Spring Tidings from the Eldredge Public Library!

TIDINGS

eNewsletter of the EPL

Chatham, MA

Spring 2023

"Connecting Chatham to the World"

Welcome to the Spring Tidings!

We are several days into our new software system and things are improving everyday. Thank you for your patience as we learn this new system and try our best not to disrupt services. As many of you have experienced, your pin number has been changed to the last four digits of the phone number in your account. Please call the Library or come in if you are experiencing any trouble logging into either the CLAMS catalog or Libby/Overdrive. Some items, such as the CLAMS app and your reading history, are not yet up and running, but we will get there soon!

We recommend that you update all your bookmarked links of the CLAMS Catalog to https://chatham-eldredge.clamsnet.org. This will take you directly to the new catalog. In the coming months, you will see a more customized catalog that will contain extra's such as upcoming programs and relevant database information.

The window project is wrapping up soon. Only a few "pick list" items to finish. The best news is, we are getting our parking lot back! Thank you for your patience through our ongoing improvement projects.

Amy Andreasson

Library Director

News from the Trustees

The arrival of March portends the return to Chatham of birds (including snowbirds), tourists, and business activity, and it signals increasing activity at the Library including Learning Series classes, programming for all ages, and hustle and bustle around the main desk. I am happy to say that much has been going on in our revered building throughout the doldrums of winter, and we are more than ready for the summer crowds to come.

On a positive note, new windows have recently been installed in much of the building, completing a project that the town has intended for some time. Another project that has been on the back burner for some time is the Safety and Accessibility project, and after some productive recent talks with the town, we are hopeful that the project is back on track and that this much-needed work will begin in the fall.

As you know, we depend on the town to provide approximately 60% of our budget and to maintain our physical facilities, and this is why we are to grateful to those members and constituents who make up the difference by giving so generously to support our staff, our programs, and our endowment. I am continually amazed at the generosity and support of our community, which is essential to the Library’s long-term health and vitality.

Finally, the Board of Trustees is about to embark on a series of discussions that we hope will envision and guide the Library’s future directions. Essentially, these discussions will address the Library’s role as a central part of Chatham’s life and activities. Needless to say, the Board will be busy, and we invite your thoughts and participation in this effort.

Best wishes for the spring season,

Kerry Brown

President, EPL Board of Trustees

News from the Friends of EPL

The Friends continue to plan ways we can enhance the library experience. Some of these include funding of programs such as the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, which recently kicked off in January, continued support for museum passes and the new virtual authors series. We are also focusing efforts on enhancing the community experiences in the Library, which includes the Books in Bloom event on June 25th!

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

Mary Ann Chamberlain

President, Friends of the Eldredge Public Library

Meet FEPL Secretary Sheila Jamieson!

Sheila Jamieson is delighted to be serving as Secretary on the Friends of the Eldredge Public Library Board. Her other experience for this office was as Secretary for the Women’s Club of Chatham for four years. A nine year resident of Chatham, Sheila “washed ashore” from Cincinnati. She worked for 25 years as the choreographer for the Junior League of Cincinnati Choral Group and presently sings in retirement homes on the Cape with the NoteAbles. A veteran thespian, you can often catch her on stage at the Chatham Drama Guild. Her other passionate hobby is embellished needlepoint which she has been doing for 48 years. She is thrilled to be with the Friends and looks forward as the library embraces the future.

A Message From The Youth Services Team

It’s "March Into Literacy" month, and literacy is one of our favorite topics in Youth Services! In January, we launched our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program to help families build the foundation of pre-literacy skills by reading with their little ones. Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of Eldredge Public Library, we enjoyed a musical program with Ethan Haller from Music at the Blissful as part of our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Kick-Off Celebration!

It was a special treat to have the renowned author Martha Day Zschock at our kickoff. Martha spoke with the families and even autographed her books for each attendee! We’ve already had several families reach the 100-book milestone; keep up the great work! For more information about the program or to register, visit us in Youth Services or check out our website. Online registration is also available at eldredgelibrary.beanstack.org.

In March, we have programs for infants and toddlers, including Baby Yoga, Wee Read, and S is for Storytime. Older students also have fun to look forward to with Lego Block Party, Game Day, Afterschool Storytime, Graphic Novel Book Club, and Pokémon Club.

We hope you will stop by Youth Services to enjoy the reopened imaginary play space, our new science center, our AWE early learning computers, and our train table. Thank you to the Friends of the Eldredge Public Library who have helped make so many of these learning and play experiences possible!

Books in Bloom Returns June 25!

The Friends of Eldredge Public Library is pleased and excited to announce the return of 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. It will be professionally catered by a local company and is open to all. So please mark your calendars for this lovely event!

Friends of EPL Spring 2023 Learning Series

History, music, art, literature local and global issues will be among the exciting and diverse twelve courses that the Friends of the Eldredge Public Library announced for its Spring Learning Series.

The first course offered will be a three-part program presented by Bob and Joanna Noonan starting on Monday, March 6 and telling the story of how Irish monks helped preserve Western civilization and created beautiful manuscripts during the dark ages. On Wednesday, March 15, trombonist George Scharr will explore the relationship of the symphony orchestra to the sounds of nature. On March 29 and April 5, wildlife expert Herb Raffael will present the argument of his latest book on how wildlife conservation depends on changing community values.

In April and May there are an array of additional programs on cinema, the ancient Greeks, World War II, classical and pop music, Shakespeare, theater in the park, Degas and even local news.

Detailed descriptions of all twelve programs including dates, times location and how to register can be found on the Eldredge Public Library website or can be obtained at the Library’s front desk