By Sean Fogarty, Courier Staff Writer:
Cooler weather and
trying economic times only highlight the strengths of the North Haven Memorial
Library, where families can find all sorts of activities–and they aren’t just
within the library’s walls.
The library offers
museum passes that can be checked out just like books, according to Head of
Children’s Services Pat Laterza.
“Each museum has a
certain fee they charge libraries and we get one pass. You get it for two days,
then you have to return it, like a book,” said Laterza.
The library has
passes for 15 outside venues, including Beardsley Zoo, Maritime Aquarium, and
state parks. While some passes, such as the one to Beardsley, provide entirely
free entry, others provide discounted rates.
Laterza said the
museum passes are just one of the many programs the Friends of the Library
funds.
“The Friends
basically provide funding for all the extras that happen at the library,” said
Friends Co-President Bernadette Laudach. “We fund all the programs, whether for
children or adults. We also provide large-print books and help with the
infrastructure of the library.”
Laudach also said
that the Friends just purchased an LCD projector and screen so families can
watch Saturday afternoon movies.
“We like to think of
ourselves as the grandparents of the library; we pay for all the fun extras the
town doesn’t provide,” she added.
According to
Laudach, the Friends, established in the 1960s, raises all of its money from
donations–no town funds are used.
“We have two main
ways to raise funds,” said Laudach. “One is our membership drive and the other
is a used bookstore we opened in November of last year.”
Laudach said the
bookstore has books of all classifications, DVDs, VHS, and CDs–some of which,
she said, arrive still in shrink-wrap. Most cost less than $5.
The money raised
from the store goes to provide programs such as Dads and Donuts, offered on
Wednesday, Nov. 19 for children between 6 and 10. Participants will learn to do
tricks with everyday objects with magician Chuck Kelman.
One of the library’s
newest programs, “Art That Makes You Look Twice,” focuses on a variety of
unorthodox art, including massive sculptures, surrealist works, and optical
illusions. The program is offered on Saturdays, Nov. 15, 22, and 26 at 10:30
a.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 2:30 p.m. The hour-long program is
appropriate for ages six to nine.
Also on the schedule
is a Toy Tag Sale on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Library
Community Room. All the proceeds from the tag sale will go to the Friends of
the Library.