Farmington Library Executive Director's blog

Goodbye Ann Arcari... We all will miss you in your retirement from Farmington Libraries.

2009-06-22T10:21:00.005-04:00

Farmington Room Librarian, Ann Arcari, has helped people find information at the information desk and ran and organized the Farmington Room archives since 1981. Ann was presented with an Official Citation by State House Chief Assistant Deputy Majority Leader for Economic Affairs, Demetrios Giannaros, with Representative Beth Bye and State Senators: Assistant President Pro Tempore Donald J. DeFronzo, and Chief Assistant Majority Leader Jonathan A. Harris. Ann said goodbye to over 60 friends at the Main Library on June fourth. We all wish Ann well in her retirement

Kathy Piccirillo receives the first D. Newton Barney library service award

2009-06-18T10:22:00.002-04:00

Service is precious and yet a rigorous effort, where balance is a difficult art at times. My corps of trustees has a wonderful understanding of how to balance and work effectively throughout the challenges they face as my bosses and Library policy makers. In that regard, Kathy has been exemplary and diligent in the execution of her duties as a library trustee. I thank her for her hard work and congratulate her on her accomplishments. I look forward to seeing here often at the Library

Dr. Timothy Breslin, Principal, Farmington High School presents "Friends of Farmington High School Award" to the Library Staff: YEA!

2009-06-03T15:41:00.008-04:00

Thank you Farmington High School. It is exhilarating to have the main library next to the High School, students, young people, have such a great sense of humor and a need for recognition. We realize that their lives are not always easy and that they can not always communicate how they really feel. It is that difference in us that bonds us to them and gives us a great pride and satisfaction to receive this award. In short we thrive on working with Farmington's high school students who remind us of our glorious past and the promises of the future. We are so happy to know we can and do make a difference in their lives.

Barney Library Fundraiser $476,000 to go

2009-05-19T10:43:00.005-04:00

A fabulous group of Library supporters gathered together to celebrate the Barney Library Renovations and Additions project at the "Barney". Thank you all for the great fellowship and for allowing the Fundraising Team the opportunity to present our case for this important project. We all appreciate your generosity and good wishes! Special thanks for the wonderful hospitality to: Buzz and Arline Whitaker, Nancy Nickerson, Kate and Russ Fisher, George Reider, and Brie Quimby. Go Team!

Kudos to Barney Branch Librarian, Kathy Lescoe and Branch Assistant, Jane Maciel

2009-05-08T09:49:00.004-04:00

Barney Branch Librarian, Kathy Lescoe and Branch Assistant, Jane Maciel share the Connecticut Library Association's Outstanding Public Relations Award with me after the Association’s 119th Annual Conference in New Haven. Kathy and Jane successfully work closely together in bringing outstanding library service to the community. I take great pleasure in their successes and wish them a hearty well done and congratulations on this most prestigious award.

Arbor Day: Master Gardeners continue the legacy

2009-04-24T13:45:00.002-04:00

Thank You Master Gardeners.... Spring has sprung. note: Initially installed by the Master Gardeners, the Farmington Library Garden is now a collaborative effort between the Master Gardeners and the "Friends" of Farmington Libraries. Maintained by both groups throughout the growing season, the garden is well worth a walk- through when visiting the library. If you are in need of gardening advice, please stop by on Friday mornings to ask questions of the pros.

Goodbye "Scotty", Trustees Honor Scotty Donald

2009-04-02T11:14:00.010-04:00

Goodbye "Scotty” , Trustees Honor Scotty Donald with Induction into the meritorious Sara Porter Society

Robert, W. “Scotty” Donald has been instrumental in so many ways here at Farmington’s Libraries over the past forty years. However, Scotty is now retiring as the second vice president of the Farmington Green and Library Association. In recognition of his long and distinguished service, Scotty was recognized by the Trustees with his induction into the Sara Porter Society joining Betty Coykendall and Sherra Palmer.

The award read: Scotty Donald has distinguished himself as a champion for the Farmington Libraries, giving his time, energy and love for the good of all in his efforts to coalesce
Unionville and Farmington through its libraries and therein through his actions Has affected positive and meaningful change and is therefore admitted to the honor of membership into the Sarah Porter Society. Scotty has brought excitement and meaning into Farmington and I wish him well as he goes off to new exciting adventures. Smooth sailing Scotty…..He has served as President, Vice President and of our parent organization the FVGLA, president of the Library Board, and almost every other office too. It is for all the reasons stated above, that Scotty was awarded the meritorious Sara Porter Society award. Congratulations Scotty, you are the Best.

New Orleans musing on June 29, 2006

2009-03-17T08:55:00.005-04:00

Listen to the NPR report on this adventure @ http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5521911

New Orleans is a city of paradoxes, many of which have been obfuscated by the patina and vitality of the French Quarter, Uptown Convention Center and the business district. This became very evident as I volunteered with a Christian relief agency in the Ninth Ward while attending the ALA Conference in June 2006. Leaving our comfortable hotel rooms, our bus load of eager, enthusiastic library workers was driven to our assignments in a large air–conditioned bus through devastated areas filled with small residential and commercial buildings, densely clustered on narrow streets. The scene was reminiscent of the desperation seen in the Great Depression photos of Ben Shahn and Walker Evans.
All eyes were upon us as we disembarked at a small school attached to a Catholic church. The school entrance was filled with young volunteers resting on lawn furniture from their early morning labors; others were filling sprayers with a mix of water and chemicals for the task of killing the mold growing in homes designated as salvageable. Our fresh, well-scrubbed appearance and clean clothing contrasted dramatically with those already at work, many of whom had not showered or had a change of clean clothes for several days or longer.
I opted to help the volunteers by repairing their toilet facilities, which were totally inoperable. I did a bit of auguring, replaced several drain traps, faucets and valves and got the place working as best I could with very low water pressure. When I was finished I decided, on the spur of the moment, to walk the six, very hot miles back to my hotel. I had not eaten anything nor drunk any water all day because the environment and the job I had undertaken were so odious that the thought eating and drinking was repugnant.
At any rate, I ventured forth and soon realized that I was the only pedestrian on those storm-ravaged streets, and a very noticeable one at that, with my bright yellow “Librarians Build Communities” T-shirt announcing not only my tourist status but my vocation as well. As I walked, I eventually came upon several people with whom I interacted. The first asked if I was interested in specific services, which I declined. The second wanted to know if I was a part of the librarians’ convention and was glad to find out that I was.
I began to have second thoughts about my journey, but realizing that I was well beyond the point of no return, I asked a woman on a bike for the best route back to Canal Street. She was very helpful and instructed me on the safest way to go. Not long after, a car came screaming up to me, easily identified as a mark in my yellow shirt, and the driver begged me for four dollars to buy gas. I gave her the money; she blessed me and sped off. I continued onward--hot, tired, thirsty, desperate for a shower and eager to discard my irreparably filthy clothes. Late in the afternoon, I approached the first pedestrian I had seen in nearly an hour. I greeted him with a “Hi” but he looked away and accelerated by with a disdain I could smell. Finally, I recognized a few landmarks and found my way back to my hotel, transformed by my surrealistic experience.
I suppose we all have a propensity to either exaggerate or minimize new experiences in order to fit those moments into what we’ve known before. I was and remain stunned by the socioeconomic and physical mayhem rendered by Katrina; the disastrous results of that cataclysmic event are far beyond the range of my previous experience. The desolation and forlornness I experienced persists. The old New Orleans is gone and all that remains is the memory of what once was.

Winding Trails Home School Group

2009-03-13T11:21:00.002-04:00

Left to right: Jason Myers, Sean Perreault,Joseph Henares, Cameron Pitre,Mackenzie Martinez,Michael Martinez are working here to compete at he Odyssey of the Mind Competition.

Farmington Libraries FY 2008-2009

2009-03-12T14:19:00.002-04:00

Farmington Libraries FY 2008-2009

Budget Remarks
Farmington Town Council
March 10, 2009
by Jay Johnston, Executive Director

As we are reminded daily, these are difficult times. Surely there are no easy solutions to the problems presented by this complex economic downturn. All of us must be responsible for taking measures to operate efficiently and effectively in this distressed economy. To that end, I am here to tell you that your libraries are taking actions to help our citizens cope with the economic downturn and, with your help, we will continue to do so.

How do the libraries help? We provide essential services such as high speed internet access, high quality printing, and books on specialized topics like refresher skills on computer assisted drawing, CAD, for job interviews and vocational and testing guides. We have books and DVDs on colleges, SAT testing, medicine, and nutrition. The libraries offer FAX services, free notary, and national newspapers. In addition, the library is a place where more people now come for the day with their children, and where people looking for work spend long periods of time studying, searching for prospects, and preparing for job interviews. Other people just love the library as a place to be and use it regularly.

We are planning a new online service, “JobNow,” to provide resume review, interview practice, and cover letter assistance to job seekers. The libraries provide social networking opportunities for those who have lost their jobs, and they are a place to network with employers and others to develop new models in small groups.

As a result of these initiatives, our overall service delivery increased almost three times the town’s population in the six month period between July 1 and December 31, 2008. In order to respond to the economy, we focused on increasing the social, economic, and educational opportunities which the libraries can provide to our residents. We developed new programs by identifying current changes in technology, now incorporated into programs like using departmental blogs to communicate programming and events. Library staff teach software application classes through Computer-U, our newest service, and the library has a Job Center developed through a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce. These programs have increased participation and added value to all of our service areas, as revealed in the statistics from July 1 to December 31, 2008. Lending is up 10% or 22,436 items; visits are up 13% or 16,297 more visitors; program attendance is up 5%, or 722 attendees; information requests are up 39% or 8,649 transactions; and computer use is up 26% or 3,665 sessions.

Farmington Libraries function as a community gathering place and learning center for pre-school children, adults, business people, professionals, teens, and all our residents. The libraries support the entire community in very personal, individual and special ways. They are the social and learning hub of the community and now face extraordinary challenges in meeting the new and expanding needs of our citizens brought on by the economy. We are committed to outstanding service to our citizen customers and look forward to being a part of the solution in these troubled times.

Welcome Teen Librarian Sarah Kline Morgan

2009-02-03T12:46:00.005-05:00

I am very excited to have recruited Sarah Kline Morgan, to take charge of the Teen Library and its associated responsibilities. Sara comes to us from the Cheshire Library where she won many accolades for her work with youth and especially her work integrating technology into the program. She is the recipient of the statewide Award for Excellence in Public Library Service through her nationally-recognized Teen Podcast program. Sarah is enthusiastic about her duties here and looks forward to a wonderful future with us. Please join me in welcoming Sarah to Farmington. Jay

Good Bye Emily ......Smooth Sailing.

2008-12-17T09:40:00.003-05:00

Teen Librarian, Emily Platz, is a dynamic and exciting individual who brought high energy, caring and the psychology of youth to our Teens.

http://farmingtonlibctteen.blogspot.com/

Emily has captured the hearts and minds of our young and old people alike with her intelligence, forthrightness and great sense of humor. Emily’s legacy is rich in understanding, intelligence, kindness and technology. She helps us understand why Teens need an advocate and how to reach and help them make the right choices. Emily is off to new and exciting ventures in her young life as a graduate student at George Washington University. I wish Emily well and thank her for giving me a chance to know her and benefit from her professionalism and success here at Farmington. Good Bye Emily and smooth sailing. http://farmingtonlibctjay.blogspot.com/2007/09/jay-johnston-welcomes-emily-platz.html

Why do retirement plan assets make good charitable gifts?

2008-12-17T07:47:00.003-05:00

Via A. Garafola, The Development Director of the Farmington Village Green and Library Associaton, has developed a precise and persuasive argument to give this year to our association.

Why do retirement plan assets make good charitable gifts?

During December we can be inundated with appeals for money from myriad nonprofit causes which need our support. Some we have donated to in the past. Others are similar to our favorite causes. Still others we may not have a personal interest in, but they are hoping that our charitable nature will extend to them, too.

An important consideration before you give is what to give. Most people give from their discretionary funds by writing a check or donating by credit card. But giving another type of asset may make better sense for you.

Recently, when President Bush signed the economic bailout bill (H.R. 1424), he included in it a two-year extension of the IRA Rollover Provision.
The provision will be made retroactive to Jan. 1, 2008 and apply to gifts made from that date through Dec. 31, 2009. The provision exempts from taxable income any funds transferred (“rolled over”) from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to a charitable organization.*

Why give a gift from your IRA rather than leave it in your will for your loved ones? Because the IRA balance may be doubly taxed at your death. It can be subject to estate taxes (at an assumed rate of 45%) and state and federal taxes (at an assumed rate of 35%). This makes it an effective gift for your charity of choice, while leaving other, less heavily-taxed assets to heirs.

If you are at a point where you need to take minimum distributions, using your IRA to make a donation may be the perfect answer.

For specific examples or more information, contact Via A. Garafola, Development Director, at 860-673-6791, ext 214. Or, email FVGLA@farmingtonlibct.org. All calls are held in strictest confidence.

* Some limitations apply: The donor must be age 70½ or older; the cap on annual IRA rollovers is $100,000; the contribution must be a direct gift to a charity (no planned gifts); the provision expired at the end of 2007, but plans are to reinstate it and make it permanent.

The Farmington Village Green and Library Association, established in 1901, helps to preserve the quality of life and cultural history of Farmington through an endowment that supports the Farmington and Barney Libraries, Stanley-Whitman House, the Village Green, and the Memento Mori Cemetery on Main Street. You may direct your charitable gift to benefit one of these, or designate it to the FVGLA endowment which allows its Board of Trustees to use your gift where there is the greatest need in any particular year.

This E-News is published by the Farmington Village Green & Library Association, 6 Monteith Drive, Farmington, CT 06032, (860) 673-6791, ext 214. Email FVGLA@Farmingtonlibct.org. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal or tax advice. For advice in your specific case, contact your attorney or tax planning professional.

Teens at work at the Farmington Library

2008-12-05T10:59:00.002-05:00

It is such fun to work with young people. This group of high school students are assisting in the assembly of Barney Library Renovation fund raising informational brochures. They each gave an hour of their time to help our project. Thank You.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T08:32:00.005-05:00

Thanksgiving, the great All-American holiday in my book, is just a great time to be together and remember what life has brought us: family, friends, high school and college football games and a great deal of wonderful food spread out on a wonderful table all defined by Turkey size and aromatics.
I wish you all the best holiday and hope we all can celebrate the joys of life and feel safe in these uncertain times. Thanksgiving, always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, Celebrates the Pilgrims first harvest in 1621 with a feast. Pilgrims should not to be confused with Puritans who established Massachusetts Bay Colony, Boston, in 1628.

Goodbye Jan Whitcomb

2008-11-18T11:12:00.002-05:00

Library Assistant Jan Whitcomb is leaving Farmington for new challenges in Avon. We wish her the best in her new endeavors….. Good Bye Jan.

“Whispers at the Library.”

2008-11-14T15:18:00.003-05:00

November is exciting at the Farmington Library! Artist Doris Weiner has transformed the library’s community room into a surrealistic garden with her major site-specific art installation titled “Whispers at the Library.” Visit soon to experience this extraordinary exhibit.

Martin Schiller remembers his experiences in Buchenwald

2008-11-14T15:11:00.002-05:00

Author, Martin Schiller, gave a compelling account of his experiences as recorded in his book, "Bread Butter and Sugar: A Boy’s Journey through the Holocaust and Postwar Europe".

News Flash! November 4, 2008: Barney Library Renovations Project is approved by Farmington Voters

2008-11-05T11:02:00.004-05:00

From the Courant: Yes: 6,699, No: 6,464.

Computer U, email class, sign up soon and join the fun...

2008-11-03T13:02:00.001-05:00

Farmington Library Supporters Rally for Operation Waves & Smiles!!!!!!!!

2008-11-03T08:18:00.004-05:00

Joe Entenmen, working in the Media Lab

2008-10-31T12:01:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T11:59:00.001-04:00

Master Gardner’s Final event

2008-10-31T11:53:00.002-04:00

Master Gardner’s Final event before winterizing the Library Garden. These people are just great. And the beauty of the garden is inspiring." />

Farmington Hookers present a special Hooked rug to the Library

2008-10-31T11:47:00.004-04:00

It is just amazing to see the fellowship and team work generated by the Thursday Hookers, a group of dedicated rug hookers who create beautiful folk Art here every Thursday. If you are a hooker, or wish to learn how to hook, pleas join them soon. They are just a wonderful group of people.