Middletown Free Library Magazine | Fall 2022

MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBRARY MAGAZINE

AND 2021 ANNUAL REPORT

MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBRARY MAGAZINE FALL 2022

CONTENTS MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBRARY MAGAZINE

President’s Letter ........................... pg. 4 2021 by the Numbers ..................... pg. 6

PUBLISHER Middletown Free Library

Meet Derek Lloyd .......................... pg. 8

EDITOR Dan Washburn

Our New Home ............................ pg. 10

DESIGNER Lisa Lok

CONTRIBUTORS

From the Archives ........................ pg. 15

Parag Dalal Jason Fialkovich Bob Fyfe Laura Kuchmay Derek Lloyd

Carving Out a Legacy .................... pg. 16

ON THE COVER

2021 Library Timeline ................... pg. 20

Original illustration of the Middletown Free Library bus by Lisa Lok.

Donors ........................................ pg. 22

middletownfreelibrary.org

Financial Overview ...................... pg. 28 Get Involved ................................ pg. 30

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MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBR ARY MAGAZINE

WHAT DOES THE LIBRARY MEAN TO YOU?

Middletown Free Library is a place where every child in Indian Lane’s school community can access amazing resources, opportunities, and experiences.

In addition to the increased access to books, the library offers a place where children can use technology, problem solve, create, learn, play, and explore.

— TRACY HATTON LIBRARIAN, INDIAN LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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OCTOBER 2022

Dear Friends, Middletown Free Library celebrated its 65th anniversary last year — and it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come.

BOARD Robert Fyfe, President Parag Dalal, Vice President Tim Sander, Treasurer Ken Dinitz, Secretary Genevieve Hamilton, MFL Friends Liaison Mark Borda Patricia Finegan Betsy Podrebarac Dave Irving, Trustee Emeritus Dan Washburn, Board Advisory Committee

STAFF Derek Lloyd, Director Laura Kuchmay, Adult Services Librarian Jason Fialkovich, Youth Services Director Carol Rickert, Head Library Assistant Jenny O'Neill, Adult Services Assistant Libby McCampbell, Youth Services Assistant Matthew Lomas, User Services Sarah Chan, User Services Ana Paula Fonseca, User Services

VOLUNTEERS

We started our journey as a bookmobile in a red school bus in 1956. Four years later, the library moved into what would be its home for the next six-plus decades, an old farmhouse on Pennell Road. In 2021, we made a huge leap forward, and expanded into our new, modern home at the Roosevelt Community Center on South Old Middletown Road, in partnership with Middletown Township.

To finance the move, the library successfully completed a three-year, $1 million Campaign for Middletown Free Library, raising a total of $1,071,136.

Special thanks to Tim Snyder for sharing his expertise and especially to the Henderson Foundation and Betsy Podrebarac and her late-husband Frank for their extremely generous gifts.

After the move was complete, our longtime director, Mary Gazdik, left to pursue a new path within the Chester County Library System. We thank her for 10 years of service to the community and wish her luck and success in her new role.

After an extensive search for a new director, we ended up not having to look very far for the ideal candidate. Derek Lloyd has worked at MFL for the past four years in several roles, and received his Masters in Library Science from Clarion University. We look forward to Derek continuing the legacy of supporting our community.

I’d like to extend a warm thank you to everyone who has visited our new space and supported the library over the past year. And please consider this a personal invitation to come back. Explore our new space and everything it has to offer: Check out a book, attend an award-winning program, play a board game, make something cool.

Your continued patronage is how we make our next 65 years just as successful as our first.

Sincerely,

Adwait Chafale Leslie Grissom

FRIENDS OF MFL Cathy Bautista, President Judy Boudwin Genevieve Hamilton Jeanne Maloney Sharon Napoli Pat Voelker 4

Bob Fyfe Board President

MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBR ARY MAGAZINE

WHAT DOES THE LIBRARY MEAN TO YOU?

We have lived in Middletown since 1975, and MFL has always been a real gem. Now in a new home, the library continues its excellence in providing the township with the best programs and staff in the county. No wonder the library is our second home.

— SHARON AND AL GUARENTE

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2021 BY THE NUMBERS

CI RCU L AT ION

Yes, we have an affinity for words at the library — but we also like to geek out on statistics. Here are some of our favorite factoids from the past year.

1960 /week

PATRON VI S I T S

400

P RO G RA MS RUN

11/ week

/week

DIFFERE N T B OA R D GAM ES PL AYED

24

RO OM RE N TALS

6/ week

DIF F E RE N T STORIE S R E A D AT STORY T IME

P ROG RA M AT TENDANC E

150

117/ week

NE W I T E MS I N T HE COL L EC TION

2977

INDIVI DUAL DONORS

750+ TAX SUPP ORT

$18.18/ resident

6

N E W LIB RA RY C AR DS

14/ week DAY S C LOS E D DU E TO PA N DE MIC

0

MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBR ARY MAGAZINE

FAC E B O OK FOLLOWER S

2.4K

6.

GLA SSE S WORN

5.

mr derek

RIDES IN THE M IDDLETOWN L IBRA RY BUS

540 DIRECTIONS GI VEN TO THE NEW LI BRARY (BEFORE THE MOVE)

1125 times

mr jason

TOTA L B O OK M I L E AG E DU E TO T HE MOV E

137100

[ five and a half times around the world ]

MOST P OP U L A R M USE U M PA SS

Elmwood Park Zoo MOST P OP U LAR B OA RD G A ME

Mystery at Hogwarts

MOS T P OPU L A R CH I L DR E N ’S I T E M S

MOST P OP U LAR NEW A DU LT F IC T ION S ER I ES

VOX Books Audio Readers

Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries

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MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBR ARY MAGAZINE

MEET

DEREK LLOYD 10 QUESTIONS FOR MFL’S NEW DIRECTOR

WHEN IT CAME time for the Middletown Free Library board to hire a new library director, they didn’t have to look far. Derek Lloyd, who assumed the role in May, is what you might call “home grown talent.” Originally from Glenolden, Derek has lived in Delaware County his entire life. He’s a graduate of Monsignor Bonner High School and Villanova University, and earlier this year received his Master of Library and Information Science degree from Clarion University. For the past four years, Derek has worked at MFL, first as the assistant children’s librarian and more recently as the technical services librarian. The regular board game meetups he runs at the library are the stuff of (sometimes literally) legend. A card-carrying library member since the age of 5, Derek recently sat down with us to discuss books, new buildings — and yes, board games.

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST LIBRARY MEMORY? Taking forever to decide which book I wanted to borrow from the Glenolden Library.

AND WHAT DID YOU END UP CHOOSING? A book about cats. I don’t remember the name, but I remember regretting my choice.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE ROLE OF A COMMUNITY LIBRARY IS THESE DAYS? There are fewer places in society where people can go to meet up in a group for free. When I was younger, we could go walk the mall or sit in a bookstore. Many of those are gone, along with other places that served the same purpose. The library can fill that void. Additionally, the information explosion that has happened has changed what the library offers. People are more in need of a library of things than previously. What can now be read or listened to online used to be solely the realm of the hardcopy book.

Where the library offered almost entirely books in the past, it will now offer a variety of things for the public to check out, such as board games, tools, and wireless devices.

SPEAKING OF BOARD GAMES, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITES? According to my spreadsheet — yes, I have one — there are five depending on who and how much time I have. If I have to pick one, Dungeon Fighter is it. A cooperative game that can be played by almost any age, up to six players, with strategy, comedy, and a physical dexterity component. It’s the only game I recall playing at the library where everyone was having so much fun I had to quiet us down.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BOOK GENRE? Currently, young adult or adult graphic novels (the Comic Book Story of Professional Wrestling is the best one I’ve read recently) and adult non-fiction (the Rational Bible series is what I am currently reading). While I was a stay at home parent, my ability to read long form books was limited. I found that graphic novels allowed me to read books in the 10 or 15 minute windows I had while taking care of young children. That has stuck with me. As my kids

grew up, I found myself continuing to read graphic novels. My interest in the adult non-fiction genre stems from listening to podcasts. When I hear one that I find interesting, I investigate the book for more in-depth knowledge. I should note that this is more recent, since up until my youngest child was 8 years old, I wouldn’t have had time for those books.

WHAT BOOK DO YOU THINK YOU’VE REREAD THE MOST? That would be The Battle Book, a statistical collection of all world battles up to 1992. My first copy fell apart around 2000 and I’m on my second one.

The book hits a sweet spot for me: I enjoy numbers, statistics, and analysis of battles.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? I think my wife would argue I never relax — but I do. Before I go to bed I listen to a podcast and paint models for use in wargames. That is how I relax. One of my philosophies is to find the things that you enjoy and do them whenever possible. So my list will be long: Play all manner of games (board, wargames, role-playing, sports, poker), go out to eat, go to the movies, and go to renaissance fairs. The common thread is spending time with people.

WHAT WOULD FOLKS BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU? I think there would be a lot of things, but I’ll go with these two: I played in a recreational men’s basketball league for 20 years and I have never ridden the subway.

WHAT’S THE COOLEST THING ABOUT MFL’S NEW HOME IN THE ROOSEVELT COMMUNITY CENTER? There is so much to like about it, but for me it’s that feeling when you walk in the door. You walk into a bright open place that’s inviting you in, and when you look around you realize that this amazing space has something to offer everyone. The private tutoring and conference rooms get a great deal of use, as much as we had hoped they would. The teen space gets more teens in it than the old building ever had. The community collaborative space has at least one group using it daily. The makerspace has multiple programs every week that would have been challenging in the old building.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE “DEREK ERA” AT MFL? From the “Dera”? You can expect a lot of puns. You can look forward to an expanded building with new rooms and new programs. You can look forward to hours and collections tailored as best as possible to the needs of the community. And you can look forward to a smile and friendly greeting every time you find me.

This interview was edited for length and clarity.

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Our New Home

By KEN DINITZ Photographs by DAN WASHBURN

Looking down at the circulation desk in the new Middletown Free Library.

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MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBR ARY MAGAZINE

1. The children’s area has its own circulation desk.

2. Colorful modular origami on display in the children’s area. 3. The main entrance. 4. The wooden red bookmobile in the children's area.

1.

IN

DECEMBER 2021, Middletown Free Library

(MFL) completed its three-year, $1 million campaign raising $1,071,136 from generous individuals and foundations to support the cost of our move to a new, municipally owned space in the renovated Roosevelt Community Center, formerly the Roosevelt School. The library is now open in this larger, more modern space with technology and furnishings purchased by the library reflecting current best practices in the library sector.

MFL’s unique adult programs — including yoga, painting, Chinese and Russian cultural groups, and excellent children’s programs — attract people from all over Delaware County, and beyond. The new facility is even more of a draw, with the only dedicated makerspace in a public library in the county, featuring new 3-D printers. We will soon be adding the only audio-visual production studio in a Delco library and a second tutoring room. The new library also features shared performance and event spaces that attract audiences from across the county to cultural events. All programs and facilities are free to the public. –›

2.

3.

4.

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8.

5.

6.

7.

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MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBR ARY MAGAZINE

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Since its founding in 1956, Middletown Free Library has been dedicated to serving the educational and cultural needs of Middletown Township and Delaware County. Over time, we have added programs to meet the needs of a growing and evolving community. As technology advances and how people use libraries changes, we respond. For example, the new library space emphasizes collaborative workspaces, internet connections, and charging stations. Patrons with limited resources can use our computers to access information on jobs, health, and social services for free. Through all of these changes we remain true to our mission — to help the people of our community achieve their full potential through the transformative power of information, imagination, and ideas.

10.

5. Story time seating in the children’s area. 6. The teen area.

7. Private seating areas for patrons. 8. Diner-like seating for patrons to work while eating. 9. The makerspace — the first in a county library. 10. The adult book collection.

11. The computer lab. 12. Outside the main entrance.

11.

12.

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WHAT DOES THE LIBRARY MEAN TO YOU?

When my kids were preschool aged, Middletown Free Library saved my sanity. From Mr. Jason’s story time, coding programs, and lego playtimes to Laura’s crafting, movie, and music programs, there was always something happening that would breathe life into an otherwise monotonous day.

— KRIS MOYER 14

MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBR ARY MAGAZINE

The Moyer family: (L to R) Allison, Mike, Kris, and Katelyn.

FROM THE ARCHIVES A look back at the last time the library moved into a new building.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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Carving Out a Legacy How one family’s passion — and craftsmanship — bookends the story of our library’s history

BY JASON FIALKOVICH PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAN WASHBURN

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MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBR ARY MAGAZINE

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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IT’S THE FIRST THING you see when you enter the new Middletown Free Library — and it is stunning.

Made of intricately carved cherry wood, measuring 16-feet wide, and weighing nearly a quarter of a ton, it’s just as much an art installation as it is a circulation desk.

“Everybody thinks it is amazing,” said Jenny O’Neill, MFL’s adult services assistant, who often works seated behind the conversation piece.

“People say, ‘Oh my gosh, this is beautiful.’ And then they ask what it’s made of, and who made it.”

The answer to that last question begins to unlock the hidden secret of the circulation desk. This decidedly modern piece of furniture is a direct link to the earliest days of the Middletown Free Library, and represents a family carpentry connection that’s touched all of the library’s incarnations dating back to 1956.

Walter “Bok” Read is the human embodiment of that connection. He shaped the desk from $2,500 worth of lumber furnished by the library.

It took him two full months of work, six hours a day. And he donated the desk to MFL without asking for a penny.

Bok, as most people know him, is a lifelong Middletown resident, a township council member, and a retired educator who taught physics and chemistry at Penncrest High School for 39 years.

A newspaper clipping from 1956 shows the Middletown Free Library bookmobile in action.

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He’s also, clearly, an extremely talented wood- a row, much to the delight of the children in the worker — with a deeply ingrained love of libraries. school bus.”

Those traits were passed down from his parents, All of the bookmobile’s books were donated. The Margaret and Truman. selection was modest, but residents were grateful “The library was always a big deal for my family,” to have access to books they wouldn’t have othBok explained. “We’re all readers. My mother was erwise. After three years of the bookmobile rida librarian. My father never went to college or any- ing around town, Middletown residents wanted thing, but he probably read a book a week his en- a library in a physical building. The property at tire life — and remembered every word. So I don't 21 North Pennell Road was purchased from the know — libraries are cool.”

Weathers family, and the work of transforming an Margaret and Truman were one of three fam- old home into a library began. This second edition ilies who raised the funds — $400 — to purchase of Middletown Free Library opened in 1960. a school bus from the Elwyn school in 1956. The “A lot of people were involved with building the Reads, Murray and Bob Engle, and Doris and Phil- library,” said Bok, who was 15 years old at the time. lip Sanders had the bus painted red and fitted it “I was so proud of the small little section of wood with wooden shelves. Thus, the Middletown Free flooring I had done. I was working with a guy Library bookmobile was born. in his 50s, and he enjoyed teaching me. I don’t Bok recalls, as a child, “schlepping materials remember who the first librarians were, but my around” during the process of converting the bus. mother became one later on. She started helping “I couldn’t ride in the bus,” he said. “Nobody was out at the library just as a volunteer, then went allowed to ride in the bus while it moved around to Drexel to get her degree in library sciences so the township. I remember seeing 15 people wait- she could become a librarian at the Middletown ing on the corner of 352 and Glen Riddle Road for Free Library.” the bookmobile to pull up.”

(Bok shared one of his mother’s favorite librarBok’s mother actually drove the bookmobile for ian stories. A small child, wearing toy revolvers a while. Driving the big vehicle took some getting around his waist, warned Margaret not to go into used to. a certain section of the library because there were “Her claim to fame — or infamy,” Bok recalled, “very dangerous bears there.” Coincidentally, some “was an actual school bus was coming one way, evening staff at our new library location did in fact she was coming the other way in the bookmo- see a small black bear in the parking lot in Novembile. She obviously didn't want to hit the school ber 2021.) bus, so she ended up wiping out five mailboxes in Bok’s father Truman worked on the second dry dock at the Chester Shipyard. It was from him that Bok learned how to work with his hands — with precision. “When you’re working on a 400foot tanker, everything had to be right,” Bok said.

Truman enjoyed making furniture in his free time, and Bok would always do what he could to help. “When it came to making furniture or fixing a house, you just do it,” Bok said of his dad’s can-do attitude toward such projects.

“He’d tell me, ‘Of course you can do it — there’s absolutely no question,’” Bok said. “‘You just have to figure it out.’”

The earliest item Bok remembers carving out of a block of wood was a horse’s head. “I was 12 years old, and I was really proud of this head of a horse that I made out of walnut and I spent a lot of time working on it,” he said. “It was very stylish, didn’t have any eyes, and had a single curve on top. I wasn’t allowed to use power tools, so I had to make this curve just right.

“When I finished, I showed it to some relatives and they assumed I had made it for my Aunt Edith, so I gave it to her. My parents were furious! They knew I was so proud of it and wanted it. Thirty years later when Aunt Edith passed away, my parents went and got it back. I still have it, and when friends see it they say that I peaked with my work when I was 12 years old.”

MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBR ARY MAGAZINE

Of course, anyone who sets eyes on the circulation desk at Middletown Free Library knows those friends were joking. You want curves? It’s got them by the hundreds. And Bok carved each one, using a chisel he inherited from his great grandfather. He estimates around 50 hours of effort went into the curves alone. People often ask Bok when they see the C-shaped desk, “How do you bend the wood?” He doesn’t bend it — he takes it away, bit by bit. If you take time to properly study the desk, you’ll really notice the intricate scrolls and grooves — it looks like it’s alive, like rippling water or a fabric wrinkling in the wind.

And that was by design — he’s a former science teacher, after all.

“I always liked motion in sculptures,” Bok said.

“I was aware of radius of curvature. The smaller the radius of curvature, you get a busy, fluttery sort of thing. The bigger the radius of curvature, you get the swoop factor.”

Bok added, “It’s a lot of hit and miss. You need to see it as you’re doing it. Especially with something as big as this [desk]. I was afraid the size would inundate the smaller details.”

If you take time to properly study the desk, you’ll really notice the intricate scrolls and grooves — it looks like it’s alive.

With the library’s move to the Roosevelt Community Center on South Old Middletown Road, Bok’s connection to the space has come full circle in a way. He spent a part of his childhood just around the corner on Fox Road, and attended kindergarten in the library building when it was known as the Roosevelt Elementary School.

He said his parents would appreciate Middletown Free Library’s continued evolution.

“The library on Pennell Road was more traditional,” he said. “The majority of the spacing went to shelving. This space is vast, just so much bigger. They would definitely like it. It’s an exciting space!”

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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JANUARY With many patrons still preferring to remain at home, the library continues to offer virtual programming such as zentangle, genealogy, and embroidery for adults, Zoom storytimes for families, and a virtual coding club for kids.

Our ’80s Trivia Virtual Happy Hour was also a huge success.

2021 LIBRARY TIMELINE

SEPTEMBER

AUGUST

On September 13, MFL starts “curbside-only” service at 464 South Old Middletown Road (we were awaiting our certificate of occupancy). The new MFL officially opens for in-person service starting on September 29.

NOVEMBER The library hosts a two-day opening celebration with music, crafts, activity tables, food trucks, a bounce house, and much more on November 5-6.

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FEBRUARY We launch three virtual book clubs, including one on British mysteries. Keeping with that theme, Chester County History Center’s Jenn Green gives a popular virtual presentation entitled The Dark History of Delaware County: Unusual Deaths, Crimes, and Hauntings in Penn's Woods.

On November 6, the Chinese American Parents Association of Rose Tree Media School District donates 200 Chinese-language books to the library for children and adults.

MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBR ARY MAGAZINE

Staff and volunteers pack up roughly 45,000 items in the library’s collection and move and move them to our new location.

APRIL

MAY

With spring in the air, MFL’s Mr. Jason takes his popular story times to Sleighton Park, offering “Books on Blankets” for families.

JULY From July 7-9 MFL hosts another sale featuring old furniture, office supplies, and six decades worth of other sundry items.

On May 1, MFL together with the Friends of the Middletown Free Library group hosts a yard sale and book sale to raise funds and pass on items not moving to the new space.

Trustee Emeritus Dave Irving closes the doors at 21 North Pennell Road for the final time. The library staff begin getting the collection ready for the move.

JUNE On June 17, we bid "Farewell 21 North Pennell Road" with a celebration featuring refreshments and live music.

DECEMBER MFL hosts its annual fall Craft Beer Fest fundraiser on November 12 with nearly 200 in attendance.

Led by Veronica Batter of Rockdale Art Center, our "Bottle & Brush Night" fundraiser on December 3 sees more than 30 attendees paint their best Monet-inspired "Sunset in Venice."

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DONORS $1,071,136 Campaign Commitments to Date

$5000 plus

JANUARY 1, 2019 – DECEMBER 31, 2021

$100,000 plus

Anonymous Katherine Blanchard Estate Heather Irish & Glen Butterfoss Timothy & Arlene Sander Ray Titter The Wawa Foundation Inc. Helene Weathers William Zimmer

Betsy & Frank Podrebarac

$2,500 plus

$50,000 plus

BeneServe (Russ Carlson) Gail & Bruce Clark Ken & Paulina Dinitz Laura and Joseph Graham Martha Harriz Nielson-Kellerman (Alix James) Republic Bank (Ken Klein) Trimm Glass (Steve Whitmore) Werner & Christa Volkman

$250,000 plus Wilbur C. and Betty Lea Henderson Foundation

Anonymous Irving Family (David & Barbara Irving, Philip & Diane Zinn, Carol & Stan Nichols) Linvill Family (in memory of Peg & Paul Linvill) $25,000 plus Friends of the Middletown Free Library Jeanne Maloney & Parag Dalal Bob & Shirley Fyfe Gary & Mary Jo Grove Timothy P. & Arlene A. Snyder, CFREs $10,000 plus Anonymous John G. and Ruth K. Kramer Charitable Trust (Doug Roger) Justin & Kaori Nepo Timothy F. & Marcia E. Sullivan

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Lawrence Hartley Charles & Connie Joanedis Timothy & Rebecca Joyce Khaw Family Foundation Donald & Pamela Melnick Joel Neigh & Carla Hetzel Clayton & Helen O’Neill Heidi & David Powell Ann Reece Carolyn & David Reed Harry & Susan Rupp Mariann Rybarczyk Ricardo & Theresa Salcedo Richard Scheff & Natalie Ramsey David & Judy Sharbaugh Barbara & William Shaw Judith & Richard Stingle Bill & Judy Strine Mark & Barbara Sunner Bill & Bev Taylor MaryAnne Troy Wolff’s Apple House (Kim Wolff) $500 plus

$1,000 plus Clinton Brooks Katherine & Keith Buchanan Sally Burkam Helen & Steve Buxton Carlson’s Auto Body (Gunnar Carlson) Suzanne & Brian Clauser Nancy & Peter Clinton Lori Enriquez Patricia Finegan James Flandreau Talmadge & Susan Graham Genevieve & Robert Hamilton

Benjamin Alouf Bob & Theresa Anstotz Anne Bates Gregory Blackman Mary Anne Bogie Dianne Caggiano Dr. Julia Catini Richard & Martha Coyle Anne Curran Philomena D'Orazio Amber Flynn George & Carole Forsythe Thomas & Kathleen Gaval Hadley Guiler Denise Hader Richard Heller Augusta & John Hixson Joseph Jaskot Richard & Jan Kagarise John Kelley Dr. Stephen Korzeniowski June Kowalski Suzanne Lehman Patti Linden Lou & Donna Marcozzi Susan Mescanti Ms. Leslie B Miller Brian Munro Carol L Nichols Michael Norquist Barbara T Norton John & Debra Paulson Edward & Phyllis Podrebarac Judy Ann Reed Green Ronald Reese

MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBR ARY MAGAZINE

Susan Satur Liz Scholz Kenneth & Dolores Soltis Phyllis Stevick Alfred Stewart Philip & Patricia Vogler Dennis & Donna Woody $250 plus Richard & Mary Anne Adler Judith Allen Jan Beale Robert & Nancy Bernhardt Ms. Rachel Berry Amy Binder Michael Bomstein & Margaret Demarteleire Mark Borda Margaret A Boris Carol & Steven Bowman Christopher & Polly Bush Patrick & Susan Caligiuri Carol Chapman Clifford & Donna Cohen Dan & Tammy Cramer Brian & Katherine Crowner Dr. Claire Loretta Dente PhD John Dibuonaventura Jr Barbara Digi John Dombroski Mrs. Rosemary Duffy Scott & Elaine Galloway Larry Geary Mary Ann Geiger Gloria Goodrich Ernest Gore William & Elizabeth Gorman Sharon & Al Guarente Christine Hagendorf John & Geraldine Hansen Leslie & Richard Higham Mark Hopkins Joan Hendrickson Mrs. Jen Katz-Buonincontro Margaret Long Kuo Christopher Lamoureux Jill Laxton Dr. Larrye Loss Donna Maher Joan & Edward Martin Jack & Susan Masters Kyle & MaryBeth Mcavoy Larry McConnell R. Robert McElwee Robert & Alice Messinger Andrew Miller Dana Miller Arthur & Kathleen Moffa Elisa K Moxley Daniel & Carmela Mullen William Muller

Carol Nichols Theodore & Elizabeth Ottey III Peter & Helen Pitts Susan Powell Margery Preddy Lynn Anne Procopio Ernest & Angela Repice Michele & Mario Restaino Louis Ricker Michael & Elizabeth Ripple Anthony & Barbara Rooklin Mark Rosenberg Anthony & Gay Sabatelli Ms. Judy Schlett Katharine Silvasi Stanley Slater George & Vivian Sutton Mr. Todd Swanson Janice Ticknor Rebecca Warda Marie Wardynski Lawrence Weathers Michael Joseph Wernert Jacquelyn White-Reimer JoAnn Williams Lawerence Willinger Tanya Yang Anthony Zupa $100 plus Ward & Brenda Abrams ADIYA LLC Janice & Thomas Alessi Barbara Anderson Jessica Andzulis Heather Appell Tariq Badawi Jo Ann Baiocco Conadine Banninger Ronald L Barnes Mrs. Bonnie Bellino David & Sandra Bennett Claudia & David Bennett & Child Margaret Berken Lori B. Birney Jean Blumenfeld Robert & Jean Boell Ernest and Edna Bogert Judith Boudwin James & Jean Bowen Austin Boyd James & Tracy Boyle Lorraine Bradshaw Jeanne Brna Alexandra Brock Anne & Steuart Brown Daril J. Browning Kathryn Buckley Sara Bunnell Michael B. Bunner

David & Molly Burk David & Claudia Burtt Jim Bushey Brenda & Benjamin Bustard Dianne & Nick Caggiano Richard & Kim Calhoun Jay & Katey Carlis Jay Carlis Robert Carney Dee Anne & Warren Casner Joy Catanese Ginny Cave Robert Clancy Nicole Clement Frederick Clothier Nicole Clothier Gary Coleman Allison Collings Carol & Jack Colombo Eileen Corl Michael Cosentino Deborah Cotter Kathleen Coulter Joann Crowley Brian - Kat Crowner Joseph Damico William & Denise Davidson Joan Davis Elizabeth Deegan Kathleen & Vincent Delvacchio Lynn Demeester Lawrence & Patricia DeMooy Christine Demuro Warren & Mary Densmore Carol Devine Anthony & Debra Dicicco Steve & Tracey Diserafino Michael & Kathleen Dolan Sandra Donnelly Anne Donovan Jacqueline Dooley Timothy Brandon Dowd Elaine Dunn Lynne Easton John & Sharon Ebenreiter Matthew & Mary Egan Fernando & Yvonne Enriquez Melissa & Jonathan Evans Dr. Eileen Everly MaryAnne Eves Rachel Ezzell Virginia Falkenbach Dan & Kathleen Falkenstein Charles & Carol Farnan James Fawcett Elaine Fetterman Marian & Lawrence Filtz Edward & Deborah Cai Fink Mrs. Jo Anne Fitzgerald William & Rosemary Fulgham Joseph & Cynthia Furia

Edward & Margaret Furmaniak Ms. Bette Jean Ganter Jeff & Elizabeth George Marie Gianchetti Patricia Gildea James S. & Mary Glessner Joseph J Gonzales PhD Allison Gosselin Mary Graham John Grant Leslie Grissom Sandra Gruber Revelino & Merlyn Guron David Guthrie Suzane Gutierrez Patricia Haggerty John & Cynthia Hamilton Maggie Hancock Janet Hausch Susan Hearon Don & Jinny Heilala Dean & Carol Helm Dean Carol & Jake Helm Ruth W Hendry Danielle & Michael Henry Kristin Hensley Edward Hess Alina Nicole Hess Peter & Janice Holston Anne Hopkins Mike & Betty Hummel Margaret Huss Michelle Jeffrey Ruth Ellen Ellen Johnson Ruth Johnson Joanne & Lennart Jungbark James & Helen Kain Virginia & Stephen Kapski Eileen & Paul Karwaski Karen Katz Charles & Karen Katz Elizabeth Kavitski Diane Keeley Tom Killion Donald King Joyce & Wade King William Kinney James Kipp Drew Kmetz Patricia Kocher Walter Koenig Mrs. Maria Kotch Yvonne Kuc Michael & Chrissa Kuntz Michael & Faith Kwaszkiewicz Mary Anne & Stanley Kwaszkiewicz Dr. John Kwon Jane M Laffend Roclyne LaPorte Roclyne LaPorte & Dolores Dinyon John & Ann Laye ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Kenneth Leavell Frederick & Ruth Lestourgeon Holly Lieux Elizabeth Lieux Resident Association of Lima Estates Bill Linke Patricia & David Livoy Jacey Lucas Debra L Lucas Cheryl Lynch Elizabeth Lynn Terry Lytle Shannon Mahler Rick & Bonnie Mainwaring Michael Majeski Louise Malady Patricia Maloney Bob Mangano Korah & Shobha Mani John & Judy McDonnell Suzzanne McIntyre John & Lynda Mckeown Patrick McLaughlin Joseph Mercadante Guy & Lucy Messick Donna & Neil Meyer Middletown Twp Business & Prof. Assoc.

Dr. Francis Lee Miller Charlotte Miller Richard Miller Terry & Marilyn Mills Sara Mills Richard & Harriett Moberly Terrance J Mohan Christopher & Janice Moore William & Marian Moran Mrs. Tracy Moran Mark Morrison Elizabeth Morton Matthew Mousley Brian & Teresa Mulholland Theresa Mulloy Kevin Murphy Manish Nasta Marie Natoli Justin Nepo 23

Kermit M Norris Mary D North Dolores Novelli Susan O'Connell Doug & Wendy O'Connor Nancy O'Toole Nancy & William O'Toole Bonnie Oestreich Justin Ohm Jeanne Ohm Betty Olchewsky Annette Olesen John & Gail Olshefski Shawna Ong Lisa Oster Nadya Ostroff Michael Ostroski Ralph & Rita Paige Mary Palladino Caitlyn Pandian Joseph Patterson Janice Kirkwood & Philip Peterson Joanne Phillips Kristen & Ryan Phillips Emily & Brit Pilling & Goldstein Louis G Pobo Frances Poole Benjamin & Margery Preddy Jeremy Proffitt Katherine Prosser Steve & Dana Querido Diane Ransom Leonard & Suzanne Rappold Terry & Polly Renee Rauenzahn Kelly Rayfield Sharon Reed Debra Reed Sarah Rehberg Riddle Village Resident Council George Rigby Sally Robbins Donna Roberts Fred & Helen Roberts Nathan Rothkopf Barbara Ryan Eileen Sabatelli Dominic & Kjerstin Sama Steven & Carolyn Samples Mrs. Budi Saputra Peggy Scalpello Edward & Patricia Schaal Charles & Jane Schock Charles Schock Ginny Schroeder Sara Schukraft Kimberly Schultz Margaret Sears Caroline Seddon Judith Sharbaugh Ms. Susan Sharp 24

Dennis Shea William Sheehan Laura Shell William & Jacqueline Shepherd Ann Marie Sher Marion & Bob Shufelt Agnes Silverman Renae & Sean Sirkin Jacqlyn & Scott Sisson Gregory Smith Richard & Catharine Smith Barbara Snyder Susan Sohn William & Jean Spring James & Judith Staley Renae Starker Tom & Mary Starrs Lucille G Steele Karl & Marjorie Stern William & Jean Stollsteimer Stephen Stroffolino Margaret Sullivan MC Tabun Gwen Thompson Olga Thornton Barbara Tripier Allen & Margaret Turberville Angelica Turunc Anne Visco Emogene M Vough Jan Waldauer Iles Wauhop Larry Weathers Susan Welfley Gladys Wells Judith Wentz Pat & Nick Whalen Diana Wheeler David & Mary Anne White Burton Williams David & Priscilla Williams Edward & Mary Williams JoAnn Williams Barbara & Earle Williams Donna & Glenn Willis Mr. Kyle J Winters Charmaine Wishart Patricia & Frederic Woerth Stephen Wood Kenneth & Patricia Woznicki Christine & Robert Wright Mr. & Mrs. Richard Wroblewski Susan C Yong Ms. Lillian Young Daniel & Sung-Yin Zakorchemny Pamela Ziegler Under $100 Bernardine Abbott David & Joyce Acton Edith Aiken

Amanda Allen Jeffrey & Connie Allison Mark Amero Bridget Amero Joan & John Amoriello Albert & Margaret Amoroso Elizabeth Anderson Michelle Anderson Kathleen Anderson Kari Andreasen David & Doris Archibald Ms. Ruth E Auerbach Steve Austin Rudolph & Maria Baehr Marcia Baehr Marian Baldini Filtz Frank & Luanne Baratta Peter Barry Anthony & Barbara Basilio Angela Bates-Majewski Elaine Battle Laurie Baxter Suzanne Beaumont Ronald & Sabrina Bedard William & Eileen Belanger Ellen Belk Heather Bellini Dilip Bhandarkat James & Carol Bigas Susan Birkhoff Mark Biscoe Rita Bloomingdale Valerie Borek James Bostelle James Boyle Thomas & Carole Bradley Deborah Bramwell Korina Brettschneider Joan Bridge Matt Bridge Connor Bristow Lisa Britton Richard & Lorie Brodecki Jean Broemel Kelli Brown Stephen & Dorothy Brown Karen Brown Clarence & Susanne Bryan Daniel & Susan Bubnis Domnick Bucci Katherine Buchanan Mandy Alycia Buhle William Bullitt Grant Butler Ryan C & Jamie M Cahill Jim Calgiano Mrs. Carol Campanelli Maria A Campbell JoAnn Campbell Catherine Campbell-Perna Leslie Campo Julia Canonica Christie Cari

MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBR ARY MAGAZINE

Carol A Carmanico Jessica Carr Kyle Carr Lois Castagna John & Ellen Chacosky An Chau Nancy Chen Cailong Chen Thomas Chermol Jr. Frigiola & Meier Chiropractic Dr. Cheryl J Clarkin Colleen Claypoole Shirley Clayton Sandra Clitter Patricia Cofiell Gloria Colabelli Mary Colflesh Terry Collington Joseph Consiglio Pam Consorti Paul & Rosemary Conway Robert & Paula Cook Eileen Corl Andy Costanzo Donna Coulter Roslyn Cowen Paul & Elizabeth Cox Kathleen Coyle Thomas & Monica Crane Maria Crann Kacy Cullen Gayle & Vernon Currier Regina Damato Mrs. Elizabeth Davis Marc De Jong marcia dechan David Decker Rita A Defelippes Jacqueline DeJesse & John Fisher Kathy DeJohn Liliana DelBonifro

Frank Delia Robert & Margaret Delprato Patty & Larry Demooy Leslie Dente Arlene Depugh Michael & Mary Jo Di Mario William J & Mary G Diamond Rachel Dibello Debra Dicicco Lawrence Divito Donald & Lynne Dix Gerald & Patricia Doemling Lisa Dombroski Frank & Janet Domingos Mary Donaldson-Evans Constance Donnelly Florence Dougherty William & Rosemary Dougherty Raymond & Rosemary Duffy Dolores Duffy James Dugan Melody & Edward Dulin Melissa Dunoff Theresa Ebersole Horace & Faith Elcock Kathleen Ellmore Andrew & Margaret Erdosy Nancy Erickson Richard & Renee Erickson Lorraine & Jeffrey Ertwine Nella & Louis Fancher Morris & Carolyn Fansler Janine Fante Paul & Alice Farnschlader Eileen Farrell Raymond Favinger Diane Ferrante Betty Jean Fialkovich David Fiebert Debbie Field Joanne & John Fitzgerald Richard Fleming Louis & Linda Flocco Bill & Jen Flounders Howard Fluck Albert & Erin Ford Marcie Lee Ford Linda Fox Don & Leslie Fredericks Ted & Danielle Friel Peter & Lillian Frigiola Tim Fuller Marie Furlan John & Nancy Furmanak Edward & Margaret Furnaniak Suzanne Gabriele Tiffany Gamlin Kurt Gaston Susan Gatchell Christine Gaydos Mary Gazdik Laurel Geers

Janet Gemsheim Archibald & Lillian Gentles Mr. David Geveke PhD Caroline Gibbone Stephanie Gilbert Jillian Gillespie Jen Gillespie Buccilli Michael & Eileen Gilligan Marilyn Gilroy Donna Glace John & Dorothy Glanfield Lynn Godshall James Goffney Alan & Mary Jane Golub Jessica Goodwin Ryan & Nikki Gormley Linda Goss Sue Gramling Nancy Gray Kenneth Green Marlene Green Glen Greenwalt Patricia Gregory Pamela Groses Karen Grossman Julia Haas Charles & Melissa Haebel Molly Hagan Todd & Susan Hagenbuch Abe Hagenbuch Samuel Hall Robert Hamilton Karen & Mark Hammond Patricia Hanna Carol Happersett Angie Hartje Linda Hayduk Glenn Heinbaugh Mark Helner Kevin J Henley Richard & Debra Henne Stephanie Herman Stephanie & Gary Herman Jane Hodgkiss Ronald Hoffpauer Annie Hollis Robert & Karen Holm Elsie Horne Allyn Hostetter Susan Howe Cora & Thomas Hunter C. Edwin Hunter Daniela & Hiroshi Iizuka William & Marianne Ingram Elwood Irwin Glenn Jacobs Salim & Sakina Jafri Kelly Johnson Christina Johnson Joan Johnston Sarah & Ryan Johnston Loretta Jungbluth Leslie Junkin

Kristine Kallinen Georgette Kandrak Thomas & Maureen Kane A. Robert & Carolyn Kannapel Nicholas Karalis Melanie Katrinak Jessica Katz Jen Katz-Buonincontro Kate Kauranen Tanya Keenan Sisan Kelchner Raymond & Geraldine Kelleher Robert F Keller Renee Kelly Michel D Kelly Michael Kelty Janice Kirkwood Joan Kleckner Joseph Klinger Lucy Klodarska Franklin & Catherine Koch Annie Kohl John & Helen Kolicius Lois Kolimaga Kathleen Koons Marilyn Krall Karleen Krenicky Nicole Krom Kimberly Kubica Amy Kusen Bonita Kushnerick Rita Lamb Doris Landers John Laughlin Henry Laviola Chien Le Patricia & Thomas Leahan Shannon Leahy-Miller Jenna Leggette Ruth Lestourgeon Xiang Li Sandie Liacouras Karen Lillie Linda Locklear Heidi & David Lockwood Gary & Gayle Logue Sara Long Paul Lopreiato Eli Lourie Qing Lundy Jeanette Ferguson Lynch Tamara Lynn-Dangerfield Norman & Patricia Macqueen Helen Maglio Jasna Maksimoska Issam & Evelyn Malkoun Mrs. Alycia Mallon-Buhle Cecilia Malone Thomas & Anne Mandell Vijay Mangal Tanya Manila Amy Lynne Mann Lauri & Philip Mansky ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Brenda Marano Frank Margeson Daniel Marmer Annette Martinez Mark Martorana Elizabeth & Raymond Maruca David & Sandra Masse Yann Mathieu Marjorie Mcaboy Matthew & Terri McCabe Sharon Mccann Edward & Kathy McClellan Robert McDevitt Karen McGinn Carolyn & Kevin McGlinchey Jane & Thomas McGovern James & Virginia McHugh Cheryl McKenzie Kathy McKeone Brian McLaughlin Ann Mclaughlin Louise McLean Dorothy McThenia Bruce & Lisa McWaters Kelly Messick Patti Migliori Karen Miles George Miles Paul & Bernice Miller Cindy Miller Eleanor M Miller Kim Miller Karen & Bill Mills Jenny Montague Janice K Moore Marc & Louise Morgenstern Thomas Morris Kerri Morris James & Geri Morrison Peter Mueller

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Francis Mulcahy Mary Mulholland Linda Mullen Mandy Muller James & Jean Murphy Linda Murphy Eileen Murray Sarah Musser Marie-Jose Napier Anna & Gessie Nasino Anthony Natale Dorry Newcomer Malinda News Carole & James Nolan Scott Noye Tricia & Dan O'Loughlin Clayton O'Neill Frances Ollis Kristina Wong O'Neil Cynthia Painter Nicole Palman Albert & Theresa Pasano Prabha & Harshad Patel Justine Patterson Maria Penny Sue Ann Pentecost James Pericles Tracy Perillo Fran Perrine Gail Perzchowski Raymond & Carlotta Peslar Monica Peta Denise Pettit Cheryl & Bill Pfeiffer Magdalen Philion Theresa Phillips William & Loretta Pietrangelo Anne Pike David Pincin Kenneth Pobo William & Marianne Poole Dolores Porri Jaclyn Porter Michael Porter Nancy Porto Steven Powell Cathy Pregmon Lisa Prestileo Egolf Alden Price John Prokop Dorothy & Donald Pywell Lou Rabito John Radomile Jason Raia Ralph Rainey Vijay Ravi Dorothy Rawley, PhD Walter & Carolyn Reading David & Diane Redash Andrew & Catherine Redding 26

Carol Reddington Amelia Register Michele & Mario Restaino George & Leslie Ann Reynolds Susan Rhile Robert & Jeanette Rieck Johnathon Riggs David & Diane Rittenhouse Rebecca Rogers Gary & Diane Rosen Gary & Bridget Rothera Timothy Rowan Gail Rowe Susan Rowles Mildred Royer Donna Rust Kathleen Ryan Mary Rzucildo Elizabeth Sabo Jay Sadowski Charles & Maryann Salerno Sidney & Kimberly Samuels Robert Sarafian William & Joann Sausman Larry Schwab Alfred & Ann Schwacke Kelli S Schweitzer Derrick Schweitzer Christine Sciocchetti Phillis Scott Bonita Scott Melody Scott Elizabeth Seiffert Francis Senatore Joan Sendall Kristin Sergi Brooke Shapiro Judith Sharbaugh Judith Sharer Maryann Shay Michaelene Shay Lori Sheehan Paul & Joan Sheehan Mrs. Katherine Sheeran Barbara Shellington David & Elaine Shipman Thomas & Beth Shoemaker Keith & Beverly Shooster Fran Shore Harvey & Laverne Short Agnes Silverman Pritpal Singh Julia Singleton Joan Skurski Matthew Skyrm Ruth Smiley Frank Smith David & Barbara Smith Philip Smolcynski

Ernest & Mary Snodgrass John Soety Elva South Donald & Ann Sparks Barbara Speers Tyler Spindel Lillian Stark Jane Stavis Joseph & Lorraine Stavola Margaret Steele Dani Stefanik Heather Stevens Glenn Stieffenhofer William & Regina Stinger Mickey & Luke Stokes Sara Stone Carol & Donald Storey Lawrence & Lauren Strohm Emily Suchma Eui Suk & Hae Sook Suh Rosanna Suppa & Kathleen Lewars Marianne Suriani Susan Sweeney Daniel & Mary Sylvester John & Dorothy Tait Jen & Bill Tate Glenn & Deborah Taylor Edward & Marie Taylor Michael & Stacy Tegan Salud Tiro Emily Treat Mrs. Carole Truskett Catherine & Howard Tustin Joseph Tyson Henry Vasil

Kenneth & Kathleen Vecchia Marilyn Verbits Pamela Verica James & Deborah Vogel Pat Vogler Maryann Volpe Mark & Joyce Volpe Peter & Arlene Voudouris Jeffrey Wack Dan Washburn Marianne Watson Ingeborg Watson Elisabeth Weathers Donna Weischedel Joyce Weiss Mrs. Karen E Wells Corrie & Ryan Wells Steve & Elaine White Donald & Susan Wilkins Nancy Williamson Ms. Amy A Winnemore Kezia Wolf Mary & Peter Wolf Clifford & Lorraine Woodbury Richard & Jane Woods Ronald & Sharon Woolfrey Nancy Worrilow Marcus Wright James Yates Adrienne Young Jerry Young Sheri Zachary Catalina Zobel YourCause

Thank you to all of our donors!

MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBR ARY MAGAZINE

WHAT DOES THE LIBRARY MEAN TO YOU?

We homeschool our children, and are so very appreciative of the wide variety of events, activities, resources, and opportunities provided. I can’t say enough about the hospitality, encouragement, recommendations, and friendship we’ve received from the library.

— TAMMY CALVANESE

The Calvanese family: (L to R) Ella, Michael, Benjamin, Tammy, Lukas, and Camille.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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2021 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

REV ENUES

E X PE NSE S

Government Support $378,547

Furniture/Shelving $646,614

Fundraising $422,285

Compensation and Benefits $289,557

Sale of Building $320,000

Books/Materials $58,916

PPP Loan Forgiveness $56,035

Programs $17,209

Fees/Fines/Interest $5,551

Facility and Equipment $39,379

Other $11,257

General and Administrative $39,818 Fundraising $12,736

T O TA L:

$ 1,19 3,6 7 5

T O TA L:

$ 1,0 8 7,0 2 0

The 2021 financial results presented above include certain items that are one-time and nonrecurring in nature, such as proceeds from the sale of the library's previous building and costs associated with moving into the library's current building.

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MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBR ARY MAGAZINE

WHAT DOES THE LIBRARY MEAN TO YOU?

Middletown Free Library is an incredible community resource for our family. The mighty team of librarians who started as friendly faces are now considered dear friends to us. MFL provides a place for people to learn and find connection with each other.

The Lucas family: (L to R) Shep, Ted, and Jacey.

— JACEY LUCAS ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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GET INVOLVED

If you have visited the Middletown Free Library in recent months, you know our new space and professional staff offer resources, programs, and traditional library materials that help you and your neighbors achieve your full potential through the transformative power of information, imagination, and ideas. We are grateful to our government partners and generous donors for making our new space possible, and their ongoing support that helps us expand our services for a growing and changing community. It is only through the involvement of everyone who recognizes the value of what the library has to offer that we can fulfill our full potential as a center of community activity, learning, and growth.

Get involved today!

ENGAGE JOIN VOLUNTEER DONATE SPONSOR Contact us today to discover how you can join our growing family.

EMAIL: midirector@delcolibraries.org CALL: 610-566-7828 WEB: middletownfreelibrary.org

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MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBR ARY MAGAZINE

“There are fewer places in society where people can go to meet up in a group for free. … The library can fill that void.”

-DEREK LLOYD

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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