Dear neighbor,
2021 has been quite the year, hasn’t it? And on the heels of 2020, no less! Thank goodness the library has been here through it all. Baxter Memorial Library is a unique and incredible place that serves EVERYONE – young and old, rich and poor, regardless of race, gender, religion, or political affiliation – providing unfettered access to almost limitless knowledge. The library is here to make it possible for those without reliable Internet access to apply for jobs or unemployment, sign up for services, file their taxes, or complete homework assignments. During the pandemic, it has even allowed some people to work from “home” when they otherwise wouldn’t have been able. The library offers opportunities to engage our curiosity and discover new passions. And, of course, it provides more than 6,000 books and audio-visual items (and access to tens of thousands more through the interlibrary loan system) for both research and relaxation – and who doesn’t need a little relaxation after the last few years?
We’re so happy we’ve been able to keep our doors wide open this year! Not only is it delightful to see everyone, but part of the wonder of a library is browsing, being inspired by the shelves, and taking something home you weren’t searching for, something that might change your life. We’ve seen that happen again and again this year. Check out these statistics from the past year:
- 53 new patrons
- over 2000 patron visits (even with the pandemic!)
- 3382 checkouts
- 1055 ebook & digital audiobook checkouts
- 435 interlibrary loans from other libraries
- 8 museum passes used over 50 times
- 472 new items added to the collection
Wow! If you haven’t visited the library in a while, stop by and see all you’ve been missing! Those statistics are only the beginning, though. This year we applied for and received grants that have enabled us to add new technology for patrons, continue our popular interlibrary loan service, greatly update and enhance our collection of children’s nonfiction books, and begin to implement educational opportunities for Sharon’s youth, including installing a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) makerspace! (Be sure to look for it in early 2022!)
Baxter Memorial Library relies on donations from the Sharon community to continue to provide quality programming for children, digital literacy assistance for adults, new books and movies for all ages, and community programs and services – from scarecrow making to summer reading to workforce development with Vermont job center specialists – all for free to everyone in our community.
Our goal is to continue to be the heart of Sharon, Vermont, but we can’t do that without your help. The gift that you offer today will provide the stability we need to continue to serve our community. Can we count on you? Please consider any amount you give to be an investment in the future of Sharon and a gift to your children and grandchildren as well as to the entire Sharon community.
Thank you for considering Baxter Memorial Library in your annual giving. Gifts to the library are tax deductible.
Sincerely,
The BML Trustees: Mary Stoddard, Stephanie Gergely Davis, Marian Weatherbee, Emma Basham, and Kit Hood; and Library Director Shana Hickman
Please make checks payable to: Baxter Memorial Library P.O. Box 87, Sharon, VT 05065
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