…from the Library Director, Liz Doucett
When I first came to Brunswick ten months ago to interview for the job of Library Director at Curtis Memorial Library, several people asked me why I had made a mid-life career change from business to libraries. The answer was simple for me.
I wanted to make a positive difference in the world and I saw public libraries as institutions that work toward that end. They change people’s lives by providing information, entertainment, community and learning among many other things. But one of their most powerful tools in changing lives is their support of the simple act of reading.
Reading has always been one of the most important constants in my life. I grew up in a small town but reading allowed me to “see” the broader world. Reading gave me the ability to teach myself new skills so I was employable. Reading opened up my life and made it more interesting.
So, my personal desire as a librarian and a library director is that I can help pass on this life-changing passion to others. If I can ensure that Curtis has an outstanding collection of books to entice new readers and satisfy existing readers then we have the needed tools in place.
Obviously the continued financial support of the Brunswick and Harpswell communities is critical to this endeavor. At Curtis Library books (and magazines, newspaper, movies and music) are purchased solely with money raised from private donors. This annual report is a testament to their generosity in the past year. I hope, as I continue in my tenure as Library Director, that this list of supporters will get longer and longer, directly resulting in more and better books in the library. In turn, those books will be the method by which Curtis Library will help ignite a whole new generation of readers.
Sincerely,
Elisabeth Doucett
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…from the President of the Board, Debbie Schall
As president of the Library’s Board of Directors for the past year, I’ve had the fortune to welcome a new era of leadership for Curtis Memorial Library. This has been a year of major changes, and I can confidently say that we find our Library positioned for great developments in the years ahead.
When Steve Podgajny, director of 18 years left for new ventures, the Board appointed three senior staff members to take on temporary leadership roles. Together, Pam Jenkins as Acting Director, Janet Fullerton and Mike Heath seamlessly ran the day-to-day operations of the Library from June through December, 2006. They served the Library well and I applaud this leadership team for their contribution to Curtis Library while we searched for a new director.
We are delighted now to have found our new director, Elisabeth Doucett. She came to us from the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library in Wakefield, MA and within a few days of her arrival in January, we knew we had found the perfect match. Liz brought with her a love of libraries and a respect for library staff, as well as a broad background in marketing and business. She is truly an asset for our library and for the Brunswick and Harpswell communities.
Under the leadership of Liz, the board’s Long Range Planning Committee is in the thick of developing a strategic plan to guide the Library in better serving the Brunswick and Harpswell communities over the next five years. Planning began with a community survey which returned a remarkable 851 responses. Her other current responsibilities include increasing community support of the Library through the Annual Book Fund, identifying new grant opportunities for the library and managing the day-to-day operations of Curtis Library.
Liz has also embraced the community, as it has welcomed her. She is quickly learning the ins and outs of Brunswick and Harpswell, and is finding many ways to contribute. We are indeed lucky to have Liz Doucett in our Library and our community. Leadership is strong and the Library is moving ahead with vision. We can all be proud of the changes in the past year, and look forward to the possibilities for the future.
Debbie Schall
President, Brunswick Public Library Association
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Cornerstones of Science 2006-2007 Highlights
“I didn’t know science could be this fun,” exclaimed by a young girl in the midst of a Cornerstones of Science (COS) program, has been the most memorable comment about COS for me this last year. It is a thrill to see young and old alike getting into science, getting hands-on during programs, discussing timely issues with scientists and science writers, and excitedly looking for science books in the children’s, teen and adult stacks. It is so rewarding to see the excitement of discovery, the face of wonder and amazement, and ah-ha of understanding.
The highlight of the year was the announcement of the Lee and Lulu Grodzins gift of $700,000 in support of COS over the next five years; $500,000 toward an endowment and $200,000 toward operational support. Lee has also committed his time and energy to work with CML to build the endowment to at least 2 million dollars. It was through the vision and generosity of Lee and Lulu Grodzins that COS came into being. And it is solely through the generous donations of individuals and foundations that COS is sustained and able to grow.
Our science programming has expanded over the years, reaching a wider and greater audience through an increased diversity of programs. Highlights include Kim Todd’s visit, co-sponsored by Bowdoin College, to discuss her book Chrysalis, Maria Sibylla Merian and the Secrets of Metamorphosis, the Women & Science program for teen girls, our first participation in both Monarch Watch and Space Day, and the chapter-by-chapter facilitated discussion of Jonathan Weiner’s The Beak of the Finch with scientists and educators from Bowdoin College & The Chewonki Foundation sharing their expertise and leading discussion.
A great idea is spreading. COS has been replicated at five libraries from around the country. The first two Traveling Science Education Trunks were pre-tested and sent to COS National partner libraries this last year. Tempe Public Library, AZ kicked off their COS partnership with a program by naturalist and author Jim Arnosky, of Crinkleroot series fame. Lewiston Public Library, ME celebrated partnership with COS by hosting a program by Elizabeth Farnsworth, noted botanist and co-author of the new edition of the Peterson Field Guide to Ferns. Lewiston also hosted a weekend screening of films from the International Wildlife Film Festival. Wareham Free Library, MA partnered with the Cape Cod’s Museum of Natural History to develop programs about salt marshes and biodiversity. Through the Boston Museum of Science they hosted a program about chemistry called “Fog, Flower & Fireworks.”
I hope you will join in on the wonder and excitement by attending a program, reading a COS designated book, or becoming involved in one of the many citizen science opportunities listed on our website, www.cornerstonesofscience.org.
COS at CML at a glance 2006-2007
709 Items in the CML Collection
12,740 Total Circulation of COS items since 2000
2,393 Circulation of COS items FY 2006-07
81 COS Programs
2,119 COS Program attendances
64,710 COS Web pages requested, a 38.12% increase
Sincerely,
Jocelyn Hubbell, Executive Director
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Annual Book Fund Announced
To be effective, a fundraising message must be clear. Over the past few years, we began to articulate the Annual Fund’s purpose: TO BUY BOOKS. But from time to time, donors described confusion in the different requests for contributions to the Library. The Annual Fund didn’t really stand out in their minds. This was clearly a problem for the Development Committee.
One can’t anticipate flashes of insight, especially at a committee meeting. But, at a planning session for the 2007-2008 Annual Fund campaign, one perspicacious member of the Development Committee took an intuitive leap. He simply stated, “Why not just rename it the ANNUAL BOOK FUND, and let the name identify the purpose of fund?”
So here it is: The 2007-2008 Annual BOOK Fund. Donations will be used to buy books: Fiction, Nonfiction, Audio Books, Large Print Books, along with the periodicals and the audio/visual materials that make the Library’s collection one of the best! We thank donors to last year’s campaign and appeal to everyone to join in the upcoming effort.
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...from the Friends of the Library, Catherine Ferdinand
Dear Friends,
We sometimes hear that our Friends and our friends are not clear about the details of what the Friends of the Library do for Curtis Memorial Library. Here is how I explain it:
The Friends of Curtis Memorial Library is an organization of people dedicated to the continuing support of the Library and its staff. They provide that support through “ENERGY and EXCELLENCE”. The energy comes in the form of the thousands of volunteer hours provided by hundreds of community members to the Library. The excellence comes from the funds raised by the Friends that purchase all those wonderful “extras” at the Library (programs, furniture, equipment, books – none of which are paid for through public tax dollars) that help transform Curtis from being a very good to an outstanding public resource.
A Friend (with a capital “F”) of the Library is anyone who has paid annual dues directly to the Friends of the Library within the past year. Contributions may go beyond dues, in terms of money, time or talent, but payment of membership dues defines “official Friends membership.” The list of Friends contributors in the Annual Report is the record of members in the fiscal year 2006-2007.
So, having explained our focus on energy and excellence, there are many notable items to report for the past year that are wonderful examples of both. Friends’ membership remains strong with 631 new or renewing members in 2006-2007. The annual Book Sale in June surpassed all expectations and raised over $31,000 for the Library! Additionally, our first ever one-day Children’s Book Sale last November added an additional $1,500. We are so thankful for the generosity of all those who donate material for the sales and from the incredible contribution of the volunteers, without whom the book sales would be impossible.
The Friends also hosted the Midcoast Senior College “Winter Wisdom” series and the annual Community Read, maintained the Library’s outdoor landscape, funded the Children’s summer reading program, and hosted a volunteer recognition event. Additionally, the Friends focused significant financial support on the library staff in the form of improvements to the staff room, hosting a staff appreciation gathering, and agreeing to take on the significant annual cost of staff development.
The Friends remain particularly proud of the support we provide to the library through our large cadre of volunteers. Volunteers supply an incredible amount of energy to Curtis, through their dedication, willingness and often times, physical labor! Last year, 324 people contributed 5,740 hours of volunteer time and we recognized Betty Wescott as the 2006-2007 recipient of the Carolyn Johnson Volunteer Service Award. This award is given annually to a volunteer who exemplifies dedication and commitment to volunteer service. Betty is a wonderful volunteer example, contributing over 900 hours of service since 2001 to the Library!
The Friends organization continues to enjoy, and appreciate, all of our members’ support of our mission. When you think of the Friends, please remember the energy and excellence you experience when you visit Curtis Memorial Library. We could not do our part without your generous support!
Catherine Ferdinand
President, Friends of Curtis Memorial Library
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