Teen Night is Back!

Family Movie Night

Security camera system at the Highgate Public Library ~ Audio & video monitoring begins on 1/6/2012

In November the trustees and select board met to discuss safety concerns and unwanted behavior that had been occurring at the library over the past year. After much thought and discussion, it was decided that a security camera system was needed to help staff adequately and safely monitor the building. This decision was not made lightly, nor was it one that anyone wanted to see happen. However, this decision was necessary to ensure the safety of staff, patrons and the community. This system cost $3,500 and was purchased with funds appropriated by the Select Board, Library Trustees and the Friends of the Library. The cameras were installed on Friday, January 6th.

2011 ~ End of year theLibrarian’s report

Winter Library Hours: Mondays & Thursdays 2:00-6:00

Tuesdays & Wednesdays 9:00-6:00 & Saturdays 9:00-12:00

Story Times: Tuesday mornings at 10:00 & Wednesday mornings at 11:15*when school is in session

Trustee Meetings: First Wednesday of the month at 5:30. *No meetings in March, July or August

 

Here are just a few highlights from our year here at the

Highgate Public Library:

• In January, we were awarded $2,500 in grants from The Winnie Belle Learned Fund and Ben & Jerry’s. Together these two grants allowed us to fund a new program, which we have named Little Explorer’s. Through this program, children ages 3-5 and their families are presented with an exciting opportunity to interact with nature & their environment in a hands-on and fun way! Our goal is to bring a program, full of fun, education, and hands on activities to children these children.
• We were very fortunate to secure over $500 in grants and donations from various sources to help increase the quality and number of programs that we were able to offer during out 2011 One World, Many Stories summer reading program.
• We had 18 children attend our first annual art camp in June, which we co -sponsored with Exordium Adventure of Franklin. This was the first art camp of its kind to be held in Franklin County.
• Over 50 youth were certified and or licensed this summer through one of our 3 safety course offerings (boating, hunting and babysitting).
• In August the Children’s Literacy Foundation approved the library’s Rural Library Sponsorship grant and on October 26^th presented the children of Highgate with over $2,000 worth of new books at an assembly, which was held at the Elementary school. They also visited our local daycare, Kidz Kneedz, while they were here and presented each child with 2 books to add to their home collection.
• Building Brighter Futures approached the library over the summer to form a working partnership and to help bring quality programs to the children and families of Highgate. In October word came from the district that the library/Highgate would receive $2,570 for programming over the next 4 quarters.
• E-rate, which is a program of the Universal Service Fund, continues to help fund seventy percent of the library’s phone bill, which this year saved us $930.
• Highgate residents now have access to over 500 online non-credit Continuing Education Courses through the library for FREE. In order to have access to this service (which you can get to through a link on our website), you need to contact us for a personalized registration number. Your current library card number will not work for this service.
• E-books became available to our patrons through Listen UP! Vermont, which also provides a wonderful selection downloadable audio books.
• Library usage increased 24% over last year and circulation of materials (items checked out) also increased by 47%. These numbers show us that residents value their library and the services that it provides.
• In November the trustees and select board met to discuss safety concerns and unwanted behavior that had been occurring at the library over the past year. After much thought and discussion, it was decided that a security camera system was needed to help staff adequately and safely monitor the building. This decision was not made lightly, nor was it one that anyone wanted to see happen. However, this decision was necessary to ensure the safety of staff, patrons and the community. This system cost $3,500 and was purchased with funds appropriated by the Select Board, Library Trustees and the Friends of the Library.

In closing, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who have assisted in making the programs here at the library so successful. Without such a supportive community, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish all that we have for the children and youth of our community.  It warms my heart to see that residents continue to take pride in their library and the services that it provides. If you have not visited the library lately, I invite you to stop in and see all that we have to offer.

Sincerely,

Liza L. Comiskey, Librarian

2011 Federal & State tax forms are available here!

2011 Federal & State tax forms are now available at the library. Stop in to pick up your’s today!

Skater Tots with Ms.Liza

Highgate Family Ski Days For The 2011~2012 Season!

To reserve your tickets online, please click the link provided (under Library Links) on the left sidebar of our website.

Download e-books and audio books 24/7 through our site with your library card!

 With Listen Up! Vermont, our library is never closed.  Download e-books and audio books 24/7 from home, work, or anywhere. All you need is:

• A valid library card (please make sure you have updated info with us, or your number will NOT work. We can update your card via phone if this is easier for you)
• Internet access
• A computer or device that meets the system requirements for the type(s) of digital materials you wish to check out.
• Free software for the computer or device on which you wish to use the materials on.
• Then just follow these 3 simple steps and you are set!

Step 1 -  Click on the Listen Up! Vermont icon, which is located on left sidebar of our website.  As a first step, you may need to download and install the free software that allows you to enjoy the type(s) of materials you are interested in.

To check out OverDrive titles, you need OverDrive Media Console™.

Step 2 – Activate the software After you have installed the software that you downloaded, you need to take steps to activate the software before downloading digital materials. * Different devices may have different download procedures. Please be sure to find the instructions on the site for your specific device.

Step 3 – Check out, download, and enjoy! Browse or search this site for down loadable materials. When you locate a title of interest, add it to the basket and check out the title. Once you have checked out a title, a download page is displayed. Click the ‘Download’ link to start the download. Once the download is complete, open and enjoy the title. You will never accrue late fees with titles you download from this website. At the end of the loan period, titles will expire and be automatically ‘returned’ to the library. At this time, you can delete the expired file(s) from your computer or electronic device. Please note that there may be wait lists for newer titles. If you add yourself to the wait list, you will be notified when your item is available.

Incliment weather closings & delays

Please remember that if our local schools are closed due to weather conditions  (or would be closed if it were a school day), then we will also be closed. We also follow their delay schedule for winter weather conditions and may close early (without advanced notice) if weather conditions are unfavorable. We always do our best to inform patrons of evening event cancellations, but please call ahead if you are questioning the weather.

Subscribe to the Highgate Public Library e-news today!

Subscribe to our newsletter

and always know what is going on in your community!

     Each month we will send you an e-mail with all our latest news and events. It is just another way we try to keep our community in the loop.

Story time fun in Highgate!

Universal Class ~ Learn something New Today!

The Vermont Department of Libraries, Recorded Books and the Institute of Museum and Library Services is proud to bring this new and exciting opportunity to Vermont residents.

Quick Facts:

In order to have access to this service (which you can get to through the link on our sidebar), you will need to visit us and get a special bar code number. This will allow you full access to all Universal Class programs. Your current library card number will not work for this service.

• You will need to create an account and have a valid e-mail address to  in order sign up for courses.
• You are welcome to enroll in up to 5 course.
• You have up to 6 months to finish each course.
• You have access to your courses 24/7 viz the internet.
• Attend class and do assignments on your schedule.
• Each course has a real instructor who you may communicate with using e-mail.
• These are non-credit courses and are provided for your personal enrichment. These courses are not intended to be a substitute for any state, government, licensing, or educational requirements.

Safety Course offerings for 2012

Mother Goose workshops happening this March~

This workshop is for Parents only. There will not be child care available at any of these workshops.

Join us for our 2nd annual art camp with Exordium this June!