Granby Free Public Library

Looking for Little Sprouts to Discover:
What's Going on in the Garden?
A FREE Science Fun "Mini Camp" for Young Children! 
Pre-register - You must commit to all 4 sessions.  Ages 3-5. *For more information, visit our Children's Page!
Session 1 - Friday, May 9th - 10:30am to 11:30am
Session 2 - Friday, May 16th - 10:30 am to 11:30am
Session 3 - Friday, May 23rd - 10:30am to 11:30am
Session 4 - Friday, May 30th - 10:30am to 11:30am
*Sponsored by the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Programs

Celebrate the Life and Writings of Local Author Dolores Danek with the Granby Writing Group
Thursday, May 22nd at 6:30pm
Inspired by the real life story of a Polish Immigrant "Sofia" tells the story of a 15 year old Polish girl, who braves her father's wrath, Russian soldiers and other difficulties to escape to America in 1900. Author Dolores Danek of Granby, based her novel on the experiences of her husband's grandmother, Sophia Jurewicz, but many of the challenges Sophia confronts in her journey echo throughout the experience of countless immigrants to America.  Dolores wrote this book "to show the daring and courage the early immigrants demonstrated in leaving their homes and countries behind to build new lives in a country half a world away.  These are our ancestors.  We are here because they made the trip."  The book was published by Small Batch Books of Amherst.  The book's cover and design was made by her son, John Danek of Holyoke.  Books are available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon and at the Library.  The Granby Writing Group in conjunction with the Granby Library will celebrate the Life and writings of Dolores Danek on May 22, 2014 at the Granby Library at 6:30 p.m.  All are welcome to attend and refreshments will be served. 

Song and Conversation with a Songwriter: Bruce Mandel
Thursday, June 5th at 6pm in the Community Room
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Granby Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. 

Today in Our Libraries:  End the Digital Lockout 

• 75% of Americans aged 16-29 say free access to computers and Internet is very important for libraries to have.  BUT There are only 6,044 computers with internet access in libraries to serve a Massachusetts population of 6,646,144.  Every 6 minutes a Massachusetts resident sits down at a library computer.
• 83% of our residents want statewide access to eBooks.  BUT  Due to vendor lending restrictions, residents have limited access to eBooks.  Residents can get print and other materials from libraries across the state. 
• Making matters worse, some publishers charge libraries 6X more than consumers for the same eBook.  Print and eBooks can be lent the same number of times so why the price disparity? Libraries simply cannot afford a 600% increase in the cost of books.  12 of the top 25 of USA Today's bestsellers are not for sale to our libraries.  
• eBook demand is up over 5,000%!  In comparison, demand for print went up 12%, video went up 20% and audio went up 2.9%.  
• How did we get to this point?  Years of underfunding libraries have left them struggling to bring new technology in and into the hands of our residents.  Funding to support library technology is down 56% and State Aid to support local libraries is down 31%. 
• Increased funding to libraries will break the digital lockout!  

Why is the Library Important to You?

• More people visit Massachusetts public libraries each year than attend entire seasons of the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics combined.  
• 37% = Reduction in state funding to support libraries since 2001.
• 85,000 = Number of open hours lost by libraries since 2002. 
• 58 million = Number of items borrowed by residents last year - about 110 per minute. 
• 1/10th of 1% = Percentage of the state's budget that goes to support libraries. 
• $1.05 = State aid funding to libraries per resident.
• 22,000 = Number of people using their library's internet every day (no including WiFi). 
• 24/7 = Free access for every resident to the best online information through mass.gov/libraries
• 14.3 = Items that were delivered by the Massachusetts Library System through Interlibrary Loan last year.
• In a single year eBook borrowing has more than tripled. 

Statistics from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Legislative Agenda FY2014
Check them out and support your library!  
Video: www.youtube.com/users/masslibraries
Website: libraries.state.ma.us
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mblcma