2015.12.10 _ Are You a Friend of the Hart?

I was watching a movie today that 1 hated, so turned it off. I was so glad I hadn't plunked down $12 to see this dud. Thar's because I borrowed the DVD from the John C. Hart Memorial Library. The library DVD collection has some good old movies, lots of more recent films'· and as soon as the latest movies go to DVD, most are added to the collection, where patrons can put their choice on reserve. The DVDs often become available in a few days.

Libraries are so much more than books. They are information founts. In this age of instant digital communication you can Google yourself silly for even the most obscure information, but if you art'. overwhelmed with TMJ, ask your reference librarian for clarification. You'll get help with a smile and she may eve.n escort you trJ the l.ocarion of helpful materials. You won't get that from your iPad.

We take for granted the services we receive from these book lenders and accept all the perks we get through that no cost library c'lrd. Did you know that you can borrow 1n useum passes to museums Iike the G uggenheim or place.s of interest like the Intrepid? That can be a big saving for a day's outing for the. family. And have you ever attended a r_hildren's or adult's program offered to patrons year round? That was entertainment fre.e of charge.

Let's say you used your library this week to: ·Borrow two DVDs (estimated cost, $24) "'Borrow one bestseller (esti mated cost, $26) _ •Borrow one CD (estimated cost, $10) • Free museum passes (estimated cost, $40) - · Attended one pmgram (estimacted cost, $20).

You received $120 worth of materials or ser vices in one week. In this time of budget cuts and increase.cl costs, you paid zero dollars to the library.

According to the 2014 annual reports from th Westchester Library System, the john C. Hart Memorial Library serves a Yorktown population of 36,081. Although it ranks seventh in population. after large cities like Yonkers and W hite Plains, Yorktown ranks fourth in total library rransaetions and sixth among Westchester liburies for membership of 18,798 card holders. Out of these numbers, less than 300 Hart patrons belong to the Friends of the Library.

Perhaps it is time to spring for the $15 to join the Friends of the Library.

This is the organization of volunteers that generous1y fond many programs, purchase books and equipment like computers that the library cannot afford vvith their limhed annual budget. The Friends are also responsible for the collection of donated books and the annual book sale of the books at bargain prices. Supporting the library is more than a bargain at $15 a year.

Elaine Amato is a board member of Friends of the John C. Hart Memorial L ibrary.