Shania Spencer, the Spanish Fort Public Library's librarian, reported on visitor counts, recent outreach and the library's summer programming during the board meeting.

Spencer said the library recorded more than 26,000 circulations from January through mid-April and reported 4,146 visits in March (a spike during Mardi Gras week) and 3,966 visits in April (a spring-break spike). "We had about 1,300 people walk through our door just that week in March," she said, and estimated roughly 1,200 visitors during spring-break week in April.

Spencer described recent outreach at the Delta Woods and Water Expo at 5 Rivers, where she and a colleague led story time and said the library had "over 55 visitors." She outlined the summer-reading program theme "Color Our World," with registration beginning Monday, May 12 and a kickoff glow party set for Tuesday, June 3 at 10 a.m. The first 250 registrants will receive a swag bag with glow items; local businesses and the Friends of the Spanish Fort Public Library will provide prizes, volunteers and concessions including Kona Ice and donated Cracker Barrel meal-card prizes.

Spencer said programming will be offered across ages — from pre-K to adults — and listed planned activities such as a series of cooking classes, a chess hour, a romantic book club (rescheduled to May 19) and "Adulting 101" sessions with city partners; she said Sergeant McGuff and the Spanish Fort Police Department will help with adulting programming and the fire chief recommended local auto shop participation.

On facilities and services, Spencer asked the board to postpone any large re-shelving or moves until autumn because Mobile Public Library service equipment that could assist was temporarily assigned to another library. She also said final telephone lines and elevator connections are being completed and that a dedication will follow once the elevator is fully operational.

Spencer asked staff to call dispatch at least 30 minutes before closing to request an escort when needed; board members discussed the best procedures and a member suggested patrons or staff notify dispatch 30 minutes before leaving.

Board members thanked Spencer for her outreach work and volunteers. No formal board action was taken on the librarian report; the board moved afterward to consider the policy item on the agenda.