America's Most Historic Videos

• If you are between the ages of 14 and 24, want to have some fun using a DVD camcorder, and have any interest in life in America, please contact me at bdcrouse@fclspa.org, subject American Album.




• If you are 50 or older and have a favorite story to tell from your childhood or young adult years, WE WANT YOU!

"An American Album" is a federally-funded project, under my leadership to share American stories in two ways:

1. 100 book discussion totebags containing 10 copies of a book about American life, a discussion guide, and either an audiorecording or videorecording of the book, or a magnifying glass to be used by groups in Franklin and Fulton Counties for book discussions




2. a collection of DVD recordings of personal "oral" history accounts from people right here in Franklin and Fulton Counties.

Later this spring we will be holding a contest for the young people who record and edit these videos, 1st place will receive $50!

What's Old and New With Library Funding?

The good news is that through your support, the foresight of our County Commissioners, and a lot of dedicated work by our library staff, you will not see any real cuts in library service until at least July. Pennsylvania did cut our January State Aid payment by 0.8% (about $6500), but that will not have significant ramifications, thanks to the 2008 0.2 mill increase in county libary tax.

However, it is the 2009-2010 Pennsylvania budget that most concerns us. With the economy continuing to slump, we may expect more cuts in state funding to public libraries by July. How much, we have no idea at this point. We are already receiving information about contacting our state and federal officials to let them know how important public libraries are to people in economic distress. A reporter from the Hagerstown Herald Mail is currently working on a feature article on that subject. Please stay tuned to our website for ways you can help your library survive the crunch.

Happy New Year!

Have you noticed our new Mango Language resource on the webpage? You can learn new language on your online with your library card. 85 users have already taken advantage of this great resource in less than 2 months.

For the geneology researchers we are also adding Heritage Quest to our website.

You will notice some improvements on the website courtesy of our webmistress-librarian.