The 1980s were another time of great changes in the library\u2019s history.\u00a0 Mrs. Kathy Buck and Mrs. Roberta Tuttle, librarians from 1978-1992, guided patrons during this era.\u00a0 The Deposit Free Library joined the Four County Library System.\u00a0 \u00a0This consortium of 42 libraries in Broome, Delaware, Otsego, and Chenango Counties works together to share services and materials.\u00a0 Deposit\u2019s patrons gained access to a much larger collection of free materials through interlibrary loans.<\/p>\n
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The past four decades have also seen the Deposit Free Library enter the age of technology.\u00a0 It began in the 1970s, when a microfilm reader\/printer was purchased and copies of the Deposit Courier were put on microfilm for public use.\u00a0 Many people continue to use these microfilm records for local historical research.<\/p>\n
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Deposit celebrated the new millennium by becoming an online library.\u00a0 All books in the collection were bar coded and entered into the Four County computer system.\u00a0 The faithful card catalog became obsolete.\u00a0 Librarian Anne Parsons oversaw the change from manual to electronic tracking of materials.<\/p>\n
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Deposit acquired its first public computer through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.\u00a0 The computer workstation is currently one of the most popular features of the library, housing five public computers and a public printer.\u00a0 Free wireless connection is also available.\u00a0 The library provides the public with technology education through classes on beginning computer skills, genealogy research, using e-bay, and other topics.<\/p>\n
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The advent of electronic books brought another change.\u00a0 In 2010 Deposit joined with other libraries nationwide to offer free e-books to their patrons.\u00a0 The library currently subscribes to the Overdrive service.\u00a0 Using this database, library cardholders can order books and download them to personal computers or electronic devices.\u00a0 They can also use their cards to order regular books and materials from home computers; then come to the library to pick up their choices.\u00a0 The library also offers access to many free databases for online research through its subscription to a research center.<\/p>\n
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Ever since the advent of technology, people have been sounding the death knell for libraries.\u00a0 For over twenty years there have been predictions that libraries will soon become obsolete.\u00a0 In Deposit this has not proven true.\u00a0 Although electronic research and services are very popular, many patrons still enjoy coming to the library and searching the stacks the old-fashioned way.<\/p>\n
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The new millennium changed library management in another important area.\u00a0 Grant writing became a major part of Deposit Free Library\u2019s fundraising efforts.\u00a0 During the years 2000-2012, dozens of grants were written to pay for capital improvements and improved services.\u00a0 Interior improvements include new carpeting, window treatments, ceiling tiles, new leather reading chairs, and an updated bathroom and kitchen\/office.\u00a0 Throughout this renovation process, the old-fashioned ambience of the library building has been maintained.\u00a0 Local craftsmen have been employed to design and build pieces that blend in with the original 1930s furniture.\u00a0 Craftsman Kirk Decker created the computer workstation, and the team of Jason Fortunato, Ryan Walker, and Ken Wist created the circulation desk unit.<\/p>\n
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On the building\u2019s exterior, the slate roof and flat roof, brickwork, and windows have all been repaired or replaced. \u00a0\u00a0A storage shed was added to the property for book donations. \u00a0\u00a0All of these capital improvements have been financed through individual donations and grant funding.\u00a0 Local organizations and private foundations have been especially generous, including from the Busfield Foundation, Deposit\u2019s Closet, the George and Margaret Mee Foundation, the Axtell Foundation, the O\u2019Connor Foundation, and the Community Foundation of South Central New York.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The 1980s were another time of great changes in the library\u2019s history.\u00a0 Mrs. Kathy Buck and Mrs. Roberta Tuttle, librarians from 1978-1992, guided patrons during this era.\u00a0 The Deposit Free Library joined the Four County Library System.\u00a0 \u00a0This consortium of 42 libraries in Broome, Delaware, Otsego, and Chenango Counties works together to share services and … <\/p>\n