5584-R1_NewGloucester_2017AnnualReport_Web

The trustees continue to build an Endowment Fund to ensure the future of the library. Only a portion of the interest from the fund may be used and the idea behind the fund is that, no matter what financial problems occur, there will always be money for the most important part of the library: the materials we provide to our patrons. The library is grateful for all the donations, but the fund balance of $17,831.15 must grow much larger before it can be used for its stated purpose. To that end, the library started the Support the Library Campaign this summer. Look for information at all library events. Our web services continue to be a welcome improvement for our patrons. Patrons enjoy being able to check for books before coming to the library, reserving the books so they are available when they arrive, and renewing their items online. The library has many regular activities each year. These include, weekly story hours, special story hours around holidays, two adult book groups, one young adult book group, a youth advisory group, a summer reading program, the annual pet show, the annual sleepover, a knitting group, a monthly 4H science night and the Christmas Tree Lighting and open house every November. The library also produces one play each summer. The library continues to offer many different types of materials to borrow. In addition to the books, the library has magazines, audiobooks, videos, DVDs, cake pans and puzzles. The library is also a member of the Maine Infonet Download Library, which allows our patrons to download Audio and E-Books at no cost. This service gives our patrons access to over 14,000 additional titles. If you cannot find something you are looking for on our shelves, Sue or Carla can often obtain it from another library through Interlibrary Loan. This past year the library partnered with the Parks and Recreation department to administer the kayaks and canoes program. This program allows people to “check out” kayaks and canoes at the fairgrounds and use them there in the Royal River. This has been a good collaboration, which has brought new people into the library. Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of New Gloucester Public Library, the library offered passes to the Wildlife Park, the Maine State Museum, and Willowbrook. Some passes may be reserved in advance and some the day of planned use. Some passes provide free access while others provide a reduced fee. Additional passes may change each year. Please see Sue and Carla with any questions and for reservations.

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