Pittsfield Public Library 89 South Main Street Pittsfield, Maine 04967 (207) 487-5880

To the citizens of Pittsfield:

The mission of your Public Library is to provide all members of the community, from newborn to the elderly, with materials that communicate information, experiences and ideas. The library assembles, preserves and makes freely available material that will encourage lifelong learning as well as meet informational, cultural and recreational needs. The library maintains a carefully selected collection of popular, practical and informational books, newspapers, magazines, audiobooks, and videotapes. Services include reference information, weekly story times and summer reading program, for children, access to the Internet, loans from other libraries, book reserves and book renewals, monthly new book lists, and photocopying.

The town of Pittsfield financially supports the library, making all library services available to Pittsfield residents and taxpayers. People who are not residents of Pittsfield may use the public library. To receive full borrowing privileges, they must pay a membership fee of $25 per family. The towns of Burnham, Detroit and Palmyra have reimbursed this fee for their residents.

The library began the year with an upgraded Windows based circulation system, computer patron accessible catalog and a Windows NT Network. Four computers and a server were purchased for staff and patron use. Four additional computers were purchased for $150.00 each through the "Computers for Maine Schools and Libraries" grant program. These computers were donated by corporations and refurbished and upgraded by inmates of the Windham Correctional Institute. The number of patron computers for access to Internet and the catalog increased from one to four. The computer server, the network cabling and setup were purchased at a 71% discount from federal E-rate funds. A total of nine computers were purchased with 50% matching federal grant funds from the Library Services and Construction Act. The upgraded circulation / catalog software program was purchased with funds from the Library Trustees, the Bangor Savings Bank and the People's Federal Credit Union. A leased Xerox copier / printer is also on the network.

A preservation program has begun for the library building. Masonry was cleaned and bricks were repointed in the rear of the library. The storm and primary windows for the basement and side rooms were repaired or replaced. The windows were painted the original color, "black watch green". Funding for this project included $20,000 from the Maine Historical Commission and $5,000 from the Maine State Library through the New Century Community Program, both matched with town funds.

The library has a new website (http://www.pittsfield.lib.me.us/) offering information about the library information, policies and history, lists of new acquisitions, newspapers, and magazines at the library, Internet search tips and tutorials, and a link to the town of Pittsfield website. Also accessed from the library website is EbscoHost, an electronic searchable periodical database of newspapers and magazines and netLibrary, a collection of 7,400 eBooks.

The most important library asset is the staff. Cindy Ellis, Melissa Flewelling and I serve the library and the people of Pittsfield. Heather Wells resigned in August to commit herself to full time scholastic pursuits. Chistine Kett started work in September. Kristy Emery was hired as a storytime presenter.

The library hours are 10:00 - 6:00 Monday through Friday and 10:00 - 1:00 on Saturday. The library is closed Saturdays in July and August.

Respectfully submitted,

Lyn Smith, MSLS

Librarian