The Annual Report of the Salem Free Public Library ... - Town of Salem

June 2...2nd Grade Visit
Every year we get a visit from the 2nd
grade as part of their Salem history curriculum.
We talk about the history of the Salem
Library and do a library scavenger
hunt to acquaint them with library materials.
June 14...3rd Grade Visit
Every year the 3rd graders come to the library
to get their 1st library card and for
further library instruction. They learned
how to use the library catalog and find
items on the library shelf.
Salem Library In Print
Municipal Land Use Commission Report
The Salem Free Public Library building
located at 264 Hartford Road was constructed
in 2004. Located between the Salem
Town Office Building and the Salem
Congregational Church it is a handsome
addition to the historic center of the town
and is fast becoming one of its most beloved
facilities. Its 7,000 square feet is a
sizeable increase over the Library's previous
facility. The current assessment of the
building is $1.6 million. The land on which
it is located is part of the larger parcel on
which rest several other Town buildings,
public work areas, and recreation fields and
is not assessed separately for the Library
portion.
Often referred to as the "new library" by
longer-term residents, it provides traditional
library services and hosts a vigorous schedule
of cultural and public service programs.
Its two meeting rooms, one small and one
moderate in size, are in constant demand for
meeting space. Early in 2010 Salem's senior
population began meeting there every Tuesday
from noon to 4:00 p.m. for a variety of
recreational activities. In this sense and others
the Library is assuming some of the
functions of a community center, and is seen
as having potential for even a greater role if
space allowed.
Like many of Salem's municipal buildings
the Library was built under tight financial
constraints with the result that it has no
basement and that storage space is limited.
The library staff manages this by strenuously
weeding the materials they keep; by
storing off-season and other material at the
old library, and by tolerating a fair amount
of inconvenience.
Although the Library is still a very new
building it has a number of problems, some
weather related and some of unknown origin.
The harsh winter of 2009-2010 caused
leakage on the side roofs resulting in the
temporary need to shift materials around
inside the building. Fortunately insurance
will cover the damage. Also, there are problems
with the heating and air-conditioning;
the temperature in some rooms has occasionally
been hot enough to damage the
computers; telecommunications problems
occur often; and there are frequent power
blips. In addition to attending to the above,
ongoing maintenance and upkeep will be
necessary to keep this new facility in good
condition in the years ahead.