Community Connections held on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Long Lake Central School provided the opportunity to share information on programs for our summer schedule sponsored by CVW Friends of the Long Lake Library and services and collections currently at the library:
Shrinky Dinks program held on Wednesday May 9, 2012 wouldn’t have been as much fun without the enthusiastic guidance of the irrepressible Betsy Comeau. A big thanks to Betsy for a great time. Stay tuned because we all had so much fun there’s talk of another program (or two) to come!
Long Lake Central School’s youngest students paid a visit to the Library today for some Halloween story time with Lorrie Hosley and Dona Hall. Thanks Lorrie & Dona!
Many thanks to Lorraine and Wes Miga who donated a wonderful plaque commemorating the historic significance of the hand-hewn granite base of our sundial, which was once part of the foundation of the old suspension bridge built in 1901. Come check it out!
Dear Long Lake Library Patrons,
As you may already know, the Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Long Lake Library is undergoing a period of transition, as we move from being a privately and town-funded library to a publicly-funded “School District” library. Last May, by a nearly 2:1 margin, voters created a school district library, funded by a new library tax. As representatives of the current board and board-elect, we would like to thank the community for this resounding vote of confidence in the mission and importance of the library. For the first time in its 17-year history, the library will have the stable funding it needs to ensure the continuation of its unique and vital role in our community. This letter represents an opportunity for us to update you on our progress and the timeline of the transition process. Here are some questions you might have, and some answers:
What is a “School District” Library?
School District Libraries share the same service area as the public school. In our case, for example, while Raquette Lake is part of Long Lake Township, it is not in the Long Lake School District, so its residents are not subject to the library tax and cannot vote in library elections or serve on the board. (Of course, like all members of the public, Raquette Lakers are always welcome as patrons, volunteers or participants in library programs!) Other than sharing the same geographic service area, the school and library are completely distinct, unaffiliated entities each having separate missions, boards, budgets and staff.
If the entities are separate, why is the school collecting the library tax?
This is primarily a cost saving measure. Because schools already have a tax-collection mechanism in place, the state mandates they also collect school district library taxes. The school merely collects the library tax and transfers it to the library account, which is under the jurisdiction of the library’s elected board of trustees.
Who are the board-elect and how long will they serve?
During a meeting in June, the board-elect (elected by the voters of the school district this past May) selected officers and drew lots to determine the length of their terms. Here are the results:
By staggering the initial terms, we ensure that every year the community will have the opportunity to shape library policy through the election of a trustee for a new 5-year term. We encourage members of the community to consider becoming candidates for the board of trustees in the future. Competition is a good thing!
Who will be the library treasurer?
Legal counsel has advised that the library treasurer cannot be a member of the board of trustees. Accordingly, the board will appoint an outside treasurer. Having an outside treasurer who works closely with the board’s V.P. for Finance will provide additional checks and balances, ensuring that your tax dollars are handled properly. The board-elect is in the process of deciding whether to fill the treasurer position with a community volunteer or a paid professional.
When will the newly-elected board of trustees take office?
The elected board cannot take office until our charter has been approved by the State Board of Regents. Working with the Library Director (Emily Farr) and legal counsel, the board-elect has drawn up a charter and submitted it to the Regents for review. We anticipate that our charter will be approved in late 2011, and shortly thereafter the board-elect will assume management of the newly chartered Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Long Lake Public Library. Until the charter is approved, the existing board will continue to govern the library.
What happens next?
The board-elect is working with the current board, the Director, and the Friends of the Long Lake Library to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. This includes development of policies/procedures, adoption of job descriptions, appointment of a treasurer, creation of committees, and many other tasks. If you are interested in library matters, we encourage you to attend meetings of the existing board and board-elect, which are always open to the public. Meeting times and agendas are posted at least a week in advance on our website, http://longlake.sals.edu.
If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to contact either of us. We wish you a happy fall, and hope to see you at the library!
Jordan Hornstein Steve Signell
President President-Elect
The Summer Reading Program will begin July 7th and last till August 11th. The program will meet every Monday and Thursday at the Library at 10:00AM. This years theme is “One World, Many Stories”. Join us, with your children for a fun filled summer at the Library.
Summer ReadingProgram: “One World, Many Dances”
Is sponsored “in part by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and LibraryServices.”
The Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Library Board of Trustees, the CVW Friends of the Long Lake Libray, the Staff and Patrons wish to thank the Community of Long Lake, the Town Board and Town Supervisor Clark Seaman for their support of the Library initiative May 17th. This vote will establish a firm financial footing for the libraries long term existence and service. We are humbled by the challenges ahead but enthusiastically excited about what the future may hold. We intend to offer the latest library technologies to the community and the best of all new materials. We invite you all to visit your library and share your ideas and how best to serve you. Again, thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
Steve Signell Steve lives in Long Lake with his wife Kristen and 9 year-old son Alex. When he arrived in the Adirondacks with his family in 2005 to take a position as an ecologist and map specialist at 
the SUNY-ESF Huntington Wildlife Forest in Newcomb, the welcoming environment of the Long Lake Library strongly influenced his decision to settle in Long Lake. Steve beleives the library is an important part of what sets Long Lake apart and is excited about the possibility of helping chart the future course of the library in its new configuration. Prior to moving to Long Lake, Steve served as Director of Staff & Curriculum of Ferry Beach Ecology School (fbes.org), Curriculum Director of The Environmental Schools, USA and as a high school biology teacher in Windham, ME.
Bob Benson
Over 35 years experience as a teacher, administrator, and program manager with the New York City Public Schools and the Department of Defense Dependents Schools – Europe. Duties included coordinator of the following programs: Fine Arts, Outdoor Education,Extra-duty Compensation, Army and Air Force Junior ROTC.� I believe that the Long Lake Library is an integral part of the Long Lake community and provides an invaluable service to the year round residents and summer visitors. I have been a resident of Long Lake since 1990.
Micaela Hall Micaela Hall is a graduate of Long Lake Central School, and has a Bachelor of Arts degree (cum laude) in Cultural Anthropology from SUNY Plattsburgh, and a Master of Science in Teaching degree (with distinction) in Secondary Social Studies Education from SUNY Potsdam. Micaela is the Public Programs Manager and Museum Educator at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. She is a member of the senior management team at the Museum, and plans public events, family programming, and interactive installments. She also supervises seasonal exhibit staff, and manages the public programs budget. Micaela lives in Long Lake
with her husband Jason and son Harrison. Micaela loves books and is an avid reader, and believes libraries are important because they provide access to knowledge and sources of inspiration for all community members. She views the Long Lake Library as a critical organization for community vitality. As a Library Trustee, Micaela will work to ensure that the Long Lake Library meets and maintains excellent standards of practice, offers engaging programs and events for the community, and manages its resources carefully.
Loretto Hosley
Loretto Hosley is a past and present member of the current Library Board of Trustees. She has lived in the school district for 39 years and she and her husband, John’s four children are graduates of Long Lake Central School. She holds a BA degree from George Washington University and is owner and manager of Hoss’s Country Corner, Inc. Her presence on the new Board of Trustees will provide continuity, as she is the only candidate from the present board to seek election on the new one.
Christine LaRocque Christine LaRocque has lived in Long Lake for six years. Her older children graduated from Long Lake Central School, and she and her husband, Jonathan Belcher, now have two young children at home. She has a BA in Studio Art and Art Education from St. Lawrence University, and is now a practicing artist, as well as working as a waitress at the Adirondack Hotel. She feels that libraries are a symbol and personification of a true democracy with free access to information for all society and that it is her duty and privilege to accurately and enthusiastically represent her friends and neighbors if she is elected to become a member of the Board of Trustees.
The Library has purchased a large array of LeapFrog material for the use of pre-schoolers thru third grade. The material has been sorted into kits, age appropriate for each different group of children. These kits are proven to be of great educational benefit for pre-school and early education use. Help give your child a head start, come to the library soon and borrow these useful multimedia materials. This aquisition was made possible by a grant from the Pearsall Foundation
Innocent – David Baldacci
Catch Me – Lisa Gardner
Tom Clancy Presents Act of Valor – Dick Couch
