About the Library

2008 Annual Report

In 2008….

The town re-carpeted the entire library and the staff as well as the public are enjoying it.  The pattern is the same throughout, but subtle color changes delineate the various areas.  The children’s room is pre-dominately green, the main area is multi-colored and the Teen area is primarily blue.  Come visit if you haven’t already been in to see it.  The Children’s room has been renovated to include a scale-model tree house, a pretend “pond” area complete with small footbridge, and additional trees thanks to a gift from Wegman’s.  The new look is defined by a white picket entrance.

Genealogy has been and continues to be extremely popular.  The Local History Librarian has held classes on the “how to” for those interested and we have Ancestry.com and HeritageQuest available in the library as local databases.  Our Local History pages on our website (www.hpl.org) also have multiplied and they are available 24/7.  The definitive book about Henrietta, Henrietta Heritage, by Eleanor Kalsbeck is digitally reproduced on the website in its entirety.

The Teen Corner and teen usage of the library has grown tremendously in the past 5 years.  A Teen Advisory Board (open to interested teens) plans and runs many of the programs, makes suggestions for materials for the collection, decorates the library for various seasons and special programs and reviews new books.  “Game Night” is also a favorite.  Wii, Guitar Hero, Xbox, PlayStation, Karaoke, and many board games are available for a full evening of teen fun.

OverDrive now can be loaded onto iPods!  This is a Monroe County Library System database of digital books that can be loaded onto various listening devices. 
Most of the books are unabridged and will provide hours of listening pleasure.  Best of all, when the due date arrives, they automatically remove themselves from your computer but they will stay on a listening device that you carry with you as you walk, jog, or just relax in a comfy chair.  Delete them when you’re done and load up for more listening.

We’ve added a new collection called Hot Books.  These are current best sellers that may not be put on hold but that you will find on library shelves as they are returned.  They are checked out for a week so come in often and check to see if your “wish list” titles are here.

Adult programming continues to be very popular and new subjects, crafts and special events are continually occurring.  The sign-up list is on-line at our website. 
Our Friends of Henrietta Public Library are invaluable.  There is a dedicated core of men and women who staff the Book Shoppe throughout the week, sort all the donated books, have 2 huge book sales every year, provide many programs for children throughout the summer, buy furniture and other assets for the library that are not in our operating budget, AND they provide all the funding for the Community Party each year.  Such special people mean so much to the library, its staff and trustees.  We want to thank each and every one of them and give them a resounding “Well done!!”

Your Tax Dollars at Work.

Who makes the library work for you?

Patricia C. Bernhard, Director
Virginia Cooper, Adult Services Librarian
Ellen Glena, Teen Services Librarian
Nancy Maxwell, Audio-Visual/
Periodical Librarian
Alicia Reinhardt, Reference/
Local History Librarian
Ellen Xydias, Children’s Services Librarian
Melanie Lewis, June Milliman,
Jean Verno, Reference Librarians

Support Staff

Board of Trustees of the Henrietta Public Library

David Pogue, President
David McNitt, Vice President
Virdell Robbins, Treasurer
Tina Thompson, Secretary
James Gaudet
Janet Zinck, Town Board Liaison

Friends of the Henrietta Public Library

Officers of the Corporation
Joseph Johnson, President
Joanne Vierthaler, Vice President
Oressa Brown, Treasurer
Elaine Johnson, Secretary

Michael Yudelson, Supervisor

Catherine A. McCabe, Councilwoman
Jack Moore, Councilman
William J. Mulligan, Jr., Councilman
Janet B. Zinck, Councilwoman

Statement of Direction and Operating Principles of the
Henrietta Public Library

Our Mission Statement to the Community

The Board of Trustees of the Henrietta Public Library is committed to informing, educating, and enriching the life of this diverse community through:

• Free and open access to all materials for everyone

• Support for the patron’s right to confidentiality

• Sensitivity in responding to the changing needs of the community

• Cooperation with public and private institutions in collecting and preserving historical and cultural materials

• A prudent, judicious approach to selection and use of new technology

• Commitment to providing competent, responsive staff

• Provision of a facility which is attractive, comfortable, and easily accessible to its users

"An appreciation for the past; a vision for the future"