Franklin County Public Library Week 2011

Photo of proclamation presentation: (left to right) David Keller, Chairman, Franklin County Commissioners, Reverend Stephen Harris, Library Board, Bernice Crouse, Executive Director, Franklin County Library System, Robert Thomas, Franklin County Commissioner & Robert Ziobrowski, Franklin County Commissioner.

On Tuesday, May 3, the Office of the Franklin County Commissioners proclaimed May 15- 21, 2011 Franklin County Public Library Week. The dates will be celebrated with local libraries offering a fine free week and free programs focusing on five different areas of literacy. Library employees are to be recognized for their dedication to offer continued high quality service, despite budget restraints due to state cuts.

Franklin County Commissioner, Robert Thomas said, “We must remain educated in this country. The library tax has been a key, not only to saving the libraries, but also to enable them to keep up with the changing times, especially technological advances. Significant changes in the way libraries provide information has allowed Franklin County Library System to continue to provide the services that community members need.”

Bernice Crouse, Executive Director, Franklin County Library System expressed appreciation to the commissioners for their support during a time when some other Pennsylvania counties provide little or no financial support to their public libraries. She stated that the libraries have more use now than ever before during hours of operation, as well as 2010 seeing an increase in use of online services that are accessible 24/7.

A focus for local public libraries in 2011 is to offer a balance of free programs and materials for everyone across the five main areas of basic literacy, health, community, finances, and technology. Commissioner Robert Ziobrowski praised the effort and said "The public library is perhaps our most egalitarian institution. It strengthens our democracy."

Crouse acknowledged the challenge of maintaining programs and materials, as well as remaining up to date technologically, while losing over $250,000 over the past two years in state funding. She explained that “public libraries are moving toward becoming ‘brokers of knowledge’, provided by qualified staff, rather than physical storehouses of information”. Several cost cutting measures have been indentified and implemented, allowing the system to be able to stay on top of technological offerings.

Downloadable audio books are now available at local libraries through the system’s website, with downloadable e-books hopefully coming later this year. Since the libraries’ computers and free internet service are always at capacity, laptops with Wi-Fi capabilities for patron use in libraries are being as budgets allow.

Franklin County Commission Chairman, David Keller said “We applaud the library system and its board for stretching every dollar as far as they can. Many residents of the community are amazed that the local libraries can still provide as many quality programs and the high level of service that they do, even with the drastic reduction in funding they have recently faced.”

Fine Free Week and Food Drive
In honor of Franklin County Public Library Week, from May 16 – 21, Franklin County Library System will waive fines for overdue library books in exchange for non-perishable food donations for local food banks. By returning late books to local libraries during business hours along with a non-perishable item per book, patrons and the community will both benefit greatly.

Free Special Programs
Free programs in the areas of health, technology, finance, community, and basic literacy are scheduled throughout the week. The schedule of events is as follows:

Monday, May 16 – “Diabetes Education Workshop” at Besore Library in Greencastle from 1:30 – 4:30 pm. Session will provide instruction for managing diabetes and will be conducted by Certified Diabetes Instructor, Starr Seip. Call the library or (570) 617-3650 to register.

Tuesday, May 17 - One Book Every Young Child program, featuring the book Whose Shoes: A Shoe for Every Job by Stephen Swinburne at Grove Family Library for children and a parent or caregiver. Storytime will be at 10:00 am for children ages 3-5 yrs. old and Laptime at 11:00 am for age birth to 3 yrs. old. Program provided by Miss Sonja and Miss Amanda.

Wednesday, May 18 – “Raising a Money-Smart Child”, by Marissa Pinto Burt from Edward Jones at Grove Family Library on Ragged Edge South in Chambersburg. The program will be from 1:00-2:00 pm and is geared toward children ages 4-10 and a parent or grandparent.

Thursday, May 19 – “The Future of Chambersburg” a town hall meeting with Mayor Pete Lagiovane, Superintendent Dr. Joe Padasak and Greater Chamber of Commerce President, David Sciamanna at Coyle Free Library on Main Street at 6:30 pm. There will be a presentation and a question and answer time at the end.

Friday, May 20 – “e-book Workshop” at Coyle Free Library on Main Street in Chambersburg from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Learn about e-books and audio e-book devices, including the Kindle, Nuk, iPad, and MP3. Learn where and how to select and download e-books for free, and about new and upcoming e-book services from your public library website, by Jill Yaich, Reference Librarian.