Summer Tidings from the Eldredge Public Library!

TIDINGS

eNewsletter

of the EPL

Chatham, MA

Summer 2023

"Connecting Chatham to the World"

Welcome to the June Tidings!

History Weekend - June 16-18

Explore the rich and historic treasures of Chatham on June 16-18 with special exhibits, tours, events and lectures. Visit Historic Chatham for detailed history weekend hours and events.

The Eldredge Public Library and Chatham Recycle are teaming up to host a Fixit Clinic in Chatham on Sept 23.

Fixit clinic is an all-ages do-it-together repair activity where people bring their broken household items and learn to assess, disassemble and repair them rather than throw them away.

We are currently looking for VOLUNTEERS to be a fixit coach with knowledge and skills in various areas such as sewing, electrical, woodwork, bikes, general repair and more. If interested, please contact Lauren Shea at the Library.

Amy Andreasson

Library Director

News from the Trustees

This spring has been a busy one for the Trustees, including among other events the reinstitution of Trustees Advisory Board sessions and the initiation of discussions that we hope will define future directions for the Board. In early May, Tammy Depasquale led a program for the Advisory Board of the banned books phenomenon occurring throughout the country and even in the Commonwealth. It was very well received, and we hope it will be a precursor of future efforts to educate both the Board and our valued constituents concerning vital Library-related issues.

As I have mentioned in the past, I continue to be amazed and gratified by the generosity of the Chatham community. This year Annual Fund donations surpassed last year’s record amount, which I take to be an endorsement of the fine work of our wonderful staff and the programs they are conducting. Furthermore, I can’t state strongly enough how important these donations are to the ongoing strength of the Library and its place in the Chatham community. This recognition from our broad donor base is very heartwarming.

I want to give a special thank you to Sally Stratman for her notable service to the Board over the years as Treasurer and as a member of the Personnel Committee. Sally will be retiring from the Board in July, and in every way she has been an ideal Board member: active, wise, and committed to the Library; we are very grateful to her. We are also grateful to the Friends for their exceptional financial support of Library programs this year and most recently for their delightful brunch celebrating all Library volunteers.

Finally, after some promising recent meetings with Town officials, I am hoping to have some positive news in my next Tidings article concerning the long-anticipated safety and accessibility project and about essential HVAC improvements that are well underway. Fingers crossed!

Kerry Brown

President, EPL Board of Trustees

News from the Friends of EPL

The spring has brought more activities for the Friends. On May 16, the Friends held a volunteer and staff appreciation brunch to thank and honor those who contribute to the smooth operation of our beloved library. Ann Hosmer chaired the committee aided by Joan Craig, Bette Hahner and Mary Ann Chamberlain. An assortment of quiches, fruit salad, muffins, croissants,were served along with coffee, tea, and orange juice. This event provided the opportunity for these different groups to meet and discuss their roles and appreciate each other.

Not yet a Friend? Join the Friends of the Eldridge Public Library today!

Mary Ann Chamberlain

President, Friends of the Eldredge Public Library

Tuesday, June 13 at 4 pm

Friends of the EPL Annual Meeting

Forgeron Meeting Room

Updated FEPL Bylaws will be voted on.

We hope you will join us!

Meet FEPL Treasurer Sarge Slicer!

My roots in Chatham go back to 1957 when my parents started building their retirement home. My mother was an avid reader. She would devour 3 or 4 books in a week. My father and I just read engineering journals. He became an avid reader after he retired but I am still just reading engineering journals. (I am a fire protection engineer by trade.) Both of my late wives were also avid readers. When Diane and I retired here in 2006-07, she became active in the FEPL and I would help with many of the activities. When Ann Hosmer asked me if I would like to be treasurer, how could I refuse, as I knew many of the people on the Board. I was already treasurer of three other organizations. I am not an accountant by training but balancing the family budget has given me the love of paying bills and balancing the books.

The FEPL are an excellent group of people and I always hope when Amy or the Board asks "Can we do this financially?" I am able to say “Yes, we have enough money in the bank.”

A Message From Youth Services

Are you ready for another exciting summer reading program at the Eldredge Public Library? This year, in partnership with the incredible Chatham Marconi Maritime Center, we’re thrilled to present the Find Your Voice 2023 Summer Reading Adventure! Our voices and the many ways we express ourselves are so important.

Our voices include the sounds we make, the words we write, the art we create, the movements we perform, the music we hear, the clothes we wear, and the actions we take each day to impact our world. How do you use your voice? This summer, we’ll explore the many ways that you can communicate with the world! Enjoy programs involving all different art forms, creativity, and expression. Discover new interests and find ways to make your mark on the world!

• The 2023 Find Your Voice Summer Reading Adventure runs July 6^th through August 8^th, and is open to children, tweens, teens, and young adults.

• Registration is in-person at our kickoff event on Thursday, July 6th, or any time after that in Youth Services.

• Earn “Adventure Awards” for completing a minimum of 120 minutes of reading and one Creativity Quest each week.

• All programs are in-person at the EPL and will be held inside and outside the Library.

• The summer calendar will be available on June 15th in Youth Services and on our website

• Teen & Tween Night is every Tuesday evening for students in grades 5 through 12!

Thank you to the Friends of the EPL for their generous support of our summer reading program! Stay tuned to www.eldredgelibrary.org and our social media for news and information about our 2023 Find Your Voice Summer Reading Adventure.

You're Invited to Books in Bloom June 25!

The Friends of Eldredge Public Library is pleased and excited to host Books in Bloom on Sunday, June 25th from 4-6pm. Fourteen participants will create a floral display based on a book of their choice. Their arrangements will be displayed on all three floors of Eldredge Public Library. This free event will be professionally catered by a local company and is open to all. So please mark your calendars for this lovely event!