at the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum
FALL 2007
In This Issue
Summer Reading Program a Success
From the Executive Director's Desk
“We are a non-profit institution. Your gift is tax-deductible.”
These words will appear on the many appeal letters we receive as the calendar year draws to a close. In an article in the July 26th Chronicle of Philanthropy, Claire Gaudini argues that the term non-profit should actually read social-profit, as a more accurate way of describing the mission of institutions such as the Athenaeum.
Like for-profit companies, non-profits follow pretty much the same drill in terms of organization, staffing, and reporting. Their profit goes not to lenders or stockholders but to the communities and citizens who are the beneficiaries of their services. To encourage you to invest in organizations that provide a social profit, the government allows a tax break on your donation, a return on your investment. This has long been recognized as a beneficial and productive way to create social profit from the wealth of our nation.
This November, we too, will ask through our Annual Fund Drive, for your investment in Phase Two of our restoration work. This phase will focus on the preservation of our historic Art Gallery and its internationally recognized collection of 19th century paintings.
Unlike other investments you may make, this one is guaranteed to have returns for generations to come.
Irwin Gelber
September 1- 30: Larry Golden: Portraits of the Athenaeum On display in the Upstairs Gallery.
October 1-31: Rodney Reis: Atmospheres An exhibit in the tradition of the Hudson River School of painting. Through October 31st in the Upstairs Gallery.
FIRST WEDNESDAYS LECTURE SERIES at 7 PM. This Vermont Humanities Program is hosted by the Athenaeum.
Ongoing Events
Every day at the Athenaeum I am reminded that the work of this institution is a true collaboration between staff and volunteers, which brings together members of our community. Here’s a glimpse into a typical day.
In the basement stacks I see Suzanne Gallagher cataloging our rarest books. Down the hall, staff member Bob Joly is teaching bookbinding to volunteer Elinor Levy. On the main floor I come across a docent in the art gallery (one of 30) who is greeting visitors and providing information about our paintings and our history. Next door in the Children’s Room Eleanor Bonney Simons is at the circulation desk doing lunch time relief duty for Children’s Librarian Gloria Molinaroli and is helping children and adults find what they need.
Peeking out back, I watch Master Gardener Cindy Buck and her student Gary Farrow tending the lovely flower beds in the yard. Heading into my office is Ruth Hanson who is working on the Athenaeum archives, a volunteer job she has been doing for years. Upstairs, Mary Scheiber is shelving books, the “exercise” she donates weekly. At noon, as Bob heads for lunch, Caroline Frey arrives to cover the circulation desk for an hour.
Trustees are constantly in and out doing everything from building maintenance jobs to hanging art exhibits, as are many of the nearly 100 members of the Friends organization. Athenaeum Friends not only provide financial support and host programs, but also run a used bookstore called Secondhand Prose. The Friends efforts provide much needed resources that help operate the library.
As you can see there are many people working together to make the fabric of this institution strong, colorful, and filled with energy. Thank you all so very much.
Lisa von Kann
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You can now learn more about our art collection, one painting at a time from your home or office. Updated each
week on our web site, “This Week from the Gallery” showcases a different work from the Athenaeum’s unique collection of 19th century paintings and sculpture. Educators can use this page to enrich their curriculum. Vermonters and other citizens throughout the nation can now visit our gallery in this new, intimate, and informative way. Click the button on our Home Page.
Other ways you can get the most from the Athenaeum’s web site:
Sign up for our quarterly email newsletter using the form on the Home Page. You’ll get a confirmation email with instructions on how to complete the process. Please remember that you have five days to confirm your subscription to the list. Once you’ve signed up for the email newsletter we will remove your name from our print newsletter list.
Search the library catalog for books and other materials.
Renew and reserve library books, or request and interlibrary loan using our Renew/Reserve/ILL page.
Check on current exhibits and events by visiting the Events page often.
See additions to our collections each month listed on the Home Page.
Make a donation online to the Annual Fund on the Home Page.
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Recently, the Children’s Library received a $1,000 grant from the Winnie Bell Learned Fund of the Vermont Public Library Foundation. We were one of only ten libraries in Vermont to receive such a grant. The grant will be used to enhance our literacy outreach program to area childcare providers and day care centers. As the Athenaeum’s Literacy Outreach Coordinator, I visit nine day care providers serving 90 preschool children. My job is partially funded by the AmeriCorps program.
At each center I deliver books and read to children. I also use early literacy activities such as singing, rhyming, and finger plays to encourage early language skills. With our grant funds we will be buying storytelling sets, puppets, letter pads, other literacy materials, and books that will be given to children for their home libraries.
My goal is to make the children’s experience both entertaining and educational. At this early age looking at books should be a positive and fun experience. Maple, my puppet monkey, travels in the library bag to each site. The visit typically begins with a morning greeting, includes reading 1-2 books, and ends with an interactive book or song. Paying attention to letter sounds, rhyming text, and guessing the events in the story are some of the early literacy skills we practice. After listening to stories, children will often spend time looking at books independently. The length of time reading aloud often depends on the group’s size, age, and behavior. I’m amazed how long some groups will sit and listen to stories. Sometimes a quick stretch and wiggle with the “library lady” and they’re ready to read more. I hope my visits with the children are fostering a love of books while promoting literacy.
Melissa Bushey
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Summer Reading Program a Success
Local children “Got a Clue” this summer by participating in the Athenaeum’s summer reading program. A total of 88 children read 1,631 books during the program. There were 12 special events with mystery themes. The most ardent participant, a nine-year-old, totaled 260 picture books (some read by himself and others read to him).
Special events included trying to solve the mysteries of dinosaurs, Bigfoot and Egypt. Magic was also present in the form of disguises, a special dark, dark night storytime, and our wonderful guest magician Tom Joyce. All participants received special certificates and medals.
Gloria Molinaroli
Raffles! Raffles! Raffles!
You can help underwrite Vermont’s first collectible library card (pictured below). Stephen Huneck, one of Vermont’s best-loved artists has designed a new library card for the Athenaeum. You can win one of these very popular Huneck prints (shown below) and now on display at the Athenaeum. Raffle drawing is December 24th.
New library card designed by Stephen Huneck |
On the Mountain |
Bedtime |
Help Reeve Lindbergh finish her new illustrated children’s book, Homer’s Odyssey, up to four syllables are missing. Have your child’s or grandchild’s name included in this book by supplying the missing syllables in the stanza below.
The Post Office was right next door
Homer went inside
But __ __ __ __ had to sneeze
And Homer had to hide.
Here are a couple of examples:
But Tom and Ka-ty had to sneeze
But (your child’s name) had to sneeze
If your entry is chosen it will appear in the book and your name will be included in the acknowledgments. Grab a pencil and put on your thinking cap. Raffle drawing is October 29th in the Children’s Library. Read the complete text of the book. All proceeds from the raffle will be used to support the Athenaeum’s Children’s Library.
Tickets for both raffles are $5 each or 3 for $10. They are available at the Athenaeum or you can download the Homer’s Odyssey raffle ticket or Huneck print raffle ticket . Please make checks payable to: St. Johnsbury Athenaeum and mail to 1171 Main Street, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.
SecondHand Prose
Now open at 1222 Main Street, selling used books year-round; operated by the Friends of the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum. Hours are Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 10 AM-2 PM and Wednesday 2:30 -6:30 PM.
Mon. & Wed: 10AM to 8PM
Tues., Thurs., & Fri.: 10AM - 5:30PM
Sat.: 9:30AM - 4PM
Free wireless Internet access now available.
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at the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum is published quarterly via email.Send your comments & feedback via email to newsletter@stjathenaeum.org. Our mailing address is: St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 1171 Main Street, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819