Message to the community from Luren E. Dickinson:

National Library Week is an annual observance, a time set aside in April to celebrate libraries and all they offer. This year's celebration marks our recent designation by Library Journal as a 5-star library. Visit either of our locations on Tuesday, April 14, when we will begin the day by reading compliments and commendations from our public, then stay to enjoy coffee and donuts in the morning and punch and cookies in the afternoon.

Shaker Library is well used and appreciated by the community. We consistently rate as one of the most heavily used libraries in America with an annual circulation of more than 40 items per capita, and we received a 74% approval rating on our last operating levy. In addition, our library users are appreciative of the service they receive from staff. A recent letter attesting to this fact reads:

"I feel very privileged to be able to use the services of the Shaker Heights Library. Not only do you have a fine collection of books and resources and speedily acquire requests from other libraries, but also you have a very accommodating staff. All of your employees from whom I have sought assistance have been very helpful and gone to considerable lengths to make sure I received the books and CD’s I sought. They seem to enjoy being of service. This is true both at Main and at Woods. Thank you to them and to you."

When library employees are asked to describe co-workers, their collective descriptors are: "excellent people skills, customers come first, knowledgeable, good customer service, team player, good with children, wonderful sense of humor, professional, creative, great listener, friendly, gracious, positive attitude, happy to help, learns quickly, and sweet!" Who could ask for more in a library staff?

Our Library Board of Trustees provides steady and thoughtful leadership. Armed with multiple MBAs and doctoral degrees, our individual and talented board members work together as a team and always have what is best for the community at the forefront of their collective mind.

Friends of the Shaker Library has been an asset since it was formed in 1980. This enterprising group has enabled the library to purchase a van, a mobile cart for disabled patrons, and provided the seed money for the Library Endowment Fund. In addition, Friends funds summer reading programs, meet-the-author programs and other special events. The organization's Spring Book Sale, April 16-19, is another venture that not only raises money, but also provides excellent bargains in books for our community of readers.

Shaker Library offers something for everyone! April's upcoming events include gaming programs for seniors; the sixth installment of the Shaker Heights 101 series; poetry read by members of the Case Western Reserve Off-Campus Studies Poetry Workshop; Communities in Conversation: Judaism, Christianity and Islam, a 6-week, scholar-led, interfaith study and discussion group; a variety of children's programs and a free family flick. In addition, the 10th annual Barbara Luton Art Competition exhibit is on display through May 4 on the Main Library second floor. Stop in to see the art juried into our 2009 show, including this year’s Best of Show, a watercolor entitled “A Very Good Breakfast,” by Amy Lewandowski.

Luren E. Dickinson, Director
dickinson@shakerlibrary.org