Check out the Friends on the TCPL website at www.thomascranelibrary.org; click “Friends of the Library.” Newsletter • Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library • Quincy, MA • Spring/Summer 2016 Make Stuff @your library From the Director, Megan Allen Change is afoot in public libraries across the country and it goes by as many names as there are libraries. In Chicago it’s called The Maker Lab; in Tampa FL it’s called The Hive; in Media PA it’s called CreateSpace; and in Madison WI it’s called The Bubbler. Right here in Massachusetts, the Watertown Public Library calls it Hatch, in Natick it’s the Innovation Studio, and in Peabody it’s the Creativity Lab. It all started about five years ago when the Fayetteville Free Library in upstate New York created their Fab Lab, the first modern library “makerspace.” Every year since then, more librar- ies have joined the maker movement ranks. What is going on in all of these library mak- erspaces? Well, just about every variety of crea- tivity and fabrication you can imagine: 3D print- ing, computer coding, digital video creation, arts & crafts projects, stories, songs, and inventions of every kind. Some libraries confine creative activi- ties to one or more dedicated rooms and some- times to a specific age group (often teens), and some offer pop-up maker programs wherever there is suitable space. Some libraries focus on technology-related making and others emphasize literary and artistic creativity, complete with com- munity artists-in-residence. Another variation on the theme involves appliance and equipment re- pair, where library patrons learn how to fix their own stuff for continued use (think sustainability). In addition to providing making opportunities within their buildings, these libraries often devel- op new collections of tools, devices, instruments, and equipment for loan. Going on an outdoor ad- venture and can’t afford your own GoPro cam- era? Want to whip up some new curtains but don’t have a sewing machine? Building a fence to keep critters out of your garden but don’t want to buy a post hole digger just for one project? If you live in the right community, you could borrow any or all of the above from a library—for free. The public library has always been a center for lifelong learning, filled with print, media, and online resources for learners of all ages. In the digital age, the way we create and share knowledge has become increasingly collaborative and networked, with instant access to vast → data troves and more publication platforms than ever before. Increasingly, people are seeking par- ticipatory and experiential ways to solve prob- lems, learn new skills, and explore creativity. Li- braries are uniquely positioned to bring together space, tools, and people (both teachers and learn- ers) to support hands-on learning, innovation, and relationship building, enabling people to accom- plish their goals and pursue their passions within their community. Here at TCPL, experiential learning has long been part of our regular programming for chil- dren, with craft activities a perennial favorite. This year’s Full STEAM Ahead programs have provided monthly hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math opportunities for kids and families. We think it’s time to (con’t. on p. 2) The library is closed for the Independence Day holiday from Saturday, July 2 through Monday, July 4 and reopens Tuesday, July 5. Enjoy the festivities! TCPL: Report to the Community 2015 The recently published annual report, attractively presented in six pages, is full of interesting TCPL facts and figures for the past year and is available online. Library Director Megan Al- len characterized the year as one of transition and contin- ued progress toward TCPL’s strategic goals. The library’s staff, partners, and supporters are explained and named. Patrons are in- vited to discover, learn, im- agine, connect, and visit. A few of the 2015 numbers: 434 programs attended by 14,282 kids 0-12 and care- givers; 8,481 adults attended events and classes; and 123,710 public computer sessions. Read the report at thomascranelibrary.org/annualreports.
Transcript
Check out the Friends on the TCPL website at www.thomascranelibrary.org; click “Friends of the Library.”
Newsletter • Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library • Quincy, MA • Spring/Summer 2016
Make Stuff @your library From the Director, Megan Allen
Change is afoot in public libraries across the country and it goes by as many names as there are libraries. In Chicago it’s called The Maker Lab; in Tampa FL it’s called The Hive; in Media PA it’s called CreateSpace; and in Madison WI it’s called The Bubbler. Right here in Massachusetts, the Watertown Public Library calls it Hatch, in Natick it’s the Innovation Studio, and in Peabody it’s the Creativity Lab.
It all started about five years ago when the Fayetteville Free Library in upstate New York created their Fab Lab, the first modern library “makerspace.” Every year since then, more librar-ies have joined the maker movement ranks.
What is going on in all of these library mak-erspaces? Well, just about every variety of crea-tivity and fabrication you can imagine: 3D print-ing, computer coding, digital video creation, arts & crafts projects, stories, songs, and inventions of every kind. Some libraries confine creative activi-ties to one or more dedicated rooms and some-times to a specific age group (often teens), and some offer pop-up maker programs wherever there is suitable space. Some libraries focus on technology-related making and others emphasize literary and artistic creativity, complete with com-munity artists-in-residence. Another variation on the theme involves appliance and equipment re-pair, where library patrons learn how to fix their own stuff for continued use (think sustainability).
In addition to providing making opportunities within their buildings, these libraries often devel-op new collections of tools, devices, instruments, and equipment for loan. Going on an outdoor ad-venture and can’t afford your own GoPro cam-era? Want to whip up some new curtains but don’t have a sewing machine? Building a fence to keep critters out of your garden but don’t want to buy a post hole digger just for one project? If you live in the right community, you could borrow any or all of the above from a library—for free.
The public library has always been a center for lifelong learning, filled with print, media, and online resources for learners of all ages. In the digital age, the way we create and share knowledge has become increasingly collaborative and networked, with instant access to vast →
data troves and more publication platforms than ever before. Increasingly, people are seeking par-ticipatory and experiential ways to solve prob-lems, learn new skills, and explore creativity. Li-braries are uniquely positioned to bring together space, tools, and people (both teachers and learn-ers) to support hands-on learning, innovation, and relationship building, enabling people to accom-plish their goals and pursue their passions within their community.
Here at TCPL, experiential learning has long been part of our regular programming for chil-dren, with craft activities a perennial favorite. This year’s Full STEAM Ahead programs have provided monthly hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math opportunities for kids and families. We think it’s time to (con’t. on p. 2)
The library is closed for the Independence Day holiday
from Saturday, July 2 through Monday, July 4 and
reopens Tuesday, July 5.
Enjoy the festivities!
TCPL: Report to the Community 2015
The recently published annual report, attractively presented in six pages, is full of interesting TCPL facts and figures for the past year and is available online.
Library Director Megan Al-len characterized the year as one of transition and contin-ued progress toward TCPL’s strategic goals.
The library’s staff, partners, and supporters are explained and named. Patrons are in-vited to discover, learn, im-agine, connect, and visit.
A few of the 2015 numbers: 434 programs attended by 14,282 kids 0-12 and care-givers; 8,481 adults attended events and classes; and 123,710 public computer sessions. Read the report at thomascranelibrary.org/annualreports.
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Get Ready, Get Set, READ! this summer. Stop by the library and borrow books, DVDs, CDs, and more and join us for one of over 80 pro-grams. With programs happening at the main li-brary, Adams Shore, North Quincy, and Wollas-ton, there will be at least one children’s activity happening every weekday from Friday, June 24 through Wednesday, August 31. Most days there will be more than one activity for children some-where in the city. For a complete and up-to-date listing of activities, check the events calendar or special Summer Reading page on the library’s website at thomascranelibrary.org.
Programs will be a mix of old favorites and brand new programs. Two of our most popular pro-grams, Art-to-Go drop-in crafts at all locations and Wednesday evening PJ Story Times at the main library, will be back this summer, along with other favorites such as Bubble Play and our annual children’s talent show. Sparky’s Puppets will be here in July with the tales of The Tortoise and the Hare and Jack and the Beanstalk, and in August Jungle Jim returns with his Reading Olympics full of balloon artistry, magic, comedy, storytelling, improvisation, and loads of audience participation. Other programs include:
• Have you seen Frozen? That’s just one of the movies showing at the TCPL this summer. • Storytelling will pop up at outdoor venues, weather permitting, and in the libraries. • Beach ball sun visors, wind powered racers, magnetic skater craft, and robots are four of the ten craft projects offered at the weekly Art-to-Go. • Bring your special talent to perform at the Summer Talent Show on August 24.
Some fun programs at branch libraries include: • Magic with Malik at N. Quincy, 7/12, 2 p.m. • Animal Adventures at Wollaston, 7/21, noon • Bubble Play at Adams Shore, 8/9, 10 a.m.
*Special Event: Field Day for Esther Earl Day* Wednesday, August 3, 2-4 p.m., all ages
Esther Earl was a Quincy resident whose moving book, This Star Won’t Go Out, inspired millions of readers. TCPL will celebrate her birthday with outdoor activities: races, capture the flag, bub-bles, and more. Come have some fun in the sun!
These programs are made possible with the sup-port of the Friends and Quincy Cultural Council.
Summer Rocks for Kids at the TCPL! Children’s Department Offering 80+ Programs!
expand DIY programs to all ages and will begin by celebrating President Obama’s second annual National Week of Making with a variety of mak-er activities for teens and adults from June 17th to 23rd. Check our online calendar for details and join us to learn how to knit, create video games, tune and play a guitar, write a song, and explore 3D printing.
We will continue to offer maker programs on a variety of topics throughout the summer, to see what kinds of creative opportunities appeal to our community. We also seek local experts who want to share their skills and passions with others on a volunteer basis. Whether your special interest is taking and editing digital photos, building web-sites, writing poetry, or repairing broken appli-ances, there are probably others in your city who would like to learn about it. Use the online form at thomascranelibrary.org/makestuff to tell us what skill or talent you can share to help increase Quincy's creative potential.
Lest you conclude that libraries are getting way too new-fangled with all these non-traditional activities and collections, remember that the ulti-mate American inventor Benjamin Franklin con-ducted his first electricity experiments at the Philadelphia Library Company nearly 300 years ago. This early subscription library, which Frank-lin had a hand in creating, provided the space and the equipment (such as air-pumps and electrical tubes) that Franklin and his three collaborators needed to conduct their experiments. Space + Tools + People = Makerspace, and everything old is new again.
Make Stuff @your library (con’t. from p. 1)
Do you think you can read 1000 books with your child before Kindergarten? It might be easier than you think! Any book you read counts, whether it's an audio book in the car, books read
at a story time, board books, ebooks, or a book you read to them. You can even count every single time you read that one old favorite over and over.
Reading aloud to and with young children encourages them to become readers themselves as
they grow. Children gain new vocabulary and learn about the world around them through read-ing even before they can read on their own. Reading just one book (or more!) a day with your baby, toddler, or preschooler gives them a wealth of early literacy skills that will help them become lifelong readers. Sign up at any TCPL location.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten Reading Program for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers!
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Bring on the Summer Weather and Programs for Adults!
Summer Concerts on the Lawn Thursdays in July at 7 p.m. 7/7: Lenny Solomon Band, socially conscious country/ city/blues/folk music 7/14: Peter Kilpatrick and New Girl, original guitar driven pop rock 7/21: Boston Road, traditional and modern bluegrass 7/28: Paul Agnew and the John Capavella Quartet, The Great American Songbook
Grownups Programs for the 20/30s Crowd Fine Liquorature Book Club, Monthly second Monday 7 p.m. on 6/13, 7/11, 8/8 Lib/ations: Educational lectures/tasting sessions, 7 p.m. June 6: Craft Beer 101 July 18: Wine 101 August 15: Mead 101 Retro Video Game Night: Monthly last Tuesday 7 p.m. on 6/28, 7/26, 8/30 Board Game Night: Monthly second Tuesday 7:30 p.m. on 6/7, 7/12, 8/9 Classic Movies: Saturdays in June, 2:30 p.m. June 11: Wet Hot American Summer June 18: Do the Right Thing June 25: Adventureland
The summer will see the brand new Make Stuff series, a selection of current films, a great set of concerts on the lawn, among other programs. Go to the TCPL website (thomascranelibrary.org) for up-to-date information on what’s available and when.
Make Stuff Celebrate talent and creativity during the second annual National Week of Making in June with op-portunities for hands-on learning and creativity. Kick-off, Friday, June 17 Learn to Code, 10:30 a.m. Digitally Edit Photos, 2 p.m. Print in 3D, 5:30 p.m. Play Guitar, 5:30 p.m. Write a Song, 6:30 p.m. Visit the library atrium after hours during the Art Walk in Quincy Center, 5-8 p.m. Also on Friday night, try playing video games, activities for fami-lies with kids, and games on the lawn.
June 20: Knit at 2 p.m., Learn to Code at 6 p.m. June 21: Play Guitar at 1 p.m., Bead at 7 p.m. June 22: Digitally Edit Photos at 6 p.m. Write a Song at 7 p. m. June 23: Knit at 11 a.m., Bead at 2 p.m.
The Atrium Gardens are joining The Million Pol-linator Garden Challenge. The Friends wish to thank The Wollaston Garden Club for their gift of 6 Baptisia plants as part of the National Garden Club’s inaugural partnership with the National Pollinator Garden Network (NPGN). We can be proud that, from the first, our garden design has included perennials and shrubs that have been welcoming pollinators. Baptisia Australis, also known as False Indigo, will grow to 3’-4’ tall; it has bushy foliage with spires of blue flowerets. They are planted between variegated Hostas in front of a curving border of pink Knock-out Ros-es. When the plants are mature, we are sure to have a fine view from inside the Atrium!
Did you know that 1 out 3 bites of the food we eat each day depend on pollinators? Yet, the survival of pollinator populations is at critical risk. There are many reasons for their decline. We cannot wait until scientists have discovered all the rea-sons for their recent decline. According to the NPGN, “Increasing the number of pollinator gar-dens and landscapes will help revive the health of bees, butterflies, birds, bats, and pollinators across the country.” You do not need a big garden like ours to make a difference. If you have a few potted plants on a door step or a window box, choosing the right plants is all you need to do. Go to: millionpollinatorgardens.org to learn more.
Historic, Patriotic, Vibrant Quincy Betty Molloy, Friends’ Executive Board Member
Colorful community, patriotic, and historic pic-tures, displayed each month in the glass case maintained by the Friends at the main library, show the lively community in which we live.
Orange pumpkins with their jack-o-lantern faces from Quincy’s oldest and largest neighborhood of Wollaston were featured in October. The enthusi-asm of our youth was evident in the picture of a Thanksgiving Day football game, which originat-ed in 1933 between Quincy and North Quincy.
One of Quincy’s earliest settlements was at the waterfront on Southern Artery where Town Brook meets Town River. Boat landings began in 1630. Now it is the site of the Souther Tide Mill.
My favorite picture depicts ocean water frozen on summer furniture in our beachside community of Adams Shore.
Every April, a tribute to Quincy resident and Medal of Honor recipient PFC William R. Caddy is celebrated at Caddy Memorial Park on Quincy Shore Drive. The June picture shows the fire-works display after the Flag Day parade, the long-est running Flag Day Parade in the country.
These pictures and captions, from a 2015 calen-dar published by the city, help patrons of the TCPL become more aware of their patriotic, his-toric, and vibrant City of Quincy.
Summertime for Teens at the TCPL; see page 7.
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From the year 1999 to this week, if you had time- lapse photography outside the Thomas Crane Public Library, you would see a garden grow each year bigger, more lush, and more beautiful right before your eyes.
Year after year the student gardeners have all been volunteers from an after school activism club at the Broad Meadows Middle School known as Operation Day’s Work-USA or ODW as those students would say.
The annual goal of ODW is to transform for the better TWO communities each school year. They pledge to do a day’s work to improve their own community, and they vote to partner with a glob-al charity to provide dozens of vulnerable, global peers with life-changing aid.
This year on Cleaner, Greener Quincy day, ODW volunteers kept the pledge alive and the library garden alive. The ODW student members were weeding, edging, planting pansies, and mulching two gardens at the Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy Center.
As a result, two colorful, healthy library gardens are now in full bloom. One garden is located along Washington Street. The other is directly outside the window of the Children’s Room. This Children’s Room garden is called the Iqbal Masih Peace Garden. It was designed by the ODW Broad Meadows Middle School members under the green thumb guidance of gardening expert Claire Fitzmaurice as a way to honor and remember the life and dream of former child la-borer and slain child activist Iqbal Masih of Paki-stan.
Iqbal visited the Broad Meadows Middle School in 1994 and became an honorary member of the school for a day. He’d come to America to re-ceive a Reebok Youth in Action Human Rights Award, and he wanted to visit a school with stu-dents his own age. His visit inspired Quincy stu-dents to pledge to do something every year to help end global poverty and child labor for some children.
This year, the ODW students again kept alive both the Iqbal garden and their Iqbal pledge by voting to name The Alliance for Children Foun-dation, headquartered in Needham, as ODW’s 2016 Charity Partner of the Year. The partner-ship will result in tuition, health care, and hope for 48 orphans in Kenscoff, Haiti. If you would like to help this effort, donations can be made payable to: ODW and mailed to the Broad Mead-ows Middle School, 50 Calvin Road, Quincy, MA, 02169, attention: Mr. Adams.
Thanks to students from the Broad Meadows Middle School ODW Club, who returned to the TCPL on Cleaner, Greener Quincy day, May 7. They came; they weeded; they edged; they mulched; and they planted with great enthusiasm despite cold, damp weather! Friends’ garden coordinator Claire Fitz-maurice (back row, second from the left) was on hand super-vising and pitching in.
Students at Work in TCPL Gardens Ron Adams, Broad Meadows Middle School Teacher and Adviser to ODW-USA
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Honor/Remember Loved Ones
Donations to the Friends of the TCPL were re-cently made in memory of Iolanda and Anthony Petrelli.
Please use the form included on page 7 for your donation to honor or in memory of a loved one. It is also available through the Friends’ page on the TCPL website.
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Crane Library Bookstore Coupon
You are invited to visit the Friends’ Crane Library Bookstore at the rear of the Rich-ardson Building. The entrance is from Spear Street and is handicapped accessi-ble.
The bookstore is open for business on Sat-urdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thurs-days from 6 to 8 p.m. Look for the sand-wich board and other signs directing you.
Present this coupon to the cashier for a free book with the purchase of a book or media of equal value ($.50 - $2.00).
The annual get-together of the Friends in April was an opportunity to socialize and discover ideas for day trips and getaways. You could chat with travel writer Maria Olia, learn about visiting the Boston Harbor Islands from Bonnie Gorman (of Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands), and talk to Helen Logan (Friends’ board member) about the museum and zoo passes at the TCPL.
A popular scavenger hunt activity was tweaked to reflect the theme of the night, with people looking for others who’d visited local sites, such as Bat-tleship Cove, the John Adams house, the deCor-dova Museum, and the Paper House in Rockport, a mystery to most but an intriguing destination.
The AAA membership door prize, also in step with the theme, and refreshments rounded out the enjoyable evening.
The three presenters for the Friends’ Member Social were, left to right: Bonnie Gorman, Maria Olia, and Helen Logan.
Members Come Together at Social Friends Sharing with Friends
Friends’ President Diane Dopp and board member Bonnie Ashworth attended the Friends Sharing with Friends program in Bellingham in May. It was sponsored by the Massachusetts Friends of Libraries (MFOL) and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MLBC).
The topic of the panel discussion was Successful Friends Groups, and all the speakers offered practical suggestions. Ron Ziemba of New-buryport talked about increasing and maintain-ing membership. Presi-dent Diane Dopp (right) of the TCPL Friends ad-dressed the value of cul-tivating good working relationships with the library director, trustees, and the Foundation. John Tavares of Acushnet spoke about money, how to raise it, and the im-portance of keeping the community aware of how their donations are spent. Erin Williams Hart of the MLBC clarified the role of Friends’ groups, what they do and what they don’t do.
The meeting opened up to the audience to share their successes based on a wide range and many years of experience. The program was well worth a drive to Bellingham on a Saturday morning.
Crane Library Bookstore Hours
Thursday 6 to 8 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Stock up on your summer reading!
Branch Library Hours Can’t remember the branch hours? Clip and tape to your refrigerator.
The newest museum pass added to an exten-sive selection spon-sored by the Friends is for The House of the Seven Gables in Salem MA. The pass is for half-price admission for up to two adults and two children. Take a day trip. Pack a picnic, hop on the train or in your car, and head to Salem for a day of exploration.
Scan the QRC above to get the TCPL app or search your app store for “Thomas Crane Li-brary.” You will love the speed, convenience, ease of use, and efficiency. And it’s a free app!
Get instant access to your ac-count, check items out using your tablet or smart phone, get a super-easy search of our cata-log, catch up on the latest addi-tions to our collection, read the library calendar, get the latest library news, and more!
Available for iPhones and iPads, Android devices, Kindle, and Windows phones—if you have a smart device, you should be able to get this app. Stop by Device Advice at the main li-brary on Tuesdays from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. if you need help with the app. H
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Crane Library Bookstore Is Here for Your Shopping Pleasure
TCPL APP: Free, Get It!
Bill Mackey, Bookstore Committee Chair
It seems duller hereabouts than last year at the same time—no to and fro as to whether the Olym-pics is coming to Boston, and to Quincy. But there is hope for a little excitement for those tired of the Presidential primary race tumult. The Red Sox are in first place as I write, and Bill the “Spaceman” Lee has just announced that he is running for governor of Vermont. An omen sure-ly that summer is almost upon us.
As we all know, many flowering trees have been lost in the square due to the ongoing reconstruc-tion. I am very glad to see that trees have started to be replanted. Hopefully we will regain the flo-ral display of past years.
Bookstore sales are almost identical to those for the same period last year, averaging over $400 per week.
Several handsome new display tables have been added to our store. Thank you to Weymouth Books in Weymouth Landing for their very gen-erous donation. Kudos to Gene Sperry for expe-diting the donation. Our intent is to use the tables to highlight new and seasonal offerings. →
In recent weeks we have received donations of audio books totaling perhaps 150. Normally we charge $2 per package, but until we run out, we intend to sell the audio books on the basis of "buy one, get one free." So, feel free to stock up, at an unbeatable price, before the format disappears.
We continue to have a changing selection of four or five mystery authors selling at four hardcover books for a dollar. Per usual, we also have a sup-ply of free VHS tapes and CDs available, subject to a limit of five per customer.
A thank you to the City of Quincy and to the Park Department Environmental Treasures Program for including us in the recent successful tour of the library and of the newly refurbished Codding-ton Building. It’s a pleasure to host new visitors to the bookstore.
On a final note, please think of us when you are stocking up for your summer reading and media items. Please also remember that all proceeds are used to fund library programs.
Please share this Friends’ Membership Form with Friends Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Phone: Email: Categories – check one Volunteer Opportunities Individual $10 Bookstore Family/Household $15 Mailings Sponsor $25 Membership Patron $50 Gardening Additional Contribution Please make checks payable to: Friends of the TCPL. You may drop this form off at the library or mail it to:
The Friends sponsor an impressive selection of summer programs for teens. Go to the library web-site for details and up-dates.
Study Hall: Prepare for finals June 13, 14, 15, 16 from 3-7 p.m. Snacks provided. Game On! June 14 at 3 p.m. Video Games Sweet Summer Starter: Summer Reading Kickoff July 5 at 2 p.m. Cupcake decorating, ice cream! Silent Library: July 7 at 6 p.m. MTV game show Bookolympics: July 11 at 4 p.m. Compete to win challenges and raffle tickets. Crane Trivia Night: July 14 at 6 p.m. Tie-dye T-Shirts: July 19 at 6 p.m.
Minute-to-Win-It: July 20 at 2 p.m. Game show Crafternoons: July 15 at 5 p.m. Duct Tape August 9 at 6 p.m. Scrabble Coasters Cool Runnings: Movie, August 8 at 2 p.m. Esther Earl Celebration: August 3 at 2 p.m. Quincy resident who died young of cancer and wrote This Star Won’t Go Out. Outdoor activities and opportunity to write a message to someone special you love. Potterluck: August 4 at 6 p.m. Tasty treats, such as Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans Live Pac-Man: August 17 at 2 p.m. Giant board Summer Reading Final Party: August 22 at 5 p.m. Celebrate with food, games, and prizes.
There have been three meetings of the board plus the annual meeting since the last newsletter.
Library Director Megan Allen reported there has been an excellent response to teen librarian Kerri Darcy’s programs. Teen attendance numbers dou-bled at the main library and quadrupled at North Quincy. Outreach to middle schools has been suc-cessful. There is ongoing Homework Help tutor-ing offered by the teens. The new Grownups 20/30s group is up and running; a craft beer presentation was popular, and meetup.com is be-ing used to disseminate news of programs. The library’s Fiscal Year 2015 Report to the Commu-nity is available and has been distributed widely.
The library is a large facility and there’s ongoing maintenance required at the main and branch lo-cations. The last of the new chairs purchased thanks to a TCPL Foundation fund raiser have arrived. Security is also addressed on an ongoing basis. General housekeeping chores include steam cleaning carpets and upholstered furniture. New initiatives such as Lynda.com for online learning and Launchpad for preschool learning activities are available as is a new digital microfilm scanner (funded by the Foundation).
Friends’ President Diane Dopp reported that membership numbers are healthy and climb throughout the year, thanks in large part to the efforts of the membership committee and a core of volunteers who take care of the mailings nec-essary to support growth. The committee planned a spring social with a theme of day trips and geta-ways and the upcoming annual meeting.
Treasurer Susie Wilkening noted a comfortable bank balance; income is mainly from book sales and memberships, with some from donations and merchandise sales. The Friends are able to fund a wide variety of requests for library programs. She noted efficient spending, with 78% going to pro-grams and 22% to organizational needs.
The bookstore continues to be a valuable source of income and a popular retail outlet. Steady do-nations keep the supply fresh and nonfiction →
Sign up for the monthly library e-newsletter for updates and program details or check the website: thomascranelibrary.org.
Friends...make it happen. The Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library is a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to raising money for special programs and raising pub-lic awareness of the library’s vital role in the educational and cultural life of Quincy.
TCPL Friends – Officers & Board Members President — Diane Dopp Vice President — Nadine Steffan Secretary — Eileen Courtney Treasurer — Susie Wilkening Members at Large — Bonnie Ashworth (Newsletter Editor), Claire Fitzmaurice, Helen Logan, Bill Mackey, Kathleen McCormick, Betty Molloy, Gene Sperry Trustee Member — Janet DiTullio Library Director (ex officio) — Megan Allen
A Hearty Welcome to All the New Members of the Friends for 2016!
There are currently 524 active members of the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library, in-cluding our newest members, listed below. Thank you for your loyal and continuing support. Friends make it happen.
Joyce & Lester John Libby James Martell William C. Moynihan Sarah Poole Jo Anne Ricca Charlene Sokal Jonathan & Deborah Tomlinson
is always in demand. Bookstore committee chair-person Bill Mackey thanked the volunteers who sort, shelve, and staff the retail store and the cus-tomers for the store’s success over the 4 ½ years it’s been open.
Claire Fitzmaurice, Friends’ garden coordinator, was happy to report she has 10-12 volunteers working in the gardens. The Wollaston Garden Club is donating six Baptista plants for the Atri-um Garden. The Friends approved $250 for re-placement of the damaged temporary fencing and to buy soil amendments and annuals as needed. The ODW team from Broad Meadows Middle School worked again this year in the gardens, mulching and planting, on Cleaner, Greener Quincy day and the school awarded a $200 grant to the Friends for the library gardens.
The slate of board members proposed by the nominating committee, Eileen Courtney (chair), Marguerite Flavin, and John Molloy, was present-ed at the annual meeting. Those elected were: Diane Dopp (pres.), Nadine Steffan (VP), Susie Wilkening (treas.), Bonnie Ashworth, Bill Mackey, Betty Molloy, and Gene Sperry.
The Friends voted to add The House of the Seven Gables in Salem to the library’s museum passes.
