President’s Message - January 1, 2022
Bainbridge Public Library is the library that our community built…
Bainbridge Public Library is the library that our community
built and continues to support. It is
unique because it is a 501(c)(3) that belongs to the people of Bainbridge
Island. As a non-profit, Bainbridge
Public Library depends on donations and grants to provide funds for maintaining
the building and grounds. We have a
partnership with Kitsap Regional Library, which is a property tax supported
institution, that provides staff, collections, classes, programs and technology. Working together, we bring you the wonderful
library that you have come to expect.
Bainbridge Public Library is governed by a volunteer Board
whose members contribute their experience, expertise, time and love of the
library. They are thoughtful stewards of
your donations as they meet the current library needs and plan for the its
future. I am honored to be the President
of the Board, working with this group of people who are committed to providing
the best possible space for your library needs.
The library reopened to our community last spring on a
limited basis following the guidelines set by Kitsap Regional Library. The Friends of the Library had its first book
sale in the building in May following a fifteen-month hiatus. First Fridays, featuring local artists, again
bringing in art lovers, began in August.
Friday Tidies are working their weekly wonders in the gardens. The high school culinary class had a
gingerbread house competition in December. The first in-person baby story times began this month. Gradually and carefully, we are reentering
our beloved spaces.
Our focus this spring is to restore the gazebo, which is
showing its age with rot. We received a
grant from the Bainbridge Community Foundation to help cover the cost. We are also planning to replace and expand the
garbage and recycling areas and do the new propane tank and ventilating systems
enclosures. These are all necessary
projects.
I personally want to thank our wonderful donors who have
continued to support us during a time that has been difficult for all of us. Your love and generosity make it possible for
Bainbridge Public Library to be a space that welcomes you back and is again a place that you can enjoy in your lives.
Carol
Schuyler, President
Bainbridge
Public Library Board
