Taunton Public Library reports 141,546 uses in FY25, highlights upgrades and plans for more adult programming

Linda Coelho, director of the Taunton Public Library, told the council the library recorded "141,546 uses of our collection" in fiscal year 2025 and described a range of facility improvements, community programs and services. She said the building received recarpeting in the stacks, a new roof, repointing of the historic front facade and a partnership with the Spencer Preservation Group to study restoration of original windows.

Coelho described the library's role as a designated cooling center during extreme summer temperatures and highlighted programming numbers: "over 250 programs" in FY25 with more than 6,000 attendees, including about 1,800 children ages 0–5. She also described the museum-pass program, explained that a valid library card gives residents access to discounted admissions and encouraged people to contact staff or visit taughtinlibrary.org for details.

Councilors thanked library staff and asked about the balance of physical versus digital circulation. Coelho said youth services still favor physical books while adult usage is approximately half physical and half digital. She also said the library is installing a new heating system and is pursuing grant-funded window restoration; the windows effort was described as a matching grant and as under discussion with the billing department and grant partners.

What happens next: Library staff will continue outreach on adult-programming expansion and return to the council as needed for capital or grant items requiring council action.