March 1, 2010

Candidates for Library Trustee

Do you want to make a difference in your library and in the community? Consider becoming a library trustee! In November 2010, two Trustees will be elected to the seven-member Bryant Library Board. The Nominating Committee is seeking well-rounded, energetic applicants who can assist the Board of Trustees with the many challenges the Library will be facing in the next several years. Board members are responsible for:

• Developing long-term library policy


• Assuring sound fiscal management


• Serving as liaison between the community and the library

To be eligible to be a trustee applicant, you must be a member of The Bryant Library Association. All residents of the Roslyn School District, 18 and older, are automatically members of the Association. An information packet, including Bryant Library history, its services, its governing bylaws, and the duties of trustees is available at the Reference Desk. To be a candidate for trustee, please fill out an application which will be available at the library for the month of April. Please send a cover letter and resume between April 1 - 30, 2010 to: Bryant Library Association Nominating Committee, 2 Paper Mill Rd., Roslyn, NY 11576-2193.

The Nominating Committee will meet in May to review resumes, interview the applicants, and select the two candidates whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the governing board. Nominations may also be made by petition.

So, that's the "official" word from the Library newsletter. The behind-the-scenes scoop is that the Nominating Committee is looking for community-minded Roslyn residents who are willing to give of their time and expertise... especially useful might be those with experience in finances and/or construction.

From a staff perspective, Board members are a dedicated group of professionals. They vary in interest, profession and age, but are united in their devotion to the library. We appreciate seeing Trustees in the building because we know that they're seeing what we see -- a busy building, alive with the energy of a vibrant community! Please consider becoming a Trustee!

Posted by Michele at 11:03 AM | Comments (0)

February 8, 2010

Do You Yahoo?

Recently, there was an upgrade to our library catalog which enables it to email you with all notices, instead of sending paper copies or phone calls. This is a great development for several reasons. First, assuming you check email often (and who doesn't?), you will get the notice immediately. If you're at work, you can swing by the library and pick up the item on your way home, rather than getting the message after you're already arrived home. It saves paper, and it keeps our items moving more quickly so you can get them faster! It's a win-win!

We've discovered a glitch in our system, however... those of you who use Yahoo mail are having a problem. Yahoo has been contacted. The answer is that you have to add our email address to your list of safe contacts in order to receive email from us. Or... you can always switch to gmail! ;)

Posted by Michele at 11:43 AM | Comments (0)

February 2, 2010

Bryant Staff

Margaret Eaton, a part-time Reference librarian for the past 22 years has just retired. She brought to the job her love of music as well as a love of books. She is a violinist and musician to her core -- she was often seen tapping rhythmically and would comment that she even heard music in our laughter. Patrons were known to seek her out for her expertise in music and mysteries. Margaret enjoys reading, particularly 'cozy mysteries.' In addition to working at the Reference Desk, she did collection development by helping with weeding. And, she was here long enough that she weeded the entire fiction collection, A to Z, three times!

The name Margaret means pearl. A pearl is a rare, beautiful gem that takes years to form in the soft inside of a hard shelled mollusk. If we think of the Bryant Library building as the hard shell, I believe that the staff grows here. Margaret is no exception. You can't spend 22 years someplace without being affected by it, and it by you. Just as the building nurtures the community, it also nurtures the staff. It's interesting to look back on the staff that we've been lucky to have worked with over the years. Each and every one was a pearl in their own right, who brought personal knowledge, skills and abilities to share with the rest of us. Just as a pearl is built one layer at a time, so it is with our staff. As Margaret moves on, that layer is not removed, but will forever be a part of us. Not to toot our own horn (too much), I believe that together, our past, as well as present members of our staff, make up the fabric, the face, and the very heart and soul of our library.

And, although we may not be seeing her on facebook, I hope that Margaret keeps in touch via email, phone and visits, every so often. We hope that you will enjoy retirement, Margaret -- you will be missed!

Posted by Michele at 11:47 AM | Comments (0)

January 18, 2010

I Have a Dream

If you haven't seen Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech recently... treat yourself!

Posted by Michele at 12:38 PM | Comments (0)

January 11, 2010

Going Green

Please check your library account to make sure we have a valid email address for you. Beginning in late January, ALL library notices will be delivered via email to patrons whose records contain an email address. Library notices include reserve pickup notices, overdue notices, bill notices, and courtesy notices. Since notices are time-sensitive, we recommend that you check your email frequently. Because email is faster, more cost effective, and environmentally thoughtful, patrons are urged to provide addresses.

As a concept, libraries are already fairly green... let's take it all the way with paperless notices!

Posted by Michele at 2:07 PM | Comments (0)

January 8, 2010

Sorry for the Inconvenience

We can control: quality and selection of our materials and our helpful and friendly staff, the great programs that we offer, the extensive list of databases, the downloadable audiobooks, all of the awesome services that you have access to from home... this list can go on and on.

We can't control: the weather, the age and size of our building, and the occasional disruption in cable, internet or elevator service.

Unfortunately, our elevator is out of order. This has caused difficulty moving items up and down within the building. Consider all of the children's materials, for example. And, because our main location for programs is upstairs, it has also caused the postponement or cancellation of most of our programs. We have called everyone who has signed up for a program, but if there is an event on our calendar that you were planning to attend, please check to be sure it's still scheduled.

We are so sorry for the inconvenience and we will have it up and running as soon as we are able. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Posted by Michele at 11:51 AM | Comments (0)

January 5, 2010

Film Cancellation

The film scheduled to be shown on Friday night, 1/8/10, Angels and Demons, has been canceled.

Posted by Michele at 12:46 PM | Comments (0)