Waverly library reports rising use, details $2.925 million renovation and funding mix

The Waverly Public Library Board of Trustees delivered its annual report to the City Council on Aug. 4, outlining library use, staffing changes, programs and final costs for a building renovation completed in November 2024.

The presentation, led by Sarah Meyer (library staff member) and Deanna McHugh (library board member and president of the library foundation), said the renovation project’s final cost was about $2.925 million and that a mix of public gifts, grants and city funds covered construction and finishing expenses. Deanna McHugh told the council the project received “a large grant” totaling about $583,000 and several state technology grants that together contributed roughly $83,000.

Meyer said the library was asked to cut $150,000 from its budget for fiscal 2024–25 and that staff identified roughly $130,000 in savings, largely by changing some contracts and reallocating funds. Meyer said switching integrated library systems is expected to reduce contract costs by about $20,000 per year. The library remains about 0.5 full-time equivalent below pre-cut staffing levels, she said.

The trustees reported usage and program figures showing recovery after the building was largely closed for renovation. Monthly average visits were near 8,000 in 2023, dipped to about 5,700 during much of 2024 while construction restricted space, and were approaching 2023 levels in 2025. The summer reading program recorded 347 children and 157 teens registered in the library’s Beanstack app; the board also added a paper punch-card option that produced about 300 additional sign-ups though overlap with app registrations is unknown. A themed children’s program (listed in the presentation as a Pokémon program) had 62 registered participants.

Outreach and other services cited: the bookmobile has made more than 40 stops over roughly 20 months with about 1,400 visitors, and the Reach Out and Read partnership distributed about 2,600 books to area clinics this year. The presentation said the library is in the state “size category F” (10,000–25,000 population) and that the library’s physical and digital collections and program attendance compare favorably with peers in that category.

On facilities, Deanna McHugh recapped the timeline: fundraising began in late 2022, construction ran through 2023 with substantial finishing work concluding around November 2024, and a public reopening was held Nov. 16, 2024. The project originally had an architectural estimate of $2.4 million that rose in early planning to roughly $3 million; construction bids and adjustments produced a working budget of about $2.9 million and the final project cost reported was $2.925 million. The council presentation listed the City’s pledged contribution at $700,000, public gifts of approximately $1.129 million and the grant amounts noted above. The foundation’s support, other grants and community donations reduced the amount required from the foundation compared with earlier projections.

Renovation highlights shown to council included an expanded children’s area featuring an artist-crafted “story tree,” a new enclosed teen tech and youth lounge (about 1,200 square feet), a renovated adult reading corner and updated meeting rooms with improved technology and soundproofing. The presentation named Hough Contracting as a contractor partner and Studio Melee as architect.

Board members said remaining work is limited to minor punch-list items and final pledges; they also noted delays during construction from supply‑chain and subcontractor issues that pushed completion from summer 2024 into late fall. The library board is preparing a new strategic plan and expects to select a consultant soon to guide priorities after the renovation.

The trustees invited council members and the public to visit the renewed facility. “Please come over anytime,” McHugh said at the end of the presentation.

The report was informational only; no council action was taken on library funding or the renovation at the Aug. 4 meeting.