Boo!

On October 25, the Library Development Committee held a standing-room-only meeting to discuss the findings of the Community Library Committee, its recommendations to the Library Board of Trustees, and the work to date of the Library Development Committee.  Audience members were given the opportunity to ask questions. 

A number of common questions were asked and answered.  For example, the audience wanted to know why the library cannot expand on site with or without the purchase of property behind it.  Fred Stelle, Chairman of the CLC, noted that the committee decided that the main reason was the negative impact a large library would have on the historic neighborhood.  It would not just be during the long construction phase when roads would be closed for months and so on, but rather the fact that if the library expands it can expect at least double its current usage.  This would create even more traffic, parking issues, and safety issues.  Ultimately, the CLC felt that the best option was spreading the increased use between two buildings.

Fred Stelle brought two large charts with suggestions that committees have made for uses of each of the 2 library buildings.  You may see them outside the Director’s office.  You are also welcome to come take a copy of the CLC Recommendation to the Board, a 90+ page book explaining every process and train of thought that brought the committee of members representing all parts of the Sag Harbor School District to the consensus they ultimately reached.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please call me at 725-0049 x 23.  This is my direct line.  Also, bear in mind that in November we will hold a meeting concerning square footage needs and possible costs. 

This has been and continues to be a completely open process;  we welcome the opportunity to clear up any misinformation out there and to hear your suggestions and thoughts on where we are now.

The Board of Trustees of the John Jermain Memorial Library and the Library Development Committee (LDC), formed by the Board, will begin a series of open meetings to listen to and inform the community as plans for an expanded library move forward, according to Library Board President Greg Ferraris. The first meeting, set for Tuesday, October 24th at 6 p.m. in the library rotunda will discuss the Community Library Committee (CLC) report that has been accepted by the Board. It recommends a two-building solution, with the original building renovated and preserved, and a new building constructed adjacent to Mashashimuet Park.

In addition, Library Trustees and LDC members at the meeting will describe progress to date and seek comments and questions from the community. Some of the issues being discussed by library and design professionals and the LDC are the best functions for the existing historic structure, and the size and character of the new building.

Ferraris and LCD Co-Chair Gail Slevin emphasize that this is only the first of several open meetings that will be held over the next few months as plans develop and new information becomes available. Ferraris says the Board will thoroughly review direction with the community before any referendum regarding funds for the expansion takes place.

The recommendation made to the Board by the Community Library Committee resulted from year-long research, study and discussion by over twenty people from all parts of the Sag Harbor School District. The report can be viewed on the library’s CLC Report Blog (http://clcreport.wordpress.com). Printed copies of the 90-page document are available at the library circulation desk. Once the CLC completed its work and the Library Board accepted its report, the Board asked CLC members to join the newly created Library Development Committee to assist the Board in implementing the recommendations.

www.nbcam.org/aboutBC.cfm is the website for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  It contains crucial information about early detection and the value of early treatment if breast cancer is diagnosed.   

…send them to www.familycaregiving101.org.  .   The National Family Caregivers Association and the National Alliance for Caregiving sponsor this excellent web site which provides caregivers “with the basic tools, skills and information they need to protect their own physical and mental health while they provide high quality care for their loved one.”  There are over 50 million caregivers in this country who provide care for a chronically ill or an aging family member or friend.  Often they  neglect their own health and do not acknowledge the effect caregiving has on their lives.   Take care of a caregiver…..send them to “Family Caregiving 101.”

In the following excerpt from the blog What I Learned Today, written by Nicole C. Engard, she directs our attention to a very interesting article about the strengths and weaknesses of search engines (like Google).

That’s right, CNet, a technology news site is telling users to visit their local librarian instead of using Google for research. In an article titled Most Reliable Search Tool Could Be Your Librarian Elinor Mills tells readers:

“While the Web is good for offering quick results from a broad range of sources, which may or may not be trustworthy, librarians can help people get access to more authoritative information and go deeper with their research.”

As an example of an “untrustworthy” search result, CNet points out:

Using the keywords “Martin Luther King,” the first result on Google and AOL–whose search is powered by Google–and the second result on Microsoft Windows Live search is a Web site created by a white supremacists group that purports to provide “a true historical examination” of the civil rights leader.

Click the article title above or the link at right to read the whole story on CNet’s News.com.

Pretexting is “the practice of getting your personal information under false pretenses.”  Valuable information such as your Social Security Number, telephone records and your bank and credit card account numbers are what pretexters are after.  You can learn how to recognize these scam artists and their sneaky tactics on the Federal Trade Commission’s excellent web site www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/pretext.htm.  Pretexters sell your personal information to people who could use it to “get credit in your name, steal your assets or to investigate or sue you.”   Check it out !