Jenifer Kelly, Library Trustee and publicist, sent these items of interest regarding happenings at our local library.  Thanks, Jen – Lil

Library’s leaky mess brings out best in staff and volunteers

Quick thinking from the Walpole Library’s staff and volunteers minimized the damage when the attic air conditioning unit began leaking water into the stack room on September 16^th. Water damaged the Stack Room’s rug and flooring and soaked dozens of books. Staff members immediately set to work moving some books out of the way, covering others with plastic trash bags and setting up fans to dry others.

“The damage would have been much worse if our employees and volunteers had not acted so quickly to protect the library and books,” said head librarian Mary Farrell. “They also worked hard to minimize the inconvenience to patrons when the Stack Room was closed.”

“The Trustees would like to thank Mary, Chris Burchstead, Deb Kelsey and all the other volunteers and staff who made such an extraordinary effort to save our library’s resources,” said board chairman, Lyn Cooke. “We are very lucky to have such dedicated people.”

The Library has submitted estimates on the damages incurred to its insurer and is waiting for funds to repair the floors and replace damaged books.

Poets at the Walpole Library

The Bridge Memorial Library on Main Street in Walpole will be hosting a poetry reading on November 7^th at 7 p.m. Four writers with local connections will be reading from their works, including:

• Pam Bernard, a former McDowell fellow and winner of a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Poetry, has three published volumes to her credit, most recently the WWI themed Blood Garden, which views the horrors of the Western front from the vantage of a 17-year-old soldier. She lives in Walpole.
• Julia Crane is the author of Twisted Little Love Stories (Finishing Line Press, 2012), available from the press and on Amazon. She is also a classical cellist and a resident of nearby VT.
• Kate Gleason is the author of a full-length collection of poetry, Measuring the Dark (selected by Phillis Levin as the winner of the First Book Award at Zone 3 Press), and three books of poetry, most recently Reading Darwin While My Father Dies (forthcoming from Anabiosis Press).
• Toni Ortner is the author of fifteen books of prose and poetry, including Summoned (Goose River Press, 2012), the stories of six famous women in history: Joan of Arc, Saint Teresa of Avila, Marie Curie, Rachel Carson, Mother Teresa, and Elisabeth Kubler-Ross,

The program is free, all are welcome and refreshments will be served. Call the library at 756- 9806 for more details.

Library cards for Walpole employees

Looking for a good book on your lunch hour? Want to pick up a free DVD on the way home from work? You don’t have to be a Walpole resident to use the Bridge Memorial Library. The library extends privileges to all employees of Walpole (and North Walpole) companies.

For more information – or to get your free Walpole Library card – just stop by the library, call us at 756 9806 or email librarydirector@walpoletownlibrary.org