30 Main Street, Macedon NY 14502
Macedon Public Library
30 Main Street, Macedon NY 14502
Friends Endowment for the Macedon Public Library
First Two Endowment Grants Announced
The Board of Directors of the Friends Endowment for the Macedon Public Library is very pleased to announce that the first two programs to be funded by grants from the endowment have been selected. For 2007, a total return of $2,170 was available in the endowment grant-making account. The board received a number of very interesting proposals in response to our appeal for program ideas to benefit our library patrons and the community at large, and we would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond. At this point in our endowment development, our limited funds require that we be very selective in our choice of projects, and unfortunately we were not able to take advantage of all of the many worthwhile ideas presented to us. The proposals which were selected were: “History Alive!" and “Graphic Novels: Manga and More”. We agreed that these programs would definitely meet our criteria for community enrichment, and would fulfill our desire for presentations focusing on education, literacy - and entertainment!
2007 - History Alive! - From Historic Pursuits (See more details)
During 2007, Christopher Blomgren of Historic Pursuits will lead four, one-hour historical presentations tailored for elementary-age students (fourth, fifth and sixth graders). The presentations will include hands-on activities, stories, games, props, clothing and accoutrements of the time, and will conclude with a session promoting books and library resources corresponding to the historical era discussed. Mr. Blomgren, a resident of Palmyra, is a teacher specializing in English, social studies, at-risk youth, and community outreach. He has taught in an alternative education program at Pal-Mac High School, and currently teaches social studies at Geneva Middle School. The Historic Pursuits organization specializes in interactive and hands-on learning outreaches tailored for schools, communities, and individuals. Its web site describes the various programs and activities offered (www.historic.homestead.com).
The Journeyman - how did one advance from the novice stage and through an apprenticeship to become a skilled master craftsman? Activities include signing terms of indenture, the clothes and tools of the apprentice, working with wood and metal, games and songs of the workman, tricks of the trade and hands-on activities.
The Hearth and Home - what was it like growing up in early Macedon? Colonial cooking and meal preparation, holidays, children’s games, schoolhouse activities, music and dancing, candle-making and daily chores.
The Continental - focusing on the Revolutionary War soldiers who settled in our area as a result of land grants given as payment for their patriotic services. Activities will explore life in a Revolutionary War camp, and will include an enlistment ceremony, equipment and uniform issue, drill and ceremony, a flintlock demonstration, camp food, games, and military skills.
The Erie Canal - “canawlers” in Macedon. Songs and games on the canal. Legends and folklore, hands-on science of canals, packing a barge, making sense of the canal’s impact on Macedon and on the nation using interactive learning activities.
A schedule has yet to be established for these four presentations. Please look for further information at the library and in the newspaper as dates and times become available.
2007 - Graphic Novels: Manga and More (See more details)
The organizer and presenter is Kimberly Hanford of Macedon, a former volunteer at the Macedon Public Library who is currently working toward her master’s degree in Library Science at the University of Buffalo. Her proposal focused on the purchase and promotion of graphic novels, specifically targeting a young adult audience. Graphic novels, which combine text and images to tell a story, are gaining tremendously in popularity, especially among younger readers. Unlike their literary second-cousin, the comic book, graphic novels deal with a much broader range of literature, such as Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, currently in the graphic novel collection at the Macedon Public Library. (“Manga” refers to the Japanese art-form of the graphic novel, which has definitely led the parade in this developing genre.)
Ms. Hanford’s proposal is threefold:
- To establish a dedicated, attractive Graphic Novel Center in the library,
- To purchase volumes in both fiction and non-fiction categories in the fields of biography, history, science, art, fantasy, science fiction, drama, and the classics, etc., and
- To actively publicize the growing collection in an outreach effort focused on our young adult patrons. (This genre is also gaining popularity with our adult patrons, and an increased number of graphic novels will enhance the developing Literacy Volunteers project coming to the library in 2008.)
Please look for more information as the Graphic Novel Center is established at the library, titles are purchased, and outreach activities are scheduled.
Again, the Friends of the Macedon Public Library would like to thank everyone who submitted proposals, and everyone who has contributed to the Endowment over the past three years. We look forward to the implementation of these programs, and to many more in the future.
Page revised 05/08/08