Message to the community from Luren E. Dickinson:

The month of November is a time to give thanks for all the good things happening at the Shaker Library. We are especially gratified to hear that the Friends of the Shaker Library’s recent Fall Book Sale was a great success with high levels of books sold and a large number of Friends’ memberships purchased.

Friends President Nikki Evans was quite pleased with the results. “What a great book sale! Many additional volunteers gladly added their minds and bodies to our efforts,” she said. Also, she explained, “I heard comments like:

‘It was a very organized sale.’

‘For me [a book dealer], it was the best sale I've been to.’

‘I LOVE organizing the children's books and want to do it next time.’”

If you missed the Fall Sale, you can still purchase books at the Friends’ Never-ending Book Sale at both the Main Library and the Bertram Woods Branch. Their next big sale will be held in April. If you want to become more involved, please think seriously about joining or contributing to the Friends of the Shaker Library. Extra volunteers are always needed and very much appreciated, and because Friends of the Library is a 501(c) 3 organization, donations are tax deductible.

Another reason to be grateful is for our fresh, colorful refurbished interior at the Main Library. The new paint colors, the new carpeting, and the wood-grain baseboard molding lend a comfortable and distinctive appearance to our major public service area. Some residents, including a former Mayor and a former member of City Council, have called or stopped by to say how nice the interior décor looks. Maybe the new ambience is part of the reason we have seen large increases in monthly use with a 9% increase reported in July, a 12% increase in August, and a 19% increase in September.

Currently, we are making improvements to the Man Library entrance doors. We ask for everyone’s patience and understanding during this construction period, which may extend into the month of December, and we thank you as taxpayers for making these improvements possible. We ask that you use the East entrance to the building during this project.

When completed, the new entrance will feature a double set of bi-folding automatic doors for those entering through the front doors. There will also be a set of bi-folding automatic doors on the side entrance facing the handicapped ramp. Modifications will be made to the vestibule for a better heating and cooling balance to block cold air in the winter and warm air in the summer. New fire and security panels will also be installed. Overall, the thousands of adults and teens, seniors, families with very young children (in arms or strollers), those with wheelchairs, or anyone laden with bags and library material will find it much easier to get in and out of the Main Library when the new entrance is operational.

The Library Board is close to selecting a consultant for a comprehensive, community-based strategic planning process that could begin as early as January. We have accomplished a great deal during the past months but there are many more things that we can do to improve our facilities and services for the benefit of our community and service area.

Luren E. Dickinson, Director
dickinson@shakerlibrary.org