Bow News : Baker Free Library

Bow Town Meeting heads for round two

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:04:00 GMT

Bucking the Town Meeting trend from recent years, Bow voters decided to add money to the operating budget rather than directing selectmen to make significant cuts.

On Wednesday, May 13, residents filled the Bow High School auditorium to vote on the warrant, but the meeting was tabled after four hours of debate that covered only three of the 24 items scheduled for discussion.

The first task voters tackled was the operating budget, which came in at a proposed total of $8,097,886.

Early on in the discussion, an amendment was proposed that would increase the budget by $11,000 to make up for the funds eliminated from Baker Free Library’s collection development fund.

“The library is very important with this economy,” said Baker Free Library Director Lori Fisher. “We have seen more patrons in need of our resources. Please allow us to continue to serve you.”

Voters responded to Fisher’s plea, passing the amendment.

Soon after, another amendment was proposed regarding the operating budget, as Jim Hoffman gave a presentation requesting his fellow voters trim the figure to an even $8 million.

“We’ve seen this request before,” said one voter. “If you want to request a cut, tell us exactly where you wish the 27cut to be.” Board of Selectmen Chairman Leon Kenison echoed this sentiment.

“It’s only fair that anyone who proposes a cut notify us where it should come from so you know the consequences,” said Kenison. By a 310-80 ballot vote, the amendment was rejected and the budget passed with an increase of $11,000 over the Budget Committee’s recommended total.

The next item up for discussion was not as well received, as voters rejected the proposed pay-as-you-throw program, designed to increase recycling and potentially save the town money.

Dee Treybig and members of the recycling committee introduced the program, which would have gone into effect beginning in October.

“This is simple,” said resident Marie Daniels. “It’s the right thing to do. The $5 or $10 savings is secondary.”

Residents were skeptical of the convenience of the program, and it was rejected 225-135.

The final issue addressed before the meeting was put on hold was a cost of living increase that was given to town employees, a 2.25 percent increase for a total sum of about $73,000.

On Wednesday, May 27, the meeting will continue at 7 p.m. at Bow High School.

Help the community this holiday season

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:31:00 GMT

The Baker Free Library in Bow encourages everyone to help the community through one or more of the following special opportunities this holiday season:

• In order to help the New Hampshire Food Bank meet the needs of families across New Hampshire, the Baker Free Library will hold a food drive during the week of Dec. 8 to 13. Patrons may bring in any nonperishable food items or household items and leave them in the plastic totes by the entrance doors. Urgently needed items include canned tuna, chicken, stews, soups and pasta; peanut butter; canned fruits and vegetables; and cereals.

• Make a tax-deductible donation to the library before the end of 2008. The library seeks donations of patron-requested new DVDs, CD audiobooks and print books for the library’s collections. The library’s needs are listed on the library’s amazon. com wish list, which can be accessed directly through the library’s Web site at www.bow bakerfreelibrary.org. Donors can either purchase the items directly through our Amazon wish list, or can make a monetary donation specified for certain materials. Any individual or family who donates money or materials to the library will be recognized on the giving tree during the month of December.

• Complete your holiday gift shopping at the library. Bow Barn calendars ($15) and town of Bow books ($19.99) produced by the Bow Historic Commission are for sale at the circulation desk. Bow Rotary’s throw featuring important sites within the town is available in two colors (navy or cranberry) for $60.

• Remember that the library can help families and individuals during these tough economic times. Besides books, there are DVDs, music CDs and CD audiobooks available for loan. The four Internet stations and WiFi service allows access to e-mail and other communication networks – for free. And if you don’t find the book you are looking for, check out the inter-library loan network with hundreds of other libraries in New Hampshire, allowing you to find those hard-to-find books.

The library also has fax, copying, and print services for a small fee. For more information, visit www.bowbakerfreelibrary.org or call 224-7113.

Lori Fisher begins new career as library director in Bow

Bow Editor — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:58:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Lori Fisher wants to know everyone who walks through the Baker Free Library’s door, but has some work ahead of her before that can happen.

As she takes over as the new library director in Bow, Fisher is learning about her new patrons and her new job, replacing Linda Kling, who recently retired.

“For me the hardest thing will be remembering everybody’s name,” said Fisher, a Weare resident. “I’ve got some tricks now, and that’ll come with time.”

After starting her career in the museum field, Fisher decided to get her master’s degree in library sciences. She eventually worked her way up to director of programs and collections at the New Hampshire Political Field before she saw the perfect job opportunity.

“Its reputation is outstanding of the libraries in New Hampshire. I was looking to make a move and move into a director’s position,” said Fisher. “I thought it was too good to be true. I feel very fortunate.”

Part of what makes Baker Free Library appealing to Fisher is how well-established the library already is. “I think the main thing is that the library is in great shape. There’s terrific program and community support,” said Fisher, who plans on adapting as she gets used to her new role. “I’m not the type who will come in and make changes right away. I’ll see what’s working and what needs work. My door will always be open to people.”

While many residents of Bow and across the country are struggling financially, Fisher said it’s important for the library to help.

“Given economic times, people will turn to the library more. We need to make sure we’re responsive to that,” Fisher said. “We want to please everybody, but we want to try our hardest so that if we can’t get a person what they want, we can send them in the right direction.”

Fisher said she most enjoys working in library services because she has a chance to help a wide variety of patrons. “What gives me a lot of satisfaction is being able to help people increase their knowledge, whether students working on a research paper, an older person looking for medical information or someone looking for a book to read on the beach,” said Fisher.

The new library director said she and her family will remain living in Weare, and joked that her husband has said the couple will not be able to move ever again because of the amount of books she has.

Though she won’t be moving from Weare, Fisher has found a new home.

“Being in a library is like being home for me,” she said.

$15K for Bow library budget OK'd

Bow Editor — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:42:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

After hearing from library trustees at a recent public hearing about the operating budget, Bow Budget Committee members decided to return $15,000 to the budget for the Baker Free Library.

By a 4-3 vote after the public hearing, Budget Committee members brought the recommended budget to the same number as the selectmen’s recommendation – about $8.3 million. If passed, the operating budget will have an estimated tax rate increase of 66 cents per $1,000 assessed property valuation, or about $198 over last year for the owner of a home assessed at $300,000.

If all warrant articles pass, Budget Committee members estimate an additional increase of 17 cents per $1,000 assessed property valuation. Both the budget and warrants would bring the total town portion of the tax rate to about 83 cents per $1,000 assessed property value over last year – a spike of $250 for the owner of a $300,000 home.

Originally, the Budget Committee wanted to remove $10,000 for the book collection and $5,000 for the salary of the new library director to replace Linda Kling, who retired in March.

During the public hearing, library trustees came to the defense of the library, and Budget Committee members reconsidered their recommendation and agreed with the sentiment.

“We were concerned that if we don’t continue to contribute to the book collection, there would be a negative impact,” said Budget Committee Chairman Dan De Vasto. “We want to make sure that we have enough to provide the level of service that the people in town have grown accustomed to.”

Last year, the operating budget was cut during Town Meeting, and many departments in town suffered. The library was one of them, as they elected not to use money for the book collection during the year.

“We made cuts to the books. You can do that for a year, but your collection will suffer and you’ll end up with big holes in the collection if you continually cut from your book funding,” said Library Trustee Susan Hatem. “There’s always a juggling process, and you just try to save money where ever you can, and at the same time meet the demands that the public has been asking for.”

July will mark the two-year anniversary of Baker Free Library extending its hours to six days per week and, Hatem said, having the $15,000 in the budget is crucial, especially during a difficult economic time.

“What we tried to get across, and the Budget Committee seemed to agree, is that the library is the jewel of the community,” said Hatem. “Everyone from young children to senior citizens can use it. In times when the economy is bad, the library becomes even more important. People use the library for job searching, and just to get out and clear their head and think.”

Residents will vote on the budget and warrant articles at Town Meeting, Wednesday, May 14, at 7 p.m. in the Bow High School auditorium.

Listening, talking and bonding at the Men’s Coffee Chat

Bow Editor — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:39:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

When he first approached Bow’s Baker Free Library staff, Russell Page mainly wanted someone to tell fish tales to. Many of Page’s friends had passed away and he simply needed an ear.

For the first few weeks of the Men’s Coffee Chat program now taking place every Thursday morning, the only ears in the downstairs meeting room were his own. Page sat in the room, hoping for someone to share a basket of muffins.

After a few weeks, word got out about the program and on any given Thursday morning, you will now find about four Bow-area men sharing stories about college, work, or just swearing the fish they caught that one time was “this big.”

“I like to hear the other stories. As a fisherman, you get to be summa *** laude storyteller,” said Bow resident Dennis Salter. “This is interesting, impromptu and we don’t have an agenda. We drift into as many subjects as we can.”

The first rule for the group is simple – talk about wives is forbidden.

Among other topics seen as taboo for the men are religion, politics and professional sports. During the Thursday, April 10, session, the talk focused mainly on fishing. Even for the non-fisherman, fish tales are worth hearing.

“I have really enjoyed meeting other people and listening to their stories. I’m not a fisherman, but I enjoyed hearing those stories,” said Bill Carlisle, who has lived in Bow for two years. “I’m not by nature a big storyteller, but I do have stories to add. It’s good to get out and talk to others, instead of hiding in my woodworking shop.”

Although the group is small, about four members attend each week, the discussion lasts the full hour and a half on a variety of topics.

“It’s been therapeutic for me. I’m a natural-born chatter, a compulsive talker,” said Page. “The are nice, pleasant and knowledgeable. They know what they’re doing, where they’ve been and where they want to go.”

Each Thursday, Baker Free librarians set up a basket of muffins and, of course, brew a fresh pot of coffee for the group to enjoy during their discussions.

For Bob Porat, the Men’s Coffee Chat group gave him a chance to do something different. “Curiosity was what brought me out at first,” said Porat. “Most of my friends aren’t around. Being legally blind, I am limited, so this was something for me to take part in.”

Group members said they hope to have a larger base of members to choose from, without having so many members that everyone won’t get an opportunity to talk.

“The hour and a half goes by fast,” said Page. “All are welcome, and we’ll let the group take its own direction. Everyone should have a chance to say something.”

The library staff provided the men with the one item that was missing from the room. “They asked us if there was anything we needed, and we said a trash can,” said Page. “Now, we can pick up at the end of the meetings and we’re guilt free.”

The Bow Men’s Coffee Chat meets Thursdays 10:30 a.m. to noon, at Baker Free Library. They’ll have coffee and muffins waiting for you to share a little conversation.

Library seeks your stories of world travel

Bow Editor — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:53:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Bow residents will soon have the opportunity to travel the world without leaving the comforts of 509 S. Street.

The Baker Free Library will soon begin its Armchair Traveler program, run by residents who will give presentations on trips they’ve taken in cooperation with the library’s “The World Visits Bow” theme for 2008.

So far, the library has organized events bringing information about Afghanistan and Japan, and a program about Russia is being planned for February.

“We are trying to open up other peoples’ experiences for people in town,” said Jen Leger, one of the librarians in charge of young adult and adult programs. “It’s a way for other people to travel around the world without even having to leave Bow.”

Individuals taking part in the program will bring in videos, photos, souvenirs or other items from their trip. Leger said two residents have approached her about taking part in the program, so it could start soon.

The programs on Afghanistan and Japan were well-attended, giving Leger optimism the newest event will be a success.

“It would be a great benefit for the library. It could bring in some people in town who would normally not visit the library,” said Leger. “By coming out to see these programs, maybe they would be exposed to some of the other great things the library has to offer.”

Continuing its world tour, Baker Free Library will also have Russian artist and lecturer Marina Forbes, who will teach guests about the Russian folk tradition of wooden nested doll painting.

On Saturday, Feb. 16, beginning at 10 a.m., Bow residents 10-years and older can purchase and paint the dolls and learn about other aspects of Russian culture.

Although the theme for the year is already set at the library, Leger said it can also be seen another way.

“Even though the theme this year is ‘The World Visits Bow,’ we want to turn it a little bit into Bow visiting the world,” said Leger. “There are so many interesting people in Bow who have traveled to a variety of places, and we want them to share their experiences.”