Thomas Balch Library schedules winter programs, installs Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum exhibit; cataloger departs

Laurel (library director) told the Thomas Balch Library Advisory Commission at its January meeting that the library has installed a traveling exhibit from the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum and is planning a series of winter and spring programs while recruiting a replacement for its departing cataloger.

The exhibit on loan from the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum — described by the director as “a large archaeological collection” related to Indigenous peoples of Loudoun County — was installed in January, and a smaller Oak Hill–themed display was placed in a stairwell this week, Laurel said. The library also hosted school programming at Riverside High School and is preparing a textile conservation workshop in February in partnership with the Loudoun Museum.

Laurel said the cataloger, identified in the meeting as Madison Russell, accepted a position with the federal government and left the library. “She has very high clearance now. This is her career dream,” Laurel said. The library has advertised the cataloger vacancy and forwarded about 18 applicants for review; Tammy Tran (curator) and a human-resources representative will join Laurel for the initial interview round. Laurel described the open role as a hybrid position that combines cataloging, reference and outreach work, which she said has made recruitment more challenging: “There aren’t a lot of people who want to do cataloging and reference and outreach.”

Commission members also heard plans to revive Thursday-evening offerings. Laurel said staff are developing several possible recurring programs aiming to rebuild weeknight attendance: a genealogy club, a historical-fiction/nonfiction book club (to be run by Morgan Dunwoody), and a historical game night (to be organized by Ben Ravel). The meeting discussion noted that Thursday evening hours existed briefly before the COVID-19 pandemic but never regained a following.

Laurel said staff will begin interviews for the cataloger position next week and will bring candidates forward as the hiring process progresses. The director asked the commission to review programming plans as they are developed.

Less critical details: the library’s “first Friday” outreach and partnerships generated turnout for a December event that featured a presentation on the city’s historic-district survey; the commission also discussed continuing work on the Chronicle newsletter and ways to reduce its print run while maintaining distribution to patrons and partner locations.