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ANNUAL
REPORT
Annual
Report of the Thomas Crane Public Library (.pdf version)
July
1, 2004 - June 30, 2005
Quincy's public libraries play an important role in the life of the city. In FY 2005 over 600,000 people came to the library to check out books, to research information, to search the Internet, and to participate in the hundreds of programs offered for people of all ages. With the generous support of the Friends of the Library, over 600 programs were offered including musical performances, storytellers, author readings, kids' science programs, cooking demonstrations, computer classes, art exhibits, live animal shows, poetry readings, book discussions and puppet shows.
Use of library materials increased, program attendance increased, and use of library databases and online resources increased dramatically. Highlights of the year included a visit from Prince Cedza Dlamini of Swaziland who came to meet with students from Ron Adams' classes at Broad Meadows Middle School, and the dedication of the Sheets Wing of the Thomas Crane Library.
Thanks to Mayor Phelan and the City Council for their ongoing support for Quincy's libraries.
Library Usage in Fiscal 2005
Materials borrowed: 547,178 items
55% to adults
45% to children
75% print (books and magazines)
25% non-print (CDs, DVDs, videos and audiocassettes)
Library visits: 610,392 people
6.9 visits per year per capita (national average is 4.9)
Programs: 607 programs
460 children's programs attended by 11,786 kids
147 adult programs attended by 2,525 adults
Library cards: 44,300 city residents had library cards, about half
of them children
Reference questions: staff answered 51,766 questions
Computer use: 84 main library computers were used 258,366 times
(about 5,000 times per week); the library website had 6,770,708 hits
Friends of the Library
The Friends of the Thomas Crane Library work year round to
raise money for library programs. The Friends run book sales
and special events to fund hundreds of programs for children
and adults each year. They purchase discount museum passes
which allow Quincy residents to visit area museums at a reduced
rate. Passes include: Boston by Foot, Children's Museum, DeCordova
Museum, Franklin Park and Stoneham Zoos, Isabella Stewart
Gardner Museum, John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, Museum
of Fine Arts, New England Aquarium and Plimoth Plantation.
Funding from this dedicated group of Friends enables the library
to reach thousands of people each year who come to enjoy these
wonderful activities.
Friends Executive Board
Alicia Coletti, Chair
Harold Crowley, Secretary
Nancy Santry, Treasurer
Committee Members: Peggy Doyle, Jennifer Smith, Libbie Payne,
Nadine Steffan, Mary Weafer, Gloria Noble, Bob Noble, John
Noonan, Janet DiPaolo and Linda Monaco.
Quincy Reads Together
In September 2004 the library kicked off its first Quincy
Reads Together program. The project was dedicated to Patriot
Ledger editor Bill Flynn who died unexpectedly on January
10, 2004. Bill was a great lover of books and libraries and
had written a piece in his City Scene column endorsing
the Quincy Reads Together project. His family wished to continue
supporting the things he loved and committed to funding this
project.
Quincy Reads Together was based on the One Book, One Community
program established by the Library of Congress to bring people
together in communities to talk about books. To date, over
90,000 people have participated in community reading projects
nationally.
Over 500 people participated in one of the events held in
the four-month project focusing on the book Tuesdays with
Morrie by Mitch Albom. Highlights included readings by
Bill Flynn's family and friends to kick off the event, readings
by Quincy Fire Chief Paul O'Connell from his Letters from
Vietnam, and a lively discussion and musical performance
by Susan Gedutis on her book See You at the Hall: Boston's
Golden Era of Irish Music and Dance.
Funding came from the Patriot Ledger, Sovereign Bank, Quincy
Arts Council, the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library,
The Quincy Sun, Libraries for the Future and the Flynn Family
Foundation.
New Staff
Margaret Watson joined the public service staff in February
2005. A Quincy native, she brought excellent customer service
skills and library experience to Quincy.
Grants
The library received a number of grants to support special
projects and services:
- $10,000 from the Mass. board of Library Commissioners for
Customer Service Training
- $12,881 from the Mass. Dept. of Education for the Adult Literacy
Tutoring Program
- $2,500 from the Arts Lottery for Children's Storytellers
- $5,900 from the U.S. E-rate program for public Internet access
- $1,000 from Libraries for the Future Reading America Program for Quincy Reads Together
Trustees
Mayor Phelan appointed five Board members to the Library Trustees:
Alicia Coletti
Harold DiMattio
Lawrence J. Falvey, Jr., Treasurer
Dr. Carol Lee Griffin, Vice-Chair
Sandra McCauley, Chair
The Board works tirelessly on behalf of the library.
"An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."--Benjamin Franklin
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