New Sitting Area Dedicated in Honor of Long-time Volunteer Dot Grim

Bridget, Betsy, and Kirk Grim pose on the new bench they have kindly donated in memory of Kirk's mother, Dot Grim. We miss her wit and her energy at the front desk every Thursday at 1:00. Stop by to take a break on the new bench, located just outside the main entrance to the Daniels Room. It will be a great place to sit and enjoy the afternoon sun, maybe surf the WiFi or read a book.

Library Events for November 2008

Sunday November 2nd at 2:00 pm
The Hourglass Readers Perform “The School for Scandal”

The Hourglass Readers will present a reading of the 18th century comedy of manners, The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Wendy Almeida will direct a cast that includes Martin Hanft, Carrie Kidd, Heather and Sherman Morrison, Catherine and Frank Behrens, Marilyn Simons, Ben Wise, John McMahon, Wendy Almeida, Jonathan Flower and Kevin Colarusso. The Hourglass Readers are dedicated to performing readings of classical works in abridged versions. Performances are always free and open to the public.

Wednesdays November 5, 12, & 19th 3:00 – 4:30 pm
The Knit Lits Knitting Group

Learn to knit or, if you’re an experienced knitter, bring a project to our Knit Lits Knitting Group every Wednesday afternoon. We can help each other become better knitters and we’ll keep you in stitches! All ages and ability levels are welcome.


Thursdays beginning November 6th 2:00 – 4:00 pm (runs 6 weeks)
Imaginative Writing Classes with Becky Sakellariou

Imaginative Writing: a six-week workshop for anyone who wants to play with their imagination through writing. We will do different kinds of writing exercises every week, stimulating, fun, outrageous, and there will be time for us to read things we've written to each other. We will create an environment amongst each other of trust and ease, and there will be no requirements to "produce" or "achieve." We will always be surprised and pleased by what we do. Becky Sakellariou has written since she was a child. Much of her professional life has also included writing -- editing journals, writing non-fiction articles for professional journals, teaching writing and publishing her own essays and poetry. Fee for the class, payable to Becky Sakellariou, is $120 for six weeks. Please register at the library as space is limited. Call us at 525-4411.

Thursday November 6th at 7:00 pm
The Next Steps: Deeper Energy Conservation in our Homes with Margaret Dillon

The price of oil may continue to fluctuate, but all signs point to an end to the era of cheap oil. What was standard for a building when oil was $1.00/ gallon is no longer acceptable. Homeowners are looking for ways to drastically reduce their energy consumption and heating bills. While rising fuel prices have prompted many homeowners and builders to look at renewable energy such as geothermal, wind and solar, by far the greatest energy, financial and environmental savings are to be had by reducing the load by improving the building envelope. Conserving energy in a building involves managing moisture, air flow, and heat transfer. With a background in Environmental and Building Sciences, Energy consultant Margaret Dillon will give an overview of how to think about, and plan for, deep energy retrofits and how the homeowner can lower costs while maintaining - or improving comfort and air quality. Dillon will talk about basic principles of heat and moisture transfer, how to assess the building envelope and prioritize home energy improvements, and indoor air quality. Presenter Margaret Dillon has 25 years experience with building, designing and managing buildings, always within the context of promoting energy and resource efficiency and creating a more sustainable built environment. Dillon is a Certified HERS Rater, BPI Certified Building Analyst and Envelope Specialist.

Friday November 7th at 7:00 pm
Emotional Freedom Technique with Beverly Leach

Beverly Day Leach will present information on Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a form of energy healing that consists of tapping on various acupuncture points to rid the body of negative energy. It is highly effective for mental, emotional and physical issues and the basics can be learned in about 15 minutes. The talk will involve participation from willing audience members and everyone should leave with the ability to use EFT on themselves. Free and open to all.

Sunday November 9th at 4:00 pm
70th Anniversary of Kristallnacht
Songs of Resistance and Hope with Stephanie Hurley

November 9th marks the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, a night of coordinated violence against Jews throughout Nazi Germany. Nearly 100 Jews were killed that night, 30,000 were arrested and deported to concentration camps, and more than 200 Synagogues as well as countless homes and businesses of German Jews were destroyed. In commemoration of Kristallnacht, the Hancock Town Library is sponsoring a program focusing on songs from the Holocaust - songs of endurance and defiance - presented by Stephanie Hurley. Stephanie presents a slide show outlining some facts about the ghettos and concentration camps during the Holocaust. Interspersed throughout, Stephanie performs hauntingly beautiful songs that were composed and sung by people living under terrible and inhuman conditions. Singer Stephanie Hurley is an accomplished vocalist in many genres of music. She graduated with honors from Keene State College, receiving a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Music History. This performance is an extension of her research conducted at the Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies at Keene State College. Inspired by this research, Stephanie resolved to bring the voices of the people who lived during the Holocaust back to life by performing their songs. This program is free and open to the public.

Thursday November 13th at 7:00 pm
Documentary Film: Legacy – Generations of Family Business

A documentary portraying the dreams, stories and future prospects of families running enterprises over multiple generations will be presented by Jim Howard, Senior Producer and Photographer. Today, only one-third of family businesses survive the transition from founder to the 2nd generation. This extraordinarily low survival rate marks an alarming decline in recent years. This documentary, in conjunction with public forums, web presence, and media attention, will take a decisive step towards reversing this decline. Family businesses provide an anchor that binds our communities. A discussion of the practical actions we can take to support these enterprises will follow the 30-minute film. The beloved 4th generation Edmunds Hardware Stores in Antrim and Henniker will be featured, as will the 10th generation Graves family dairy farm in Walpole among other enterprises. Free and open to the public.

Saturday November 15th at 4:00 pm
Absolutely Wild with Kim Cunningham

Join Kim Cunningham as she reads from her newly published children’s book of sophisticated verses (written by her father) combined with beautiful illustrations by Kim. She will also bring some "show and tell" items describing the process of designing and producing the illustrations. Children of all ages are encouraged to attend!


Thursday November 20th at 7:00 pm
Navigating Careers and Family in Modern China

Hancock resident Eleanor Falcon recently took an extensive trip to China. Traveling with guides in Beijing and the North, joining a Chinese family and teaching English language to elementary school children in Shanghai and Central China, and living with her Chinese family in Changsha and Central China, provided unique opportunities to observe and participate in the daily life of her Chinese hosts. In many cities and villages she was the first American and Caucasian woman the Chinese had met. She will share her experiences and reflect on the complicated relationships of the people she was given the honor to meet. All are welcome.

Friday November 21st at 7:00 pm
Cheap Date Night Film: The Bourne Identity

This year’s Cheap Date Night Film Series theme is Spy Movies and this month we’ll show the recent, yet already classic, Bourne Identity starring Matt Damon. Edge of your seat suspense, free popcorn and Matt Damon. What better way to spend a Friday night?

Coming in December…

Saturday December 6th 10 am til Noon
The Elves Workshop with Melody Zahn Russell

Come be an Elf! Moss & berries, paints and bells, colors and candles ~ create your own secret holiday gifts! For children ages 6 – 10 years old. There is a $10 materials fee for this program and you will need to register at the library (or call us at 525-4411) since class size is limited to 12 elves. Melody Zahn Russell, MEd, our Chief Elf, is an experienced art educator and local artist.

Minutes from Trustee Meeting 10.22.08

Draft Minutes of the October 22, 2008 meeting of Hancock Library Trustees

Present:
Mary Garland, Amy Markus, Laurie Bryan

Secretary’s Report:
Minutes of September 24, 2008 meeting were accepted.

Treasurer’s Report:
Accepted

Old Business:
Laurie will talk with Kurt about the library driveway before the November trustee’s meeting.

Director’s Report:
Amy reviewed upcoming events

The Friends of the Library are donating about $10,000 for programs, materials and a love seat and curtains for the children’s room.

General Discussion:
Capital Improvements for the next 5 years were discussed. Alison Rossiter is gathering information. Capital items include:
- New carpet - $12,000 estimate
- Roof is a 30 year roof and was put on in 1988 – will need replacing in 2015
- Foundation insulation needs sealing
- Outside needs paint in some areas
- Windows in children’s room need replacing

Amy will talk to Nevan and get an estimate on foundation work and windows.

There was discussion about the value of having an annual review for Amy. It would provide time to set goals for the coming year, discuss what is going well and where there are challenges and identify areas of professional development that would be helpful for the director. The board agreed to have the review at the November meeting. Laurie will provide an outline format for the review.

Next Meetings: November 26 at 1:00 p.m.

Meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,



Laurie Bryan
Acting Secretary

Minutes from the Annual Meeting - Friends of the Library

Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Hancock Town Library

Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 7:00 PM - Daniels Room - Library

Present: Jane Richards-Jones, Alison Rossiter, Jim Musarra, Leeni Gravlin-Dunn, Tom Pisaturo, Barbara Strawbridge, Kim Brady, Marcia Pette, Beth GrosJean, Jean Harrison, Amy Markus, Cindy Amidon, Mary Garland, Shirley Kane, Betsy Salazar, Jane Garry, Angela Ramsden, Eleanor Falcon

The meeting was called to order by Alison Rossiter at 7:05 PM.

Colorful chair cushions have been ordered for the oak chairs in the Daniels Room. A suitable backing will prevent the cushions from sliding.

Secretary's Report: The minutes of the September 9 meeting were distributed and accepted as written.

Treasurer's Report: Jim Musarra expressed deep appreciation to Alison for the dedication and leadership she brought to her presidency; his accolade was followed by applause from all present. The fiscal year of the Friends of the Hancock Town Library is from January 1 to December 31. The budget year is from October 1 to November 31. At the next meeting on November 11 a more substantive report will be given. The book sale brought in $5,231. This sale doubled what book sales have made in recent years. The membership drive raised $5,775. In the past year membership dues and donations raised $11,006. The total in the treasury is $18,484.
For the annual meeting a display of activities the FHTL has made possible was on view. Alison had gathered the information which included the following categories: furnishings, fees and licenses, automation project, museum passes, discretionary, DVDs and audio books, technology, baby book bags, books in memory of Dot Grim, speakers series, signs by Michael Havey of Yasvin Designs, film series, and 2008 membership list. There are approximately 325 members this year.

Director's Report: The automation project was completed in January. Software expenses were paid by the Library, and the Friends paid for everything else relating to this automation.

Betsy Salazar and Jill Kuchinos, co-chairs, were thanked for organizing and managing the very successful book sale. The behind-the-scenes work, largely unknown, included taking the books from the Library for storage in the LaPlante's barn and then returning them to the Library for the sale. Betsy and Jill will continue as co-chairs for the 2009 book sale.

The FHTL also enabled the Library to buy an IPod and schedule many diverse activities including story and craft time, hands-on knitting and duct tape classes, and a full year of speakers and film programs. The theme of the films to be shown this year is spy movies. Amy spoke of the many programs and the 'extras' provided, including lots of popcorn, that go on at the Library because of the Friends.
Trustees Report: Representing the Trustees, Mary Garland presented Alison with flowers and a gift certificate to the Toadstool Book Shop in gratitude for all Alison did for the library as president of the Friends.. It was announced that Peter Ryner has replaced Walter Clark as trustee.

Program Committee Reports:

Art Exhibit: Karlene Embler has taken on the responsibilities of chair. The schedule of exhibits goes through 2010.

Baby Book Program: Angela Ramsden, chair, reported that the committee is comprised of Jane, Eleanor, and Jennifer McQueen . Since January, seven baby book bags have been given to newborns. Three adoptions from Ethiopia and Guatemala are included in that number. Taggie Books are no longer being included in the bags as they have become too expensive and hard to find. In addition to age-appropriate books, personal touches such as home-made cookies are sometimes also placed in the bags.
Logo on Book Bags: Alison reported that in order for ConVal students to use the logo in their design work for the Library the artist's permission must be obtained. It was, and the Library can now formally use the logo at any time.

Handypersons: The Library acknowledged with gratitude George Salazar and Nick Gervasio who come to the Library's rescue when housekeeping challenges occur. Recently George rebuilt the snow plow ramp, and Nick painted the north side trim.

Old Business:
Old Home Day Book Sale: Betsy requested three more tables which Tom Pisaturo will buy.

New Business:

Election of Officers: Alison introduced the Nominating Committee's slate of officers and members-at-large:

President - Jane Richards-Jones
Vice President - Leeni Gravlin-Dunn
Secretary - Eleanor Falcon
Treasurer - Jim Musarra
Members-at-Large - Betsy Salazar, Tom Pisaturo,Sophia Rallis, Jean Harrison, Beth GrosJean, Kim Brady, Karlene Embler, Cindy Amidon, and Alison Rossiter

The motion was made to move the slate of officers as presented; it was accepted. Tom expressed appreciation of the officers: "It's easy to write a check but to keep things moving takes time and commitment." Alison announced that the minutes and agenda of meetings are on the computer.

The next meeting is on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 7 PM. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM.