Construction Begins Tomorrow

This is just a reminder to everyone that things will be a little different for a few days at the library starting Tuesday, April 1. We will be closed to the public on Tuesday, April 1 and Wednesday, April 2, due to construction work on our entrance. Then, from Thursday, April 3 through Sunday, April 6, we will be open normal hours, with entry to the library through the alley off the Jackson Boulevard side of the building. We will have someone at that entrance to direct you to your destination within the library, and to assist you otherwise, as needed. Monday, April 7, the main entrance  will open again as normal. Thanks for your patience during this time.

Rodger Brayden

Director

Upcoming Library Improvements

Thanks to the generosity of the taxpayers, we have been able to make a number of improvements to the library’s collections, staffing and services. Now that spring is on the horizon, we are able to undertake improvements to our building and grounds as well. The first of these is replacement of the concrete walkways around our building, along with repair and releveling (if that’s a word) of the decorative brick pavers in front of our building.

The work will be done starting on April 1st, with the removal and replacement of the walkway leading to the library’s main entrance. As a result, the library will be closed Tuesday, April 1st and Wednesday, April 2nd. The library will reopen to the public on Thursday, April 3rd, but the main entrance will not be available again until Monday, April 7th.

We will do everything we can to provide top notch service while these improvements are being completed. Here are some specifics:

1. From April 3rd through April 6th, we will provide access to the library through the emergency door that opens to the alley in back of the building. We will have a “greeter” there to make sure you can enter, direct you to  your destination in the library, and help you carry your books, etc., as needed.

2. Due dates for the materials you have checked out will be adjusted so that you don’t unnecessarily accumulate fines during this period.

3.  We will provide and alternative place for you to drop off  your materials when we are not open. Details will follow later on this.

The remainder of our walkways (those portions around our bicycle rack, the stairs, etc.) will be replaced toward the end of the month, but access to the main entrance will not be impeded during that time.

Please watch this space for further details about this and other improvements we are undertaking to make the library an even better place to visit.

Rodger Brayden

Director

March Notes

Hello everyone, and Happy March! We may still get some more snow, but at least spring officially arrives this month, even if it won’t warm up until next month.

You all have been very nice to us over the past several months, even more so than normal. We’ve logged many more visits to the library than we used to, and besides that, you’re checking out lots more items than you used to. Thanks! I know the free video checkouts for Forest Park card holders has made a difference, but you’re also checking out a lot more books of all kinds as well. We will do our best to find and buy the materials you want us to carry. Thankfully, taxpayers have been very generous to us, and we are able to buy many more items to put on the shelf than we were before passage of the tax rate referendum in November 2006.

We have a couple of outstanding programs this month for adults that I want to highlight for you. The first is a Wellness Seminar on Tuesday, March 11 at 7:15, conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Smith. Sign up for this free program by calling us at 366-7171, or stopping at the front desk; then hear Dr. Smith explain how to handle stress, increase your energy, discover the best foods, and many other important topics.

The second program of the month is a seminar on Identity Theft on Wednesday, March 26 at 7:00, conducted by experts from Citibank. This is a “can’t miss” program as well. Call or visit us to sign up for this free program as well.

And, as always, there is a myriad of  top notch programs going on in our Youth Services Department. Call or visit their web page for details.

Just a friendly reminder that with the income tax deadline coming up on April 15, you can pick up many basic tax forms here at the library. If we don’t have paper copies, we are also able to download and print forms for you, with a low charge of ten cents per page for printing. Paper copies are starting to run low, so you might want to stop by soon.

Besides buying more and better materials for you to check out, we’re working to make improvements to our building and grounds. One project already completed is upgrading of our washrooms to more modern, sensor operated fixtures. Another project planned and waiting only for better weather is replacement of our concrete walkways and repair of the decorative brick pavers in front of our building.

So, all in all, we are busy but very happy around here, because we have such friendly and loyal patrons. We hope you feel as happy with us as we do with all of you!

Rodger Brayden

Director