Goshen Public Library & Historical Society | 203 Main St Goshen, NY 10924 | Phone: 845.294.6606 | Fax: 845.294.7158 | RCLS Member
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Summer @ the Library
By plnkh | July 15, 2008
The Summer Reading Program (SRP) has been in full swing since July 7. Organized around the statewide theme of Catch the Reading Bug the program is geared to school aged children wo keep them reading over the summer. Summer reading has been proven to improve a child’s success in school, lack of reading for the two months of vacation can cause a child to fall behind. We have over 240 K-6 children enrolled, slong with 30 teens in an intensive six weeks of activity, at the center of which are rewards for reading.
Library Youth Services staff (1 FT librarian, 1 PT librarian and a PT paraprofessional), supplemented by program specific presenters and/or aides spent several months in planning and preparation of the intensive six weeks of activity. Just before the SRP was scheduled to begin the second FT librarian was cut for budget reasons. With less than 2 FTEs to coordinate and implement the SRP and interact with the 270 children enrolled the Library is taxed to sustain the quality of the overall program. Staff are to be commended for their energy and commitment.
This summer we have had a number of complaints about the lack of preschool programs. The summer tots program is offered on Mondays. Registration was earlier in June than the SRP registration and the program filled up quickly. A second session was added to accommodate additional demand. Working with the limitations imposed by our budget and the program space available, choices have to be made. We are unable to offer the same level of programs for all age groups year-round. Preschool programs are emphasized throughout the school year, the summer is the time we emphasize service to school aged children.
Every few years we have conducted an in-house survey to solicit feedback on the programs and services we offer, how well we are meeting your needs, what you would like to see emphasized or de-emphasized. The survey results have driven program planning and budget development. We can’t be all things to all people, but we can revise our collection development, program offerings and communications to serve you better if you let us know what you are missing. This year we have taken the survey out of the library in an effort to stimulate a wider interest and response. We would like to hear from those who do not use the library, who may think we have nothing to offer because they are unaware of the services we have. Throughout July this survey will be on our website, in the library and at the Chamber of Commerce booth at the Farmer’s Market.
In the fall, we will conduct a second survey to get a clearer sense of the community’s views on a new building. The results will inform a planning process. This survey will be in the fall Reference Point, on the website and perhaps in the newspaper. In the meantime, if you would like to comment now about the library building you may send a comment to the new Board president (Tiffany Milidantri).
Topics: Building, Services, Staffing |
