LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

NEWS FROM

Amherst - The Amherst Town Library will offer Wireless Internet Access for properly equipped laptops and handheld computers beginning in March 2004. We look forward to providing this new service for our patrons. Many of our patrons are already using their laptops in the library, and soon they will be able to access the Internet and take advantage of the library's online resources as well. There are several advantages of WiFi in the library:

• No waiting for an available computer
• No enforced time limits
• Ability to work at study tables or quieter areas
• Fast access
• Download files as you like
• Save files on your own computer

The wireless network will be accessed via our cable connection, while the library's computer network will be accessed via frame relay/T1 connections. For more information contact Library Director Natasha Leonard at 673-2288 or nleonard@amherst.lib.nh.us.

Merrimack - The winter flood at the Merrimack Public Library happened on January 10, 2004 when a heater pipe burst in the library's foyer. Resulting damage was to a few books in the book drop, the entire staff room, water in the elevator shaft, and carpeting near these spaces. The library was closed for three days. Most of the damage was repaired quick and the repairs to the staff room have also been completed. I was glad no computers and little of the library's materials were damaged.

TOWN MEETING REPORTS

Barrington - The town of Barrington passed an $8,000 increase in salary for the Library Director in order to be in range of like-sized communities with similar libraries. They also passed a 2.5% increase to all other library staff salaries. $4,500 was added back into the materials budget after having been cut in 2003. This return to the 2002 levels was much needed in order to keep up with the demanding circulation of over 50,000 items this year. $3,600 was included to purchase slat wall end caps for the adult area in order to increase display space and a technology line of $1,500 was supported for a second year in a row.

Epsom - On March 9th the voters of Epsom voted to appropriate money for a new library. The bond for $250,000 will be combined with $156,000 in our capital reserve, $30,000 of money previously raised, and $200,000 of donations and pledges. We will still need to raise approximately $125,000 to $200,000 in donations, pledges, and grants. After so many years of trying this success is extremely sweet!

Hampstead - The Hampstead Public Library had an article in this year's Town Meeting warrant requesting the release of $37,000 from capital reserve and from private funds to furnish the second floor of the library building. Last year's Town Meeting approved funds to renovate the vacant, wide open space on the second floor into usable library area. Construction is now under way with an anticipated completion date in early May. But the new space needs furnishings and the release of the funds requested in Article 25 of the warrant will provide much of what is needed. As is often the case with Town Meeting warrant articles, the phrasing of the article was confusing. Legally the article had to ask the town meeting to "raise and appropriate" the funds even though the funds were actually already available and only needed the voters to approve the article to release them. The library staged a campaign to inform the voting public that there would be no impact on the tax rate from approving Article 25. Press releases, flyers and bookmarks tried to explain that the funds were there already, just waiting to be formally given to the library and that these monies could not be used for any other purpose or be returned to the general fund. Passing the article would have no effect on the tax rate. Failing to pass it would be equally ineffective, but would seriously handicap the second floor completion project. Happily, on March 9, 2004, the voters approved the Article by an almost 2 to 1 majority. Of course, one can't help wondering what the people who voted against it were thinking since releasing the money wasn't going to cost any one any thing. But 1,726 voters know what it meant and voted "yes", so furnishings for the second floor are assured and the Hampstead Public Library will double in size late this spring.

Hampton - A warrant article for $115,000 for repairs to the library easily passed. It originally was for $100,000 to make repairs to the roof, handicapped ramp and whatever else we could squeak out of it. When the Children's Room was flooded, the selectmen, who sponsored the warrant article, came to us and suggested they amend it to include the insurance deductible and other uninsured costs. The selectmen suggested adding $50,000, but we talked them into $15,000 as being more realistic. We think that was a politic move, as it was one of the few monied articles to pass. More (in the article) might have meant less - as in fewer votes. The town's operating budget failed, sending us to default. We are scheduled to lose approximately $15,000 from our operating budget, though there are whispers that the smaller departments might not be cut as cutting a project or two from one of the big three departments, (police, fire, public works) may be enough to cover the rest of the departments.

Madbury - You're invited to a library open house. Take a tour of the new Madbury Public Library and meet the next generation of librarians. A group of students from Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science in Boston are coming up to take a tour of the new Madbury library and to learn about library life in the real world. Please join us to share your library stories, meet the students, and take a peek at the new Madbury Public Library. When? April 24, 2004, 1:00 p.m., 9 Town Hall Road, Madbury. Direction: Take Route 155 into Madbury and turn onto Town Hall Road. The library is the first building on the right side, across from the playing fields (it is a white ranch house)

Pittsfield - The citizens of Pittsfield approved $59,800 as a capital outlay for the purpose of renovating the Josiah Carpenter Library building for handicapped accessibility and upgrading mechanical systems. The citizens' 2004 capital outlay follows their approval in 2003 to spend $20,000 to purchase land that will enable the construction of a handicapped entry ramp. The local funds will supplement a grant for $170,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which was awarded due to the support and efforts of Senator John Sununu.