2010 Annual
Newsletter
After thirty-four years of continuing
commitment to the Paxton community, the Friends of Richards Memorial Library
are still eager to begin a new year of events, new faces, and new adventures.
While we have all been saddened by the resignation of our Children’s Librarian,
Aislinn Lewis, who has decided to pursue a busy career of fulltime mother, we
are delighted to welcome Lois Shorten to her position. Lois, who already was a
familiar face at the library after having presented story hour to toddlers and
infants here, is well qualified with a MS in Early Childhood Literacy.
She also was the Early Literacy Coordinator for the Town of Spencer, an
assistant librarian and the children’s Librarian. Lois has a host of new fun
ideas for the coming year that we know will excite and educate the children of
Paxton in many ways.
We have also had several position changes in
the Friends’ Board. Many thanks to our departing hardworking and creative
Children’s Activities Co-directors Sarah Howe and Sara Root-Simone who have
planned fantastic events for Paxton children throughout this past year. Their
creativity included our holiday parties for Christmas, Halloween, and Easter
Egg Hunting, and numerous other exciting activities throughout the year. Their
annual Bike Rodeo and Bike Decorating parade held during the June Paxton Festival
with the invaluable assistance of the Paxton Police Department help children
learn bike safety and how to navigate an obstacle course. Currently, replacements
are needed to fill these positions, so we hope several civic-minded residents
will answer the call to help the children of Paxton. Please feel free to contact
any member of the Board or give your name to the front desk of the library
if you would like more information.
Adults here at the library have also had a
wide range of new adventures, from a show by Rory Raven, an intriguing
mentalist who read our minds, to an elegant Renaissance Tea and concert by
Contempaissance, to our annual Antique Appraisal by dynamic Stuart Whitehurst,
and to a class on the creation of a useful, decorative tea cosie. We also had a great Literary
contest which will result in another new booklet on display at the Library
to accompany our 2009 Literary contest booklet. This is thanks in no small part
to our creative website administrator and Public Relations Director, Sarah
Anderson.
We also wish to thank our departing Treasurer
Betsy Cruz for helping to keep track of our daily fluctuating finances. Fortunately,
Barbara Braley, a familiar face due to her part time position at the library,
has generously agreed to take over the position of Treasurer, while Betsy has
agreed to assist in Volunteer Planning for our annual Book Fair fundraiser. Meanwhile,
our Secretary, Kristin Steinmetz, and Membership Chairman, Marybeth Brown, have
kindly agreed to continue the marvelous work
they have both consistently done for the Friends over the years.
Our major annual fundraiser, the 2010 Book
Fair, will be held on Friday October 1st and Saturday 2nd from 10AM
to 4PM at the library. Thousands of books for all ages, plus many CDs, DVDs,
children’s games and puzzles will be available for purchase … all 
thanks to the generous donations of our
hundreds of library patrons, both Paxton residents and non-residents. Sales
from this fantastic array of items enable us to support the library throughout
the year, with supplies, computers, events, and new books. Many patrons also
use this event to renew their membership to the Friends.
Again this year, our Book Fair will be
enhanced by the presence of our 2010 Art Show. Local artists from the area are
invited to submit a sample of creative work in any artistic medium for judging
by the voting public. The selected winner and runner-up will then receive a
cash prize and certificate.
We know the people of Paxton and the
surrounding area will help us make this another successful year for the Friends
and the patrons of Richards Memorial Library. As always, we sincerely thank you
for your continuing support.
Anita Fenton, President,
Friends
of Richards Memorial Library