cost $50 to $250 each but our patrons can take up to 5 at a time at no cost. Program features include 24/7 access anywhere via the Internet, real instructors guiding the learning, engaging video-based lessons, a collaborative learning environment, graded lesson tests, continuing education units, and certificates of achievement. Areas of study include the arts, business, computers, cooking, crafts, financial management, gardening, GED training, hobbies, home decorating, legal studies, math, natural remedies, office skills, psychology, real estate, science, special education, spirituality, web development, and writing.

Patrons register using an access code and then participate in the online classes at their own pace. Although additional reading materials are recommended, they are almost always optional. Most courses can be completed within 10-20 hours. Patrons can take up to 6 months to complete an individual class and can correspond online with instructors. Patrons can drop or add classes as they wish. These are non-credit continuing education courses, provided for personal enrichment. To get your own access code, contact me at the library.

Libraries provide a non-judgmental gateway to the information you want. They support your right to seek—and have access to—information, whoever you are. In a sometimes fractious political and social climate, where not only newscasts but also entire networks have staked out territory on the right or the left, then circled the wagons, libraries remain places where all points of view can be explored. And unlike most institutions, libraries are interested in your privacy.

Cordially,

Tony

Reading Public Library. Tues. 12-3:30 p.m. & 4-7; Thurs. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. & 2-5; Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mail: P.O. Box 7, Reading, VT 05062. Tel. 802-484-5588. E-mail: [email protected]. Web: www.readinglibrary.org. The board meets the last Tues. of each mth. at 6 p.m. Wi-Fi 24/7.

 

Librarian’s Note, June 2016

Librarian’s Note

We have a free pass (admits 4) available for the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) in Quechee. In addition to raptor enclosures, a songbird exhibit, and nature trails, there are many seasonal programs on site for families to enjoy. The library also offers a pass for many of Vermont’s state parks, good for free entry into designated park day-areas for up to 8 people in a vehicle. The pass can be checked out for 2 days and is good at Ascutney, Plymouth, Wilgus, and Silver Lake state parks, among others. We’ve got a similar pass for half a dozen Vermont historical sites, including the Eureka Schoolhouse in Springfield, the Old Constitution House in Windsor, and the Calvin Coolidge Birthplace at Plymouth Notch. The passes are good until the parks and historic sites close for the season; those dates vary according to the rules of the individual park or site.

The library carries Consumer Reports magazine, which rates everything from cars to cell phones. We keep a year’s worth of issues here for perusal or for loan. Because there are no ads in the magazine, Consumer Reports is beholden to no one but us, the consumers. They have an extensive website, as well, but charge an annual fee to use it fully. The library has access. If you’d like to see about a product that hasn’t been covered in the magazine recently, drop in and I’ll get you onto the site free.

The library’s Board of Trustees meets the last Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. here at the library. We want to remind folks that the meetings are open to anyone who wants to sit in. There is an opportunity during meetings for visitors to speak about concerns they may have or to offer suggestions; we encourage either, or both. With the addition of a wheelchair lift some years ago, the main floor, the bathroom, and the children’s room (by the way) are all accessible.

Libraries teach and reinforce important social values, particularly to children. The idea of borrowing, using, caring for, and returning a shared public resource is considered valuable and unique to libraries. By caring for community resources, residents exhibit respect for others in their town. In this way, the library helps build good citizens.

Cordially,

Tony

Reading Public Library. Tues. 12-3:30 p.m. & 4-7; Thurs. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. & 2-5; Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mail: P.O. Box 7, Reading, VT 05062. Tel. 802-484-5588. E-mail: [email protected]. Web: www.readinglibrary.org. The board meets the last Tues. of each mth. at 6 p.m. Wi-Fi 24/7.

 

 

 

Meeting Minutes, August 2016

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees Meeting

August 30, 2016

 

In attendance:  Vanessa Maxham, Tony Pikramenos, Peter Seman, Bill Bakker, Libbet Downs, Milde Waterfall (Minutes submitted by Milde Waterfall, Secretary)

Meeting called to Order at 6:10pm.  Vanessa called for Agenda Changes.  None.  July Minutes approved.

Secretary’s Report.  No response on request for tree pruning.  Peter up-dated the website and will further add details on the Movie with Hall Foundation.

Treasurer’s Report.  We received the refund on the heating bill.

Librarian’s Report.  Covered in New Business.

Unfinished Business.

Still looking for info on cleaning plates on either side of the door outside with veterans’ names.

New Business.

Appeal Letter.  Will go out after tax day.  On schedule.

Automation.   Tony gave a forty-five minute presentation demonstrating the process on three levels.  The Board voted to extend 50 extra hours for Tony’s work.

Brick Path Fundraiser.  Vanessa spoke with Montshire Museum and they directed her to a source to get an estimate.  She has received no response to date.

Hall Art Foundation and Movie Event.  On schedule Peter will soon put info on our website.

Letters Celebration.  Gary Macia wants to install the letters and is working it into his schedule.

Make a Plate.  Lisa Kaija will direction the preparation.

Summary of decisions.

Board agreed on extra hours for Tony’s work with automation.

The Appeal letter will continue on schedule.

Milde will contact Mr. Appleton for tree-pruning information.

Vanessa will get a date from Gary Macia on the Letter attaching.

Adjourned 7:24:30pm

 

 

 

Meeting Agenda, 8-30-16

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees

AGENDA

August 30th, 2016

 

  1. Call to Order
  2. Approve Minutes from Last Meeting
  3. Query for Changes to Agenda Items
  4. Secretary’s Report
  5. Treasurer’s Report
  6. Librarian’s Report
  7. Unfinished Business
  • Automation
  • Maintenance
  1. New Business
  • Appeal letter
  • Tony to present automation/book process
  • Possible brick path fundraiser
  • Hall Art Foundation-tour & movie event
  • Make-a-plate event-October 22nd
  1. Summary of Decisions
  2. Items for Next Month’s Agenda
  3. Adjourn

 

 

Meeting Minutes, July 2016

 

 

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees Meeting

July 26, 2016

 

In attendance:  Vanessa Maxham, Tony Pikramenos, Peter Seman, Bill Bakker, Libbet Downs, Milde Waterfall

Minutes submitted by Milde Waterfall

Meeting called to Order at 6:05pm

Vanessa called for Agenda Changes.  None

June 28, 2016 Minutes approved

Secretary’s Report.  Website needs to be up-dated.  Peter may help while Tony is commanding Automation.  No one has asked for extra bricks from the Singleton patio.  Vanessa would like to research the potential Buy a Brick program.  We will contact Dave Appleton for an estimate on trimming the tree in front of the cheek walls.

Treasurer’s Report.   No new report.

Unfinished Business. 

*Automation.  Tony delivered an excellent report on the demands of the automating process, which requires basically cataloging each book in the collection.  We discussed the demands on his time as well as the volunteers.  He continues to be optimistic that the process will get easier as they go along.

*Maintenance.  Vanessa will check with Gary Macia for an estimated date for attaching the letters.  That will enable us to plan a celebration with the gentlemen who restored and preserved the letters on the portico.  Tony is planning to work with Mike Barr on completing the list of repairs he has signed on for which includes removing paint from various parts of the exterior of the building.  We will contact preservationists on the removal of paint from the large plaques on the front of the building.

New Business.

Tony has made arrangements with the Hall art Foundation to participate in an event on October 16th where visitors will view the Landscapes Exhibit that is currently showing and then watch the film “Turner” at the library.  The Hall Foundation will conduct advertising and tickets for a group of no more than 25.

* Vanessa will organize the plate workshop to be held on October 22nd.

Summary of Decisions.  Vanessa will research the Brick program.

Milde will provide Peter with the needs for up dating the website.

Tony will give Peter a tutorial on how to up-date the website.

Tony will ask the Catamount people if they have an extra scanner we can use.

Peter will work with Tony on the computers and the automation.

Vanessa will get a date for the Letters Celebration.

Milde will ask Mr. Appleton for an estimate for pruning the tree in front of the library.

Milde will seek out expert advise on cleaning the plaques in front of the library.  Vanessa will begin organizing the plate workshop for kids.

Items for Next Agenda.  Vanessa listed them.

Adjourned at 7:18:30 pm

Meeting Agenda, 7-26-16

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees

AGENDA

 

July 26th, 2016

 

  1. Call to Order
  2. Approve Minutes from Last Meeting
  3. Query for Changes to Agenda Items
  4. Secretary’s Report
  5. Treasurer’s Report
  6. Librarian’s Report
  7. Unfinished Business

∙ Automation

∙ Maintenance

  1. New Business
  2. Summary of Decisions
  3. Items for Next Month’s Agenda
  4. Adjourn

Meeting Minutes, June 2016

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees Meeting

June 28, 2016

 

In attendance:  Vanessa Maxham, Tony Pikramenos, Peter Seman, Bill Bakker, Libbet Downs, Milde Waterfall

Minutes submitted by Milde Waterfall, Secretary

 

Meeting called to order at 6:10pm

Vanessa called for Agenda changes:  None

May 31, 2016 Minutes approved.

 

Secretary’s Report.  Thank you notes sent to Donna Martin, Steve Vogl and Trish Lewis, and Libbet Downs.  Landscaping/Mulch situation discussed exhaustively.  Landscaping is finished.  Remaining bricks will be made available to patrons.

 

Treasurer’s Report.  Finished the year with $1.94 remaining.  Good work all around.

Librarian’s Report.  Covered in Unfinished Business.

 

Unfinished Business.

*Automation – Tony up-dated the Board and shared two booklets of extended instructions for automation.  The start is going slow but Tony thinks it will improve.

*Maintenance – No report.

* Herb Garden/Landscaping – covered in Secretary’s Report

New News – None.

Summary of Decisions. None

Items for Next Agenda.  Budget

Adjourned at 7pm.

Meeting Agenda, 6-28-16

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees

AGENDA

June 28th, 2016

 

  1. Call to Order
  2. Approve Minutes from Last Meeting
  3. Query for Changes to Agenda Items
  4. Secretary’s Report
  5. Treasurer’s Report
  6. Librarian’s Report
  7. Unfinished Business
  • Automation
  • Maintenance
  • Herb Garden / Landscaping
  1. New Business
  2. Summary of Decisions
  3. Items for Next Month’s Agenda
  4. Adjourn

 

Meeting Minutes, May 2016

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

May 31, 2016

 

In attendance: Vanessa Maxham, Tony Pikramenos, Peter Seman, Bill Bakker, Libbet Downs, Milde Waterfall

Minutes submitted by Milde Waterfall, Secretary

Meeting called to order at 6:05pm

Vanessa called for Agenda changes.  Adding May Day to Unfinished Business and Collaboration with Art Hall Foundation.

April 26th Minutes approved as written.

Secretary’s Report – See Landscaping below.

Treasurer’s Report – One bill yet to come.  Otherwise all on tract . See Remaining Budget dollar details in Unfinished Business.)

Librarian’s Report – Covered in Unfinished Business and New Business.

Unfinished Business-

Automation – *Bill, Milde, Brook, and Maryanne have all been trained to input data.  Tony has worked out a plan for each section of the library for completion. *Account is set up to enable Tony to order books on line instead of calling them in. *Account set up to download book records as well. *Fill out pdf to determine how we want the books to be processed. *Schedule complete for volunteers to do work. *Catamount will turn on production server to start on Thursday.

Maintenance –  the Board agreed that Gary Macia will re attach the letters using the Guidance from Justin Mayo.  Vanessa will contact Gary in the hope we can attach them before Old Home Days.  In the fall we will plan and host a “Guilding Letters” workshop and celebration with Justin Mayo and Ron Wanamaker joining us.  Milde will contact them.

Remaining Budget dollars- Overtime pay for Tony on Automation.  New technology aiding patrons with automation.  Baskets for cheek walls and replace necessary Lavender.  Purchase books.

May Day- Vanessa reported that ten children attended.  Libbet provided the teapot and teacups. Vanessa provided cookies and crafts.  Tony read stories.  Success.  Put it on the calendar for next year.

Collaboration with Historical Society –  Continuing dialogue on possible work together.

Collaboration with Hall Art Foundation – Milde will contact Hall Art Foundation for a tour of their new exhibit to allow Board to offer a list of movies to supplement the current exhibit for Hall Approval for the fall.

New Business – Community and Automation Tabled.  Contract with Mason confirmed.  Continue exploring possibilities involving potential herb garden.

Summary of Decisions.  Vanessa will follow through with Gary Macia on the attachment of the letters.  Milde will order baskets from Garden Center.  Tony will continue work with automation and budget spending. Milde will contact HAF.

Adjourned at 7:58pm.