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Guthrie library touts strong program attendance, weighs fate of donated 3D printer
Summary
The Guthrie Public Library Board heard a directors report noting high program volume and nearly 10,000 attendees last year, discussed returning or selling a donated 3D printer to fund summer-reading activities, and heard proposals for a more interactive website or app funded through ODLs platform.
The Guthrie Public Library Board on Monday heard a directors report that highlighted robust programming and a decision point over an older 3D printer donated to the Friends group.
Cameron, the library director, said staff called November —Dinovember— after running a series of dinosaur-themed events and that staff and volunteers had a successful month of childrens programming. "We had tons of dinosaur events," Cameron said, adding that staff loaned plastic dinosaur toys and staged a costume appearance that drew families.
The board spent a substantial portion of the meeting discussing a large, older 3D printer that had been taken out of service and donated to the Friends group. According to Cameron, the Friends had the machine inspected, determined it only needed cleaning and minor repairs, and asked whether the board preferred they sell it (estimates of a few hundred dollars were discussed) or return it to library use. "The first thing [Jacob] said was, yes. Absolutely," Cameron said of the youth librarians interest in bringing the printer back for programs, while noting software updates and slow production times limit it as a regular drop-in service.
Cameron also reviewed collection and circulation data: a month-to-month inventory snapshot showed the dollar value of items removed equaled that of items added in the most recent period; the collection size changed by one item this month; about 100 teen-fiction titles were added while roughly 100 general-collection volumes were weeded; audiobooks were consolidated to about 200 copies from a higher previous count.
On programming, Cameron told the board Guthrie provided roughly 385 on-site programs last year and drew about 10,000 attendees across those events. He cautioned that reporting definitions vary across peer libraries, so counts are not strictly comparable, and argued that program quality and community impact should be weighed alongside raw attendance numbers.
Board members and the director discussed digital services and outreach. Cameron said the Oklahoma Department of Libraries is rolling out a new website platform the library can join; a public commenter suggested an app or more interactive features to increase engagement among younger patrons. "I think the only thing about it is that it is kinda old," said Cheyenne, a former teen program participant now a student, urging a friendlier, more interactive online presence.
The board did not take formal action on the 3D printer at the meeting. Options under consideration included returning the machine to library custody for limited, scheduled programs, or selling it through local channels (the Friends suggested a Facebook Marketplace listing) and using proceeds to support summer-reading prizes and programs.
The meeting record shows the director will continue to consult staff (including Jacob, the youth librarian) and the Friends group before a decision is made; no purchase of replacement hardware or new app development was authorized during the meeting.
