Library Annual Report, FY04

Main Library Relocation

For the first time since it opened in 1889, the Main Library closed and moved from its historic building. Much of the year was spent planning for and carrying out the relocation to the Longfellow School at 359 Broadway. A fabulous closing party was held with over one thousand attendees. Library patrons were invited to contribute to a graffiti wall, music was provided by the Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band, and all were invited to take one last look at a beloved building that will be dramatically different when it reopens in 2007. One comment on the graffiti wall read, "The nurturing cocoon foments, the butterfly cometh. May the next Broadway Central be as loving as this".

While the Library was closed, the staff got the collection ready for relocation, selected 55,000 titles to go into storage until the new library reopens, inventoried and carefully packed the Cambridge historical collection, and cleaned out closets, storage areas, and files. Over the course of two weeks the entire collection of more than 230,000 items was moved as well as furniture, supplies, and equipment. The Central Square Branch hours were temporarily extended to replicate the Main Library's schedule and use increased 146%. The Boudreau, Valente, and O'Neill Branches experienced a 50% surge in activity as well.

The opening of the Longfellow School as the Cambridge Public Library's temporary site was celebrated with a poetry parade from 499 Broadway to the Longfellow School. A group of citizens, accompanied by City Councilor Brian Murphy, Library Trustees Nancy Woods and Andre Mayer, and library staff read poems by Longfellow as they marched down Broadway in 90+ temperatures. At Longfellow, magician Bonaparte put on a fantastic show, the Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band entertained while visitors danced, sipped cool drinks, and checked out the new library.

A ceremonial groundbreaking was held at the Main Library to kick off the long-awaited construction phase of the project. Mayor Michael Sullivan and City Manager Robert W. Healy opened the ceremony and Charles Sullivan of the Historical Commission recalled the history of the Main Library and the important contributions of benefactor Frederick H. Rindge. A Hawthorn tree was planted in honor of Mr. Rindge's gift of the library in 1889.

Katherine Paterson

The Friends of the Cambridge Public Library sponsored a visit by Katherine Paterson, two time winner of the Newbery Award and recipient of the Hans Christian Anderson Award. Ms. Paterson met with students at CRLS, the King School, and the Amigos School. She also lectured at the Cambridge Forum and participated in a roundtable discussion of Faith and Literature for Children and Young Adults facilitated by Roger Sutton, Editor in Chief of The Horn Book Magazine with Claudia Highbaugh of Harvard Divinity School and Joan Soble, of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School.

Chris Van Allsburg

The Cambridge Public Library, the Harvard University Art Museums and the YMCA hosted a visit by Caldecott Award winning illustrator and author Chris Van Allsburg. The Fogg Art Museum celebrated with a variety of activities and an exhibit of Cambridge students' art works inspired by Van Allsburg. A capacity crowd was treated to a slide show and book signing at the YMCA.

Read*To*Learn*To*Read

Six children's librarians collaborated with the School Department on an LSTA grant, Read*To*Learn*To*Read for grades 3-6. Students were introduced to high quality non-fiction and some of the writers and illustrators who produce it. Kathryn Lasky, Andrea Davis Pinkney, Brian Pinkney, Bernie Zubrowski and Stephen Krensky visited the Cambridgeport, Haggerty, Kennedy/Longfellow, King Open, Peabody and Tobin Schools. Public librarians presented book talks at the schools and hosted class visits at various libraries. The Friends of the Library funded a family night with the Pinkneys at the Central Square Branch.

Reading Panda-monium and Stuff

Bamboo, the library's new mascot, was introduced to school children throughout Cambridge and was the star of the 2004 summer reading program for preschoolers to 5th graders. Thanks to support from the Friends of the Cambridge Public Library and the Cambridge Arts Council, libraries hosted workshops presented by the Chinese Culture Connection. These included a Tai Chi demonstration, brush painting, lantern making, as well as Chinese dance and music. In collaboration with RSTA, the library's delivery van was decorated with Reading Panda-Monium decals and early program participants were treated to panda cookies. Once again, the summer reading program was supported by the East Cambridge Savings Bank. STUFF, a reading program for students in middle school and high school supported by the Friends of the Cambridge Public Library, saw participation increase 46%. Over 60,000 children's and young adult books were checked out during the summer reading program.

Cambridge Reads Cover-to-Cover

This year's selection for the city-wide reading program was The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Once again the Mayor's Office, the Friends of the Library, the Harvard Book Store, the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, the Cambridge Public Library, and the YMCA sponsored the program. Mr. Hosseini enthralled a capacity crowd of 350 during his visit to Cambridge.

Honors

The Massachusetts Library Association presented the Cambridge Public Library with five Public Relations Awards at its annual conference. Cambridge took home first place in three categories: event (Arbuthnot Lecture), merchandise (Secret Gardens of Cambridge book), and other (holiday card). The "Children and War" booklist and the 2004 summer reading program, "Reading Panda-monium" each received second place honors.

Literacy volunteer Linda DeLorio was selected as a Volunteer Champion by CMP Media. The Central Square Literacy Program was featured in an insert in The Boston Herald.

O'Connell Branch Manager, Yan Qu and Main Library Expansion Project Manager, Alan Burne were honored as Outstanding City Employees.

PEN New England honored Director of Libraries, Susan Flannery, with its Friend to Writers Award.

Frances Tenenbaum, volunteer coordinator of the Secret Gardens Tour, was inducted into the Garden Writers of America Hall of Fame.

O'Connell Branch

The Channel 5 program, Chronicle, featured East Cambridge local artist Alexandra Grenham, who included a visit to the library as part of her weekly routine. In the broadcast, she declared that O'Connell "is the best library" she has ever used.

Valente Branch

Major cosmetic and functional renovations to the building exterior and grounds were completed. The front entrance was revamped with an expansion of the steps and the addition of a ramp and a lovely reading garden. Three cat sculptures/benches by artist Judy McKee were installed in the garden and a grand opening took place in June with a performance by the Underground Railway Theater. These improvements were part of the Cambridge Street improvement which was managed by the Community Development Department in cooperation with the Arts Council, the Department of Public Works, and the Library.

Central Square

In conjunction with the Artisans' World Arts and Crafts Gallery, the Central Square Branch Library hosted Dr. Gerdes Fleurant, Ph.D. in Caribbean Literature and music, Dr. Jacques George, Ph.D. in Francophone literature, and Paul Nichols, co-author of The Other Malcolm-Shorty Jarvis; his memoir in a lecture and music series entitled, "Negritude and the Harlem Renaissance". This program was supported by a grant from the Cambridge Arts Council.

For the seventh consecutive year, the Cambridge Public Library in cooperation with the Cambridge Tree Project sponsored a poetry competition for elementary school students. Nearly 600 students from 13 schools submitted entries. Fifty-eight winning poets presented their works to a standing-room-only audience of family, friends, teachers, and other poetry lovers.

Boudreau and Collins

Branches Use at both the Boudreau and Collins Branches increased significantly this year: 21% and 15% respectively.

O'Neill Branch

The Boston Globe featured neighborhood resident, Kenny Manning in an article on how children were going to spend the summer. Kenny's mom said, …"I want the library to be one of the places where he hangs". So Kenny and his mom set off to the O'Neill Branch with reporter in tow to spend an hour reading and checking out books. According to his mom, this is on Kenny's daily schedule for the rest of the summer.