Lakeville — Trustees heard a technology and collections update at the Nov. 24 meeting after the library learned a major supplier is ceasing operations.

Director Jennifer Jones told the board that Baker & Taylor is winding down operations in December, so the library has moved ordering to Ingram and will supplement with Amazon Business and Midwest Tape for audiovisual materials. "We have moved all of our book orders to Ingram, and we're supplementing that with Amazon Business," Jones said.

Jones said some deliveries — particularly from England — have been slower as vendors adjust, but Ingram is hiring and expects to improve turnaround. She recommended also getting a comparative quote from Green River Associates, the town's IT contractor, for any computer purchases.

On public and circulation computers, Jones said many library machines need immediate replacement because support for Windows 10 has ended and some staff/public machines cannot be upgraded to Windows 11. The library applied jointly with Wareham to the Mass Broadband Institute's device giveaway; the application requests a minimum of 30 devices (hence the joint application) and, if approved, equipment would likely arrive around March. Patrick Marshall and other trustees said they will await questions from the grant program and follow up when the agency requests more information.

Trustees did not take a formal vote on procurement at the meeting but instructed the director to seek comparative quotes and proceed as needed to maintain service.

Next steps: Jones will request a Green River Associates quote, monitor Mass Broadband Institute communications, and replace circulation machines as soon as compatible hardware is available.