The Bookw rm Newsletter from Friends of the Ripley Library Volume 9,7, Issue 9 9 SeptemberAugust 20182020 Ripley Library Board: Earl Freling, Pres. Bake ‘n Book Sale! Bob McIntosh, VP Karen Gunther, VP Fi- Saturday, September 12, nance rain date Saturday the 19th. Robyn Albright, Secr. 10a.m.-4p.m. John Hamels Linda Lowes Mini Book Sale/Bake Sale/Hot Dog Sale Come buy some goodies, get a hot dog for lunch, check out Library Director: some books to buy—all at Ripley Library! Rhonda Thompson Clerks: Stephanie Feiss Stella McKillip Annual Auction Bookworm/About Town Editor: Nancy McIntosh Now is the time of year to start thinking of cooler temper- atures, apple picking, pumpkin pies and the holidays. It Friends of the Ripley is also the time to be thinking of donations for the Library Welcome You Friends’ upcoming Annual Auction coming up in early De- cember. Look for some unique differences in how the auc- NOTE: tion is run this year! New Temporary Hours of Operation We are accepting any new items that you would be willing to contribute. This is our largest fundraiser of the year Open Tues & Thurs and with the library undergoing construction and renova- 10am-3pm for tions, the library will be in need of many items for its new pickup only look. Can you help us out? Monday 10 - 5 Tuesday 10 - 7:30 We are accepting donations in three ways: monetary, a Wednesday 10 - 5 service (snow plowing, gift certificates, etc.) or actual Thursday 10 - 5 items (including baskets filled with goodies). You may Friday 10 - 5 drop off your items at the library on Tuesdays or Thurs- Saturday 9 -2 Sunday Closed days from 10-3 or call 736-3913 and we will make ar- rangements to pick it up. Friends of the Library Meeting: Friday, September 25th, 10 a.m. Coffee on Main Page 2 Volume 9, Issue 9 THE BOOKW RM Construction Begins! Work has finally begun on the Ripley Public Library renovation. It’s not often you get to see the bare bones of an historic building, but here you can see the original beams and supports of the 1st Baptist church that became our hometown library. Unfortunately, as is bound to happen with a building almost 130 years old, some of the origi- nal beams have rotted and need to be replaced or “sistered” with new beams. Old buildings often hold secrets and the Bap- tist church turned Ripley Library is no excep- tion. Who knew the old staircase behind the circulation desk hid another stairway going in- to the basement! It will be repaired and become the “new” stairway to the depths of the build- ing. The existing stairways will be torn out and re- placed with beautiful new stairways with spindle railings. Page 3 Volume 9, Issue 9 THE BOOKW RM Construction, continued Construction methods and materials change over time, but the library staff was quite taken with the beauty of the original walls, as here you see on the east side of the former sanctuary. Tearing down the lathe has revealed a stunning structure be- neath. Eventually the covered parts of the stained glass windows will be opened to reveal their brilliance. It’s a shame the building cannot be restored to its original beau- ty, but it will be an impressive, light filled, functional library when completed. In anticipation of the third balcony being built, secure footers were added in the basement to hold the weight of the library’s non- fiction collection, as well as some of the stacks. Neither of the existing balconies were constructed with that kind of weight load in mind, although they are per- fectly safe for meeting rooms and social gather- ings. Balcony windows and walls facing into the library have been re- moved and secure flooring installed. Spindle railings will be added and the peaks of the ceilings will be maintained throughout. A shout-out to the con- struction crew from NuWood who are doing a terrific job! Volume 9, Issue 9 THE BOOKW RM Page 4 FOL Update It’s time to update our email listing for the Friends of the Library. Any- one who would like to remain or be added to our list to receive any up- dates, messages, planned group meetings or fundraiser information is be- ing asked to send their names and email addresses to: [email protected] . Thank you. Among Friends Nancy McIntosh The Friends Group met August 31st to make decisions for our upcoming events. Sadly, the Family Fun Run has been cancelled. Hopefully next year we will be in a position to try it once again. The library is holding a Book/Bake Sale on Saturday September 12 from 10-4. We are asking all friends to bake some delicious treats to sell. You may drop them off that morning at the library. We are also looking for volunteers to man the tables, making it easier if everyone pitches in. Please contact the library and let us know what hours you are willing to work. It was also decided that this year the Friends will host an Online Auction the first two weeks in December. We plan on having a Chinese Auction in town and we will also raffle off several baskets. Our goal is to make enough money to purchase furniture for our new upcoming circulation area, including a new circulation desk. Donation letters will be ready to pick up at the library beginning Tuesday, September 1st. Be sure to stop in to pick up yours. If anyone has new items to donate to the li- brary, please drop them off any Tuesday or Thursday from 10-3 or call to arrange for a pick-up. Start getting the word out now. We really need your help to make this a suc- cess. Sun-Sat 6am-3pm Chicken Barbeque Serving coffee, iced Sunday coffee, cappuccino, September 6th hot chocolate, dughnuts, muffins, Dinners go fast— bagels, sandwiches, Pre-order so you don’t miss out! and more! (Closed Labor Day, September 7th) 19 West Main Street, Ripley, NY Coffee on Main Phone: 716-736-7381 25 W. Main St. www.meedersrestaurant.com Ripley, NY Page 5 Volume 9, Issue 9 THE BOOKW RM From the Director’s Desk disrepair and make it a viable community cen- ter for all of those who choose to use it. By Rhonda Thompson Speaking of fundraising, we are planning a September already!! Can you be- Mini Bake-n-Book sale this September 12, lieve it? Sometimes it feels like this 2020 with a rain date of September 19, 2020. year has been forever long with all We will have some books for sale along with a the crazy things happening, Covid-19 being Bake Sale and a Hot Dog sale too. All of this the most prominent part of the year we have will be held outside for the safety of all in- had to deal with. Sometimes it seems like time volved. Please come and support the library moves slowly, but the calendar pages turn and enjoy some of the small events we used to very quickly. do before Covid hit. Though it may not seem like it, our library is A little reminder for all of you, don’t forget to moving along and we are staying very busy. use the services still available to you through The renovations are going wonderfully and we the library. We may be disabled, but we are are very happy with the progress and the team operating the best we can. There is inter-loan of guys working there. Whenever I walk for books, movies, music, books on CD and of around and envision what it will look like, I course downloadable books and magazines for get so excited and just can’t wait to see the fin- your electronic device. Check out our website ished product. We will have to have a HUGE and the website of CCLS. Ancestry.com is still grand opening when everything is complete. available to you. There are many services; all We will make it a big formal event. It will be you have to do is check them out. spectacular. Now before I get carried away, I must come back down to earth and realize it is Prepare for the upcoming Fall and hope to see a long way out there yet and there is much to you soon at the library. Stay safe out there. do. Fundraising is one of the biggest things we need to get done. Every penny is needed and every penny helps. We are working so hard to keep a wonderful building from falling into Join a Board Meeting Board of Trustees If you are interested in virtually join- The Library is still looking for someone to ing a Ripley Public Library Board fill the one-year opening on the Board of Trustees. meeting, please contact the director, Rhonda Thompson, 716-736-3913 If you are interested, please send a letter with your email address and you can of interest to: be sent a link to the meeting. Or you Director can email her at Ripley Public Library [email protected] Leave a P. O. Box 808 message. We will return your call. Ripley, NY 14775 OR [email protected] Page 6 Volume 9, Issue 9 THE BOOKW RM September Gardening Looking Good on https://www.ripleylibrary.org September is the perfect time to begin work on your yard before the The Ripley Library website, listed above, weather turns cooler. The follow- has something new for everyone to try.