About the Library
| Watervliet Public Library | |
About the Library |
        
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Fran Cerri, , Betty Crispo, Susan Dodd, Marianne Esposito, Margaret Foley, Mary Holton, Judith Kane, Betty Kruger, Joan Lewis, Mary O'Brien, Jean Perras, Lena Robinson, Susan Rosenblum, Karen Smith, Sue Szymczak Pamela Lamb, President (2008)
The Watervliet Public Library was founded in May 1953 under the auspices of the Watervliet Civic Chest, Inc. From the beginning we have had tremendous support from the community. The original Library holdings consisted solely of donations from the public and the original work force consisted solely of volunteers. Financial support came primarily from the Chest, although important donations also came from the Watervliet Rotary Club, the Watervliet Lodge of Elks, and the Knights of Columbus. Our first librarian was even a volunteer. Sybell Maclay, who was the librarian at the Watervliet High School, began cataloguing book donations in September 1952. Her services were invaluable, as the Library had no funds to compensate a professional librarian. Esther Madsen carried on as volunteer librarian until 1967. Since 1967 the Board of Trustees has engaged the services of various professional librarians. Catherine Townsend became librarian and director in 1972 and retired in 1992. Barbara Schoen served since 1994 and Ginger Hewitt became librarian and director in 2006. In 1965, toward the end of Mrs. Madsen's tenure, our Library received a provisional charter from the New York State Board of Regents, thus officially becoming the Watervliet Public Library. The permanent charter and Certificate of Registration were granted nine years later, in 1974. In February 1980, the Library moved into its present location in the Senior Citizen Complex. At this time, the Library also became a member of the Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS). UHLS is a federation of public libraries in Albany and Rensselaer Counties. Through UHLS, the Library has the opportunity to cooperate with other libraries by lending and borrowing books through interlibrary loan and participating in the Upper Hudson Library Access Network or UHLAN. UHLAN is an on-line card catalog that provides information on holdings in 29 UHLS libraries. Watervliet has been fully active in UHLAN since August 1997. The list of services provided by the Library is constantly growing. Several computers recently acquired through the Gates Foundation and a collection of software give our patrons access to the Internet and two CD-ROM encyclopedias, as well as word processing programs and a desktop publisher. We offer story hours for children in the spring and autumn, as well as literary and other programs of interest to the general public. Support from Pioneer Savings Bank allows us to offer many different periodicals. The Library has its own collection of video and audio cassettes that is supplemented every eight weeks by cassettes loaned to us by UHLS. UHLS also provides some
financial support, although primary funding for the Library comes from the City of
Watervliet. In the past, the Friends of the Library provided steady support and have
given the Library a photocopier, a television, a VCR, reference books, and many other
essential items.
This collection contains materials on Watervliet, Troy, and selected materials on Albany County. It includes city directories, town histories, and a vertical file of published materials, clippings, and other materials dealing with the Town of Watervliet. Our archives include a vertical file of pamphlets and clippings; History of Watervliet by Florence Service, 1902 (manuscript); and unpublished Watervliet histories by various authors (1980s through 1996).
How to Find Us From the south, take Route 787 north to the second Watervliet exit (23rd Street and Green Island). Bear left; at first traffic light turn left onto Broadway. Proceed four blocks. The library is on the right at the corner of 15th Street and Broadway, across from City Hall. (It is the same building as the Senior Citizens' Center.) Parking is in the rear of the building. From the west, take Route 2 (Troy-Schenectady Road) east toward Watervliet (where it becomes 19th Street). Turn right onto Second Avenue just before the Congress Street Bridge, go two blocks south. Turn right onto Broadway (McDonald's is on the corner). The library is one block south. From the east,
take the Congress Street Bridge over the Hudson River from Troy. Turn left on Second
Avenue and proceed as above from the west.
Minutes of Board of Trustees Meetings
Watervliet Public Library
Board of Trustees Present: Ginny Boisvert, Beth Capitula, Craig Carlson, Charles Diamond, Bob Fahr, Kevin Moran and Dave Wheatley. Ginny Ellis and Pam Lamb are excused. The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m. A motion was made by Charles Diamond to accept the trustee minutes from October 9, 2007. The motion was seconded by Kevin Moran. The trustee minutes from September 11, 2007 will be reviewed at the December 11, 2007 meeting. Finance Report Director's Report Hannah Montana raffle tickets are being sold for an upcoming concert. The sale of the tickets will benefit the Library and Senior Center. The Library will be offering computer classes in November and a card design workshop on December 6, 2007. Bill Bissell donated $200.00 to the Library from a recent Texas Hold'Em Tournament. There will be a book fair at the Barnes & Noble in Colonie Center to benefit the Library. Director Ginger Hewitt attended a customer services conference sponsored by Upper Hudson Library System. Unfinished Business: Plans and the Menu for our upcoming "I Love My Library" dinner are underway scheduled for February 1, 2008. Our volunteer Christmas party will be at Santino's on December 11, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. New Business: Reconstitute board officers and Ginny Boisvert will contact board members whose terms are to expire to see if they are still interested in serving on the board. A motion to adjourn was made by Dave Wheatley and seconded by Beth Capitula at 7:27 p.m. the next meeting will be held at Santino's on December 11, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.
Board of Trustees Present: Ginny Boisvert, Beth Capitula, Craig Carlson, Charles Diamond, Pam Lamb, Kevin Moran and Dave Wheatley. The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. Finance Report Director's Report The $5,000.00 member item from Senator Neil Breslin for an audio book collection is starting to be used. A donation of two Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus tickets by Bob Beston will be raffled off to benefit the Watervliet Public Library and Watervliet Senior Center. Librarian Ginger Hewitt is working on an interagency grant with Cohoes Public Library. The Barnes & Noble book fair netted $100.00 for the library. The next book fair is scheduled for December 8th in their new store in Colonie Center. The board decided not to go with the Robert Gates computer grant and to buy five computers locally. Unfinished business: Thanks to all who helped to make the Wine & Cheese Fundraiser a success and a good time was had by all. New business: Plans for I Love My Library fundraiser scheduled for February 1, 2008 has started. All board members are asked to sign up for various work committees and all are expected to contribute gift baskets to be raffled off. The Volunteers Christmas Party is scheduled for December 11, 2007. A motion to adjourn was made by Dave Wheatley and seconded by Kevin Moran at 7:42 pm. The next board meeting is scheduled for November 13, 2007.
Board of Trustees Present: Ginny Boisvert, Beth Capitula, Craig Carlson, Charles Diamond, Ginny Ellis, Bob Fahr, Pam Lamb, Kevin Moran and Dave Wheatley. The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. the minutes from June 11, 2007 were reviewed and accepted. Finance Report: The Gates Foundation computer funding deadline for matching funds commitment is October 15, 2007l. New business: A motion was made by Dave Wheatley to move the scheduled monthly meetings of the Watervliet Public Library Board of Trustees from 7:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The motion was seconded by Craig Carlson. A motion to adjourn was made by Kevin Moran and seconded by Charles Diamond. The next meeting is scheduled for October 9, 2007.
Board of Trustees Present: Beth Capitula, Bob Fahr, Ginny Ellis, Pam Lamb, Charles Diamond, Kevin Moran. Excused: Craig Carlson, David Wheatley The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. A motion was made by Beth Capitula to accept the trustee minutes from the April 10 meeting. The motion was seconded by Pam Lamb. Treasurer's Report Director's Report New Business Library Director Ginger Hewitt's salary was increased from $22,500 to $26,000, retroactive to January 24, 2007. The increase is a result of Ginger Hewitt successfully passing her probation period as well as her exceptional performance. The motion was made by Beth Capitula and seconded by Ginny Ellis. The board voted unanimously for the increase. The board talked of replacing the six computer monitors with six flat screens. Several individuals were contacted about possible donations. The cost would be approximately $900 to $1,000. they could be in place for the library's Wine and Cheese party/fundraiser, which is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 21. The library, as well as the senior center, continues to have custodial problems. The night of the May 23 board meeting, which was held in the senior center cafeteria, the floor was covered with food scraps and waste. The tables had not been cleaned. The bathrooms in each facility are not being cleaned on a daily basis. This has been a problem for the past 18 months. Members of the board will invite all three members of the city council to view the problem. The board would like the city council to review the custodian's contract to see if the custodian is overextended and/or overworked. One possible solution mentioned is a part-time custodian or custodial service to work at the library and senior center, allowing the city's full-time custodian to focus on city hall. Treasurer Bob Fahr said in upcoming weeks he will look at possibly moving funds from Bank of America to a more user friendly system. The current system is extremely difficult for moving funds from savings to checking accounts. Increasing fees are also an issue. The Upper Hudson Library's System matching grant for construction deadline is August 1. The minimum grant/match is $2,500. The board agreed this is something to focus on for 2008. However, the board will look into a possible ADA loan from the state. The possible ADA funds will go toward combining the library's two bathrooms into one unisex, handicapped accessible bathroom. At present, neither of the library's bathrooms are handicap accessible. The board continues to seek two new members. A sign will be placed in the library and a community service announcement will be made on WVLT-17. The next board meeting is set for Monday, June 11 at 7 p.m.
Board of Trustees Present: Beth Capitula, Craig Carlson, Charles Diamond, Bob Fahr, Pam Lamb, Kevin Moran and Dave Wheatley. Excused: Ginny Ellis The meeting was called to order at 7:10. A motion was made by Charles Diamond to accept the trustee minutes from March 13, 2007. The motion was seconded by by Pam Lamb. Treasurer's
Report Director's
Report New Business A motion to adjourn was made by Kevin Moran and seconded by Dave Wheatley. The next board meeting is scheduled for May 8, 2007.
Board of Trustees Present: Beth Capitula, Craig Carlson, Charles Diamond, Ginny Ellis, Bob Fahr, Pam Lamb and Kevin Moran. Excused Mary Collett and Dave Wheatley. The meeting was called to order at 7:05. A motion was made by Pam Lamb to accept the trustee minutes from February 13, 2007. This was seconded by Kevin Moran. Treasurer's
Report Director's
Report New Business Unfinished
Business A motion to adjourn was made by Ginny Ellis and seconded by Bob Fahr. The next board meeting is scheduled for April 10, 2007.
Board of Trustees Present: Beth Capitula, Craig Carlson, Charles Diamond, Ginny Ellis, Bob Fahr, Pam Lamb, Kevin Moran and Dave Wheatley. Absent - Mary Collett. The meeting was called to order at 7:05. A motion was made by Beth Capitula to accept the trustee minutes from January 9, 2007. This was seconded by Dave Wheatley. Treasurer's Report Checking
$28,178.60 Savings $1001.40 Director's
Report New Business Unfinished Business The board talked about "I Love My Library" Fundraiser and what we can do to improve next year's dinner. Member items are due on February 14, 2007 and March 1, 2007. A motion to adjourn was made by Kevin Moran and seconded by Dave Wheatley. The next board meeting is scheduled for March 13, 2007.
Board of Trustees Present: Beth Capitula,
Craig Carlson, Charles Diamond, Virginia Ellis, Robert Fahr, Pamela Lamb, Kevin Moran,
Dave Wheatley The meeting was called to order at 5:38 p.m. A motion was made by Beth Capitula to accept the trustee minutes November 14, 2006. This was seconded by Pamela Lamb. Treasurer's Report A discussion about sending a representative to the next Watervliet City Council meeting to tell of the financial needs of the library took place. Also mentioned was the lack of fundraising by the Watervliet Public Library Board of Directors themselves and the need for a more aggressive approach to fundraising be taken by the Board. Director's Report New Business Unfinished Business A motion to adjourn was made by
Beth Capitula and seconded by Kevin Moran at 6:15. The next board meeting is
scheduled for January 9, 2007.
Board of Trustees Present: Beth Capitula,
Craig Carlson, Charles Diamond, Virginia Ellis, Robert Fahr, Pamela Lamb, Kevin Moran The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. A motion was made by Beth Capitula to accept the trustee minutes from June 13, 2006 and October 10, 2006. This was seconded by Virginia Ellis. Treasurer's Report Director's Report New Business Unfinished Business
Board of Trustees Present: Beth Capitula,
Craig Carlson, Mary Collett, Charles Diamond, Virginia Ellis, Pamela Lamb, Dave Wheatley The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. A motion was made by Charles Diamond to review the Board of Trustee Minutes from June 13, 2006 at the November 14, 2006. This was seconded by Pamela Lamb. Treasurer's Report Director's Report New Business Old Business
Due to a lack of a quorum, there was no September 2006 meeting.
Board of Trustees Present: Beth Capitula,
Craig Carlson, Charles Diamond, Virginia Ellis, Robert Fahr, Pamela Lamb, Mary Mogan and
Dave Wheatley. Treasurer's Report Checking Balance:
$9,387.42 Director's Report Librarian, Ginger Hewitt stated that the circulation was up 27% in May and up 14% overall from 2005. Story hour started off slowly with only 3 participants, but the 5 computer classes had a total of 32 participants. Ginger visited 24 classrooms at Watervliet Elementary School in regard to the Summer Reading Program. Three reading programs are scheduled for the summer. A Dollar General Grant application was submitted for a "lapsit" story hour for children under 2 with parents in tow. Unfinished Business The Wine and Cheese Party is scheduled for September 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the price is $25.00 per ticket. New
Business
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This page was last updated 04/24/08
