| Today’s libraries,
with their multitude of services, are being used by more people
than ever before. Unfortunately, funds for many libraries
are also being severely curtailed. The East Haven Hagaman
Memorial Library, guided by the capable and dedicated Cynthia
Gwiazda, the community services librarian, has initiated a
series of cost-effective, popular programs.
Giving a boost to local authors, as well as providing an
entertaining evening, Hagaman’s recent authors included
Henry Lee presenting, “Shocking Cases from Dr. Lee’s
Forensic Files,” “A Measure of Joy,” written
by Reiki master teacher Gay Stinnett and Tom Ackerman’s
novel, “For a Reason,” which explores why things
happen.
There is also a classics book discussion group and a contemporary
fiction discussion group, both of which meet in the afternoon.
Free movie nights include pizza and soft drinks, and free
ballroom dance lessons for tango, waltz and swing were available
earlier this spring.
There have been free concerts and a virtual program, “50
Wonders of Korea.” For anyone inspired by the latter
to take a trip, the library will have a special Passport
Day June 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help anyone needing
a passport.
A special feature for anyone older than 60 who is homebound
(permanently or for a short period) is the Homebound Delivery
Service, which Cynthia was able to start after she applied
for and received a special government grant. Regular- and
large-print books, as well as videos and books on tape,
can be delivered to the homes of East Haven residents.
One of the most innovative programs at their library is
the Adopt-an-Author plan. You agree to purchase one copy
of each new book published by your favorite author for one
year. In turn, you are able to borrow the book first, after
which it becomes part of the circulating collection and
can carry your identification on a book plate.
As part of their effort to make the library a vital social
center for the town, new carpeting, bright new windows and
a new air-conditioning system have been installed. Getting
people to use their town library has been the goal of many
libraries. Some have created cafes and special zones to
appeal to teenagers.
While the economy has encouraged people to seek free Internet
access at the library for job hunts and free book and movie
rentals, library hours, along with senior services and arts
programs, are on the chopping block in many states. One
Dallas library countered budget cuts with a program called
Street Smart Express, which charges a $5 fee for any hot,
new book.
It will be interesting to see how the Internet and Kindle
affect the library of the future. Library scholarship began
in the Great Library of Alexandria, paid for with funds
from the royal treasury, and the books were actually scrolls
made of papyrus or leather. Today, there is already a library
in Massachusetts that is completely electronic; there is
not a single book!
It is discouraging to learn that 40 percent of the people
in America read one book or less last year, but a rare June
1938 comic book, the first to feature Superman, sold recently
for a cool million dollars. Will the printed word become
an endangered species? Only time will tell, but this writer
is betting on its survival.
Jean Cherni is founder of Senior
Living Solutions, a retirement advisory service. Contact
her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds, Branford
06405.
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