Mitchell Public Library reports higher circulation, revives newsletter and schedules new staff hire

The Mitchell Public Library board received the director—s written report and approved it by voice vote, with the director noting a rise in circulation and program participation in July and August.

The director said the library is sharing its digital collection with the rest of the state and saw about 3,000 more checkouts in August than the same month last year. The report also described stronger attendance at programs in July and August and that the library has begun online registration for cards; new registrants will receive a mailed verification letter before staff add them to the system.

Board members heard that the library will revive its periodic newsletter, which will include pages aimed at children, teens and adults; printed copies will be available at the library and a link will be posted on the library—s website.

The director introduced incoming hire Max Velasquez, who the director said trained in the University of Hawai— at Manoa library program and worked in Honolulu-area public libraries before relocating. The director said Velasquez is expected to begin work the week after he arrives in town and that programming ideas discussed include a board-game club and gaming-related events using the library—s Nintendo Switch.

As an example of program impact, the director read a short school essay from a child who wrote that an in-library astronomy event inspired an interest in becoming an astronomer.

The board approved the director—s report in a voice vote; the director said staff will focus on spending remaining ebook and book budgets once the new hire starts.