Cambridge Public Library
Annual Report FY03

Library

Cambridge residents used their public library in unprecedented numbers during the past year. As the economy faltered, jobs were lost, discretionary income diminished, and families scrutinized their expenses. It was no surprise that library use rose during the year. Job seekers became more creative in their searches, families sought out free programs and materials, and the library continued to serve all with its historic commitment to excellent service. For the first time in history, circulation topped 1,100,000.

In the face of dramatic increases in library use, the library staff worked even harder to manage the growing demand without compromising the quality of library services. Feedback from our patrons indicates that they have been successful. Some quotes from our users:

“…an excellent Cambridge resource….”

“I am glad I live in a town with good library facilities and staff who have internalized a just philosophy of librarianship”.

 

CPL by the Numbers in FY03

• library use increased by 11%

• 1,106,796 library materials were loaned out (756,937 adults and 349,859 children’s)

• library staff checked out an average of 70 books per hour

• 32,310 new books, compact discs, videos, tapes, and other materials were added to the collection

• 50,452 cardholders • 358,655 hits to the library’s web page • 90,346 reserves processed – a 23% increase

• 86,433 public computer sessions, a 13% increase

• 2546 programs presented to 64,199 attendees

• 60,032 children’s books checked out during the summer reading program, a 14% increase

 

Highlights and Accomplishments

The 2003 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture

FYO3 was the year of Maurice Sendak. The Cambridge Public Library and Children’s Literature New England were honored to be selected as the hosts of the 2003 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture, sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC). The speaker was esteemed children’s author and illustrator Maurice Sendak. Months of community collaboration and planning ended in the “Wild Rumpus for Maurice Sendak”. Events included:

o Production of Sendak’s play Really Rosie by CRLS Department of Drama and Dance, which was attended by 450

o Exhibit of Cambridge Public Schools student artwork, presenting the youngsters’ response to Sendak’s work, at the Fogg Art Museum; the opening reception was attended by 750 including President Lawrence Summers of Harvard and Carolyn Turk, Acting Superintendent of Schools o Sendak-inspired story hours, visits to schools and day care centers, and special events at all Cambridge Public Libraries o Dinner for Mr. Sendak and ALA dignitaries at the Fogg Art Museum

o Symposium on the work of Maurice Sendak at MIT, attended by 250

o “Descent into Limbo” the May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture, given by Maurice Sendak at Kresge Auditorium, MIT, to 1200 attendees o Distribution of 1200 copies of Mr. Sendak’s book I Saw Esau which were donated by Candlewick Press

The Library was fortunate to have the unequivocal support of Mayor Michael Sullivan and his staff, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, the Cambridge Public Schools, the Friends of the Cambridge Public Library, the Agenda for Children, countless individuals, and businesses.

Joanna Long, Chair of ALA’s Arbuthnot Committee wrote, “There has never been a larger audience for an Arbuthnot lecture. Certainly there has never been one more eager to attend, nor better satisfied…. Thank you for putting together a splendid, unforgettable occasion”.

Cambridge Reads Cover to Cover

The Cambridge Public Library, the Office of Mayor Michael Sullivan, the Cambridge Center for Adult Education and the Harvard Book Store co-sponsored “Cambridge Reads Cover-to-Cover”, a city-wide book club. James McBride’s paean to his mother, The Color of Water; A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother was selected as the first book. Mr. McBride participated in the March kickoff by spending the day at CRLS and talking about his work with students. Hundreds of residents discussed the book in cafes, libraries, hotels, homes, workplaces, and churches.

Contributions

The Friends of the Cambridge Public Library fourth annual Secret Gardens Tour attracted over 1,000 visitors to the 32 featured gardens and netted over $20,000 to support library initiatives.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded $111,180 for the purchase of computer equipment and software for the Main Library, the Rotary Technology Learning Center, and the Valente, Central Square, and O’Connell Branches.

The Starbucks Foundation awarded a Literacy Grant to the Cambridge Public Library and CRLS to fund poetry slams and poetry workshops for teens.

As part of its grand opening, The Hotel Marlowe sponsored a book drive to benefit the library’s outreach program to the city’s homeless shelters.

Technology

The Minuteman Library System, which includes the Cambridge Public Library, upgraded its software and moved to a Triple I system. The transition necessitated a few days of downtime, a month of no reserves, and minor inconveniences for staff and patrons. Patrons were rewarded with a 5 week loan period in June and Fine Free Month in July 2003.

 

Main Library Highlights

William Rawn Associates and Ann Beha Architects worked in consultation with staff and the Design Advisory Committee (DAC), appointed by City Manager Robert W. Healy, to develop a conceptual design for the Main Library Expansion. Approximately 30 public meetings were held to identify the community’s vision for the library, the park, and CRLS; to review seven conceptual approaches; and to refine the preferred concept. The DAC and the community endorsed an expansion on the east side of the building and the removal of the 1967 wing in order to restore the original view of the historic stack wing, to create a more open entry plaza to CRLS, and to ensure a more cohesive new library.

Over 600 children and their families test-drove “big trucks” at the Main Library to celebrate Public Works Week, a joint venture between the Library and the Department of Public Works.

The newly formed Teen Advisory Council hosted its first guest author, Cambridge resident Kathryn Lasky.

 

Branch Highlights

Central Square

Omar Tyree, popular author of Flyy Girl and Do Right Man, spoke about his newest work.

HBO comedian Bob Gautreau led a series of workshops for aspiring comedians. The series culminated in a “student” performance for an enthusiastic audience of 120.

Former Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky and renowned author Alice Walker hosted the Boston Herald Poetry Awards to an SRO audience during National Poetry Month.

The Central Square Literacy Project published Hopes and Journeys, a collection of student writing that was underwritten by the Harvard Book Store Holiday Giveback Program.

Branch circulation increased 29%.

 

Collins Branch

Mayor Michael Sullivan read aloud to local families with author and illustrator Margaret Graham Holmes as part of the national “Read Across America”.

Active programming and responsive services led to a 25% increase in circulation and a 45% increase in adult program attendance.

 

Boudreau Branch

Patron requests increased 40% and circulation increased 14%.

The branch also introduced a weekly pre-school story time.

 

Valente Branch

Under the leadership of Dr. Madeira Barbara, Consul General of Portugal, the Valente Branch Library received 600 new books in Portuguese from the Camões Institute of Lisbon.

Three cat sculptures, created by Cambridge artist Judy McKie for the outdoor reading garden at the Valente Branch, were unveiled. The winner of a contest run by the library named the cats “Hither”, “Thither”, and “Yon”.

Circulation increased 24% and adult program attendance increased by 75%.

 

O’Connell Branch

The O’Connell Branch cooperated with author Sarah Boyer on her Oral History of East Cambridge.

Circulation increased 50%, the highest increase in the library system.

 

O’Neill Branch

Chef and artist Claudine Mussuto offered a series of cooking workshops for families entitled, “Family Fare with Flair: How Little People Can Help Make It Happen”.

Once Upon a Time Family Theater gave starring roles to the audience in a performance of the participatory play Robin Hood.

Circulation increased 31% and program attendance increased by 13%.