Library staff announced that Monica Washingberger will join the collection services team on Dec. 15, bringing experience from the Denver Public Library; staff said the new supervisor will focus on circulation data and collection analysis.

Staff also reported on outreach and programming: a 'Brain Boosters' school outreach initiative made an initial visit that reached 58 attendees (two classes) and will continue with more classroom visits next year; volunteer recruitment is rebuilding after a hiatus, with four new volunteers starting recently. Staff said they are planning better data collection and dashboarding for next year to make statistics easier for the board to review.

Community events were promoted: Turkey Fest, sponsored by Excalibur Outreach and Groove Toyota, plans to distribute 200 turkey meal kits (with Englewood Public Schools referrals) between roughly 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; a holiday market and tree lighting are scheduled for Dec. 6 with vendors on the second floor in the afternoon. Staff also announced a winter reading challenge beginning Dec. 1 and a soft launch of a catalog feature that displays a patron’s library card barcode on login.

Why it matters: The hire and outreach expansions affect library service delivery and program capacity; the event schedule connects the library to broader city outreach and volunteer opportunities.

Staff asked board members to stay tuned for improved dashboards and more detailed circulation and programming statistics in January.