Blog

Library trustees meet Tu May 24 @ 4pm

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE AND AGENDA
Jackson Public Library Board of Trustees
Tuesday, May 25, 2021, 4:00 pm
MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE LIBRARY
52 MAIN STREET, JACKSON, NH 03846

MASKS REQUIRED

CONTACT (603) 383-3100 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

1. Approval of minutes from prior meeting.
2. Library Director’s Report, including status of pandemic service plan
and modifications required, if any.
3. Discussion of Library staffing needs.
4. Attendance at other Town Board meetings.
5. Other Business.
6. Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II-a to discuss revisions to
‘Vacation’ and ‘Personal Days’ sections of Personnel Policies.
7. Next Meeting: Tuesday, August 3, 2021, 2:00 pm.

New titles added to Kanopy

I hope all is well! I’m excited to share a list of the films added to Kanopy in April. These films are already available for you to stream for Jackson residents with their library card.

In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Kanopy has created a collection of related films.

To use Kanopy's streaming movie service, create an account using your 14 digit library card, and away you go.

Trustees meet Tues 5/4 @ 4pm on Zoom

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE AND AGENDA
Jackson Public Library Board of Trustees
Tuesday, May 4, 2021, 4:00 pm
MEETING WILL BE HELD VIA ZOOM

CONTACT (603) 383-3100 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

1. Approval of minutes from prior meeting.
2. Library Director’s Report, including status of pandemic service plan and modifications required, if any.
3. Treasurer’s Report.
4. Friends’ Report.
5. Library service if regular staff unavailable.
6. Timing of Library Director’s evaluation.
7. Other Business.
8. Non-Public Session to Discuss Personnel Policies Pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II-a.
9. Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 1, 2021, 2:00 pm.

Visiting us

All visitors must be wearing a mask over nose and mouth before entering the building. Masks must stay in place at all times within the building.

If the building is full to capacity, you may be asked to wait outside.

Nicholas Black Elk 5/2 @ 5pm

The Life and Legacy of Nicholas Black Elk, Holy Man of the Lakota

Join Damian Costello, the Friends of the Jackson Library, and New Hampshire Humanities to explore the life and legacy of Nicholas Black Elk (c.1866-1950), the Lakota holy man made famous by the book Black Elk Speaks.

We will begin with Black Elk's Great Vision and his struggle to discern his calling during the events of the Great Sioux War. During his long life, Black Elk lived out his vision in three overlapping roles: as a traditional healer, a Catholic teacher, and a revivalist of Indigenous traditions. In the midst of great tragedy, Black Elk wove these three strands into one beautiful life exemplifying survival, hope, and reconciliation.

We will discuss the relevance of Black Elk's legacy for broader questions of Abenaki survival in Northern New England, hope in the face of global environmental problems, and reconciliation in the midst of growing political and religious sectarianism. This talk is based on extensive historical research, extended residency in Indian Country, and continuing conversation with Lakota elders.

Register for Zoom details

Introduction to Chess 5/16 @ 3pm

This program is for anyone interested in learning about chess including kids, parents, and teachers.  If you are a complete beginner or haven't played in a long time and need a refresher, this would be a great place to start.  You'll learn about the fundamentals of chess (the chess board, pieces, and setup), the rules, some basic strategies, and how to improve your chess skills going forward.

Register to receive the Zoom link.

Library report to the town

The following report is published in the 2021 Jackson Town Report:

The year 2020 required that we adapt in order to thrive. And Jackson Public Library is definitely thriving! Although the building was completely closed for several months, the Library is OPEN in so many ways!
Patrons can schedule 20 minute visits to the Library to browse the collection or use the computers, and are welcome to explore the storybook trail behind the building.
Curbside pickup is available (and the Library was among the first to implement this service during the pandemic) for books, DVD’s, magazines, hot spots, Chromebooks, puzzles, museum and recreation passes and preloaded Kindles.
Online services include downloading of eBooks and Audiobooks, participation in the monthly Book Group, movie streaming with Kanopy, taking craft classes with Creative Bug, printing from anywhere for pickup at the Library, story time(twice monthly) and applying for a Library card.
Our Library staff deserves well-earned thanks for stepping up to the many challenges presented by working in this time of COVID-19. Of course, our dedicated staff of 4 has always been ready to serve the Library’s many patrons, but has now been faced with adding a regimen of new health and safety measures to keep everyone safe - e.g., wearing masks, frequent hand sanitizing,wiping down work surfaces, holding returns “in quarantine.” Typically the Library staff would receive assistance from a large group of volunteers, but due to the pandemic, volunteers have not been allowed in the building. Consequently, the Library staff has shouldered all responsibilities for keeping the Library running. Special thanks go to our outstanding Library Director, who applied and received for the Library a special $10,000 grant under the CARES Act (administered by New Hampshire Humanities) to be used to recover lost income and fund new initiatives aimed at providing services that can be accessed outside the building. Thanks to the CARES Act grant, the Library updated its WiFi systems within and outside the building, purchased additional Chromebooks for checkout and added patio furniture on the pergola to allow for outdoor meetings (socially distanced, of course).
The Library continues to benefit from the support of the strong Friends of the Jackson Library. We thank them, and you, for your generosity in providing funding for book purchases, programs and other needs. The Friends organized and hosted two successful outdoor concerts featuring Jackson musicians  and October. We look forward to the return of more frequent programs and the annual book sale in 2021. As a reminder, the Friends of Jackson Library provide significant funding for the Library’s needs; the Town budget supports only the Library’s staff and utilities.
Now for a few statistics which show how the Library continued to meet the needs of its patrons during 2020. Total circulation was more than 14,000 items;this comprised almost 5,000 adult books, 4,000 juvenile books, 1200 DVDs,2,000 audio books in a variety of formats, 1,600 eBooks and 300 other non-print materials. Total patron visits (including curbside pickup & appointments) were over 5,000. There were 558 active patrons. Our small library remains one of the top three busiest in the state per capita.
Library news, upcoming events and new materials are always available on the newly designed this year (and awesome) website at ​www.jacksonlibrary.org​ and announced in Jackson eNews. The Jackson Library always welcomes suggestions and donations to assist in providing you informative programs and needed services.Remember - the Library is OPEN for you!

Library Trustees meet 4/6 @ 4pm

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE AND AGENDA
Jackson Public Library Board of Trustees
Tuesday, April 6, 2021, 4:00 pm
MEETING WILL BE HELD VIA ZOOM

CONTACT (603) 383-3100 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

1. Approval of minutes from prior meeting.
2. Library Director’s Report, including status of pandemic service plan
and modifications required, if any.
3. Treasurer’s Report.
4. Friends’ Report.
5. Other Business.
6. Non-Public Session to Discuss Personnel Policies Pursuant to RSA 91-
A:3 II-a.
7. Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 4, 2021, 2:00 pm.

Updated:: 4/6 2:30pm to include non-public session.

Now OPEN* with restrictions

We are so proud to announce that starting today, the OPEN flag will be out. We will be open for business, but with some changes:

  • Most importantly, masks are strictly required in the foyer and the building. If you enter the foyer without a mask, you may be asked to leave and you may get an angry phone call from me. No one wants that.
  • You must stay socially distant from each other and from our staff. You may have been vaccinated but we are all young and healthy and it will be quite awhile for us.
  • Do not come in if you have traveled outside New England in the last 14 days OR if you are sick. We all know this, right?
  • For the time being, one party will be allowed in the building at a time. If all goes well, we’ll start considering more, but baby steps.
  • Drop-ins will now be welcome without an appointment. You may still make an appointment if you don’t want to risk having to wait. Priority entry will be given to those with appointments. (We have maybe one or two a day, so don’t sweat it too much.)
  • All visitors must wait in the foyer for permission to enter by our staff.
    • Please tell us your name even if you think we know – it’s hard to tell with masks on. Only valid Jackson Library cardholders are allowed inside.
    • We may ask some followup questions and then either allow you inside or let you know how long the wait is. Please wait for that before entering the second set of doors.
  • Maximum visit time will be 20 minutes in order for everyone to get a turn.
  • All other services, including item pickup, will continue.

The Library Board of Trustees, Friends of the Library, and Library Staff are thrilled to be reopening our building almost exactly one year since having to close for safety. Thank you for your continued support and patience.