Build a Better World Reading Program to Take Place in Adams
ADMAS, Mass. — Children will be able to participate in the Build a Better World reading program to benefit Habitat for Humanity.
The library trustees voted Thursday to allow Library Director Holli Jayko to spend up to $1,500 from the unrestricted passbook account and gifts to fund the initiative for the youth summer reading program.
"Each child that reads this summer will literally reading to build a better world," he said.
She said the program is a statewide initiative to get students to read throughout the summer. Children of all ages receive "money" for completing a book: $1 for a picture book, $5 for a chaptered book and $10 for a chaptered book over a certain number of pages.
"They can see the jar fill up and we will have a chart to get us up to the $1,500," she said. "So they will see as they read that there money is going to this cause."
Jayko said $1,500 is a conservative number based on the amount of books that are usually read during the summer reading program. She said the Friends of the library may also be willing to add to the pot.
Trustee Virginia Duval suggested not capping the amount so if the children raise more money they can turn it over to Habitat for Humanity.
Duval also asked if a Habitat for Humanity project would happen in Adams.
Jayko said the North County branch is based out of North Adams and although they have never done a project in Adams, she said the representative she talked to seemed to think it was a possibility.
The program will be advertised in the schools and will run from mid-June to mid-August.
In other business, Jayko said the library will soon lend mobile hot spots that will allow patrons to take home a small device that will allow them to connect to Wi-Fi in their homes.
"It is still in the planning stages and we hope to have it up and running soon but I wanted you to know we are still trying to keep up with technology," Jayko said.
She said the device will have unlimited data and will cost the library $40 a month. If they want to add a second device it will be another $40.
If the patron does not return the device, the library can turn it off and the company will send a new one. The library has to decide how long the device will be lent out and penalties for not returning it.
It will also be installing a television display received through a grant.
"It will soon become a reality," Jayko said. "It will have pictures, flyers and advertisements."
She said the television is 40 inches and was just under $400.
The trustees also reorganized and James Loughman will continue to serve as chairman and Eugene Michalenko treasurer.
New trustee Brian Bishop, who replaced former trustee David Strzepek, was appointed to take on Strzepek's former role of building maintenance.
"I think that’s where I would be more beneficial seeing I have been in construction for 40 years," he said. "It would be nice if Dave was around to pass the baton and give me a tour of the building and the things he was concerned about."
He said one of his first charges would be to see if it is truly beneficial to switch the library heating system to natural gas.
Jayko said the town has considered making the switch using funds from their Green Communities Grant.
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