2010 Annual Report

In 2010, the Public Libraries of Orange and their Trustees and Friends joined all other citizens of Orange in celebrating our town’s bicentennial. To steal from a great author: It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.

For the libraries, 2010 will always be remembered as the year that the state’s fiscal troubles fell so heavily on the schools and the town that the Finance Committee and Selectmen saw no way through other than to either close important public services including the libraries or raise additional tax revenue through a targeted override to fund them. The libraries’ Friends (a non-governmental organization) and friends (supporters through the community) joined together to passionately argue for the libraries and to provide the public with the necessary information to make an informed decision. The Library Trustees will always be grateful for their hard work. Libraries are not extras to the citizens of Orange, but rather a necessary town service. We will not forget.

Before, during, and after the vote, the libraries remained open and continued to provide all who came with materials of all kinds for both education and entertainment. Computer usage was especially high. As was program attendance. Among other events, this year saw a book-signing event by our own Richard Senier, who saw his book published 40 years after its completion (yes, there is a copy in each branch). The summer reading program surpassed their goal of 500 hours by 150 hours, raising much needed funds for the Orange Food Pantry. Starting in the fall, Storytime expanded adding an afternoon session for all ages in addition to the morning session which is aimed at infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Numerous other programs were held throughout the year, many with a bicentennial theme.

As always, the libraries’ needs are funded by a combination of town funds, grants, and the donations of patrons past and present. Many programs are funded through grants and donations by current patrons, including the Friends. Facilities maintenance projects in 2010 included much needed repairs to the Wheeler roof and the removal of dead trees at Moore-Leland. These maintenance projects were funded through trust funds (past donations made in honor of various library patrons). The Highway Department provided great assistance by paving some parking spaces in front of Moore-Leland while paving the road.

The Library Trustees continue to be concerned over the lack of accessibility of the Wheeler facility. This is a challenge we intend to focus on in the coming years.

We thank our Friends and friends for all their support. And encourage all members of the community to come see what their libraries have to offer.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Library Trustees.

Kathy Reinig, Chair