Westchester Public Library’s summer reading program is off to a fast start.

So far about 600 children have signed up at Chesterton’s Thomas Library and 97 at Hageman Library in Porter. This year’s theme is “Adventures on the High Seas".

Reading adventure programs are part of the fun; June 17 will be Swashbuckling with Pirates. Library Board member Claire Jolie said a recent pirate-themed story hour included a display of live parrots and macaws to the delight of about 70 children attending.

“It was absolutely outstanding. The kids were enthralled,” Jolie told other board members during Thursday’s meeting.

Assistant library director Jane Walsh-Brown said Children’s Department manager Merribeth Paunicka has done a great job of planning additional programs and decorating the area for the reading program.

Walsh-Brown noted the former large teepee in the Children’s Department, once a merry-go-round and a volcano, has been removed and in its place a new lighthouse has been erected while the department desk temporarily has been transformed into a pirate ship.

Hageman, too, has a pirate-ship desk and its circular fireplace is now a three-dimentional underwater scene. Hageman also has expanded Wii family-gaming programs through the summer including a Wii bowling league for adult patrons that begins June 14 .

In addition to this summer’s children’s program, said Walsh-Brown, innovative young-adult reading programs have been developed by reference manager Ruby Plourde; an adult reading program will kick off in August.

Overall, year-to-date WPL circulation increased by less than 1 percent system-wide over 2009 while Hageman circulation alone jumped by nearly 57 percent in the month of May with interest in juvenile paperbacks leading the way.

Walsh-Brown said WPL maintains a strong cash position with $6 million in all accounts and she submitted for next month’s consideration a tentative 2011 plan of service that would maintain current operating hours, staffing levels, material acquisitions and programming services; the 2011 budget draft includes possible 3 percent employee raises.

Walsh-Brown said in the next few weeks word should be received whether the Adult Learning Center, for which WPL provides free space, will close due to reduced state funding.

WPL has supported the program for over 34 years, said Walsh-Brown. “We’d hate to see that go.”

Leaving for sure is the Library Board’s recording secretary, Lynn Olive, who has accepted a two-year teaching position in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. The board wished her well Thursday. Said member Rick Hokanson, “Lots of luck. We’ll miss you.”

Walsh-Brown is director of WPL’s Westchester Township History Museum and she gave an update of activities there.

This summer a new exhibit “Lost Tourist Attractions of the Dunes” focuses on former popular sites like Littleville, the Enchanted Forest, and the Mineral Springs racetrack. The museum also is participating in tourism initiatives to draw visitors into the local communities such as the Art and Earth Trail, the Beyond the Beach Discovery Trail and a joint brochure featuring the 11 museums in Porter County.

July 31 the museum will host a book launch for Janet Edwards’ new effort telling the real story of Alice Gray, known as Diana of the Dunes. The book has been 10 years in research and development, said Walsh-Brown.

It was reported a $45,000 distribution from the Leslie and Mary Pratt Trust has been received and pays for the museum’s lease of the Brown Mansion on Porter Avenue, and to sponsor local history programs and research services.

By unanimous vote with Sharon Robbins absent the board accepted the low proposal of $33,744 --- contingent on WPL attorney Terry Hiestand’s review --- of Circle R Mechanical of Portage to install additional air conditioning in the Thomas second-floor computer areas.

Three other proposals ranging from $36,850 to $40,770 were received. M/E Design Service provided design/consulting services for the project.

Posted 6/11/2010