The Orwell Free Library Newspage

Vintage Library Photos Found!

Thanks to Tony Justi for sending us these wonderful images of our town library from days past.

Tony writes: "I see you're the webmaster for the Orwell site. My great grandfather, George Leland Stay was born there. His father and mother, John and Julia Stay are buried there. My grandfather, Freeman Stay, would visit for many years. He took some pictures. These two are probably from the mid-late 50's. Thought someone in Orwell might be interested."

Library Story Hour

Starting in June, 2009, we have been having story time on Tuesdays at 10 am for children. It has been wonderfully successful, and we have enjoyed great support from families within the community. During the summer, we hosted guest readers, and most weeks also had a craft for the children. Story time has continued through the school year for the preschoolers. Please join us!

Trustee News

Former librarian, Hester Phelps, is currently convalescing after a hip fracture in December. We all send her healing thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery

Former library trustee, Edith Thompson, passed away on Saturday, January, 16, 2010, while at home with her family. We would all like to express our thanks for her years of service to the library, and condolences to her family.

Orwell Free Library Survey #1 Request: More Hours

The results of the Orwell Free Library survey are in.The number one request was for more hours,which we are pleased to say have been extended to include 5 additional hours. Our new hours are:Sat 9-1 Tue 10-4 & 6-8 Thur 3-6 Fri 11-4.

Inter-library Loan Service Now Available

We are now able to offer the use of the inter-library loan service.Those who have expressed interest in a book club should stop by the library for more information.

60+ Club Bag Lunch

The library will be hosting the 60 plus club on Fri. May 21 at noon for a bag lunch,followed at 1:00 by a performance of the Savvy Seniors on senior issues.

Current Board Members/Trustees:

Ramona Apko-Sani    Joni Osterhaudt    Kathy Buxton    Julie Danyew    Karen DeMoy    Ken Hazinga

Please feel free to contact one of us if you have questions or concerns about the library. We are always interested in feedback, and welcome suggestions on how the library can better serve the needs of the community.

Exciting Library News!

1. The Orwell Free Library has been awarded with one of the final Gates’ Grants, from the Bill and Melinda Gates’ Foundation. The grant helps put personal computers and equipment into libraries for public use and educational purposes. In November 2009, our librarian, Lisa Thal, Ramona Apko-Sani and Ken VanHazinga, were sent to St. Louis, MO, for a 3 day conference on how best to utilize this grant, and to help take our library into the computer-age.

The grant awards a total of $3,250, with a committment for the library to raise an additional $1,950 over the next 2 years. We are very thankful to have been given this grant, as it will allow us to purchase additional computers, software, printers and educational material. In addition, sometime in the future, it will help our book collection to be computerized and allow for utilization of the inter-library loan system. We will then have access to thousands of book titles!

2. The Library has received the Vermont CLiF (Children’s Literacy Foundation) Grant this February, 2010. This grant will provide the library with $2,000 worth of children’s literature. We are especially excited to use these books for our story time, as well as for the school-age children who visit regularly from OVS. We send a big thank you to Sheri Young for finding out about this grant, and for helping with the grant itself.

3. As you may have seen from our letterboard outside the library, we now not only have high-speed DSL internet service, but are also wireless! Feel free to bring in your laptop to take advantage of this service to the public, at no charge.

4. The Library continues to host the classes from OVS. The children are able to walk over and take out books with their own library cards. Thank you to Mrs. Young and Mrs. Sweeney-Dodge for their participation! The positive effects of exposing children early to books, and getting them excited about reading, cannot be stressed highly enough!

3rd Annual Plant, Book and Bake Sale

Last year we had a hugely successful sale, raising close to $1,000, allowing us to meet our Gates’ Grant match for this year. We look forward to another sale Saturday, June 5th. Please look for a notice on our letterboard, and in the OVS newsletter. As you are cleaning up your gardens this spring, please put a few pots aside with cuttings and divided perennials. We will also accept donations of herbs, houseplants and baked goods. If you need containers, or someone to make a pick-up, please call Karen DeMoy at 948-2188.

We would like to thank the following, whose extremely generous donations helped make the 2009 sale a success:

Karen Hescock, Bloomer’s Garden Flowers, Orwell

Westbrook Gardens, Benson

Sunset Gardens, Shoreham

Golden Russet Farm, Shoreham

Weston Country Store

Library Wish List:

****fiction, non-fiction and children’s books

****movies, DVD and VHS, for adults and kids

****large baskets for board books and kid’s games

****VOLUNTEERS-we would love to have some responsible teenagers, or adults, who could help Lisa with any number of tasks at the library, such as reading at story time or shelving books. We would especially be interested in people with computer expertise. Please let Lisa know if you are interested. Remember, this is something that would look great on a college application!

Remember, the Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center in Burlington has a pass available at the library that can be checked out for the day, allowing just $2.00 admission for up to 5 people. Stop in to pick it up, or reserve a day by phone. The center has changing exhibits throughout the year, and is very family-friendly. Children 2 years and under are free.

The Orwell Historical Society appreciates the gifts that help enlarge our knowledge and awareness of its past and how much we owe to those people who went before us. The OHS will be open again during the regular library hours throughout the summer months.

Do you have an overdue book?

Please be considerate of others and try to return materials on time, or remember to renew them. Our lending period is one month, unless otherwise specified, and you can always renew by phone, 948-2041.

I look forward to seeing you at the library.

Lisa