WHITEFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY GETS DONATION

The Board of Trustees of the Whitefield Public Library has recently learned that a friend of the library, who wishes to remain anonymous, has donated $50,000 toward the library's handicapped access building fund.

Librarian Sandy Holz received a letter from the donor's attorney requesting that the donation remain completely anonymous. Mrs. Holz and the trustees were stunned with the amount and the generosity of the donation. "My first reaction was gratitude at the kindness and generosity of a town family that feels so supportive of the library," said Mrs. Holz. "We'll be able to complete this project much sooner and at much less expense to the town, thanks to this gift!"

The library has had an account set up for a number of years in which it has been saving money from gifts toward the day when it would undertake a construction project to make the library handicapped accessible. The library, which was built around the turn of the 20th century with money from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, sits on a hilly piece of land next to the Whitefield Town Hall.

While the library has lots of charm, in addition to its fine collection, there is very little interior or exterior space in which to make improvements.

The current generous donation brings the fund to $80,000.

Anyone wanting more information or who would like to make a donation to the fund can contact Mrs. Holz at 837-2030.

PORTSMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY MAINTAINS WEBSITE

The Portsmouth Public Library creates and maintains the City of Portsmouth's web site. City webmaster, Rachel Bilodeau, is a library employee, whose full time job is to work with library employees and city department staff to improve and expand the city's web site. Since starting, Rachel has given the site a new look, established a site search engine, and expanded several department sites.

Rachel will be working with each city department to provide more city information and to expand the sites interactivity and appeal. She will also be changing the library's INNOPAC WebPac so it is integrated more fully into the library's web site.

Check us out at: www.cityofportsmouth.com for the City; www.cityofportsmouth.com/library or www.ci.portsmouth.nh.us for the library.

30 YEARS OF SERVICE CELEBRATED

On October 24th, 2000, the Friends of the Conway Public Library and the Trustees held a reception for Margaret Marschner who celebrated 30 years as Director of the Conway Public Library. Among those conveying congratulations and appreciation in a room filled to capacity was Chet Lucy, a trustee when Margaret was hired. Represented too were the Conway Selectmen, who presented a proclamation, the Conway Chamber of Commerce, the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society, the library staff, the Friends of the Library, and the Trustees.

MOVING ON, MOVING UP

Linda Morrill, Librarian - As I wrap up my position in Lee as Director I have enjoyed going through the history of my tenure. Reflecting on so many of you I have known and worked with, the great service and support we give to one another, and just the great library community that exists here in New Hampshire, I am content knowing we have shared the best and the worst times and yet we still survive and provide the best service we can to our communities. I know many of you work so many hours, many unpaid, and yet feel the reward of the patron smile, the thank-you and just knowing what you do makes a difference in a person's life. When asked what I will miss the most, I find it hard to answer, for I will miss the spirit of my fellow librarians, I will miss the adults and children who fill the library building each day, I will miss watching the community children grow into adulthood, some I have known since birth, I will miss the wonderful aura of story times, I will miss the book ordering and the wonderful selection of materials available to us, I will miss the feel of the library! As people come in each day to say good-bye I am proud of the fact that through our hard work and dedication we have provided a library for the townspeople to be proud of, I am happy to know that I did make a difference in people's lives and that is what I want to wish upon all of my fellow librarians-what we do each and every day does matter. Every child and adult you reach out to makes a difference in their world and ours. I take with me to Singapore many memories and many friends of which I will treasure always. While I was gone for the six weeks I realized how much the Lee Public Library was part of my life and that now is my time to spread my wings and see what else awaits me in this wonderful world of ours. Good luck and best wishes to everyone! I will miss the library world of New Hampshire. If anyone wants to stay in touch please feel free to e-mail linsingapore@yahoo.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Becky Schulz, Librarian - In a little over a month I will be leaving my job here in Hopkinton to become the Director of the Chelmsford (MA) Public Library. It will be so strange after more than 15 years of working in New Hampshire libraries to not be part of the NHAIS listserv...I will miss it and all the great New Hampshire librarians and support staff that I know.

DUMMER PUBLIC LIBRARY MOVES INTO NEW LOCATION
by Katie Doherty, Board of Library Trustees

On January 12th and 13th the Dummer Public Library moved into its new home, the newly acquired and renovated former Dummer Methodist Church. The move was accomplished with the help of many volunteers, including townspeople and AmeriCorps members.

FREEDOM PUBLIC LIBRARY RENOVATIONS NEAR COMPLETION
by Lee Allison, Chairman - Board of the Library Trustees

The new addition to the Freedom Public Library is nearing completion. Volunteers have been moving books in anticipation of the arrival of the carpeting and the finishing touches on the "old section." We have hired an assistant librarian, Pat Parker, and we plan to have the library open an additional 6 hours a week. A schedule of volunteers has been completed, and there will always be two people in the library at all times. We plan to have a celebration in the summer when many of our loyal supporters return to the area, perhaps during Old Home Week. Naturally, there is great excitement as we near the end of an over five-year investment of time and money