The Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library Board of Trustees has been actively working toward a more dynamic and effective way to manage, maintain and improve the library.

Like other small libraries in this area, the Library Board of Trustees has come to the decision that there is a need to hire an Executive Director to effectively guide, advise, and move the library team forward in the many cooperative efforts necessary to meet the challenges and changes in the 21 st Century. To accomplish these essential goals, after carefully considering financial and other constraints, the position of Librarian is being eliminated and an Executive Library Director position is being advertised in many areas of the Northeast. All the current services and programs will be continued, expanded and developed with patron input, to evolve into an even more inviting and beneficial community asset.

The community response to the first annual fund-raising campaign was very encouraging, allowing the Building and Grounds committee to program and prioritize needed repairs and maintenance, and helping to build up the necessary financial base to operate successfully.

The Library Staff, Volunteers, Friends of the Library, and Board of Trustees have begun teaming to make many changes at the library in the past few months. These completed changes include two new donated computer stations and an ergonomic sorting desk for staff and volunteers to process the interlibrary loan books in the "purple room." The audio and visual collections are consolidated behind the front desk. The Farmer Collection has its own niche in the Great Room, next to the new office space for the Program Director, Barbara House. The reading room has new comfortable chairs and provides fewer distractions for patrons who just want to sit and read in a quiet relaxed area. Some "weeding" and rearranging of books have been done to better utilize the limited space.

The exterior painting of the Library and the Hyde House brightened up the exterior image and was accomplished by volunteer efforts in 2006 and again during the Rebuilding Together weekend in 2007. Four valuable Board members are completing their six-year terms in April.

The board is welcoming two new enthusiastic members and looking forward to working with them. Marge Creaser will continue on as the Past President advisor, and Pat Waldman will be taking on the leadership as President for this coming year.

Try to attend the CLICK performance of "Wind in the Willows" at the Opera House on April 4 and 5 . The enthusiasm of these young performers will entertain you and demonstrate the dedication and the skillful direction of the Program Director, Barbara House, and the Children's Librarian, Mary Pinkham.