I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Friends of the Grafton Library for their support during the recent town meetings and election. The financial support was most appreciated, but the morale boosting as well as the plethora of talents offered to assist the Trustees was heartwarming.

The general public also came forth with so many ideas and abilities that I am still astounded. Not only did we have emails and newsletters established by volunteers, we also had sign holders, sign deliverers, advertisers, writers, and artists. Citizens came forth to organize, telephone and offer rides to the polls. It was overwhelming.

Even though the expansion project did not win, I am so proud to have made new friends. I am proud that the library has so many devoted patrons; and I am proud that people from every walk of life could come together for a common cause.

The trustees worked constantly for what we believed was a good and sound expansion project. The hours that everyone put into the project was above and beyond what the voluntary position calls for. I can never thank them enough.

I do not want to forget the librarians including our head librarian. We are blessed to have such a dedicated staff. They were/are in the front lines meeting, greeting, promoting the project and listening to the complaints. They are the backbone of what we hoped would be a new and beautiful workplace for them.

What will happen next? We push on. A building committee has been formed. They have been charged to decide what the next step should be – what is best for the town in meeting the ADA compliance issue as well as the myriad of problems that exist in the library. The trustees will work with them and will continue with the day-to-day running and improvement of the library as a physical plant as well as an institution.

So be proud of what was accomplished: a strong bond among library users and promoters. And be sure to thank any and all who in some way, big or small, helped bring to the public eye the importance of libraries and the continued need for them.

I will never forget all your efforts. I believe that we were successful in many ways, and I cannot thank you enough.

Judy Meichelbeck, Chairman

Board of Library Tustess