Dear Residents,
Welcome to 2013! Some people fear the number 13, while others consider it lucky. Personally, 13 has been a lucky number in my life, and therefore I approach this New Year with a sense of excitement about the future.
For many, Hurricane Sandy was very unlucky; in fact, devastating. In our community, there was loss, but also a renewed sense of cooperation, generosity, and support. Your librarians welcomed over 1,000 residents in the days after the storm. You came clutching your devices, seeking power, light, warmth, and information. You filled all the nooks and crannies, met your neighbors, swapped stories, and many of you rediscovered what a terrific resource your library truly is for all ages. Despite personal hardships at home, your library employees were back to work as soon as the power was restored in Cold Spring Harbor. Their professional commitment to service makes me very proud.
It’s time again to analyze the past, and prepare for the next budget, fiscal year 2013-2014. During this time of fiscal constraint, and with a mandated Tax Cap in NYS, we may wish we had a crystal ball to see into our future. Some things are very clear. You want choices, you want expertise, you want space, and you want cooperation. Gone are the days of buying multiple copies of a hardcover book; we now purchase multiple formats, including print, audiobooks, and eBooks. The librarians are always learning about new resources to fulfill your information needs, and now those sources are more likely to be software apps for your smartphone. Who takes a Fodor’s Guide to Europe in their carry-on bag or a street map of Paris? Now, we look online for sources, and hope the information is accurate and trustworthy. You can rely upon your librarians to guide you to the best online information.
Demand for meeting space for study groups, book clubs, committees, and organization meetings continues to increase. The calendar on our website is filled with these varied uses, and a copy of the application to reserve a room is also available online. Perhaps most important to meeting your needs in these tough economic times is cooperation between your library and other educational organizations. These partnerships enable us to bring you excellent educational opportunities and entertaining events at modest expense. So, what can you expect to see in 2013? More of what you really want: programs and services for all ages, offered by a kind and knowledgeable staff. Even without a crystal ball, this is very clear!
During any storm this winter season, you may wonder whether your library is open. Information about emergency closings due to weather will be posted on our website, www.cshlibrary.org, and at News 12, WALK, and WBLI radio. I also update the answering machine with any changes in the library’s hours of operation (unless we have no power in Cold Spring Harbor).
What about your plans for the future? If those plans include a career change or a return to work, then please plan to attend one or more of the Career Workshops in February. If those plans include college, there will be two college preparatory sessions in January for students and their parents.