About the Library

2009 Annual Report

In 2009….

Holds and Fines cards were introduced.  A person may buy a “holds” card or a “fines” card for $5.  The holds card entitles someone to 10 holds (they are each $.50), then an 11th hold free.  A fines card is divided into 20 sections. Each one is worth $.25.  This card may be used to settle fines or other fees up to $5.  The cards make great gifts!

Local History Exhibits are something new that the HPL Local History Librarian and the Town Historian’s Office are coordinating.  We have a new wall case in Local History with changing exhibits that are informative, interesting, and all about Henrietta.

The Children’s Room is now officially dedicated.  We have a colorful mural depicting children reading in scenes of Henrietta life both past and present.  A family game table was added with over 50 games available for all ages.

Posters of upcoming events are now in our front lobby.  They help us let you know about future library programs.

2009 Community Party – Fiesta Sponsored by Friends of Henrietta Public Library

Reference and genealogy databases have been added to our expanding list of resources. All on-line resources are available during regular business hours, and some are available 24/7 on our web site www.hpl.org 

OverDrive, our online digital content  collection now has material that can be downloaded to E-readers.  We are also in the beginning stages of making downloadable music available.

Our Adult Book Club has continued to grow over the past year.  Also, the size of our summer reading program for adults has the largest percentage of growth over any other group – it nearly doubled in 2009.

Our circulation for the year 2009 was up by 10%.   We circulated 380,700 items at the Henrietta Public Library. 

The Friends of Henrietta Library Public Library sponsor an Annual Community Party.  In 2009, the theme was Fiesta! and over 650 community residents attended to dance, listen to salsa music, play games and have fine refreshments donated by Barbeque & Pizza Too and Read’s Ice Cream, both generous local businesses.  The FHPL cover all expenses for this party.

In addition, they sponsor many of our summer programs for children and teens. The funding for the Community Party and the summer programs comes from the proceeds of the Book Shoppe and the Friends’ bi-annual book sales in early May and early October. 

We owe the FHPL a debt of thanks for underwriting these programs and other purchases that are not in our regular operating budget but are enjoyed by many children and adults in Henrietta.

The employees of the Henrietta Public Library joined the Town of Henrietta in the 5% Boost Healthy Walking Program last summer.  We all wore pedometers and kept track of our activities week to week to help do our part to make Henrietta a “Healthy Town.”

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

Martina Thompson, President
Jim Gaudet, Vice President
Virdell Robbins, Treasurer
Melanie Phillips, Secretary
Anna Jannes
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"