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Danvers trustees review ebook spending, archive digitization, renovation feasibility and archivist staffing
Summary
Trustees heard staff reports that ebook checkouts rose about 25% since FY22 while ebooks account for about 6% of total circulation; they discussed high ebook pricing, outside vendors and costs for digitizing archives and newspapers, and agreed to pursue a feasibility study and to advocate for an assistant archivist in FY27.
Library Director (S1) presented operational updates and proposals on Nov. 12 covering circulation trends, digitization, archives and facilities planning.
Director S1 said ebook checkouts are up roughly 25% from fiscal 2022 to 2025, and that electronic items represent about 6% of total circulation (physical and electronic combined). She cautioned trustees that publishers’ pricing models for ebooks lead to recurring licensing costs — often annual or multi‑year licenses — rather than perpetual ownership, which increases long‑term expense and complicates collection budgeting.
Trustee S4 asked whether the library is getting value for the money spent on electronic materials. Director S1 explained that the e‑library category includes databases and other subscriptions, not only single‑title ebook purchases, and that in‑house procurement or legislative change may be required to control costs.
On digitization, Director S1 described the library’s current approach: the library sends large items (newspapers, microfilm, older yearbooks) to outside firms (Advantage Archives) for scanning and searchable indexing. She estimated past newspaper-digitization projects were run in chunks costing roughly $4,000–$5,000 per segment. In‑house large‑scale digitization would require specialized scanners and staff expertise the library does not currently have.
Trustees also discussed archives management: Director S1 recommended prioritizing digitization of pre‑1960 yearbooks and reviewing off‑site storage and preservation for church records, noting the library sometimes stores third‑party materials on behalf of community groups.
On facilities, trustees discussed commissioning a feasibility study from architects to evaluate the whole building — from envelope repairs to elevator replacement and reconfiguration of mezzanine offices — and to provide cost estimates and options. Director S1 said the study itself requires funding and coordination with the town manager.
Staffing and budgets: Director S1 said she will advocate in the upcoming budget process for funding an assistant archivist in FY27, acknowledging full funding may not be available immediately but suggesting phased or partial funding could be explored.
What happens next: trustees asked staff to prioritize digitization needs, get vendor cost estimates, and schedule preliminary conversations with architects; Director S1 will present budget requests and begin advocacy for archivist funding in the near term.
