In May of 2013, the Falmouth Public Library installed a railing for displaying art in the Adult Collections Room. The first exhibit was the work of the Upper Cape Camera Club. The Library has hosted the UCCC every July ever since. Not wanting to miss the fabulous work of this group we are presenting the 2020 Exhibit here in our digital collections.  

The Upper Cape Camera Club is a group of photographers whose mission is to provide an opportunity to develop skills, learn new skills, and share their images in a friendly supportive environment. From beginners to professionals, they welcome all who are interested in photography. To learn more about the group, visit their website here.

We are sad to report that our long time colleague, Donna Burgess, has retired as of this month. We, of course, are happy for Donna and her husband who we trust will be back in travel mode once we get to the other side of the current pandemic. They were lucky enough to have spent all of last January in Italy!

As our Director, Linda Collins, wrote: “I particularly appreciated her calm demeanor and ability to manage all patrons in a way that made them feel they were the highlight of her day. Her willingness to take on special tasks at a moment’s notice was impressive. Who else would offer to give a group of visiting nuns from Ireland, a full library tour beginning at 5:00 pm on a Saturday night.”

Donna began as a full time reference librarian, but then went to part-time. She wore many hats at the Falmouth Public Library, including overseeing the teen room at one point in her career here, which included, among other things, an amazing outside carnival! Donna also helped to run the library’s fiction book club for many, many years, and spearheaded many library programs. Donna’s good humor and ability to multi-task were both valued traits during her years at the library. We know she helped many of you with reference questions of all kinds. If you remember how she might have helped you, please let us know.

We wish her all the best, and hope to have a wonderful celebration of her time at FPL once we are able.

Jill Erickson
Head of Reference & Adult Services

After listening to Jill on the Point with Mindy Todd discussing Books about Sisters (03/27/20) and jotting down their recommendations of books about sisters, I thought about books by sisters. Although sisters usually share a similar background and familial history, they can become quite different individuals. The Bronte sisters shared an insular and somewhat dark and violent family life. Much of this is echoed in Wuthering Heights and the Tenant of Wildfell Hall- the former I read when snowed in and the latter while sheltering in place. However, in my casual, non-academic reading of these novels, I found two very different heroines with equally different fates. Perhaps, the differences between Cathy Earnshaw and Helen Graham speaks of that of the sisters, Emily and Anne?

(by staff member Rebekah)

A message from our director, Linda Collins:

“As the library develops its plans to reopen, we are taking guidance from state leaders, the Mass Board of Library Commissioners, our town administration and health agent, and the CLAMS Library network. We are proceeding very carefully, gradually reducing current restrictions. The first step will be to offer curbside pickup of requested materials. We look forward to the return of the inter-library delivery services that make more materials available to you. When we do reopen the building to the public we will have limited seating keeping people at an acceptable distance from one another. Toys and other high touch items will be removed from the children’s room. We may not be able to offer programs in the same manner as we have in the past but we are exploring creative ways to connect with our library patrons. I ask for everyone’s patience as we move forward in a safe and thoughtful manner towards a full resumption of library services.”

FALMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

NEWS RELEASE

Henry Smythe application forms  are now available for scholarship aid from the Henry Herbert Smythe Trust.  The total amount of the award this year is $33,000.  The committee typically awards more than thirty scholarships.

The application deadline is FRIDAY, May 29, 2020 by 12:00 P.M.  All supporting documents must be submitted by that date in order for the application to be considered.  INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS will not be CONSIDERED.

Decisions will be announced by June 30, 2020.  Applications for the Henry Herbert Smythe Trust Scholarships are available in pdf format here or by emailing jcarrara@falmouth.k12.ma.us  or info@falmouthpubliclibrary.org .  All applications must be postmarked by May 29, 2020 and returned to the Falmouth High School Principal’s Office, 874 Gifford Street, Falmouth, MA 02540 or by emailing your completed application to jcarrara@falmouth.k12.ma.us.

Mr. Smythe’s will stipulates that the money may be used for “boys or girls in Falmouth, Massachusetts.”  A maximum age of 24 years as of January 1, 2020 will apply.  Only applicants who are themselves voting residents of Falmouth (or whose parents are) are eligible for the grants.  Applications cannot be considered from families who have second homes in Falmouth.

Scholarship recipients do not have to be graduates of Falmouth High School; they may have attended a private or parochial school in another town.  Recipients may be pursuing a variety of post-high school educational plans at any accredited college or technical school.

Scholarship money is available both to students currently graduating from high school and to those already started in a post-secondary degree of training program.  However, work beyond a bachelor’s degree cannot be considered for scholarship aid.  Post secondary applicants must submit evidence of current educational progress (most recently completed college transcript as of May 2020).  A copy of your personal grade report for the spring semester can be accepted but an OFFICIAL transcript for the fall must be submitted.  All decisions are made by annual applications; no renewals are automatic.  INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS will not be CONSIDERED.

The trust agreement states that “character be given equal consideration with scholarship,” and evidence of both personal characteristics and school success is asked for on the application forms.  Financial need is a secondary factor in determining recipients.

The committee will continue its practice of limiting scholarships to one per family.  If two children from the same family apply, the committee will decide which seems most deserving of the scholarship.

The rector of St. Barnabas Memorial Church; Superintendent of Schools in Falmouth, Ms. Lori Duerr; and the Principal of Falmouth High School, Ms. Mary W. Gans are established by the conditions of the trust as the committee which governs the granting of scholarships and which makes the final selections.   Bank of America administers the trust fund left by Henry Herbert Smythe.