Library News - This item will provide "News" about or at the Library that does not fit on the other pages of this website.
(January 2012) The Library on behalf of the staff and library users gave more than $ 280 to the local Food Pantry which had been raised by the staff and library users during 2011.
(December 3, 2011) The Library proposed budget for the next fiscal year (starting July 1, 2012) is currently being developed. It is due to be submitted to Town Hall on December 14, 2011. The budget formulation is a delicate balance between meeting the needs of Southwick residents (increased use of library resources), Town limitations fiscally and State Law. The proposed budget submitted will include all of these competing requests and requirements. Public input into the document should be submitted to the Library in writing prior to the December 13, 2011 Trustees Meeting on that date at 7:00 p.m. for consideration. The meeting is open to the public.
(October 19, 2011) The external siding project at the Library is almost completed. Some additional work is necessary at the front entrance (not impacting public access). The installation of new carpeting in the Children's Room is now tentatively scheduled for January 2012. More details when they become available.
(September 2011) The exterior siding project has started with no direct impact on library operations for library users.
(August 2011) The Board of Trustees have been advised that the siding project will start in September. In addition a start date is to be determined for the new carpeting project in the Children's Room project.
(July 11, 2011) The Board of Selectmen (BOS) were briefed on the status of the Library siding project by the Town Administrative Officer and the Director of Building and Grounds. The BOS accepted the low bidder on the project will now move forward once the final contract is signed. The project approved by voters at the Annual Town Meeting in May will solve the siding maintenance issues that has plagued the facility over the years. This project should have minimal impact on Library users.
(July 2011) The Library is a drop off location for the month of July for the local food pantry.
(June 2011) The Library has been awarded more than $ 1500 from several area foundations to purchase materials and conduct programs for both senior citizens and young people at the Library.
(May 11, 2011) As a result of the Annual Town Election on May 10, 2011 the composition of the Library Board of Trustees is not changing. The two trustees up for reelection have been reelected, there were no other persons running.
(May 10, 2011) The state representative covering Agawam, Southwick and other area communities Nicholas Boldyga visited the Library for a tour. This was his first actual tour of the facility since he was elected to office as a Selectman several years ago and in November 2010 elected to his current position. Issues related to state funding and resources for public libraries was discussed.
(April 2011) The Friends of the Southwick Public Library have approved a request from the Library to pay for the purchase the Library Edition of Ancestry.com for use of library users in the Library. It should be available about June 1, 2011. Additional information will be provided when available.
(April 2011) The proposed Town budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2011 has been completed by the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee. The budget is subject to approval by the voters at the Annual Town Meeting (ATM) on May 17, 2011. At this time it appears that the budget allocation for the Southwick Public Library (SPL) will be sufficient to meet the state requirements for minimum municipal funding. The meeting of this requirement allows for library users to borrow materials from other libraries, etc. In addition this allows state funds to be received by the Library which is then used to purchase computers, shelving and other capital items for the library.
April 2011) The Library Director and Trustees have met with two area foundations regarding proposals for funding of additional programs and materials for the Library. The results will be available in the coming months. In addition efforts will continue to obtain funding from other sources for Library activities in addition to the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee.
(March 2011) The Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee (FinCom) continue the process to develop the FY 2012 Budget for the Town for the year beginning on July 1, 2011. The final budget will be submitted to the voters of Southwick at the Annual Town Meeting on ay 17, 2011. At this time the Library budget has not been finalized. Once the budget is approved in May the Library Board of Trustees and the Library Director will make plans for the coming year regarding applicable spending, library hours, etc.
(March 2011) Southwick Library supporters including Trustees have participated in advocating for funding for the Southwick Library as well as support for libraries statewide by contacting local and state elected officials (Southwick and Boston) regarding funding.
(February 2011) The Mass. Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) on February 3, 2011 certified the Southwick Public Library for the current fiscal year by providing a waiver of the Municipal Appropriation Requirement (MAR). This is a one year waiver to allow the Library to continue to operate although the Town is not complaint with state statutes regarding the minimum amount a town is required to provide to operate a library.
(February 2011) The Board of Selectmen (BOS) and the Town Finance Committee (FinCom) have received the proposed Library budget for the year beginning July 1, 2011. On February 5, 2011 a joint meeting of the BOS/FinCom was held and a discussion took place regarding the budget submittal. On February 14, 2011 the FinCom further discussed the Library budget. Ultimately the proposed Town budget for all departments will be submitted to the voters of the Town for their consideration and vote at the Annual Town Meeting. At this time it is unknown if the Library budget will meet state requirements for certification of the Library.
(November 2010) The Library Director and staff are currently developing the FY 2012 budget request to be submitted to the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee (FinCom) for consideration for next year (July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012). The Town has requested that all departments, etc. submit budget requests for the same amount as this year. The current Library budget does NOT meet the requirements of the State of MA. As a result the budget for next year has to increase in order to continue to receive State Aid as well as to continue the inter-library loan program, etc.
(October 2010) The Library has submitted several applications to the Local Cultural Council to fund programs at the Library over the next year. Decisions on these applications and pending State funding will be determined in the coming months.
(October 2010) The Library has submitted the annual reports to the State of Mass. as required by the Mass Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). This year for the first time in memory the Library had to report that the Town provided less than the minimum required funding to operate the Library. As a result the Library has filed a "waiver" with the State of MA to allow it for this year to operate at less than the minimum required local funding levels. The State is expected to announce if the waiver application is approved in early 2011. Failure to obtain the waiver eliminates the Library from receiving over $ 10,000 in State funds, eliminates local residents from borrowing books from other MA libraries and other restrictions.
(October 2010) As a result of budget cuts in 2009 and 2010 the Library is reducing the number of books and other materials that can be purchased this year (July 2010 - June 2011). If State Aid to local communities is cut further this may cause additional mid-year budget cuts.
(September 2010) The Library Director provided information to the meeting of the Friends that the museum program was very successful during the summer months.
July 2010) The Library will be closed on Saturdays until after Labor Day.
(July 2010) During the past fiscal year (July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010) more than 2100 visitors used this website.
(July 2010) Effective July 1 the Library will be operating under a reduced operating budget (non-salary portion) as a result of a 10 percent cut in the budget. This was a result of the Board of Selectmen/Finance Committee FY 2011 Town budget. This will reduce funds available for books, subscriptions, DVD's and other materials. In addition it will cause a reduction in funds for programs, utilities, etc.
(June 2010) The Library has been notified of significant reductions in grants from an area Foundation. Another area foundation has stopped (at least this year) making contributions to public libraries that are part of a town/city government. The result is an anticipated reduction of 75-80 percent in gifts from area foundations. This has reduced the funds available for materials for children and senior citizens at the Library.
(June 2010) The State of MA. budget for the year beginning July 1, 2010 continues the 29 percent reduction in State Aid to local libraries including this Library. This will reduce funds available for library shelving, computers, printers, etc.
(April 2010) The Library will have a presentation this month on an overview of what does a Project Manager do. Click here for more details. This may be of interest to residents generally as well as potentially a new career.
(February 17, 2010) The Library today provided outreach to the business community by making a presentation on the Business Center during the Southwick Rotary weekly meeting.
(February 2010) Another resource for Job Hunting in addition to the Job & Career Accelerator is CT Job Search Toolkit which can be accessed by anyone on the Internet. For a direct link click here.
(February 2010) As a result of the continuing high unemployment nationwide, statewide and locally the Friends of the Southwick Public Library has funded a one-year subscription to Job & Career Accelerator a new product to assist job seekers. For more information click here.
(December 2009) The Town of Southwick has notified all Town Departments, Boards and Commissions that FY 2011 Budgets should be submitted with a 10 percent cut from the existing budget levels. The Library Director and Board of Trustees in accordance with this requirement have submitted a budget request for next year (starting July 1) that will reduce the number of books and subscriptions as well as reduce the amount of supplies and utility costs. It is unknown how this will ultimately impact users of the facility.
(December 2009) The Library has been notified by the State of Mass (MBLC) that the local aid for the Library has been reduced by 30 percent with the first half payment received. Subject to no additional cuts being made for the rest of the fiscal year the second half (payment) should be received by June 2010.
(November 2009) The State of Mass. Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) has announced that as a result of the October 9C cuts made by the Governor the amount of "Local Aid" to Libraries for FY 2010 will be cut 30 percent. This will impact the ability of the Southwick Public Library to enhance and replace capital items in the facility (shelving, computers, etc.).
(November 2009) The Southwick Board of Selectmen has announced that all Town Departments, Boards, Commissions, etc. are to submit proposed budgets for FY 2011 that include a 10 percent cut in their respective operating budgets. No decisions have been made regarding how this will impact the operation of the Southwick Public Library. The Trustees have approved a change in the fines imposed on the public for material returned late to the Library. Click here for more information.
(November 2009) The Western Regional Library System (WMRLS) has announced that as a result of the 9C cuts (see above) the Bookmobile operating since 1940 will be discontinued as of December 31. This does not have a direct or immediate impact on the Southwick Public Library but it may impact the volume of books and other materials borrowed from Southwick by residents of the communities served by the bookmobile.
(September 2009) Over the summer the Library received a total of $ 5,320 in grants from the Friendsof the Southwick Public Library, Shurtleff Children's Services, and Sarah Gillett Services for the Elderly. The funds will be used to purchase needed materials on children's health, financial and retirement planning and storage equipment. More information will be included in the October newsletter.
(September 2009) During the months of July and August more than 80 new Library cards were issued in each of these months.
(August 2009) The Library has added Value Line to the materials available for use in the Library. For more information click here or ask at the Reference Desk.
(August 2009) The Library hosted a former world Frisbee champion. More than 30 people attended the two sessions. One session was for younger children and one session for grade six and above. This was funded by the Southwick Cultural Council.
(July 27, 2009) Some 95 people attended the Mad Science interactive workshop at the Town Hall Auditorium. The event on Tuesday morning included more than 65 children which included a number of science experiments with children participating in most of the activities. This Library event was sponsored by the Southwick Cultural Council (www.southwickma.org/cultural) with funding provided by the Mass. Cultural Council.
(July 2009) The Library has been notified by an area foundation that it is to receive some $ 400+ dollars for additional materials related to personal investing. This is a result of an application the Library submitted in early Spring 2009. The grant will cover some of the cost of the materials requested. The Library will be purchasing these materials in the coming months. Additional details will be forthcoming as they become available. The Library currently has the New York Times, Barron's as well as a number of books related to investing, retirement and related topics. For more information ask at the Reference Desk.
(June 18, 2009) For information on investing for retirement consider the June 22, 2009 issue of Fortune Magazine. This is a special issue focused on retirement investing. The Library has Fortune magazine.
(June 10, 2009) The Southwick Public Library has been advised that a grant from an area charitable organization will be made to the Library to fund some materials for children. Details will be forthcoming.
(June 2009) The Library continues to issue more than 40 new library cards each month (based on the last 3 months) showing the continued value and need for Library resources by the public. More than 5,000 items are borrowed from the Southwick Public Library each month and more than 300 computer uses are logged at the Library each month.
(May 19, 2009) The Town of Southwick municipal budget for fiscal year 2010 (starting July 1, 2009) has been approved by residents at the Annual Town Meeting on May 19, 2009. As a result the new budget will reduce funding for utilities (electric, heating, telephone) as well as funding for Programs and new material (books, DVD's, subscriptions, etc.). During the upcoming months decisions will be made on how this will impact Library operations. As of this writing it is not known what the State of Ma. budget will be and how this will impact libraries statewide. Currently the Ma. Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) funds inter-library loans through funding for the regional library systems in addition to funding the databases used by libraries.
(May 2009) Barron's the weekly newspaper from the Dow Jones Co., is now available in the Reading Nook of the Library as a result of a contribution of a Southwick resident. This publication provides detailed data on individual stocks, mutual funds, etc.
(April 2009) A small quantity of the Federal Extension Form (4868) is available for filing for an extension of time to file your Federal Form 1040 is available. Ask at the Reference Desk. Other tax forms are available at the IRS website www.irs.gov and Mass. Tax Forms are available at the DOR website www.ma.gov/dor
(January 2009) The Library has received a small quantity of Federal and Mass tax forms. In addition the Reference Desk has a CD with most of the new tax forms available if you want to make a copy. Computer printers are available (ask at the Reference Desk the cost of copies).
A collection of pictures related to U.S. History has been received from the National Endowment for theHumanities at no cost to Southwick residents.
(November 2008) The Library has expanded the available shelving available for books in the Library to serve patrons without having to reach to the top of the shelving. This was funded in part from the annual grants program of the Mass. Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC).
Finances, Retirement, Your Savings??
Are you concerned about the stock market, your investments or retirement? The Library has a large number of books on finance, retirement/pensions, taxes, etc. Do a search on the online catalog and search under Finance or other key words. If you need more help ask at the Reference Desk. In addition the Library has several monthly publications on personal finance including Consumer Reports Money Advisor. Ask at the Reference Desk for more information on the publications. You can access databases of other publications with your Library Card. Ask at the Reference Desk. The New York Times and Barron's are available with extensive business news.
January 2009
A proposed budget for the Library for the next fiscal year starting on July 1, 2009 has been submitted to the Town for consideration. The Town has asked each department to submit 3 budgets as follows: no change to the existing budget (0 percent increase), a 5 percent cut, a 10 percent cut. In the case of the Library in order to meet state mandated requirements a 5 percent cut would not meet the state requirements for minimum municipal funding. A 10 percent cut would mandate that town residents would be unable to borrow books from other libraries statewide. It would also reduce the number of new books purchased by more than 200 books per year (100+ books with a five percent cut), reduced hours of operation (including children's programs) and staff layoffs or reduction in the number of hours worked per week. In addition the Library would forfeit some $ 30,000 in state grants over a two year period. This would then eliminate the updating of computers used by the staff and public in the Library (Currently state funds are used to purchase computers rather than Town funds). For more information click here.
How can you impact the budget? Contact the members of the Board of Selectmen click here as well as contacting members of the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee can be contacted via the Selectmens Office at Town Hall. Budget hearings for each department (except the Schools) are held in late January/early February at Town Hall on Saturdays. Check this website for the schedule or contact the Selectmens Office for dates and times.
December 2008
The Library staff recently donated more than $ 160 of their own money to the Southwick Family Coalition Food Pantry. This is the second year the staff has donated to the Food Shelter.
The Library Director and the Library Board of Trustees will submit proposed budget data to the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee (FinCom) this month for the next fiscal year (starts July 1, 2009). At this time of year all town departments, boards and commissions submit budget data for next fiscal year. If you interested in continuing library services at the existing level or increasing service (hours, etc.) then speak to the Selectmen and members of the Finance Committee. The next fiscal year will be difficult for the Town. Your support of the Library can make a difference.
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