2009-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

will certainly last well beyond that period. The state financial contribution was almost $3,000,000, making it well worth meeting their planning requirements. There will be many more computers and lots of comfortable seating; a far cry from the situation in the old library. We have designed in quiet study areas, meeting rooms and great spaces for children and teens. This is a building all Mashpee can be proud of. Previously, space for children was very limited and teen space was nonexistent. The new library has wonderful spaces for all age groups. We anticipate the new library will be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Standards (LEED) certified. LEED is recognition by the U.S. Green Council that the project meets a high level of energy efficiency and is based on achieving a number of points list on the Green Council's checklist. Certification of the project happens once the building is completed and an independent group measures whether or not Mashpee achieved enough points to be certified. Mashpee will be the first library in southeastern Massachusetts to achieve this distinction, so it will be quite an honor for the town. In addition, the town will receive additional funding form the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners if it attains LEED certification. The Friends of the Library and the library received a grant for Teen Services from the Donahue Center of the University of Massachusetts. Barbara Notarius, President of the Friends of the Library, was of great assistance in applying for the grant funding. The grant targeted At Risk Youth and was geared towards services and materials for youth 12 to 20 years old. Janet Burke, Children's/Youth Services Librarian, has purchased new books, music, magazines, gaming equipment and gaming discs for teens to be used in the new Teen Room. So not only will we have a room just for teens but we'll have a wealth of interesting new materials on hand for them to use. We owe additional thanks to the Friends for purchasing a new DVD/CD cleaner. The equipment resurfaces scratched discs and cleans the discs, extending their lifespan. We previously sent discs out to a professional company for maintenance. Funds spent on maintenance can now be spent on new materials. The Friends are also donating funds to expand the library's collection and to fund programs at the library. They realized that we will be moving back into a much larger building and the existing collection will look lost on the expansive shelf space. Town funds cannot be stretched to fill up the shelves so the Friends stepped forward to help. The Friends intention is to donate a substantial amount of money over two years to help fill up some of the shelf space. We plan on having interesting speakers and activities, also funded by the Friends. We will still have room to grow but we'd like to have plenty of new books and materials to go with the beautiful new space. Respectfully submitted, Helene B. DeFoe Library Director 146