POETRY CONTEST AT MASON

The Mason Public Library conducted its eighth annual Poetry Contest. The winners were announced during the Poetry Tea held on May 29th. Prizes were awarded to Sharon Fish of Amherst, Judy Forty of Mason, Kathleen Fitzgerald of Jaffrey, and Lucy Benson of Jaffrey. Elizabeth Orton Jones, children's author, attended the Tea. Our Poetry Contest is open to those 14 and older. Poems were submitted by the end of March. All poems were included in the annual Poetry Booklet entitled Rememberance.

GROUNDBREAKING TO BEGIN AT FREMONT

The Fremont Public Library is hoping all the paperwork will be completed so groundbreaking will take place in July or August. Hopefully we will be able to move into the new library by March or April 2002. This is particularly exciting because the library is now only one room with no bathrooms. We had exactly the number of votes needed for the two-thirds required for the bond issue. Our trustees and building committee deserve a huge vote of thanks.

TAYLOR LIBRARY DIRECTOR RETIRES

Marjorie Palmer was honored on June 4, 2001 with a retirement party held at the Derry Public Library. More than two hundred people were in attendance including local officials, library trustees, library colleagues, staff, patrons, and friends.

For 17 years Marge has dedicated herself to running "the little library atop East Derry Hill" as she fondly refers to the Taylor Library. During that time, among her many accomplishments, she expanded library hours, provided increased adult and children's programming, expanded the collection, oversaw a myriad of improvements to the building itself and lobbied tirelessly for an addition to make the library handicapped-accessible.

Marge was awarded the Librarian of the Year Award by NHLTA in 2000.

Marge's last day on the job is Thursday, June 21st. Linda Merrill will take over as Director on July 1, 2001.

EXETER PUBLIC LIBRARY RECEIVES PLAQUE

On Thursday, April 5, 2001, Kathy Carnegie presented a plaque to the Exeter Public Library in memory of her late husband, Andy, a long-time resident. Andy Carnegie served the library as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1984 to 1992. During his tenure on the Board, the present library building was planned and constructed. Andy was also involved in statewide library initiatives and was the president of the N.H. Library Association from 1983 to 1985. Present to accept the plaque were Hope Godino, Exeter Public Library Director, John Henson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Nancy Merrill, Andy's sister and Exeter Town Historian and past librarian at the Exeter Public Library.

NEWS FROM SINGAPORE
by Linda Morrill

Greetings to N.H. Librarians! My official time in Singapore is now almost 2 months. I miss the New Hampshire library world and my library. Singapore has a wonderful library system-branch libraries near almost every township. They just opened a new library in an area called Woodlands - it is a dream for all of us in the library field. The librarians have hand-held computers to help patrons locate material, the children's room would take your breath away. I have been happy that all the latest fiction and non-fiction is available, although they do not process the material fast enough. I miss having the instant gratification of the latest best seller by my favorite authors. They also have at all the libraries checkout machines for patrons to use. The libraries are user friendly but very rule oriented. Those of you who know me know that is not my favorite thing. They have a very active Friends group with lots of volunteer activities. I have signed up to be a Friend but have not started volunteering yet! I am enjoying my free time for a while longer. You can borrow four items at a time and may not borrow more until you return the four items. Fines are charged, but I am finding time to read these days and the books do not sit on the nightstand/coffeetable for long. The joy of being here is having time to explore a new city/culture and to have time to relax, read and spend time with my husband. I am sending this from new Territory China, a city called Shatin near Hong Kong! Another exciting place in Asia. I do miss my library friends and look forward to hearing about library happenings in New Hampshire. I can be reached via e-mail at linsingapore@yahoo.com! Happy reading to all.

NEW CASTLE LIBRARY COMPLETES CONSTRUCTION

The New Castle Public Library has completed construction on the new Janet E. Macomber Meeting Room. This is in memory of a woman who supported our library and town while living here, but also started the Historical Society. Her children began the project with donations and the people of New Castle donated the remainder of the funds. We will have a formal "Gala Opening" on September 23rd. In the meantime, if anyone is passing through our lovely town, stop by the library for a visit and look at the new room.