Looking at the past year

It's that time of year that we all look back over the past year at our accomplishments (or lack of). We are no different here at the library. We were curious to see where we were a year ago, and how we got where we are now. We had made a few plans for the year, and were interested to see whether we had been able to work on the plans, or whether life had gotten in the way - as it has the nasty habit of doing.

I had started the year talking about our plans at going green and remarkably, we did make some real progress. We have reduced the number of notices we mail and print - saving paper that way. We have introduced a very successful recycling program for our daily trash. So successful that we now have easily 3 times as much waiting for the recycling pick-up each week than we have waiting for the garbage pick-up. We reduced the temperature in the winter and raised the temperature in the summer with not much complaint - except for some of those really hot days. We found a non-profit that will pick up our old computer equipment for reuse or recycling. The books that don't sell in our book sales are now being passed on to another non-profit that distributes them around the world. So we are kind of proud of our successes, but are well aware of the long way we need to go, so we will continue the green challenge in the new year.

We were one of the first libraries in the state to offer a circulating Kill-a-Watt tester so that our users could find out what the power usage for their appliances was, and to help find ways to cut back on power use. Just recently, we received 6 more as part of a state library/NH utility companies initiative so that we now have plenty for our patrons. We added significantly to our collection on how to curb your power usage, how to live more 'green', how to do business in a green way, and how to invest in a green future. So we did a bit to help everyone have the opportunity to become a bit more thoughtful when using natural resources.

We also wanted to make the library a bit more welcoming. I think we have some achievements that we can point to. There is that nice comfortable reading area in the back off of the reference department. We made another seating area right in front of the desk, nestled between a new display table and the paperbacks. We gave the children's room a fresh paint job that has perked up the room and the spirits of everyone using the room. We made new signage, cleaned the carpets, created a puzzle table and got a nice big flag to welcome you to the library. We also started a quarterly newsletter to let you know what all is going on at the library. We streamlined the process for booking museum passes so that the process is quick and easy. We got receipt printers that have made the checkout process a bit quicker and easier too. Now you can really know exactly what you have out and when it is due. We moved some of the collections around (not too many and not too much) so that there is more room for what many of you are looking for. So there has been some progress, but again, there is much that we can do in the coming year.

We are kind of proud of what we accomplished this year, as each of you must be thinking about yourself, your family and friends. Even if it is just making it through the year, considering what 2009 challenged us all with, it is an accomplishment to be proud of. Now we can all start fresh with a new year and a new decade.