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Town Report
2007
Board of Trustees
Peter J. Lafond, Chair William B. Duffy, Jr. Martha Salisbury
Maria Galvagna Mesinger, E. William Hansen Raymond Vivenzio
Treasurer
To the Citizens of North Andover
The Trustees of the Stevens Memorial Library herewith present their 99th report, which is
for the period January 1, 2007 —December 31, 2007.
To the Trustees of the Stevens Memorial Library:
I hereby submit the 99th report of the Director:
The Stevens Memorial Library celebrated its 100th Anniversary on November 4, 2007. To
commemorate this milestone, the Trustees, Friends, Staff, and many dedicated
volunteers, community groups, town officials, and local businesses worked cooperatively
throughout the year to develop special programs, events and activities in honor of the
Library Centennial.
To kickoff the celebration, the Anne Bradstreet manuscript, owned by the Trustees and
housed at Harvard University's Houghton Library, was returned to North Andover for
display at the Robert Lehman Arts Center, Brooks School in May. The Trustees, Michael
McCahill and the Brooks School made the exhibit of this extraordinary manuscript
possible. Additional Anne Bradstreet volumes from the Library's special collections
currently remain on exhibit in the reading room display case. Also in honor of the 100th
the Library offered a Roundtable Discussion, Anne Bradstreet: An Inspiration in Our
Times.
As part of the larger effort to provide greater access to our more historic collections, the
Library embarked on a building project to craft doors for our Rotunda bookcases which
house our Local History materials. The project was funded through the support of our
Friends and other generous donors.
The Library planned improvements to other areas of the building interiors and exterior, in
addition to the bookcase doors in the Rotunda, receiving grant funds from "The Festival
of Trees" to restore the front entrance, doors and stairs and from Community Preservation
Act funds to replace windows and brickwork on the historic facade and to repair the tile
roof. Both projects will be completed in 2008.
The Library also received Capital Improvement funds to replace the carpeting in all
public areas and public service desk spaces and $75,000 to upgrade and expand
technology throughout the building. The carpeting was installed in time for the 100th
Anniversary festivities and the technology will be updated in early 2008.
The Children's Librarian, Marina Salenikas, chaired the "One Book, One Community"
sub-committee. The Town's first annual "One Book, One Community" event brought
North Andover residents together to read My Latest Grievance by popular Massachusetts
author, Elinor Lipman. A program and reception with the author was held at the Rogers
Center at Merrimack College, to celebrate the Town-wide Read and to thank all those
who participated and contributed to its success. Two programs offered in conjunction
with Elinor Lipman's novel were Michael Tougias presentation on his book, Ten Hours
Until Dawn, which recounted the details of the Blizzard of'78 and a book discussion,
Objects of Satire: My Latest Grievance, led by Gerry Sanford.
In addition to the Elinor Lipman event, several other programs were offered in 2007 in
celebration of the Centennial. In June, the North Andover Improvement Society
sponsored walking tours of the Library and historic district. The Friends funded summer
programs for the Children's Room including the much admired Harry Potter programs
and activities.
The Library would also like to thank the Friends and the Arts Council for their help in
providing several popular programs, such as The Friends Afternoon Tea, Rhea Simon's
"Great American Songbook", Sally Matson as "Susan B. Anthony", "Silent Movies" with
pianist Richard Hughes, Richard Clark as Andrew Carnegie, and "Two Old Friends",
Emery Hutchins and Mac McHale, playing songs from Ireland.
The Library appreciates the assistance we received from Caroline Cole regarding
publicity for the Centennial, Judy Normandin and Annie's Book Stop, Linda Tremblay
for creating the Library History display at Town Hall, Millie Matasso, Anne Ericson, and
Dee Forsythe for developing a commemorative brochure, and the Merrimack Valley
Camera Club for their photography exhibit. We are grateful to the Garden Club and the
North Andover Artist Guild for their Art in Bloom project and for the wonderful floral
arrangements and artist exhibits on display in the Library throughout the year. We are
very thankful for our Trustees Mary Ellen Osgood, Martha Salisbury, and Maria
Mesinger who served on the 100th Anniversary sub-committee and who worked tirelessly
to make the Centennial a triumph.
The Centennial finale included the Library Rededication Ceremony with a welcome from
Library Trustee Chair, Peter Lafond and remarks from Town Manager, Mark Rees and
Board of Selectmen Chair, James Xenakis followed by the Children's Parade of Books.
Several community organizations provided the birthday cakes and other refreshments for
the Library's birthday party as a fitting conclusion for an event filled year.
In June, in the midst of the celebration activities, Library Director, Sue Ellen Holmes
announced her retirement. Sue Ellen served the community of North Andover and the
Stevens Memorial Library for 41 years, first as a Page, next as Children's Librarian, and
for the last 17 as the Director. She saw the Library through the building expansion project
and major changes in technology and new formats for collections. Sue Ellen dedicated
her entire career to the Stevens Memorial Library, the Patrons, and the Town. We
congratulate her on her retirement and thank her for all she has done to provide
exceptional Library services throughout her career to the residents of North Andover.
The Trustees appointed Mary Rose Quinn as the new Director in August to replace Sue
Ellen upon her retirement in November. Other staffing changes in 2007 included the
retirement of Addie Pearson as Head of Reference/Young Adult Services and the
restoration of the Assistant Director's position through an override vote. The Library
continued to operate and serve our patrons well through the changes and transition thanks
to the collective efforts of the entire staff Special thanks go to Reference Staff members,
Jill Barker and Ellyn Spencer for filling in and covering schedules while we advertised
for a new Head of Reference and a part-time Librarian in their department. Thanks also to
the Children's Department. Through the transition and anniversary events, Marina
Salenikas, Head of Children's Services, Susan Bergman, Assistant Children's Librarian,
and Library Assistants Donna Wray and Mary Ellen Flynn-Kupiec, continued with their
special book displays, story times, and special event programming. Carol Obert, Head of
Circulation, along with Karen Bellaire, Sally Fowler, Ellen Reusch, and Loretta
Westerhoff kept the library running, the collections circulating, and the interlibrary loan
activity organized throughout the building projects and the 100th activities. Library
Assistant, Maura Deems, our one person Technical Services Department, processed all of
our new materials, print and non-print, for the adult, children's, and young adult
collections. She also helped out in other departments as needed.
Late in the year, the Library began reorganizing collections, furnishings, and equipment
to provide greater access to our resources and more space for our patrons to read, study,
and conduct research or just relax and browse our books, AV, and displays. Technology
improvements in 2007 included new downloadable DVDs though our homepage and the
revamping of our Website to enhance the Library's presence on the Internet. Although
the Library lost some ground in areas where we have traditionally been strong, as
reflected in the circulation statistics, we have seen a significant jump in interlibrary-loan
activity, a rapid rise in the utilization of our online resources through our Website and in
the use of our computers, and a noteworthy increase in Reference inquiries in both the
Reference and Children's Departments.
The Stevens Memorial Library looks forward to 2008 and the many building projects and
technology enhancements planned for the next year. We would like to thank the Friends,
volunteers, and the many patrons and supporters who made 2007 an exciting and
memorable Centennial and we look forward to their continued help and support as we
begin the next hundred years in 2008.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Rose Quinn,
Library Director
Report of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees would like to thank Sue Ellen Holmes for her years of service and
leadership on behalf of the Library and Community and wish her well in her retirement.
The Board also wishes to extend its appreciation to the Staff and volunteers who provided
the public with exceptional Library services and who contributed their time and talents to
the 100th anniversary and to the Friends of the Library led by Marty Larson and other
organizations who helped make the Centennial celebration both successful and
memorable.
The Trustees extend their deepest appreciation to Mary Ellen Osgood, who retired from
this Board in November after so many years of dedicated service to the Library and the
Town.
The Board of Trustees continues to oversee the investment and expenditure of Endowed
Funds and Special Gifts. Proceeds from donors purchase books, furnishings, and
equipment and are used to enhance the building and grounds, and the services, programs,
collections and activities of the Library.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter J. Lafond, Chair
Maria Galvagna Mesinger, Treasurer
William B. Duffy, Jr.
E. William Hansen
Martha Salisbury
Raymond Vivenzio
Library Statistics for FY'07
FY'00 FY'01 FY'02 FY'03 FY'04 FY'06 FY'06 FY'07
Acquisitions 5,368 4,301 5,453 5,152 5,595 5,053 6,150 5,457
Circulation 183,855 189,165 201,106 216,641 210,314 218,117 220,477 206,606
Museum Passes 833 771 613 534 694 619 642 655
Inter-Library Loans 6,029 10,283 20,467 28,988 39,185 46,796 46,978 53,021
Reference Questions 10,571 11,961 12,803 11,476 17,823 18,824 20,384 23,380
Programs Offered 304 294 299 251 157 115 108 172
Program Attendance 620 6,121 5,705 4,382 1,713 2,029 2,571 2,225
Library Usage 168,881 166,821 177,427 182,750 174,773 155,638 148,151 147,227
Meeting Room(s) Usage 605 615 581 617 512 495 493 437
Hours Open 3,352 3,229 3,199 3,217 2,899 2,864 3,196 3,559
#of Library Card Holders 23,285 24,379 25,155 26,598 27,493 25,901 26,483 27,384
Av.Weekly Computer Use n/a 200 264 441 492 400 389 698
Home Page Hits n/a n/a 31,656 40,442 37,353 40,069 72,754 828,163
Endowment Fund Value 2007
Value as of June 30, 2007 $493,677.78
Historical Present
Funds Value Value
Charles Whitney Davis $10,000.00 $20,299.90
Carrie Millar Dushame Memorial $50,000.00 $61,013.35
Phillips $2,550.00 $7,134.66
Berrian $1,000.00 $3,567.33
Katherine Currier Osgood, Gayton Osgood, and Mary Ellen Osgood $50,000.00 $55,642.10
Elizabeth P.Stevens $10,000.00 $28,538.62
Nathaniel/Elizabeth P.Stevens $25,000.00 $64,201.58
Dale Stevens $13,500.00 $35,673.28
Anne Bradstreet $1,500.00 $3,567.33
M.T. Stevens, Abbot Stevens, $61,682.81 $214,039.63
Mary O. Tyler Stevens & Reynolds
$225,232.81 $493,677.78
STEVENS MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Endowment Fund Income Account Activity- 7/1/06 to 6/30/07
Endowment Fund Income Balance- 7/1/06 $1,052.43
Receipts
From Endowment Fund $7,000.00
From Phillips Fund
Total Receipts $7,000.00 $7,000.00
Expenditures
Books & Periodicals $3,858.26
Building Maintenance $85.91
Furniture & Equipment $206.48
Programs $2,219.18
Miscellaneous $734.60
Bank Service Charges $0.00
Total Expenditures $7,104.43 ($7,104.43)
Ending Balance- 6/30/07 $948.00
Endowment Fund Valuation
Value as of June 30, 2007 $493,677.78
STEVENS MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Special Gifts Fund Account Activity- 7/1/06 to 6/30/07
Special Gifts Fund Balance - 7/1/06 $18,686.86
Receipts
Special Gifts $8,935.00
Grants $1,000.00
Memorial Contributions $172.89
Lost books $2,371.30
Other $561.12
Interest $730.60
Total Receipts $13,770.91 $13,770.91
Expenditures
Books $3,177.20
Programs $4,033.98
Other $488.55
Total Expenditures $7,699.73 ($7,699.73)
Ending Balance- 6/30/07 $24,758.04
STEVENS MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Copier Fund Account Activity- 7/1/06 to 6/30/07
Copier Fund Balance 7/1/06 $4,159.75
Receipts
Adult copier $2,141.45
Children Room copier $774.10
Computer printouts $1,091.00
Total Receipts $4,006.55 $4,006.55
Expenditures
Expenditures $3,397.75
Bank Service Charges $0.00
Total Expenditures $3,397.75 ($3,397.75)
Ending Balance- 6/30/07 $4,768.55