Exciting Library News!The New Computers Are In!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 first desktop computer purchased with the grant monies is now up and running in the library with the second soon to follow. Both of these desktop computers are much faster than the computers that were previously available to our patrons. Good news Apple users, one of the new computers is an iMac! The new desktop pc can be found in the hallway. A number of new educational software titles have been added, including "Universe Sandbox", a space simulator that allows you to view the solar system, galaxies and distant stars all in 3D, and "Scratch", a digital animated storytelling program for younger users. New software will be added to these new machines on a regular basis. The grant awards a total of $3,250, with a committment for the library to raise an additional $1,950 over the next two 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! | ||||
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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." |
Orwell Free Library Survey #1 Request: More HoursThe 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 AvailableWe 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. | ||
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! |
Orwell Historical SocietyThe 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! | ||||
