December 2001

Friends' Fund-Raisers Enjoy Success

     The Friends of the Library says thanks to the community for so generously supporting its Holiday Wreath Silent Auction and the Eighth Annual Books for Kids project.
     All 31 beautifully decorated wreaths were sold to some very happy bidders. Profits totaled $1,286.59. This money has been designated for programs and materials in the Junior Department. The Friends and the library are very grateful to the bidders who participated and to the businesses and organizations who decorated the wreaths.
     Books for Kids raised $1,229.00 which will be used to purchase books for needy children at holiday time. This month the Friends delivered about 600 brand new, age-appropriate books to seven com- munity agencies for distribution. Three of the seven organizations will receive another batch of books mid year.
     Because of the community's support, this program has benefited hundreds of area children. Thank you Seneca County for your good will.

Susan Slemmer and Barbara Ranker, from left, are recognized at the annual meeting by Patricia Hillmer for their years as Friends of the Library board members.

Friends of the Library Give Big Gifts

     The Friends of the Library donated $3000 to T-SPL and another $1000 to the Seneca County Library Foundation at its annual meeting in November.
     Library Director Patricia Hillmer explains that most of the $3000 will be used to purchase furniture for the reading room including a sofa, an easy chair or two, and a coffee table. It is hoped that this new area will provide a comfortable alternative for patron seating.
     The remainder of the gift will be used for a newspaper display tower. The tower will contain the most recent issues of the 13 daily papers received at the library, along with the back issues for the entire week. This should make it much more convenient for patrons and staff.
     Mrs. Hillmer also was very grateful to receive the Friends' generous gift to the foundation. The 501 (c) 3 foundation was established in 1992 to receive monetary gifts which will help to provide a secure future for the library. The foundation continues to grow because of the generosity of the Friends of the Library and many generous members of the community who donate each year.
     The Friends honored two out-going board members at meeting. Susan Slemmer and Barbara Ranker are long-time board members who also served as President of the organization. Each was presented with a certificate of appreciation and a glass paperweight bearing the library's logo.
The new officers for 2002 are Jeanne Tolford, President; Bonnie Rhodes, Vice President; Jim Stultz, Treasurer/Membership; Connie English, Secretary; and at-large members Betty Sendelbach, Margot Drake, and Kathy Smith.

Welcome to the Kernan Computer Lab...
a dream come true!

    The Kernan Computer Lab is completed and ready for classes!
    The lab, made possible through a Training Lab Grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, accommodates 11 computer stations, a black-and-white printer, and projector to facilitate instruction.
     T-SPL was selected by the Gates Foundation as one of 13 libraries in Ohio to receive a computer lab grant which included computer equip-
ment, software, and technical support.
     The lab was officially opened recently for a regional staff training conducted by Kara Wilson and Michael Porter, Gates trainers from Seattle. Periodically, trainers will visit T-SPL and conduct in-service programsfor Ohio libraries which do not have labs. The facility will be available for local businesses and industry to hold employee training sessions, and it also is the new location for library-sponsored computer classes for the public.

First came the boxes...

Custodian Mike Ditslear delivers the goods

next the wiring...

then set up...

and more set up...

finally, finished

Computer Services staff Chris Brose and Jo Anne Schiefer

now training

Gates Trainers Michael Porter and Kara Wilson in foreground

Holiday Closings
Sunday, Dec. 16
Sunday, Dec. 23
Monday, Dec. 24
Tuesday, Dec. 25
Sunday, Dec. 30
Monday, Dec. 31 closed at 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 1, 2002

DIMENSIONS   ARCHIVE