I'd like to start off today's column with a big thank you to the Mancos Masonic Lodge for hosting a pancake breakfast fundraiser on Saturday that raised over $200 to help support your library! I don't know where we'd be without our Masons, quietly doing the work to support our community with a smile.

On a different note, many of our regular patrons have begun to notice that we've had some staff turnover in the library. In 2012, we saw the departure of two of our long-time staff members, and then in March of this year two additional key folks left to pursue new ventures. This "mass exodus" gave me the opportunity to look closely at the library's needs and readdress our staffing.

Many of the remaining staff were willing and able to take on some extra hours and duties. In addition, we're excited to announce that we've hired Shaine Gans, who comes to us with a strong background in fundraising, grantwriting and programming, to be our new development and programming manager. However, due to the continued decline in property tax revenue, we were not able to return to full staffing and won't be able to for a few years. This means we need more help from the community and from volunteers.

So, if you're one of the fortunate people who finds yourself with more time on your hands than you know what to do with, or, if you're feeling like you would like to do a little something to give back to the community, then we would like to hear from you! We have many upcoming and ongoing projects that we could use help with landscaping and landscape maintenance, computer cleaning and maintenance, online book sales, craft closet reorganization, and a book re-cataloging project just to name a few. Please, don't let these suggestions limit you - if you think of a way you may be able to help, please contact the Mancos Public Library at (970) 533-7600 and ask for Lee or Kate.