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Cambridge
Public Library " To sit and dream, to sit and read, to sit
and learn about the world. Outside our world of here and now - our problem
world. To dream of vast horizons of the soul through dreams made whole,
unfettered, free – help me! All you who are dreamers too, help me to
make our world anew. I reach out my dreams to you". New Initiatives Rotary Technology Learning Center The extension of the library’s commitment to self-education and the Rotary Club of Cambridge’s commitment to education and community service led to the innovative creation of the Rotary Technology Learning Center in the Central Square Branch Library. After many months of planning, active fundraising, and construction, the center which includes a training room with 13 state-of-the-art computers with full connection to the Internet and a conference room for community meetings or small group instruction, was dedicated in February. The club donated the center in honor of its 75 years of community service. Over 2,500 individuals took advantage of this outstanding community facility in the first four months of its operation. Active users include the Community Learning Center, CCTV, Farr Academy, and the Partnership for Children. Library staff have offered bi-monthly classes in Internet 101 to capacity crowds, the Children’s Room has started a weekly technology club for kids: Cyber Club Central, and two afternoons a week are held open for individuals to use the computers on a drop-in basis.
Outreach to Children and Families The library was awarded a Children in Poverty grant by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The grant funded outreach to families who were not using the library and support for parents in their efforts to introduce reading to their children. Family literacy programs were offered at the Fletcher School in collaboration with Title I. The library staff also worked with staff at Roosevelt Towers, Newtowne Court, and Washington Elms to promote library use to residents. As time went on, Putnam Gardens and Peabody Terrace were also included. Outreach took place in neighborhood health centers as well. Library staff went door-to-door to talk with residents about services the library can provide to their families. Family activity kits, which included books and audio-visual materials, were made available through the Valente, Central Square, and O’Neill Branch Libraries.
Trying to Reach Common Ground The library was awarded a Connecting Cultures grant by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to facilitate community programs on the issues of race, ethnicity, religion, disabilities, immigration, and gender preference within context of book discussion groups. Twenty-two book discussions throughout the city were led by community members and attended by 230 residents. Inauguration of Bengali Collection In partnership with BhinGolardho, a Cambridge based Bengali cultural organization, the Central Square Branch Library initiated a collection of books, magazines, and videos in the Bengali language. The inauguration of the collection was attended by 200 individuals, including Dr. Kazi M. Ahmed Economic Minister of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The presidents of both the Bengali Association of New England and Probashi, as well as Bengali poets, journalists, and community leaders were also in attendance. BhinGolardho donated a 15 volume set of the complete works of Tagore and local Bengali writers donated copies of their works. The Ends of Civilization: Taking Stock on the Eve of the Millennium Thanks to a grant from the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, the Central Square Branch Library sponsored a book discussion series to mark the end of the millennium. Five recently published books that critically assessed human progress and asked fundamental questions about the future formed the basis for the discussions. Participants enjoyed spirited and thought provoking discussions with local scholars. Awards and Honors
The 3rd annual Friend of the Library Awards were presented to Mary Rogers, founder and benefactor of the Manual Rogers Sr. Center for Portuguese Culture and Studies; Lou Pingitore, volunteer organizer of the Main Library’s Monday Night Chess Club; Norah Dooley, author, storyteller and library volunteer; and Cambridge Black Cultural and Historical Association leaders: Donna Lassiter, Zelma Evelyn, Faith Chase, Dr. Cheryl Townsend Gilkes, Pearlina Mills, and Alice Freeman (posthumously).
The Massachusetts Library Association awarded first prize in its bi-annual Public Relations Awards to the Cambridge Public Library for its summer reading club Get a Clue…Read! The library’s web page and a program flier, Head Lice, Dead Lice. received second prizes. Associate Librarian for Children’s Services, Daryl Mark was honored by the Hildebrand Family Self-Care Center for her work serving homeless families. She was also recognized with an Exceptional Employee Award by the City of Cambridge. Children’s Services
Summer reading took to the skies with STARSHIP READ, a program for preschoolers through 6th graders. Over 1,000 readers completed 9,883 books. Children visited the wind tunnel at MIT, met local astronomers, enjoyed music and craft programs, and were treated with special programs courtesy of the Dance Complex and the Museum of Science. Over 5,000 children and families attended the 182 programs offered through the summer. The mid-summer point was marked by a special evening at the Charles Hayden Planetarium for a showing of Where in the Universe is Carmen Sandiego? Programs and summer reading club materials were generously funded by the East Cambridge Savings Bank. Special events were co-sponsored by the Dance Complex, MIT, the Museum of Science and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.
CRUISE, a summer reading program for young adults attracted 149 readers. Participants published their book reviews in the Cruise! Souvenir Album. This program was generously funded by the Cambridge Trust Company and the Center for Applied Research. Author and Illustrator Visits Collaboration between the Cambridge Public Library and the Cambridge Public Schools brought Jerry Pinkney, winner of three Caldecott Honor Medals and four Coretta Scott King Awards came to the Haggerty, Fletcher, and Maynard Schools, as well as to the Main Library. Acclaimed author Edwidge Danticat read from her newest novel at the Main Library in a program co-sponsored by New Words Book Store.
Authors Robert Coover and Robert Arellano read from hypertext poetry and fiction at the Central Square Branch in a joint venture with the Cambridge Arts Council and the Boston Cyberarts Festival.
The Central Square Branch hosted Irene Smalls, author of Jonathan and His Mommy and Irene Jennie and the Christmas Masquerade: The Johnkankus. Ms. Smalls’ most recent books focus on past celebrations by African Americans. In addition, local favorite Norah Dooley presented stories and storytelling workshops. The O’Neill Branch brought Joanne Hippolite to visit 5th graders at St. John’s School. Ms. Hippolite is the author of Seth and Samona and Ola Shakes It Up. Special Programs Weekly story hours continued to be offered at the Hildebrand and YWCA shelters for homeless families. Volunteers were recruited and coordinated by the Alliance for the Homeless. Library staff trained and supported the volunteers. Bookies, a book discussion group of 6th – 9th graders at the Main Library, held a bake sale to raise money to buy books for homeless children. Children’s literature consultant Wendy Davis offered a six week discussion of Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff, which is set in Roman Britain. Jim Davis provided historical background. Friends of the Harvard Art Museums, the Harvard University Office of Work and Family, and the library once again presented Family Night at the Fogg. The 203 attendees were treated to guided tours, stories, a scavenger hunt, and a sing-along. Once again, the library joined the School Department, Title I, Evenstart, and other organizations to present Family Fun Day, in honor of Family Literacy Day. Hundreds of families attended and enjoyed activities which focused on books and related activities. The O’Neill Branch Library and the North Cambridge Family Center were awarded a grant from the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities entitled RINDGE AVENUE CONNECTIONS. The project centered on the history of Rindge Avenue and the people who lived there and the businesses located there. A photographic exhibit, slide show, children’s art exhibit, and panel discussion were held as part of the community celebration of Rindge Avenue. The O’Neill Branch opened its doors to host a series of readings by neighborhood authors, an exhibit by local artists, and a musical performance. These events were held in collaboration with NoCA (North Cambridge Artists) to celebrate their second annual open studios weekend.
In honor of Family Literacy Month, the Boudreau Branch invited neighborhood families to come to the library and have their pictures taken with their favorite books. The photos were displayed with the books and a community pot luck was held to celebrate.
Chinese New Year was celebrated at the O’Connell Branch with a pot luck dinner and Chinese songs and a musical performance by Bao Jian, winner of the Pro Musicis Foundation’s international competition for young musicians. The Consulate General of Portugual and the Valente Branch Library hosted an photographic exhibit of worldwide Portuguese language poets and their work. Local writers read poetry in English and Portuguese. The Collins Branch hosted a reception and exhibit of painted storytelling chairs done by Haggerty School students and artist Laurie Beth Mangili.
Reference Services The Reference Department reflects the paradox, "Everything old is new again". The staff has redefined its traditional commitment to community service by offering new technologies and resources. These new reference tools serve the library’s historic role of providing information to our users and, at the same time, enable the staff to do it better and more efficiently than ever before. Every week the Reference Department answers more than 1,000 questions. Staff not only seek out books, they also find bus schedules, baby names, legal forms, recipes, travel information, consumer information, car prices, gardening tips, health information, employment opportunities, and just about anything else. Over 5,000 reference books are available at the Main Library. Five hundred new books were added to the collection in FY99. In addition, 75 print newspapers, 300 print journals, and two thousand electronic periodical titles are available. The growth in resources available electronically and the addition of another computer has generated a 50% increase in the use of reference computers at the Main Library. Building Improvements The O’Connell Branch was relocated to the Kennedy School for a month to allow for renovations making the branch accessible to persons with disabilities. Thanks to the cooperative efforts of the Disabilities Commission and the Department of Public Works, a new, accessible public restroom and a ramp into the building were installed. A new roof completed the job.
Through the cooperation of the Disabilities Commission and the Department of Public Works, a new, accessible rest room was added to the Central Square Library to serve the users of the new Rotary Technology Learning Center. The exterior of the Collins Branch was transformed with rich red shingles, tan trim, and a forest green door. Areas of Growth Library circulation at the Collins and Valente Branches increased 15% and 9% respectively. Over 40,702 hours were logged on library computers providing electronic access to online databases and the Internet, reflecting a 271% over the previous fiscal year. Patron requests for specific items increased by 19% to 59,290. Attendance at adult programs at the O’Connell and Central Square Branches increased 233% and 97% respectively. Attendance at O’Neill Branch programs increased 45%.
Service Statistics Summary - Fiscal Year 1999
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