Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library

N E W S

L E T T E R

LIBRARY NOW!

Volume 1
Number 8
June 2000

A Communications Tool for Members of Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library
at 502 South Jackson Street, Jacksonville, Texas 75766
http://friends.jacksonvillelibrary.com

INVENT THE FUTURE -- READ!

LIBRARY RECEIVES GATES FOUNDATION GRANT

Along with libraries across the nation serving small-town and rural areas, the Library will receive a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The purpose of the grants is to make the Internet accessible to persons of low income who cannot afford to purchase a personal computer for home use.

The $16,000 grant furnishes four new computers and content server of Microsoft products. One of the content servers will be in Spanish.

THANKS: YOU'RE A TRUE FRIEND!

Nadine Ingram has joined as an individual member.

SURVEY RESULTS

Shortly after the return date of May 15, the officers of Friends and the Library director met to open and collate results of the Friends survey. Of 73 sent, 25 surveys were returned - a 34% return rate. The reviewers were pleased to receive a number of specific comments.

Of the possible new projects put forth, the most favored was buying a microfilm reader for the genealogy section. On a suggestion made by one respondent, the Friends board will approach other groups whose members are apt to use the genealogy section and ask if those groups would like contribute. Friends will assume the major part of funding.

The officers agreed to act upon other favored projects by continuing to make an annual contribution to the Jacksonville Literacy Council and to plan a dinner for the Library staff.

APRIL STATISTICS Reported to the Board at its May 2, 2000 meeting

Adult nonfiction	1,233
Adult fiction	1,928
Total adult	3,161

Juvenile nonfiction	294
Juvenile fiction	913
Total juvenile	1,207

Books used in library	2,584

Total book circulation	6,952

Non-book circulation	2,542

Total circulation	9,494

Average daily circulation	395

Spanish books	23

Reference questions	1,401

Attendance at juvenile programs	1,062

Persons in the library	5,657

Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library ("Friends"), a Texas non-profit corporation, exists to support the mission of the Jacksonville Public Library, which is to assemble, organize, preserve, and make easily available significant books and other enriching materials that will provide information, stimulation, education, and recreation for every resident of the community.

Information published in Library Now! is offered for the benefit of members of Friends. Nothing stated herein is intended to, nor does it, express policy of the Jacksonville Public Library, its board of directors, or the City of Jacksonville, Texas. While contributions are welcome, Friends reserves the right to edit contributions based on space and relevance to activities of Friends.

Friends has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service for nonprofit status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Contributions to Friends may therefore be tax deductible to the donor. Each person should consult his or her tax advisor concerning this issue.

The 2000 Summer Reading Club invites children to "Invent the Future - Read!"

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays from Tuesday, June 6, through Wednesday, July 12, the young participants will rocket into space. Weekly prizes will be awarded for books read.

Children's librarian Jo Jones has planned a special event of movies, games, and surprises for all ages from 11 a.m. to noon each Wednesday.

The other groups will be divided by age for crafts and story time:

Tuesdays from 10:30-11 a.m.: Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade

Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to noon: 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades

Wednesdays from 10:30-11 a.m.: age 18 months through pre-school

Registration forms are available at the circulation desk of the Library. Parents are urged to pre-register their children so adequate materials will be on hand.

Guest readers are welcome. If you would like to read, contact Jo Jones at 586-7664. She will help you choose a book that fits the activities for that session.

A TOWN'S TREASURE:
ITS LIBRARY

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