Printer Friendly Version - Window Coverings Donated to Essex Library Association

The upper windows in the program room of the Essex Library Association are receiving new drapes, which will expand the options for daytime programming, almost 10 years after the library renovation. Currently, the overabundance of light makes it difficult for programs that require projection during the day, as the screen can’t be seen. The funds for the purchase and installation of the drapes have been donated by the Essex Rotary Club; the installation date is still to be determined. Photo by Michelle Anjirbag/The Courier

The Essex Library Association is looking forward to expanding its afternoon programming and screenings, thanks to the donation of funds for new window coverings by the Essex Rotary Club. The group is providing $1,200 for the purchase and installation of screens in the program room.

Currently, while there are coverings on the lower, rectangular part of the windows, the hemisphere-shaped windows on top of them that contribute to the distinct architectural style of the building and contribute to the amount of natural light that pours into the library are uncovered. While this is a positive attribute throughout the rest of the library, it becomes problematic in the east-facing program room where movie and program screenings happen, as the staff can’t make the room dark enough during afternoon screenings. This has meant either passing on certain programs or finding alternative places to hold them.

“When we reopened in 2007 after the renovation, we never had shades for the upper window,” said Library Head of Adult Services Ann Thompson. “During programs that needed projection this was a big problem due to the sunlight and the glare. We had years of fundraising initiatives to solve the problem, but it just never happened.”

Recently, the library was showing a film during the afternoon and there was a critical mass of Friends of the library—the group that fundraises to cover operating costs for the library—who got to talking about the need for the shades. One of the people present, Richard Levene, is a member of the Essex Rotary Club, as is his wife Linda. Linda is a former president of the Friends of the Library.

Richard took the problem to the next Essex Rotary Club meeting, and having scoped out the specs for the full amount of the shades and installation, the Rotary Club came back with the donation.

“We were at the library for a screening of a ballet from New York, and the need for the shades was clear,” said Richard Levene. “And the board thought this was a good idea.”

The Rotary Club has a motto: service above self, and a part of this motto involves service to the community. For both Richard and Linda Levene, the library is a very important part of the community and has been working to become more than just a book-lending institution, but a true community center with a variety of activities for everyone. This was something that the Rotary wanted to support and be a part of.

“The libraries offer so much to the town in terms of educational opportunities through books, programs, and access to computers. For many adults, it’s become a second home, to come in and read the newspaper or magazines, and you can get and download a lot of books and magazines for free, too,” said Richard Levene.

“Because it’s doing so much to become a community center, the drapes were important,” Linda Levene added. “One thousand dollars is a lot of money in the library budget. The Friends contribute a certain amount for operational costs, but even that is harder to raise through the traditional book sales. We can’t always cover the extras. Our town is generous, but it’s a lot to ask. But it is because of what the library is doing that the Rotary Club is so supportive of it.”

“Funding the library is a lot like building a kitchen, you don’t budget around the blender, but the blender is still something that would be good to have,” said Thompson. “Rotary has given us the blender every time.”

In the past, the Rotary Club of Essex has also donated an art hanging and display system and headphones and equipment for an audio cart that is used to let people hear audiobooks before checkout, and for reluctant reader and literacy programs. Their donations are used for one-time large expenses, not operational costs.

“At a time when everyone is asking for extra funding, they understand the role of the library as the community center and the tools we use. It is something the whole community benefits from,” said Director of Children’s and Young Adult Services Jessica Branciforte. “It’s definitely a time where we are getting pinched, but it’s a time where the community needs us more in some ways.”

“We have these heroes for the library in town who quietly go among us. Rotary’s work comes at a particularly tight and needy time for us. We feel lucky to get these gifts,” said Thompson. “One of the things we thought was, we won’t do afternoon programs, but we have people who won’t drive or come out after dark. With the shades, I think we’ll see daytime programming escalate, and the value of the library will improve for that reason.”