... located at Simsmore Square, 540 Hopmeadow Street. We will transfer our operations there on approximately March 1. We will remain there for a little more than one year. The grand opening of the "new" library will be in June of 2008.

Our neighbors are Big Sky Fitness, the Hartt School, Fasttrack Kids and others.

Our temporary home will be about 8,000 square feet. We will have a room for programs that will hold about 60 people.

The whole staff is committed to running a full-service library in spite of the cramped quarters.

Here's what you can expect to find:

• all of our DVDs
• Business Resource Center
• magazines and newspapers
• children's storytime and other programs
• Internet-accessible computers and a wireless network
• ample parking
• full service reference, circulation and childrens departments

We can't bring all the books with us, as you might have guessed. But, we have made plans to accommodate more inter-library loan requests so that our patrons can have the books they need.

We are in the process of finding and hiring a moving company and an interior designer (for the renovated library.)

We are very excited about having our temporary facility chosen. Things will be a little bumpy at first, but we are committed to providing the same service to which our patrons have become accustomed.

We were lucky enough to host of group of very special ladies this month.

Members of the Connecticut Valley Girl Scouts Council visited the library to learn about what our books are doing while we are moving.

For more of the Brownies Library Day click the links below.

Brownies listening to head of circulation Kathy Dublanica.

At the desk.

The Town has chosen a contractor to work on the library expansion and renovation.

W.J. Mountford "provides a full range of construction services with a strong professional management team and a commitment to quality workmanship."

Mountford is experienced in large projects such as ours. They have also worked on:

Shelter a shelf

Our Shelter a Shelf program continues to empty our shelves, happily.

Shelter a Shelf allows patrons to take out books that we are not taking with us to the temporary library for the entire duration of the renovation. Just give them a good home and bring them back when we are ready for them.

Remember, every book you shelter is a book the library doesn't have to pay to move or store. Do your duty. Shelter a Shelf. Shelter part of a Shelf. You'll be glad you did.

And thanks again to all of you who have opened your homes to our books.

Fundraising
The Friends of the Library's Captial Campaign Committee reports that their efforts are paying off.

The people they have worked with thus far have been generous beyond all reason.

Soon there will be mailings going out to the members of the Friends as well as a townwide mailing. If you are so inclined be on the lookout for these opportunities to support us.

Reminder Don't forget to take advantage of our downloadable audiobooks. Play them online or save them and burn them to a CD. Ch eck them out on our web site.