Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library

The JP Branch Library Task Force appointed by Mayor Menino has agreed on a master plan proposal for renovating and expanding the branch. A report outlining the plan should be finalized at the Task Force’s December meeting, after which the report will be available for review and comments by the public at the library and on the BPL’s website.

In summary, the master plan entails a small addition toward South Street (that would not impinge upon the current circular drive), as well as the reconfiguration and full renovation of the current library building. This small addition will give the branch an inviting entrance near Curtis Hall and add much needed library space. Also, a small pop out would be built between the current building and Curtis Hall to house an elevator, stairs, new bathrooms and librarian workspace. After the master plan is discussed and commented on by the JP community, the next step will be to secure funding for the project.

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The JP Friends are sponsoring an afternoon Poetry Reading, in conjunction with the JP Poets Group, in memory of Joan Goodwin, longtime secretary to the Friends of the JP Library. The event details:

Date: Sunday, January 21, 2007

Time: 2-4 p.m.

Location: The historic Loring-Greenough House, 12 South Street, JP (www.lghouse.org).

Refreshments will be served.

The Jamaica Plain Branch Library’s Holiday Celebration will be on Thursday, December 14 from 6-8 p.m. We’ll have food, fun, and crafts at 6 p.m., followed by Winter Holiday Tales told by Tim Van Egmond at 7 p.m. Please come celebrate the holidays and meet our new branch librarian, James Morgan.

As most of you know by now, Alice Roberts, our head librarian for the past 18 years, recently accepted the position of branch librarian at the Roslindale Branch. Her replacement has been named and our new librarian is going to be James Morgan.

James comes from the Reader’s and Information Department at Copley Square. He has been employed at the library for a number of years and is a Jamaica Plain resident. His first day at the branch will be Monday, November 27.

Please join us in welcoming James to the branch!

The Friends are pleased to make the following purchases for the Jamaica Plain Branch Library in 2006

• Over $1,500 in audio-visual materials
• Books on local students’ summer 2006 school reading lists ($300)
• A new paperback book rack ($535)
• A new magazine display and storage rack ($615)
• A die-cutter and dies for the children’s librarian to use in making children’s craft projects ($500)
• $650 in museum passes, more than any other branch in the BPL system ($650). The JP Branch now has 10 museum and entertainment passes available!
• A new doormat for the library’s entrance near Curtis Hall

The Friends also funded the following events:

• “Mything Links” program presented by The Freelance Troupe, JP’s local children’s theater group.
• Holiday Celebration held on December 14