Andrew (Then Andy) writes to one of his first mentors from when he volunteered at Centerville Library

Elizabeth,

My mom (Kay Frishman) just sent me a clippin from the Barnstable Enterprise that you were awarded the "Citizen of the Year".

That is such fantastic news! I know that I am just one of many "summer people" but the Library is certainly one of the hubs of our activity whenever we are on the Cape and I really appreciate all that you have done to make it what it is today - a leading institution in the village's social and educational health. Thanks again for all of your hard work!

I think that my experience as a volunteer there back when I was a young teenager was very formative for me. In addition to having huge numbers of books pass through my hands as I returned books to the shelf and did some shelf-reading, I also was able to be mentored by powerfully positive role models such as yourself, Janis Laporte, and Ms. Anthony. . . I am not sure if you continue to have high school students work/volunteer with you over the summers, but I hope so. It certainly guided me to to the position that I am in today. . . I work as the Internship Coordinator at the Met Sacramento High School which is part of the Big Picture Learning Network. One of the main things that we focus on is students doing "real work in the real world" that is related to the things that they are passionate about. . . I still find myself perusing book sales and picking up books to recommend to my students. . .

Anyway, this email started with congratulating you and somehow meandered into talking about me. . . the point was that you are a large part of what made me into me. . . Thanks again for everything that you do!

All the best,

Andrew (known as Andy back in my volunteering days in the early 1990s)

----------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your kind words.

We have continued the practice of having young people volunteer at the library. In the past few years we have partnered with the Barnstable County Court System and with the Barnstable Schools to offer opportunities for community service.

We are particularly pleased with a current employee who started with us a year ago. She had been in a car accident and had to complete community service. In January we were approached by her alternative learning coach at the high school to see if we could help Krista to complete her requirements for her high school diploma by working as a volunteer at the library. She started with 20 hours a week for 20 weeks, but we are certain she put in many more hours than that. By summer we began employing her through the federal stimulus package. When that ended she continued to work as a staff member. This fall she has begun college and thanks to another round of federal stimulus money she is working for us through November.

We are delighted to have had the opportunity to help Krista, but it turns out that she has been an incredible help to us. She is bright and personable. She takes initiative and never says no to a task. I like to think that we have made a difference in her life. She has certainly made a difference in ours.

Sometimes I find that local libraries are downright parochial in their approach to volunteers and staffing. We have given a chance to many young people over the years. Knowing that it was important to you even these many years later makes me feel that we are on the right track.

Enjoy that California weather. It is beautiful here, but the nights are becoming chilly. I look forward to that first snowfall but no more than one.

Thanks for the note.

Beth

Beth Butler
Centerville