Lawrence Public Library – Annual Report FY18

LAWRENCE
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ANNUAL REPORT
JULY 2017-JUNE 2018

MISSION
The freedom to pursue knowledge is a foundation of our democracy. The Lawrence Free Public Library, an essential public
institution, strives to serve as an accessible and responsive information and literary center for all residents of the Lawrence
community. Through its evolving collection of materials and an abiding concern for its customers, the Library exists to
preserve the free development and expression of ideas essential for an informed citizenry.
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Top left to right: Mrs. Patricia Burke, Mr. Jay Dowd, Mayor Daniel Rivera, Rev. John Dello Russo, OSA, Mrs. Suzanne Piscitello
Bottom left to right: Atty. Eileen O’Connor Bernal, Mrs. Ana Rodriguez, Mrs. Mary Guerrero, Mrs. Arlene Ross

A WORD
FROM OUR TRUSTEES
Fellow Library Patrons,
The Board is striving to move the Library from a repository of books and a quiet place for reading and reflecting to
an active center of community culture and programming. We have hired an energetic and scholarly woman, Jessica
V. Vilas Novas, to take the helm. Jessica is a product of Lawrence Public Schools. She holds an undergraduate
degree from Northeastern University, an M.Ed in Community Engagement from Merrimack College and is currently
finishing a second Masters degree in Library and Information Science from Simmons College. She makes her home
in Lawrence and counts herself among the growing number of young professionals in the City assuming leadership
roles in business, education and the arts. The Board has asked Jessica to make the Library a centerpiece of
Lawrence life and we stand committed, with her, to making the Library work for all of Lawrence’s citizens. Do
introduce yourselves to her on your next visit and encourage her success on this grand vision. Finally, we on the
Board welcome your calls for change. Mrs. Vilas Novas carries a listening ear to each and every public venue she
visits. We invite your comments and criticisms of the library today and how we can move it closer to the center of
your life tomorrow.
Very Truly Yours,
The Board of Trustees
Lawrence Public Library
BECOME A FRIEND OF THE LIBRARY
The Friends of the Lawrence Public Library are a nonprofit, volunteer organization consisting
of community members who support our library. This support makes it possible for the library
to improve public service programs for adults and children, as well as to provide museum
passes. Membership is open to anyone who wants to help improve and grow our library.
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WELCOME
FROM OUR DIRECTOR
Jessica V. Vilas Novas
Dear Community,
What a year it has been! Two years, actually, since I joined the Library
team as Director and I can say it has been a rewarding, productive, and
inspirational journey. With new leadership comes change and my team
and I have been devoted to creating positive change at the Lawrence
Pubic Library that can be felt throughout the community, in every corner,
across the parks, in the schools, online, and more. Through increased
programming for all ages, a reenergized Children’s department, new
technology, and improved facilities, we vow to continue to work towards
making every effort to bring to you a library that meets your needs.
Libraries are for everyone and that means ours is very much a place for
you to call home. All too often, we continue to learn of injustices affecting
members of our society and as a public library, we stand to continue to
welcome everyone, regardless of age, gender, income level, race – we are
here to serve you. When you hear of a friend struggling to find work, in
need of an internet connection, or a safe place to bring their children,
remember us. Our space is home to thousands of books, DVDs,
magazines, newspapers, and more, but we are also home to public
computer labs, wifi, homework help, open mics, resume help, and other
services to help the whole family.
Our welcoming staff is eager to assist you on your next visit. Please visit
us, call us, explore our website, or follow us on social media to keep up
with the latest. Be sure to say hi on your next visit!
With love,
Jessica V. Vilas Novas
Library Director
Lawrence Public Library
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ART
THROUGH
THE AGES
Art Through the Ages, an
intergenerational art exhibit
featuring ArtsMind and
Bernard “Bernie” Greenside, in
partnership with the Lawrence
Senior Center. The library art
gallery launched in June 2018.
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ONE FOR THE BOOKS
In 1852, the Honorable Daniel A. White whose family farm
became what is now a large part of North Lawrence,
authorized three officers of the Essex Company, Nathanial G.
White (no relation), Henry K. Oliver and Charles S. Storrow,
to sell a remaining six acre plot of family land between
Hampshire and Bradford Streets. White, “having at heart the
welfare of his native place and earnestly desiring to do
something to promote the improvement and prosperity of its
now numerous population” reserved enough land from the
sale for “the site of a building to be used for a Public Library.”
He instructed his three “Trustees” to establish a “Fund” and
purchase books for the existing and future library that
address the needs of “the young and of the industrial
classes” with proceeds generated by the sale.
On July 6, 1872, the association
turned over its library and funds
to the City of Lawrence. With the
aid of the White Fund, the Free
Public library was born.
After the death of original White Fund Trustee, Nathanial G. White, his wife
Mary and daughter Elizabeth offered to build a library in his honor.
Construction began in 1890 on Daniel A. White’s set aside land. Lawrence
architect, George G. Adams, designed the magnificent “jewelry box” building
located at the corner of Haverhill and Hampshire Streets which opened to the
public in 1892; the cost, $50,000. White Fund Trustees Charles U. Bell and
James H. Eaton oversaw initial construction, operation and expansion. For the
next 35 years the privately constituted White Fund Trustees maintained the
unusual position of holding the legal title to a public building of a municipality.
On March 31, 1847, the
Franklin Library Association
was formed. Capt. Charles H.
Bigelow, the engineer, under
whom the Great Stone Dam
was built, served as the
library’s first president.
In 1855, Abbott Lawrence, who
gave Lawrence its name, and
donated $1,000 to purchase
books that would “tend to create
mechanics, good Christians and
patriots,” died, leaving an
additional $5,000 to the
association.
The library was housed in the
Saunders Block at 240 Essex
Street. Due to its success, the
Lawrence Free Library moved to
rooms in the Odd Fellows Hall on
the southwest corner of Essex
and Lawrence Streets.
On August 1, 1898, the
Lawrence South branch
library was opened in a
store near the railroad
station, at 160 South
Broadway.
In 1902, the main library
was enlarged at the cost of
$37,300.86 after much
pleading from the director
for the children’s room.
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The White Fund held the title to the Main Library
building until 1937 when the Trustees turned
ownership over to the City. According to Trustee,
Wilber Rowell, “the terms of the conveyance are
such as to make it certain that the site and library
building or their proceeds will always be devoted
to the maintenance of the Public Library of
Lawrence.”
The new library was built on the
northeast corner of Haverhill and
Lawrence Streets. The three
story, two and one half million
dollar building was dedicated on
June 10, 1973.
Projects have resulted in a
modified plaza-style entry area
with a semicircular driveway, a
new parking area on the corner
of Haverhill and Lawrence
Streets, complete re-carpeting of
the entire facility, a new meeting
room dedicated to the poet,
Robert Frost, and the addition of
a local history room.
Both the main and branch
libraries have had recent
improvements including the
installation of a new HVAC
system , upgrading lighting,
paint, and the launch of an
art gallery.
The new Branch library opened
on October 10, 1927. It was and
still is located at 135 Parker
Street.
In 1965, a proposal for a new
library facility got underway.
There were many ideas for places
and spaces within this new
library.
Between the years 1999 and
2006, many renovation projects
took place within the library.
As Daniel A. White stipulated in his 1852
Indenture, The White Fund Trustees today
provide annual financial support to the Library.
Since 1937 they continue to serve as ex officio
members of the Lawrence Public Library Board
of Trustees and continue to provide a course of
lectures annually.
Sources: History of Lawrence, Maurice B. Dorgan, 1924; The White Fund - Established in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1852 by
Daniel Appleton White, Wilbur E. Rowell, The Trustees of the White Fund, 1946; An Indenture, Daniel Appleton White, 1852.
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SERVICES
TOTALS 2017-18
Applicants 763
MASS HEALTH
OFFICE HOURS
Mondays 9:00am-2:00pm
Trustees Room, 3rd fl
The Greater Lawrence
Family Health Center
offers free on-site
enrollment assistance.
NO APPOINTMENT
NECESSARY
CITIZENSHIP CLASSES
Tuesdays 2:00-4:00pm
Trustees Room, 3rd fl
by Onilfa Rodriguez
Includes:
How to Obtain US
Citizenship
How to read/write in
English
The history of the United
States
Filling out the N-400
application and i912 waiver
for individuals who receive
government assistance
HOMELESSNESS &
VETERANS RESOURCES
Fridays 9:00-11:00am
Auditorium, 1st fl
Hosted by the City’s homelessness
initiative’s coordinator in partnership
with Eliot Community Human
Services, Bedford VA, and the city’s
Veteran’s Office.
Includes:
Shelter accommodations
Rental assistance
Food, clothing, and furniture referrals
Assistance with insurance enrollment
Behavioral health supports
Veteran services
Domestic violence supports
Benefits for disabilities
FREE RESUME HELP
Tuesdays 10:00am-12:00pm
Job Resource Area, 2nd fl
by Sabrina Boggio
of Progress Clothing
Includes:
Walk-in’s welcome
In English & Spanish
Open to all ages
Help w/ Resumes & Cover
Letters from scratch or
draft
Help with job applications
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PROGRAMS
POETRY OPEN MIC “FUERZA’
Every 3rd Wed., 6:00pm
Auditorium, 1st fl
by Yaneris Collado
An evening that allows our
community of poets to
express their original writing
and favorite literary pieces.
This space permits our
community to project our
truths as a means to heal,
help heal and learn from each
other.
Open to all ages and a safe
space to support each others’
literacy.
SPANISH CONVERSATION
CIRCLE
Wednesdays 5:30pm
Language Area, 2nd fl
By Lauryn Klinger
A group of individuals seeking
to learn, improve or practice
their Spanish speaking skills
coming together to engage in
Spanish conversation.
Conversations cover a range
of topics and are
accompanied by Spanish
language dictionaries and
other materials available at
the Library.
COMMON SAGE
Last Weds. of the month
7:00-8:00pm
Local History Room
ARTS LAWRENCE
3rd Tuesday of the month
6:00pm Robert Frost Room
Strengthening and enhancing
the City’s arts and culture
initiatives for the benefit of the
Lawrence Community.
All are welcome.
Community-led writing club
where members take turns
leading the group by
presenting a topic while
utilizing literature, poetry,
news articles, and sometimes
music/art, as the writing
prompt. Participants write for
10 minutes and then the floor
is open for sharing and
discussion.
Open to all ages,
Drop-In basis.
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PROGRAMS
BOOK CLUB
Monthly, Mondays at 6:00pm
Local History Room, 3rd fl
Hosted by our archivist,
Louise Sandberg, celebrating
the 14th Annual Lawrence
Public Library Book Club,
which focused this year on
books by women authors.
LAWRENCE WRITING &
THE ARTS CAMP
Annual, End of Summer
2-weeks
Serving Middle – High School,
this camp is sponsored by
Andover Bread Loaf and
offers the space for creativity
via writing, arts, and special
guests.
RECURRING EVENTS
LEGO TIME
MOVIE NIGHTS
BILINGUAL STORY TIME
BABIES & BOOKS
Children’s Room, 1st fl
DONUTS WITH DAD
Monthly Offering
Children’s Room, 1st fl
A space for children and their
father figures to spend quality
time reading, doing crafts,
and making memories.
Hosted on weekly, bi-weekly,
and monthly basis. Monthly
calendars are made available in
our children’s room and can be
found on our website and via
our social media.
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PROGRAMS
HOMEWORK HELP
Mon-Thurs 3:30-5:00pm
Children’s Room, 1st fl
Offered on a walk-in basis,
serving 6th grade and lower.
Homework Help is sustained
by volunteers from the
community and students
from Lawrence High School,
Notre Dame Cristo Rey High
School, Central Catholic High
School, Lawrence Catholic
Academy, and Merrimack
College.
TEEN DROP-IN
Weekdays, School Year
3:30-5:00pm Auditorium
This program has been home
to teens each day ranging
from 7-12th grade. This teen
space allows the group to
have a safe and comfortable
space for them to be creative
and build relationships after
school.
We hope to grow this
program in the years to
come!
PROGRAM
STATS
Over 300 children’s
programs including many
recurring, and dozens of
one-time events.
Over 3,000 participants.
CHESS CLUB
Wednesdays 3:15-4:15pm
Children’s Room, 1st fl
Offered on a weekly basis and
hosted by Frank O’Connor,
Chess Club welcomes players
of all levels to the chess table.
The participants enjoy end of
year awards & celebration.
Over 50 class visits from
Lawrence schools.
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PARTNERSHIPS
THANK YOU FOR PARTNERING WITH THE LIBRARY!
ADULT LEARNING
CENTER
From class visits and tours
to dozens of new library
card holders, we’re thrilled
to be a resource to your
students, and now our
patrons, year round. Thank
you for utilizing our online
resources, including
Pronunciator, as a tool for
English language learning.
LAWRENCE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
This past year, we
welcomed dozens of
classes to the children’s
room and we can’t wait to
see what the new school
year will bring. Thank you
for utilizing our space for
meetings, programs, and
for sharing our resources
with the schools.
NOTRE DAME CRISTO
REY HIGH SCHOOL:
WORK STUDY
PROGRAM
As part of the high school’s
work study program,
students are trained to
work in every department
and are an integral part of
the Library team. We’re
grateful for the years of
service your students, now
our team members, have
provided to the Library.
OPERATION A.B.L.E.
Operation A.B.L.E. provides
employment and training
opportunities to job
seekers 45 and older from
economically, racially and
occupationally diverse
backgrounds. We’re
grateful for the years of
service your clients, now
our team members, have
provided the Library.
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DID YOU KNOW?
The free Public Library first opened
its doors on December 2, 1872 in
rented quarters in the Saunders
Block at 240 Essex Street.
The first librarian was
William A. Fletcher.
In 1923, there was a
total of 84,000 volumes
in the collection.
The White Fund
provided the land for the
first library building.
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FAVORITE MOMENTS
GINGERBREAD
HOUSES
This event brought in 60 families and
was so much fun, we’ve been
requested to host it as an annual
event. Our children's events
generally follow the following
format: Storytime with books read
to children's and families on the
topic or theme for the event,
followed by a craft or activity. This
one by far was the most popular!
SCAVENGER
HUNT
In partnership with Raising a Reader,
this family library scavenger hunt
held in the Spring of 2018 aimed at
making connections to each other
and the world through books. Raffles
were held, light refreshments were
offered, activities for the families to
participate, and a chance at a family
photo with a special guest!
QUISQUEYA LA BELLA
Following the Dominican Flag raising
by the City of Lawrence, the Library
hosted a full room of community
members who shared in a lecture,
live performances featuring the
Diablos Cojuelos, and story time and
crafts for the kids.
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JOWDY GEOGRAPHY
CHALLENGE
Celebrating year 29 of this classic
Library event, this program
continues to bring in area schools to
compete for the trophy in a jeopardy
-style competition. Middle school
students prepare for months leading
up to the competition and are
coached by teachers from their
schools.
WHITE FUND LECTURE SERIES
Minou Tavárez Mirabal debuted her
book Mañana te escribire otra vez.
This program brought in an audience
eager to hear from Mirabal, the
eldest daughter of activists Minerva
Mirabal and Manuel Aurelio Manolo
Tavárez who were the founders of
the 1960 clandestine movement of
June 14 that sought to overthrow
the dictator Rafael Trujillo.
PIANO CONCERT
SERIES
Early in the fall, a free concert series
in our auditorium was presented by
The Friends of the Lawrence Public
Library Inc., and sponsored by The
Catherine McCarthy Memorial Trust
Fund and The White Fund. We were
fortunate to have pianists, Lynne
Wilby and Janice Weber serenade
the audience with their beautifully
played melodic pieces.
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AUTHORS
We are glad to have had the opportunity to host the following
authors at the Library this past year:
Adventures in Handom by John R. Miller, July 18, 2017
Greeks of the Merrimack Valley by Paul Brown, Oct. 25, 2017
Pablito: A Cuban with a Boston Accent by Dr. Paul Montesino, Dec. 20, 2017
The Times of our Lives by Xavr, March 25, 2018
Amber War by Ursula Wong, May 23, 2018
Islandborn (English) / Lola (Spanish) by Junot Díaz, March 26, 2018
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JUNOT DIAZ
New York Times bestselling and
Pulitzer prize-winning author of The
Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
and This is How You Lose Her shared
his debut picture book, Islandborn
and Lola, a Spanish-language edition.
An audience of over 300, of all ages,
listened eagerly to his reading, asked
questions, and enjoyed his book
signing after his talk.
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HOST YOUR EVENT WITH US
Thank you to all of the organizations who booked our space! When you book during off hours for a fee, you
help fund our Library Programs account which supports library programs and events throughout the year. For
more information, call 978-620-3605 or visit our website for an application.
Courtyard
Sargent Auditorium
Board of Trustees Room
Local History Room
Robert Frost Room
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OUR YEAR IN REVIEW
We added over 5,000 items
to our collection.
REVENUES
We circulated 43,934 books,
DVD's, audio books, magazines,
newspapers, and more.
We welcomed 1,951 new
cardholders to our Library.
EXPENSES
Municipal Appropriation
Personnel
Utilities
State Aid Grants
Library Materials
Facilities Improvements
Other (Grants, Contributions, Earned Income)
Operations
Professional Development
Membership Dues
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VISIT OUR LOCAL HISTORY ROOM
Located on the third floor of our Main Branch Library | 51 Lawrence Street, Lawrence, MA
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VISIT OUR SOUTH BRANCH
135 Parker Street, Lawrence, MA 01843 | Mon, Wed, Sat: 9AM - 5PM, Sun: 1 - 4PM | Phone: 978-620-3650
An extension of our Library, the South
Branch Library also offers thousands of
materials in all formats. Be sure to visit the
Lower Level to explore the unique Irish
Collection, an extensive collection on Irish
heritage managed by the Ancient Order of
Hibernians. The Irish consulate is seen here
reading to over a hundred Lawrence
students during Irish Heritage month.
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STAFF
Our staff is here to serve you and as a team, we can offer services in English, Spanish, Arabic,
Portuguese, and Chinese. Our newest member has been on the team for half a year and our longest
serving team members have served for 22 years. We look forward to your next visit to the Library.
Agneris Vazquez, Library Assistant
Allan Zapata, Teen Coordinator
Cassandra Abou-Farah, Administrative Assistant
Elvin Fabian, Circulation Coordinator
Franklin Arias, Head Custodian
Genesis Vanderhorst Batista, Library Assistant
Giselle Encarnacion, Head of Technical Services
Jacqueline Delacruz, Children’s Coordinator
Jessica V. Vilas Novas, Director
John Tessier, Library Assistant
Louise Sandberg, Archivist
Luke Terry, Library Assistant
Miguelina Feliz, Library Assistant
Nancy Gunther, Cataloger
Noelia Rosario, Library Assistant
Ricardo Olivo, Custodian
On behalf of the Lawrence Public Library staff, we thank
you for your support. A special thank you to the
following funders and donors for supporting our
programs and allowing us to provide resources to the
community.
Friends of the Lawrence Public Library Members
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
Essex County Community Foundation
The White Fund
McGovern Foundation
Lawrence Cultural Council
Ms. Theresa Jowdy
Janet Eagleson Trust
The Pike School
Wen He, Library Assistant
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LAWRENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY
MAIN
51 Lawrence Street
Lawrence, MA 01841
978-620-3600
BRANCH
135 Parker Street
Lawrence, MA 01843
978-620-3650
lawrencefreelibrary.org
fb.com/lawrencefreelibrary
@lawrencefreelibrary
@lawfreelibrary