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Board discusses foreign‑language collection, media weeding and circulation strategy
Summary
Trustees reviewed completed collection work in 2024, noted gains in Wonderbook and library‑of‑things circulation, and discussed gaps and donor approaches for foreign‑language materials.
Trustees and staff used the Jan. 18 special meeting to review service and collection achievements from 2024 and to surface collection gaps—most notably the library’s foreign‑language holdings.
Staff reported several collection wins: reorganizing and weeding non‑fiction DVDs and music CDs produced higher circulation in remaining kits; sensory kits (18 purchased) circulated about 188 times; Wonderbooks (a read‑along audiobook built into a physical book) expanded from 79 to more than 200 items after a volunteer bequest; and the media/sensory changes produced a noticeable circulation boost.
The meeting also focused on the foreign‑language collection. Staff said the library currently holds Arabic, Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi materials based on local census language data but that sourcing quality titles in some Indian languages is difficult and costly. “We are seeing more Spanish‑speaking patrons at the desk,” a staff member noted; trustees asked staff to solicit recommendations and donations and to highlight the collection at the upcoming multicultural fair.
Staff proposed two immediate steps: (1) a targeted survey of patrons who check out foreign‑language and related materials to identify supply gaps and preferred vendors; and (2) a coordinated appeal to the foundation and community groups for donations and targeted sponsorships to grow the collection. Trustees asked staff to use outreach at community events and partner organizations to identify potential donors and in‑kind sources.
Ending: Trustees directed staff to return with a short diagnostics plan for foreign‑language collection development and with circulation data on media and Wonderbook collections to inform future purchasing decisions.
