A Message to our Donors...
Dear Library Friend,
We want to take a moment and thank you - our donors and patrons - for being a bright light in a rather dim 2020. Like most organizations, we had high expectations and a calendar full of engaging, enriching, and empowering events as we ushered in a new decade. Then the world shifted… and so did we.
We’ve learned many valuable lessons this year. We learned that the library can still successfully provide patrons with quality, timely, and convenient resources remotely. While closed to the public, we quickly focused on providing:
When we opened our doors again after a 16-week closure we learned our most valuable lesson. Our patrons and staff truly missed being able to visit the physical building and interact with one another! We continued to find new ways to engage our patrons while adhering to all State of CT safety guidelines. These services are still in place and include:
In August when Hurricane Isaias hit the state and left many Torrington residents without power for a week or more, we learned how to cope with a pandemic and a natural disaster at the same time. With so many of our neighbors working from home due to COVID, Isaias created a critical need for electricity and WiFi. We quickly set-up 18 socially distanced, powered work stations for immediate public use. These stations remain open and available during regular library hours.
Lastly, we learned that we will continue to need your support for our year-end appeal. Because of COVID, we were not able to host in-person fundraisers this year (including the Taste of Torrington), and we could not charge late fines or sell used books during our months of closure. This amounts to a revenue shortfall of over $20,000. Additionally, this summer we spent $5,000+ on Plexiglas barriers, PPE and sanitization supplies, and other facility-related costs so that we could safely reopen. The Everybody Learns Grant that we received in October, while generous, could not be used to reimburse previous expenses. As we reconcile these additional costs with the loss of revenue, your support is more important than ever.
You can help by donating to our Year End Appeal today. Your donation will help us continue to purchase new materials (both print and non-print), enhance our already robust collection of remote resources, increase virtual and eventual in-person programming for all ages, and enrich partnerships that allow for stronger community engagement.
Please click here to learn more about a few exciting giving opportunities! An angel donor will match ALL donations (up to a $1,000 per individual donor) from now through December 1st. Also, under the CARES act, your donation to the library will help support our mission and provide you a tax benefit. Please take advantage of these wonderful opportunities to support the library.
We hope you have a safe and healthy holiday season. We’ll see you at the library!
Warm wishes,
Charlie and Jessica
Charles W. Roraback, President
Jessica Gueniat, Director
We want to take a moment and thank you - our donors and patrons - for being a bright light in a rather dim 2020. Like most organizations, we had high expectations and a calendar full of engaging, enriching, and empowering events as we ushered in a new decade. Then the world shifted… and so did we.
We’ve learned many valuable lessons this year. We learned that the library can still successfully provide patrons with quality, timely, and convenient resources remotely. While closed to the public, we quickly focused on providing:
- Every Torrington resident the opportunity to apply for a library card online (often people received their NEW library card numbers within hours of application, granting them immediate access to our online resources!).
- Virtual events like Facebook Live Story Times for kids and inspirational, informative lectures for adults via Zoom.
- Educational and entertaining online games like The Salem Witch Trials and Remembering Titanic for adults.
- A robust eBook and eAudiobook collection for all ages.
When we opened our doors again after a 16-week closure we learned our most valuable lesson. Our patrons and staff truly missed being able to visit the physical building and interact with one another! We continued to find new ways to engage our patrons while adhering to all State of CT safety guidelines. These services are still in place and include:
- Curbside pickup! Patrons can call or electronically submit their materials order and pick up at the library when the order is ready. We are also offering grab-and-go craft projects for all ages!
- Additional online resources patrons can access from home, like Kanopy (free movie streaming) and Tumble Books (eBooks and eResources for ages birth-grade 4).
- Wireless printing and public access internet stations with social distancing measures in place.
- Increased partnerships with Torrington Public Schools to ensure all families have access to our FREE resources and local organizations like Prime Time House to promote awareness of the mental health crisis in the U.S.
In August when Hurricane Isaias hit the state and left many Torrington residents without power for a week or more, we learned how to cope with a pandemic and a natural disaster at the same time. With so many of our neighbors working from home due to COVID, Isaias created a critical need for electricity and WiFi. We quickly set-up 18 socially distanced, powered work stations for immediate public use. These stations remain open and available during regular library hours.
Lastly, we learned that we will continue to need your support for our year-end appeal. Because of COVID, we were not able to host in-person fundraisers this year (including the Taste of Torrington), and we could not charge late fines or sell used books during our months of closure. This amounts to a revenue shortfall of over $20,000. Additionally, this summer we spent $5,000+ on Plexiglas barriers, PPE and sanitization supplies, and other facility-related costs so that we could safely reopen. The Everybody Learns Grant that we received in October, while generous, could not be used to reimburse previous expenses. As we reconcile these additional costs with the loss of revenue, your support is more important than ever.
You can help by donating to our Year End Appeal today. Your donation will help us continue to purchase new materials (both print and non-print), enhance our already robust collection of remote resources, increase virtual and eventual in-person programming for all ages, and enrich partnerships that allow for stronger community engagement.
Please click here to learn more about a few exciting giving opportunities! An angel donor will match ALL donations (up to a $1,000 per individual donor) from now through December 1st. Also, under the CARES act, your donation to the library will help support our mission and provide you a tax benefit. Please take advantage of these wonderful opportunities to support the library.
We hope you have a safe and healthy holiday season. We’ll see you at the library!
Warm wishes,
Charlie and Jessica
Charles W. Roraback, President
Jessica Gueniat, Director
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