ANNUAL REPORT TOWN OF GRANBY MASSACHUSETTS FOR ...

link to the Virtual Catalog, a single searchable catalog of
materials owned by participating academic and public libraries in
Massachusetts. Library patrons in good standing may use the
Virtual Catalog to request items that are unavailable through their
own library network.
The C/WMARS Digital Catalog offers patrons online access
to audio-books, e-books, video, and e-books for the printimpaired.
These features are available for use with various
media devices such as iPods, Barnes & Noble Nooks, Amazon
Kindles, PC, tablets, smartphones, and much more. They also
feature several online resources such as Digital Treasures that
offer a digital library collection focusing on the agricultural and
industrial cultural history of Central and Western Massachusetts.
The Library offers free wireless internet access to all patrons.
This allows patrons to bring their own laptops, PDA’s, e-readers,
or other internet ready devices into the library and gain access to
the internet. This service is available to anyone with a valid
C/WMARS library card and can be utilized during the Library’s
open hours. In order to gain access, all users must sign in at the
circulation desk and obtain a password. This allows patrons to
use their own device, download as needed, and avoid time
restrictions.
The Library offers a collection of “Play-aways.” These are
small audio devices that come with pre-recorded audio-books
loaded onto them. Each device contains one book and there is no
downloading required. All that is needed is one AAA battery
and headphones. These audio players are small and portable and
allow for patrons to listen to books while on the go. Each Playaway
is available for check-out for a three week period.
The Library maintains its own website located at
http://www.granbylibrary.com. There patrons will find general
library information, links to electronic resources, booklists,
Trustee and Friends of the Granby Library meeting information,
and an up-to-date calendar providing program and event
information. The library website also offers links to other userfriendly
resources that users may find helpful and provides users
a forum in which they can post questions to a librarian through
email.
The library staff, through the library’s resource material and
computer workstation resources, handles reference questions. In
addition, the library staff can contact the “Chat with a Librarian”
service provided by the Worcester Public Library when questions
raised go beyond the scope of the local material. Online services
are available to patrons as well. A microfiche reader is available
for patron use. The library has town and Church of Christ
records on microfilm for patrons interested in genealogical study.
Photocopying is a year round service offered at the library at
twenty cents per copy. Students with homework assignments are
allowed to make up to five photocopies free of charge. Copies
can also be made from computer workstations at a cost of twenty
cents per black and white copy and fifty cents per color copy.
The library has continued to offer adult programming
throughout the year. The library offers a monthly “Book Circle”
discussion group that meets on the third Thursday of each month.
The appreciation and pleasure of books are broadened through
lively discussion within the small informal group.
The library’s “In-Stitches Knitting Group” continues to meet
every Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. The group is for
knitters of all ages; some are experts while some are just learning
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to cast on their first stitches. Patrons are invited to bring their
projects, meet new people, sit and knit, share ideas and the joy of
knitting. Throughout the year, the group worked on various
projects to benefit local charities. The group held its first annual
"Knit-A-Thon" during the months of April, May & June.
Knitters were sponsored a monetary amount for each square
made and the squares were then assembled to make blankets that
were distributed to the CHD's Mary Anne's Kids Fund and the
Granby Council On Aging. The money raised went to support
the Granby Library Building Fund.
A Teen knitting group was formed in September. Some teens
learned how to knit for the first time and some learned new skills.
They worked hard on projects for the Knitting show. In
November, the group held its fifth Annual Knitting Fashion
Show. As an additional fund raiser, a luncheon was added to the
event this year. All proceeds from the event benefited the
Library Building Fund. This year the group has also raised funds
for the Library Building Fund by providing knit items for the
Holiday Basket Sale. They also made items for donation to the
Granby Library’s “Warm the Heart Drive” that benefits children
in need.
The Granby Library held an Adult Summer Reading Program
to encourage reading for adults during the summer months titled
“Why Should Kids Have All the Fun.” Lisa Maria Lanno, a local
psychic medium and author presented the Summer Reading
Program with her “Explore the Paranormal and Messages”
workshop. This presentation brought over forty patrons to the
Library. The Adult Summer Reading Program Finale Party, with
entertainment provided by Craig Harris and his “Drum Away the
Blues” program, brought many families to the Library.
Participants were treated to a raffle with various prizes donated
to the library for all of their reading throughout the summer
months. The Friends of the Library and contributions received
from local businesses made the Adult Summer Reading Program
possible. Their continued support truly helps create a very caring
community for us all.
As part of the community outreach program, the library has
continued its delivery service for homebound patrons living in
Granby. Books, audio-books, DVDs, and more can be delivered
and picked up by caring library volunteers. The library also
provides the Granby Council on Aging with information
regarding programming at the library.
The library held its twelfth annual “Warm the Heart”
campaign for the Holidays. The community donated hundreds of
hats, mittens, scarves, and several boxes of new toys for
distribution to the Child Adolescent Unit of Providence
Behavioral Hospital. The library also held a “Fine Free”
campaign in which patrons donated items for the drive in order to
waive their current fines. Another “Fine Free” campaign was
also held in late fall to collect non-perishable food items to
benefit the Granby Food Pantry.
Children in grades four though six read and voted for books
for the Massachusetts Children's Book Award, a book honor
chosen by youth. Valentine Making in February and a spring
Easter Egg Fun program proved to be very popular. A Youth Art
Month exhibit was held in March showcasing artwork created by
local children. The library continued a well attended bi-weekly
Chess Club which is run by three wonderful adult volunteers for
children seven and older. Preschool Storytimes took place