FORMER KEENE RESIDENT OFFERS GIFT

Mr. John Lankhorst, a former Keene resident, has presented the Keene Public Library with a gift of stock valued at over $85,000. Mr. Lankhorst said he hopes this gift will encourage "other potential donors who might never think of the library as a recipient for a gift."

"We are very grateful for this generous gift," said Ken Jue, President of the Board of Trustees. "Keene residents value and support their library, and the Friends of the Keene Public Library work tirelessly on the library's behalf, but there are still many initiatives that the library is unable to undertake without the support of such generous benefactors as Mr. Lankhorst."

The trustees formally accepted the gift at their October meeting. Nancy Vincent, Library Director, also expressed gratitude, noting this is one of the largest gifts that the library has ever received.

WESTMORELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY OPENS NEW CHILDREN'S ROOM
by Maisie Crowther, Librarian

The Trustees of the Westmoreland Public Library are very pleased to announce the opening of the new children's room addition, which was dedicated to the community on November 19, 2000 at a well-attended event. Extensive renovation of the 1830 brick structure was also completed this summer, making the library brighter and more energy-efficient.

COMMUNITY CORNERSTONES PROJECT IS UNDERWAY
by Dianne Hathaway
NHLA Publicity Chair

The N.H. Library Association (NHLA) has teamed up with the Office of State Planning to assist in publicizing their "Community Cornerstones Project" throughout the state's public libraries. The purpose of the project is for citizens to identify and celebrate the important features of their town, whether they have historic buildings (like libraries!), scenic vistas, natural sites, and even annual cultural events (like summer reading programs!). All public library directors will receive a mailing through the van system detailing the project and access to it via the Office of State Planning web site. This is a great cooperative project where we can bring the community into our libraries by making access to this site available through our access to the Internet. Please begin to publicize this project and site in ways that you normally would other library programming and events. Some suggestions: make a link to the Office of State Planning page via your library's home page; write a press release (or use the one available on the NHLA home page) for the local newspaper about the project or incorporate it into your weekly press release; place mention of the project on a poster for your bulletin board; include voting for community cornerstones in your weekly or monthly printed calendar. Access to the site will be available from December 1, 2000 through the end of February 2001 for citizens to vote for their Community Cornerstones.

NEW GREENFIELD LIBRARY WING TO BE NAMED FOR ANN GEISEL

The new addition to the Stephenson Memorial Library in Greenfield will be named the Ann Geisel Wing. Virginia Hillegass, Library Trustee, reports that the decision to name the new library addition for Ann Geisel, was suggested by many people in Greenfield. "Ann was our librarian in Greenfield in 1974 and 1975 and then became librarian for the Peterborough Library for 24 years.

"She was a very special person and had many dear friends and admirers," she said. "Once a year she would give a talk for the Greenfield Woman's Club in which she would review 15 or 20 current books, usually talking without notes. That was a meeting that no member wanted to miss," Hillegass said. Mrs. Geisel died in 1999.

Fund-raising for the new structure began with a gift of $15,000 from Stanford Calderwood, a retired Boston businessman and philanthropist. His gift specified that it must be matched before December 31, 2000. In a matter of days, the Greenfield Woman's Club pledged $10,000. An additional gift of $5,000 has been pledged by the Crotched Mountain Foundation of Greenfield.

The fund-raising goal is $300,000, one-half to be raised by private gifts in Greenfield, and one-half from other sources.

Irene Ewing, Chairperson of the Trustees, reported, "We are thrilled and delighted that our fund-raising drive is off to such an auspicious start. We are extremely grateful to Mr. Calderwood, The Greenfield's Wo-man's Club, and to Crotched Mountain. Thanks to them we are 10% of the way to our goal already."

At the Greenfield Town Meeting in March, 2000, the town approved a $2.1 million bond issue by an overwhelming 72% vote. The bond included a number of major town improvements, among them a $150,000 appropriation for the expansion of the Stephenson Memorial Library. The bond issue specified that other funds be sought for each project to lessen the overall costs to the town. The total cost of the Ann Geisel Wing is estimated at about $450,000, one-third from the bond, one-third from private gifts, and one-third from other sources.

A Long-Range Plan for the Stephenson Memorial Library has been developed by the Library Trustees. Copies are available at the library for anyone who would like to read it. For more information contact Peter Wensberg at (603) 547-3614.