Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library

Where Do We Go From Here?

2011-11-15T16:44:00.001-05:00

The new Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library has been open now for nearly a year-and-a-half - it is scary how time flies. Our success during the first year has been widely chronicled: a 121% increase in attendance; a 74% increase in circulation; dozens of additional programs for all ages - the list goes on.

A couple of months ago I blogged about "what" we are, which is, quite simply, "a lot." The numbers, diversity of services, and overflowing programs reinforce the fact that we fill many needs within the community; however, it is time for us to start asking a new set of questions. Even though our popularity has met, and in some cases exceeded expectations, are we doing all that we can to serve the community? Are there areas in which we are lacking? Are we offering unnecessary services? If so, how do we determine what we need to do to maximize our resources?

For the Crawford Library, the answer to this question lies in the Long Range Planning (LRP) process, which will help give us direction in the years ahead. Nearly a decade has passed since we last launched a plan, and the changes in the library between then and now have been astronomical. The new LRP will help us set goals, formulate objectives in relation to those goals, and devise a plan of action on how to reach them. Planning will also assist us in determining if we are, in fact, fulfilling the needs of residents, as well as offer steps to take if we are not.

Community input with this project will be critical to its success. Library staff, and individuals who are close to the library, have a vision of what the library is and needs to be. But that is only part of the story, and to ensure that your voice is heard we will be reaching out to you in the upcoming months. Very soon a survey will be constructed to solicit community input. Your responses to this survey will be a major step in helping the library formulate just "what" we are going to be in the years ahead.

While it is impossible to be all things to all people, this process will give the community the opportunity to help us plot our future course. An announcement about the survey will be forthcoming, so please give us your feedback when the time comes!

What is the Role of the Library?

2011-09-02T11:41:00.001-04:00

The Mission of the Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library is to provide members of our diverse community with equal access to traditional and electronic media, programs, and exhibits that will encourage life-long learning, expand cultural horizons, facilitate research, and inspire curiosity.

I am fond of saying that while a town may have a community center, the library is the center of the community. When the Library Trustees and I created the above mission statement, it was this philosphy that we had in mind. Looking back on the first year of operations, in many ways we were the focal point in Dudley, as evidenced by the vast array of programs and services residents accessed at the library.

By now, most people know that the library is more than "just books;" however, that is an understatement to say the least. What is the library anyway?

We are a computer center with 26 high speed Internet access PCs.

We are a wireless hub.

We are a classroom, where you can learn how to use computers and search the Internet.

We are a research center, where you have access to millions of magazine and journal articles, conference proceedings, images, and countless other formats.

We are a career center, where you can research job opportunities, create resumes, and explore new fields.

We are a meeting space, where local groups and organizations gather to conduct business.

We are a music hall, where you can experience performances as diverse as Native American music to choral ensembles to folk singers, and for all ages.

We are a historical center, where many artifacts, books, and other ephemera covering the rich history of Dudley and the surrounding area are stored.

We are an auditorium, where you can hear lectures ranging from academic to historical to social to the purely whimisical in nature.

We are a stage, where magicians, clowns, and storytellers entertain children and the child inside all of us.

We are a community information center, where you can discover what is going on in the area.

We are a destination for teens, where they can study and relax in a room designed especially for them.

We are an arts and crafts center, where you can learn how to decorate cupcakes, build gingerbread houses, learn calligraphy, and so much more.

We are an art gallery, where local artists can display their creations.

And, yes, we are still a place where you can go on a cold or rainy day and curl up with a good book, and then you can go as far as your imagination will take you.

The Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library is a number of things, serving many functions and fulfilling many roles within the community. There is something here for everyone. If you haven't visited us yet, please do. You will be very excited by what you discover!

Print is dead. Long live Print!

2011-06-10T09:28:00.000-04:00

For about 15 years now pundits, futurists, writers, and a whole host of alarmists have predicted the end of the printed word. In the digital age, books, they say, are as relevant today as scrolls, stone tablets, and other "media" whose time, usability, and practicality have long since passed.

While statistics prove that more and more books are being published in digital/electronic format each year (and some are being published only digitally), it is hard to fathom a world without books. While a discussion on the pros and cons of print vs. digital far exceeds a practical blog post, two factors stand out to me, as a librarian and lover of the printed word, that will ensure the survival of print into the near and distant future.

The Book as a Physical Object. Walk into any home whose inhabitants enjoy reading and look around. You may see elaborately photographed coffee table books, rows of a favorite author arranged neatly on a shelf, or a well-loved dog-eared paperback on a side table or perhaps sticking out of the corner of a briefcase/backpack/handbag, etc. The presence of the book as an object has symbolic significance to some. The book has been or will be read, the reader takes pride in showing the book has been read, and the book is being kept close in case he or she would like to peruse it again. This all begs the question, does the physical presence of the book add value to the information contained inside? Book lovers, who consider colorfully arranged dust jackets of bestsellers and gilded lettering of timeless classics as art on par with paintings and photographs, would agree.

Economics. Publishers, authors, and other beneficiaries in the book industry like to make a profit, and rightfully so. Interestingly enough, economics and the book-as-physical-object example go hand-in-hand. If you forgo the printed word and only purchase a digital copy, how much is that new copy worth to you? You paid $25 for the printed version. Are you willing to pay $25 for the e-version? Digital advocates look to the music industry for a successful business model. One doesn't see the large libraries of CDs in a home or dorm room like they would have 10 years ago. The once mighty CD library is now a series of play lists on an iPod or other digital music player. While the book publishing industry has not yet conquered the price point question, it is not completely fair to compare books to music. Songs, in general, do well in lists, mixed and matched at the downloaders discretion. Books, on the other hand, do not lend themselves to the same kind of reconstruction. Dropping Holden Caulfield in the middle of a Michener novel just wouldn't flow. So the .99 cent iTune model, while useful in one industry, is still not the solution in all.

Libraries have been doing a good job responding to digital media. In the area, many libraries have started purchasing Nooks and other electronic reading devices to circulate with ebooks already downloaded on them. The C/WMARS catalog contains thousands of electronic titles, which you can reach by clicking here. The question for libraries will become - "Do we purchase the print or the digital?" The question for publishers - "How do we charge libraries for digital copies that could potentially be shared by thousands of readers?"

The answers will come, eventually, as societal preferences and tastes for a particular format will determine the direction future generations of readers will take. While the world may be trending digital, and libraries are responding to meet those needs, print will remain the choice for many until the reality of economics, and the aesthetics of ownership, become non-issues in the current debate.

Madam, Im Adam

2011-04-30T11:13:00.001-04:00

Actually, no, I am not Adam, but that is beside the point.

"Madam Im Adam" is one of the most famous palindromes in the English language. A palindrome is a word or phrase that can be read the same way in either direction. They have been used for various reasons for nearly two thousand years, and they have been found in cultures throughout the world. Today, palindromes are popular with names of songs and other titles that lend themselves to one or two words.

My favorite palindrome? It has to be: "Go hang a salami. Im a lasagna hog." Its not something you can drop into everyday conversation, but it just also happens to be the title of a book of palindromes, which is available in the library's online catalog. Check it out!

In Praise of the Paraprosdokian

2011-04-15T10:43:00.003-04:00

A paraprosdokian is a very underutilized rhetorical device. What is it? Basically it is a phrase where the ending makes you rethink the beginning. For example:

"If I am reading this graph correctly—I'd be very surprised." - Stephen Colbert
"On the other hand, we have different fingers." - Jack Handey

While a paraprosdokian lends itself well to comedians and humorists, there have been world leaders who utilized the potential for biting sarcasm. Sir Winston Churchill was a master as this. Consider:

"You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else."
"A modest man, who has much to be modest about."

Librarians don't get to throw out too many paraprosdokians. There is one, however, that I like to use when I can. It is probably from the "king" of paraprosdokians, Groucho Marx.

“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.”

Want to see more? Examples are all over the web!

The New Blog...

2011-03-25T13:48:00.000-04:00

Sometime within the next week we are going to launch our new website. The new site, coupled with the fact that we launched a Facebook page last fall, will change the focus of the Blog. Instead of being strictly informational, the Library Director's Blog will be a combination of thoughts, facts, trivia, etc. Something a little more whimsical and a little less formal.

Stay tuned!

Upcoming January Library Events

2011-01-07T11:27:00.002-05:00

Nook Classes

Monday, January 10, 10:30 a.m. and Thursday, January 13, 6:00 p.m.

Did you get a Nook for Christmas? Or thinking about gettting a Nook? We will have a representative from Barnes & Noble at the library teaching you everything you'll need to know about this eBook. You can bring your own Nook or use one that will be on site.

Barnes & Noble Book Fair: Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, Millbury, MA

Monday, January 17, starting at 9:00 a.m.

The library will receive a percentage of the money you spend in the store if you mention the library when checking out. This is a great event to raise money to purchase materials. Author Ralph Masiello will be at the store between 10:00 a.m. and noon. He does amazing presentations for the kids on "How to draw..." Tell your family and friends! See you there.

Book Swap

Monday, January 24, 6:00 p.m.

How it works: Bring books to the library and swap them with someone else. Please limit the number of books you bring to 20. Childrens books in good condition only. Children must come with an adult. Remaining books will be donated to the Friends of the Library book sale.

Coin Collecting Program

2010-10-18T10:44:00.004-04:00

Rich and Tom Lisi will offer an exciting program on Collecting United States Coins from the early 1800's to the present. Why the prices of Platinum, Gold, and Silver coins are rising will be discussed, as well as what new coins and currency the U.S. Mint is planning to release next, and more.

Rich and Tom will offer a FREE Appraisal of your U.S. Coins, Currency and some World Coins.

Also there will be a FREE raffle which will include prizes of newly issued U.S. Coins.

We're Now on Facebook!

2010-10-12T14:04:00.000-04:00

Check out our page to see the latest library news, events, pictures, and more! "Like" us to receive updates when they are posted.

Grand Opening Events for Teens and Adults

2010-10-07T16:06:00.000-04:00

Neal Bourbeau from the Higgins Armory Museum presented "A Knight's Tale," which showcased the evolution of arms and armor in Western Europe. The program was sponsored by the Friends of the Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library.

Veronica Hebard, an artist from undercoverfish.com's artist collective, demonstrates how to draw manga and comic strips to a group of aspiring artists. The program was sponsored by the Friends of the Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library.

Hawk Henries, a Nipmuc tribe member, presented Native American flute music and stories. Mr. Henries also described to the audience the wide variety of instruments that he used throughout his performance. The event was made possible in part by a grant from the Dudley Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Grand Opening Events for Kids!

2010-10-06T16:17:00.001-04:00

Singer and storyteller Davis Bates performs in the Children's Area in July. The event was made possible in part by a grant from the Dudley Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Local favorite Bugs the Clown entertains the kids with jokes, stories, and other fun activities.

Lee Burpee and Larry Records from the local Burpee and Records Travelling Children's Zoo Show hold Baby, a 12 ft Burmese python, as an excited crowd looks on.

New Library Opens with a Whirlwind of Activity!

2010-10-05T11:57:00.001-04:00

The new Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library, which celebrated a Grand Opening ceremony on July 10 and opened for business on July 12, has been a bustling and thriving community center since Day One.

The numbers are mind boggling. For example:

From July 1, 2009 through June 2010, the "old" library circulated 46,880 items. In under three months, the new library has checked out 24,184 items.

From July 1, 2009 through June 2010, the "old" library had an attendance of 33,796. In under three months, 25,548 people have visited the new facility.

With a large meeting room and an expanded children's area, program attendance has also dramatically increased. This is particularly true with programs geared toward adults, as the old facility did not have room to accommodate adult offerings.

A Snapshot of the Grand Opening Month Program Attendance:

• Judy Bernstein (historical actress): 42

• Davis Bates (children's music): 67

• Higgins Armory (armor presentation): 64

• Hawk Henries (Native American songwriter and performer): 79

• Bugs the Clown: 100 (est.)

• Andy Fish (comic book drawing workshop): 10

• Burpee and Records (children's zoo): 175 (est.)

• Karaoke for Kids: 97 (est.)

Check back over the next couple of days to see pictures of these great events. And make sure to visit us at 40 Schofield Avenue!

Crawford Library Announces Closing and Grand Opening Dates

2010-06-07T11:24:00.001-04:00

After 10+ years of hard work and dedication, the dream of a new Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library is soon to become a reality!

In order to prepare for the move to the new library location at 40 Schofield Avenue in Dudley, the current library, located at 1 Village Street, will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 11. While the library will remain closed until July 12, the staff will make every effort not to inconvenience library patrons.

Important things to note are:

Books, DVDs, etc. owned by the Crawford Library will not be due while the library is closed. Patrons will be granted an extended borrowing period prior to the current library closing.

Items owned by other libraries, i.e. the books, DVDs, etc. that you receive when you place holds/requests will be due on their designated date while the library is closed. These items may be returned to the drop box at the Village Street location.

Arrangements are being made to allow you to pick up your holds/requests that arrive during our closed period. Information for that procedure will be available by the end of May.

While the library is closed, book returns at both the current and new libraries will be open and checked during the normal work week. Once the new library opens, all returns must be made there as the book return at the Village Street location will be permanently closed.

New Library Grand Opening Event

Mark your calendars for the official Grand Opening celebration scheduled for Saturday, July 10, from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m at the new library.

There will be an opening ceremony followed by tours of the new facility. Light refreshments will be served.

Events to appeal to all ages will be part of the festivities during the month of July, so be sure to check for dates and details.

Please call Matt Hall, Library Director, at 508-949-8021, with any questions regarding the move.

Library Building Update

2010-04-28T10:19:00.000-04:00

The outside of the building has been painted and it looks beautiful. Yesterday the lettering was installed above the front entrance - now passers-by will definitely know that this is the Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library! The additional bushes/trees/shrubs, including the sod, have also been planted and many are already blooming.

Painting on the inside is also complete, and the carpeting was installed this week. The shelving company has started constructing the various units that will eventually hold 55,000+ items - they should finish within a few days. The cherry trim and mill work have also been completed.

Please check back soon for information regarding the closing of the current library at 1 Village Street, as well as plans for the Grand Opening celebrations!

What's Happening at the Library?

2010-03-25T16:22:00.000-04:00

Eighty-Ates Raffle. The library is raffling off a $100.00 gift certificate to Eighty-Ates Restaurant in Dudley. Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. The winner will be drawn on April 15.

Guess the number of Jelly Beans. From April 1 - 22 children can guess the number of jelly beans in a jar in the childrens room. The child who guesses the closest number wins the jar. Only one winner will be selected. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Bed Time Story Book Swap. On Monday, April 26 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM, the library will be hosting a story book swap. If you have childrens books that your child has outgrown, bring them to the library and swap them with other families. Since it is an evening event, children are encouaged to wear pajamas. Milk and cookies will be served. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Cherry Trim & More!

2010-03-09T15:30:00.019-05:00

While the outside of the library has appeared fairly consistent and unchanged over the past month, there has been constant activity on the inside. The cherry trim has been installed, as well as the wainscoting beneath many of the display areas. The cherry cabinetry is going in this week, and the large check out desk is currently under construction. The flooring, including the carpet, cork, slate, and vinyl finishes, are in various stages of installation.

It is Shark Week at the Library!

2010-02-19T10:32:00.000-05:00

Beginning on Friday, February 19, patrons who check out two NONFICTION items can enter into a raffle for two Worcester Shark hockey tickets. The tickets are valid for a HOME game. For additional information on the Sharks, see their web site at: http://www.sharksahl.com

The drawing will be held at 3:30 pm on Friday, February 26. For more information please contact the Library at 508-949-8021.

Pearle-opoly is Back!

2010-01-21T17:27:00.000-05:00

Pearle-opoly is based on the game Monopoly and is fun for the whole family. Children fill spaces on their game board by reading the books listed on the individual squares. Once their board is complete, the child is entered into a raffle for a chance to win a specially designed Monopoly game. The program, which is focused on children in grades 2 -6, ends Feb. 24. Games have been purchased by the Friends of the Library.

Stop by the library to pick up your Pearle-opoly game board. Have fun !

Building Update

2010-01-06T15:19:00.000-05:00

It won't be long now....

The "accessible beige" siding is on and the first coat of paint has been applied to the trim. The photovoltaic panels have been installed facing southward, which is just one of many energy efficient components on this beautiful new LEED certified facility.

On the inside, the drywall is going up and plastering continues in the main corridor. The barrel vault ceilings are being framed and additional ceiling work will underway soon. Base coats of paint, which give hints of the vibrant color scheme that will eventually cover the interior walls, were recently applied in a few of the rooms.

Upcoming Fundraising Opportunities

2010-01-04T17:17:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

There are two upcoming events that will benefit both the library directly and the Friends of the Library:

Eat at Eighty Ates. If you eat at Eighty Eights Bar & Grill on Airport Road in Dudley on Wednesday, January 13 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., 20% of your total (minus tax and tip) will be donated to the Friends of the Library. This promotion will be repeated on Sunday, February 21 from 8:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m. and on Sunday, March 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Diners will need to present a coupon that they can pick up at the library ahead of time. The local press will also carry the coupon so be on the look out for the upcoming advertisement. We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Eighty Ates for supporting the Friends!

Barnes and Noble Book Fair. On Sunday, January 17 and on Monday, January 18, shop at the Barnes and Noble in Millbury and a percentage of your purchases will be donated to the Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library. If you have been thinking about purchasing that new bestseller, a classic, or picking up some CDs, stop by Barnes and Noble on the 17th or 18th and help out your local library. Details, including which items are included in the promotion, are available at the Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library. Many THANKS to Barnes and Noble for supporting the library!

Friends of the Library - Volunteer Opportunities

2009-12-11T15:23:00.000-05:00

The Friends of the Pearle L. Crawford Memorial are looking for an energetic and enthusiastic volunteer to chair their Programming/Fundraising Committee. The primary responsibility of the chair will be to manage and coordinate all aspects of events sponsored by the Friends. The Friends are a very active group and the incoming chair will have ample support from the rest of the Friends' Board.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with who the Friends are and what they do, see their web page on the library's web site at: http://www.dudleyma.gov/library/friends.htm

If you are interested in volunteering or if you have questions in general, please contact Sara Costa, the President of the Friends at mightymath@aol.com Thank you for your interest!

Building Update

2009-11-18T15:44:00.000-05:00

Trim painting has begun and the siding will be installed soon. The mustard colored air barrier that has been visible for the past month will soon give way to the beige exterior.

Plantings went into the ground this past week. The landscape architect's sketch, which labels the individual plants, shrubs, and trees will be on display at the current library in the near future. Come in and see where the birch, junipers, forsythia and about a dozen other plantings will be located.

Looking ahead, the paving of the parking lot will begin soon. Internally, insulation on the exterior walls will be installed next week, and the sheetrock will commence shortly thereafter.

Please remember that it is a construction site, so onlookers need to stay outside of the fence. That may be difficult because it is such a beautiful building, but spring, and the opening, will be here before we know it! (More on the opening over the next few months.)

Building Update

2009-10-13T13:47:00.000-04:00

It's beginning to look a lot like a library!

The building is almost completely framed and exterior treatments are being applied. The exterior soffit is being constructed and the roof blocking/eaves are nearing completion. Insulated roof panels have been installed and covered with felt paper in preparation for the upcoming shingling. The mustard color of the exposed walls now visible is actually an air barrier membrane that will be under the the final exterior siding. The windows are almost all in, too.

The parking lot and sidewalks continue to take shape. The granite curbing has been installed and the sidewalks are slated to be added soon.

On the inside, rough HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and fire protection work is ongoing.

Building Update

2009-09-14T12:51:00.000-04:00

Work has continued at a steady pace for the past few weeks within the building and on the site.

Passers-by on Brandon Road can now see the asphalt base coat (the layer between the ground and the visible black-top) that will eventually be paved for the new parking lot. The roof of the facility is also transforming on a daily basis; the water barrier membrane is being installed as part of the process that keeps the interior safe from the elements.

Internally, partitions are being installed to create office and public spaces. The meeting room, which will hold 80 people, is already looking inviting as a future community gathering space. Rough plumbing and electrical work have also begun.

Library Statistics Part Two

2009-09-01T12:28:00.000-04:00

Programs:

In FY09, the Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library hosted a number of programs with well over one thousand total attendees. These programs included:

44 children's programs with 1602 attendees
39 adult and young adult programs with 205 attendees

Volunteers:

The Library relies on (and is always searching for) volunteers to assist with projects and day-to-day activities. Last year community residents volunteered over 500 hours of service. Jobs included shelving books, making sure the books were in order on the shelves, clerical tasks, assisting with programs, and many more activities that greatly helped out the staff.

Library cards:

The Pearle L. Crawford Library has 4700 registered borrowers from Dudley. With a town population of roughly 11,000, having 43% of local residents with a card is a laudable number! Still, it would be great if that number were even higher. If you don't have a card, stop by and look into getting one!