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The Town of Londonderry’s budget season for fiscal year 2024-2025 is currently underway. At the Town Council meeting on November 20, the Budget Committee communicated to Director Erin Matlin that the library should prepare for a budget cut during fiscal year 2024-2025. At this time, no other Town department has received this message. The current proposed library budget for FY 2024-2025 totaling $1,527,802 includes the first year’s annual membership fee for the Greater Manchester Integrated Library Cooperative System (GMILCS) estimated to be $34,320. A budget cut could permanently revoke the library’s opportunity to become a GMILCS member. The tax impact of joining GMILCS is less than a penny per household. Membership would offer a strong return on investment for the community by providing: - Direct access to over 1.4 million materials at 13 nearby libraries including the Derry Public Library, Manchester City Library, Bedford Public Library, Rodgers Memorial Library in Hudson, and Nesmith Library in Windham. - Access to a new digital collection.
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- Faster access with delivery service three days per week and the option to pick up materials at other member libraries. - More convenience with additional service hours at other GMILCS libraries such as Sunday afternoons and later evenings. - A new, shared library catalog that will better meet technology expectations with the ability to receive digital notifications and reminders, place holds on items on order, browse new materials online, and more. - A support network for library staff to learn from other libraries’ experiences, leading to cost savings through new vendors, program collaboration, and more efficient practices. In preparing the budget, library management staff and the Board of Trustees agreed to tighten other areas of the budget to reallocate $12,000 to the GMILCS membership fee in order to offset the impact on taxpayers. Additionally, the one-time onboarding cost estimated to be $24,300 will have no tax impact. The Board of Trustees agreed to fund the majority of the onboarding cost, and the Friends of the Leach
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Library are currently fundraising for the remainder. If the library’s budget is cut, the Board of Trustees will determine what services the cut impacts. A budget cut could affect staffing, operating hours, programming, digital offerings such as hoopla and databases, availability of materials and subscriptions, GMILCS membership, etc. Members of the public are welcome to comment on the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget at the following upcoming meetings: - Monday, December 4, 2023 at 7:00pm, Londonderry Town Hall - Monday, December 18, 2023 at 7:00pm, Londonderry Town Hall - Monday, January 15, 2024 at 7:00pm, Londonderry Town Hall - Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 9:00am, Londonderry High School Café Additional documents and meeting recordings are linked below:
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Holiday Hours December 23: Closed December 25: Closed December 30: Library closing at 1 p.m. January 1: Closed
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Library After Dark Movie Night On Friday, December 8 at 6:00 p.m., Leach Library will host an after-hours movie night in the main reading room! Join eight-year-old Kevin McCallister as he fends for himself over the holidays in Home Alone (rated PG). Pizza and refreshments will be served while supplies last, and raffle prizes will be provided. |
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The Leach Library is pleased to be participating in the Ladybug Award voting this year. Each year, librarians from around the state nominate ten outstanding picture books to be voted on by the children of New Hampshire. Participants in preschool through grade 3 can vote on their favorite book from the list of nominated titles. The books will be on display this month until December 9. Stop by and read one of the titles and be ready to cast your vote beginning on Monday, December 4 and ending on Saturday, December 9. Everyone who votes will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a fun Ladybug prize.
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Little Sprouts Baby Lapsit On Tuesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. through December 12, Leach Library will offer a story time program for babies 0-18 months old. This introduction to story time is a great opportunity for your littlest sprouts to learn to interact with you and others in a new environment, as well as to begin to follow along with songs, dances, and finger movements.
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Wiggle Worms On Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. through December 12, toddlers ages 2-3 years old and their caregivers are invited to the Leach Library for story time with songs, rhymes, books, and more.
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Bookworms On Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. through December 13, Leach Library will offer story time for preschoolers ages 3-5 years old. Bookworms will focus on preschoolers learning more about words, numbers, and concepts through stories, songs, rhymes, and games. The program will also include a simple craft to promote developing fine motor skills.
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Tinker Time Join Leach Library staff on Saturday, December 9 at 2:00 p.m. for Tinker Time. A variety of toys and games from the Library of Things will be provided for children to try. Registration is recommended and begins Saturday, December 2.
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Craft TimeOn Monday, December 11 at 4:30 p.m., kid crafters are invited to the Leach Library to create a yarn-wrapped ornament in the meeting room. Supplies will be provided, and staff will be available to offer assistance. Registration is required and begins on Monday, December 4.
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Duplo Budding Builders Join the Leach Library staff on Thursday, December 14 at 10:00 a.m. for a meeting of Duplo Budding Builders. Participants will create using larger Duplo blocks. This program is designed for younger Lego enthusiasts ages 0-5. Registration is required and begins on Wednesday, December 7.
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Building Buddies Join the Leach Library staff on Thursday, December 14 at 4:30 p.m. for a Lego program designed for ages 6 and up. Each month, there will be a fun theme and time to create using the library’s Legos. Registration is required and begins on Wednesday, December 7.
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Game Time Join the Leach Library staff on Wednesday, December 27 at 2:00 p.m. for Game Time. Participants will compete in a variety of Minute-to-Win-It style challenges for a chance to win prizes. This program is designed for ages 5 and up. Registration is required and begins on Wednesday, December 20.
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PJ Story Time Come to Leach Library on Thursday, December 28 at 7:00 p.m. ready for bedtime in cozy pajamas to listen to a couple of bedtime stories and sing along to a lullaby. Don’t forget a stuffed animal or blanket to snuggle! Registration is not required for this program and drop-ins are welcome.
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Make & Take Slime Have you always wanted to try making your very own slime? Join Leach Library staff on Friday, December 29 at 2:00 p.m. in the meeting room, where we will have all the ingredients and a recipe to make your own unique Winter Slime to play with and take home! This program is for children 5 and older. Registration is required and begins on Friday, December 22.
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Laser Tag for Teens On Tuesday, December 26 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., teens and tweens are invited to a Laser Tag experience in the Leach Library Meeting Room. Groups of teens will play against each other while moving through a series of obstacles. Registration is required and begins on Tuesday, December 19.
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Coding Club On Wednesday, December 27 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., students in grades 4-8 will be able to explore a variety of coding exercises and programs including using screen-free coding robots, independent online coding, and other guided activities online. This program is open to participants ages 9-14. Registration is required and begins on Wednesday, December 20.
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Giant Games for Teens On Thursday, December 28 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., teens and tweens will be able to play an assortment of game night favorites in giant form! Games include Human Hungry Hippos, Yahtzee, and more. Registration is required and begins on Thursday, December 21.
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Gingerbread Houses Teen and tween builders will be able to create their own gingerbread house-inspired creations with an assortment of graham crackers, candy, and frosting. Stop by the Leach Library Meeting Room on Tuesday, December 12 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. for a sweet time! Teens will have an opportunity to try their creations during the program or bring them home to enjoy. Registration is required and begins on Tuesday, December 5. Please advise library staff of any food allergies when registering for the program. To register, visit the library’s online calendar or call (603) 432-1132. |
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Dungeons & Dragons Calling all teen and tween adventurers! Join the Dragoneers Club for a standalone quest on Monday, December 18 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the Leach Library Meeting Room. All experience levels welcome! Registration is required and begins on Monday, December 11.
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Space Rangers Get ready to blast off into a new adventure on Thursday, December 21 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Leach Library Meeting Room. During this one-hour, space-themed program, students ages 9-14 will explore different space science topics through hands-on activities and games. Registration is required and begins on Thursday, December 14.
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