Annual Report

REPORT OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR - 2008

TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF FAIRFIELD:
The Lawrence Public Library has increased steadily in the last eight years. This past year has brought a record number of people through our doors who take advantage of our services, materials and programs.

• New books, audio-visual collections, our periodical subscription, and technology.
• Monthly newsletters are offered and viewed on http://www.lawrence.lib.me.us.
• Inter-library loans, (books not in our collection) will require a $2.00 service fee. 
• We are continuing to provide large-print books, audios, and videotapes for "shut-in"
  patrons. 
• Membership is free for Fairfield residents. Out of town membership is $25.00 per family
  per year. Benton patrons are reimbursed $25.00 when they join this library or any other
  library.

This library has been an asset to this Town's heritage, identity and quality of life. It's existence has served the community's informational, recreational and cultural needs for 109 years. Our needs of this library and community have changed dramatically because of new technology. It's here to stay and we are constantly researching, and implementing different tools for these needs.

The library staff includes: Louella Bickford, Director; Robin Duperry, Assistant Director & Circulation Librarian; Cindy Paquette, Head Children's & Circulation Librarian; Marie Viles, Jane Holmstrom, and Debra Kanner, Assistant Librarian Aides.

The Library Advisory Board members are: Jane Carlson, Chairman; Charlotte Towne, Secretary; Robert Carlson, Tom Munson, Arline Julia, Doris Pratt, Peter Viles, Paul Tessier and William Towne. They volunteer their expertise, their knowledge of the community's need, and help with our fundraisers. Our largest fundraisers which are contributed by our Advisory Board and patrons are the yard sales in May and September.

Volunteers ever ready to help are: Therese Lemieux our weekly volunteer and Joe Lemieux for our special needs. Others special volunteers are: Red (Bernard) Ryer, Mary Halkyard, Cora Damon, Eugene Paradis, Ed Finch, and Desiree Marin.

Robin not only joins us all together (community and staff) but also is responsible every month for these successful programs, Trivia Night and Book Discussion, which we offer not only for our adults but for our teen's also.

You will find Cindy Paquette, (our children's librarian) every week reading, doing crafts and encouraging our preschool in finding their niche in this library. These are some of her program: Wizard Of Oz Week. (February 18-22-2008) and bi-weekly preschool Community Links Playgroup which is for parents and children from birth to age 3. The summer reading program, which included special performers, activities, and refreshments for all area children were as following: The first week Cora Damon (Head Librarian for MaineGeneral) and Waterville Gardening Club (started with -Bug plants and made wood bugs for the library garden). The second week theme was Bug included L.C. BATES- BUGS! BUGS! BUGS! (what a great bug program!). The third week theme was Bee's! Bee's! Bee's! by Tony Jadczak which another cool learning experience for all. The fourth week included additional knowledgeable experience with Maine Entomological Society by Dana Michaud & David Bourque. The fifth week incorporated entertainment by "Mad Science of Maine" by Elizabeth Masalsky. The summer program ended with a Party with Clown Marry Giggles. The Public Work Department was a great help with our Halloween Party. They put up three of the Town's tents for the children's Halloween games. Also the Community Development Committee of Fairfield, students from KVCC and Lawrence High School help helped with the games, prizes and food for this event which was very successful. Our Christmas Party for the children surpassed the previous year. Thanks to all our volunteers who made this happen.

The Public Works Department has increased our shelving space by building one corner books-shelves and a large area for our new Large Print section which increase spaces for an additional 320 books. Also, they have added two large end shelves to add space for our DVD's. We are also indebted to Public Works for building our Storage Building which was greatly needed.
We welcome and urge all citizens of Fairfield to use the library not only for books but also for all the services it offers.

Respectfully Submitted,

Louella Bickford, Library Director