Saugus library relying on patrons to fund wish list

SAUGUS – The wall just to the right of the main entrance of the Public Library is littered with little slips of white paper that library officials are hoping the public will help pick up – or more precisely – pick out.Written on each slip is a wish list item that the library lacks the funds to purchase. Items range from $1 for a four-disc CD case for a book on CD to $120 for a printer ink cartridge. There are a number of $7 items like a ream of colored paper, transparent tape to repair books, 500 “young adult” stickers and coding dots. There are cheaper items such as $3 for rubber bands, middle of the road items such as $31 for a case of copy paper, $48 for a case of legal pads and more expensive items like $88 for a black printer cartridge.Administrative Assistant Linda Duffy acknowledged it’s not a great way to fund the library, but at the moment it’s their only choice.The library budget was originally cut to zero but later restored, albeit at a significant drop in dollars. Duffy said the budget they ended up with covers salaries and the North of Boston Library Exchange (NOBLE) program but nothing else.”I know people probably can’t go out and buy a toner cartridge for $127, but it’s even rudimentary things like tape,” she said.Library Director Ewa Jankowska said library patrons have been stellar when it comes to stepping up to help out.”Patrons are already good to us,” she said. “They add their donations to a jar we have out or write us checks and they are buying bestsellers for themselves, reading them and giving them to us.”Jankowska said the library also received approximately $3,000 specifically earmarked for new books from the Ellen Burns fundraiser held last month.The problem, Duffy said, is it costs about $5 to process the book before it can go on the shelf.Duffy pulled a random book off a shelf, pointed out the plastic cover that protects the book jacket, the security pocket with its corresponding card and the bar code.”Every book needs those and it all costs money,” she said. “It costs $5 or $6 to process a book and we have no money or supplies to do so.”Duffy then pointed to a shelf of CDs tucked in a corner behind the main desk. The CDs were purchased last April but Duffy said they lack security boxes, so they can’t put them on the shelf.”People don’t even know they’re here unless they ask,” she added.Patrons who want to help out, but don’t know how can check the wish list wall. Duffy said they could tear off the piece of paper, fill it out with their name if they like or simply drop off the slip with a check. Checks should be made out to the Friends of the Library.”Any donation will get used and we will be very grateful for it,” Duffy said.