Avid readers browsed for books on opening day.

Library is Open and Busy While Final Construction Work is Completed
Since opening day November 6th, record numbers of people have been visiting and using the new Roeliff Jansen Community Library. According to Library Director Carol Briggs library usage is as high now as it is during summer vacation, normally the library’s busiest time. Hundreds of new library cards have been issued, many to people who never set foot in the former library.

The staff and volunteers have been busy getting settled, learning how to use the new computers and creating displays of new and topical books while around them electricians have been installing the final components of the lighting system. This custom “green” system will dim and brighten the lights based on the level of natural light thereby reducing electricity usage. Outside the porous concrete paving for the handicapped parking is almost done curing. Lighting will soon be installed and lines will be painted on the parking so it will accommodate more cars when big crowds come to the new and exciting programs!

Kids and adults enjoyed the entertainment on opening day.

Programs Draw Big Crowds, Many More Scheduled for Kids and Adults
Programming at the new library got off to a great start. Hundreds of people attended opening weekend events and 75 people enjoyed the first Friday night movie. The graphic novel workshop for young adults is fully subscribed. And, over 200 kids, parents and grandparents had a great time at the Magic Variety Show in the Community Room last Saturday!

Upcoming events for adults include a workshop on Saturday for families with young children on economizing during the holidays, a talk on Sunday by author Simon Winchester, author of Atlantic, , and more Friday night films. Click here for details. The full film series schedule is available here.

Upcoming programs for kids include story hours, card making and family movie nights. For the full schedule click here.

All library events are free!

To stock your own library and maybe do some holiday shopping stop by the annual Cookies and Books Sale run by the Friends of the Roe Jan Library at the Hillsdale Fire House this weekend. The sale opens on Friday from 5 pm to 8 pm with a special $10 preview for those who want the best selection. Admission is free on Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. In addition to books and cookies a gift basket raffle and soup lunches will be available.

Japanese Prints Available as Thank You for Capital Campaign Gifts
Thanks to the generosity of art collector John Jones of Copake Lake, donors who make a gift of $1,000 or more to the library can choose a woodblock print of the work of Japanese artist Ando Hiroshige (1767 -1849) as a thank you gift. The brightly colored prints, produced in about 1850-1860, depict some of the 53 stations of the Tokaido Road. Seventeen different prints are available. Comparable prints sell for $150 to $900 on eBay.

Donors who have already donated at least $1,000 can donate an additional $500 and receive one of the prints. Donations must be gifts, not pledges. Two of the prints are on display in the library. For more information contact Ned Schneier.

The listing of Associates in the lobby will become permanent after January 31.

Associates Wall to be Finalized
as Fundraising Continues
On your left in the lobby as you walk into the new building is a poster listing the Associates of the new library, everyone who has made a contribution of $1,000 or more to the Capital Campaign. So far there are over 265 names on the list. Make an investment in the future of the Roe Jan community with a pledge or gift of $1,000 or more to the Campaign by January 31 and your name will be on the permanent plaque that will replace the poster. Like the names of the Associates who founded the library in 1913, your name will be part of the history of the library.

$280,000 needs to be raised as soon as possible to complete the Capital Campaign and pay off the second mortgage that has made it possible to complete construction. Contributions of every size are greatly appreciated and every contribution will be recognized in a permanent registry in the conference/history room of the library. Information on how to give, as well as the naming opportunities list and a pledge form, is available at the campaign web site.

The immediate jump in visits to the library and the large audiences at events are proof that this new library was sorely needed and will be a great asset to the community. Please contribute and help the library pay off the second mortgage now. You’ll be making an investment that will pay off far into the future. The library serves every member of the community … it deserves everyone’s support.