Library director reports program increases, approves emergency refrigerator purchase and gets reimbursement OK

Library Director Jennifer Jones reported Sept. 17 that programming increased this year compared with last: the library offered 22 more programs and recorded 803 additional attendees than the prior year; program-counting changed to include caregivers, which Jones said partly accounts for the higher totals. Summer-reading outcomes varied by age group: preschool completions were strong, while completion rates dipped for school-age children and teens. Jones said youth services coordinator Theresa is considering adjusting the tracking program next year to provide smaller, weekly incentives for school-age children and teens to boost completion. Jones also announced that Bella, the library’s therapy dog used in the read-to-dog program, died suddenly; volunteer Alice plans to resume the program with Remy when she is ready. Operations and purchases: Jones reported an unexpected refrigerator failure in the staff room; she purchased a replacement after reviewing Consumer Reports and chosen a midrange model that cost $701. Jones said, accounting for delivery and DPW use of its Home Depot account and haul-away service for the old unit, the total outlay was “just under $800.” Staff scheduled delivery the following week. Financial items: trustees approved reimbursing the director $392.49 for a luncheon related to a Massachusetts library visit; the board agreed to fund the reimbursement from the library’s gift-supplies line. Jones also noted an increase in periodical subscription costs and a new $9 paper-statement fee from a vendor; she is investigating payment via the town procurement card (p-card) to avoid the fee. Administrative matters: Jones said the town has implemented a procurement card and encouraged using the town card for future purchases to reduce staff reimbursements. She also said she had signed up for the Massachusetts Library System annual meeting Nov. 5 and had interest in attending the PLA conference next year in Minneapolis. What’s next: Jones will return with vendor options for recurring subscriptions, finalize refrigerator delivery and continue reporting program metrics and staffing needs at future meetings.