Where do I even start? There's a lot to convey this month and it is all top level content, so let's skip the director's note and get straight to business:
Memorial Day Weekend Book and Plant Sale

May 29th, 9 AM to Noon
(rain date: May 30)

The weather is looking iffy, but the Friends of the Library hope to proceed as planned with the book and plant sale on Saturday morning. If it's rainy, it'll be pushed back to Sunday. So cross your fingers for good weather on one of those days, and come take some books and plants if the sun is shining.
Fines No More

The Trustees have voted to eliminate overdue fines from items owned by Douglas. We have been waiving all fines since the beginning of the pandemic, but now it is permanent. Douglas items will not accrue overdue fees or lost item fees any more. If you keep an item long enough for it to be marked lost on your account, you'll still be billed for the replacement cost. If you bring it back, though, that cost will go away and leave a zero dollar balance (as opposed to the $2 long lost item fee we charged before).

Please keep in mind that this does not apply to all CWMARS libraries, so if you check out an item owned by a library that is still charging circulation fees, you may still see a bill. More and more libraries are going fine free, though, so hopefully it becomes an infrequent occurrence.

If you want to financially support the Library, donations are always welcome. Speaking of which, donations add up...
Capital Campaign Passes $100,000

In December, 2019, we announced a campaign to raise $400,000 for our building renovation project. The hope is that this amount will allow us to proceed with planning, design, and implementation of a modest addition to the Library which would include an elevator, accessible entrance, parking lot, and restrooms with reasonable certainty that we'll be able to see the project to completion.

Thanks to the generosity of our patrons, local institutions, and the Friends of the Library, we've been inching closer to that goal. At their most recent meeting, the trustees of the Library voted to reserve $7,842 of the state grant money received in the past year for the project, bringing the total funds reserved for the project to $100,000.

We're 25% of the way there! Let's keep the momentum going!
COVID Restrictions Lifting

Effective June 1, the Library will no longer limit patrons to 30 minutes in the building, nor will we limit the number of patrons allowed in the Library. We'll start putting tables and computer stations back together and try to get the space looking similar to or better than it did pre-pandemic. Delivery and curbside options will continue, but the time has come to make visiting physical space a normative experience again.

Masks will not be required to enter the Library effective June 1, though we do still encourage them out of consideration for our patrons 12 and under who have not had the opportunity to get a vaccine. Once school is out of session, our usage among young children and their families skyrockets, and we want all of our patrons to feel safe and fairly treated.

Until children 12 and under are eligible for vaccines, we are going to continue doing all of our storytimes and book clubs for kids remotely through Zoom. In lieu of summer reading programs in the Library, we will be putting together rotating story walks on the Southern New England Trunkline Trail and at Douglas Orchard and Farm.
Adult Book Clubs Resuming In Person

Our monthly adult book clubs can resume face-to-face! I know a lot of regulars disappeared because virtual book clubs weren't the same. Hopefully you come back now!

-The Greatest Book Club Ever is meeting on June 3 at 6:30pm to discuss Molly's Game by Molly Bloom. Come pick up a copy at the Library and read fast!

-The Intrepid Readers will meet on June 8 at 6:30pm to discuss Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond. Copies are also available at the Library.
Brought to you by the Friends of the Simon Fairfield Public Library.