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From the Director
January - March 2010
Looking Back … And Forward
As each new year begins, many people often reflect upon the events of the year that just ended, with the hope of making a fresh start in one or more areas of their lives. For the Library, 2009 was a year-long one-hundredth birthday party, filled with many opportunities for everyone to participate in the celebration.
During 2009, you may have attended the Centennial Kick-off Celebration, Olde Home Day or the Birthday Gala on November 14th at the Stony Hill Inn. Perhaps you turned in your regular Bethel Library card for a unique and limited edition Centennial library card, signed up for our electronic newsletter, purchased a Centennial t-shirt or sweatshirt, or bought the book The Bethel Public Library: A Century of Service to the Community. Maybe your child participated in the read-a-thon sponsored by the Mom' s Club, decorated a “Dewey the Cat” ornament or cookie, or read Dewey: There' s a Cat in the Library as part of our Community Read program.
The Library conducted five online surveys during the year to get feedback from you, our patrons, on how we can make the Bethel Library better for you. Results from the surveys are being tallied and many suggestions have already been implemented such as an evening story program for children and a revised web page. Others will be addressed in 2010 and incorporated into the Library' s programs and services plan over the next few years.
You may have noticed the banner that hung over the main entry during all of 2009: Let' s Finish it for the Centennial!” We had hoped to make that a reality, but as we begin 2010, we still have a Library that is not finished. We did, however, make great strides in our fundraising campaign. We have surpassed $2 million and it is all due to the generosity of our library' s supporters – people like you who have made donations or purchased pansies, mums, wreaths or other items at a fund raising event. We secured a couple of grants, including $90,000 from Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism to help restore the Seelye House and a major pledge of $35,000 from Newtown Savings Bank.
As 2010 begins, we continue to be filled with hope that the Bethel Public Library will be completed within the year. The holidays are behind us and our energies are renewed. We' re coming down the home stretch and the finish line is in sight. Thank you, everyone, for your continued and unfailing support of the Bethel Public Library.
Click here to make a donation to the Library's Capital Campaign.