Newberg library reports record usage, events and staffing changes; director shares video of 'life of a book'

The Newberg Public Library’s advisory board heard a broad operational update that covered programming attendance, staffing changes, a narrated demonstration of how new books are processed, and collection and usage statistics.

Library Director Corey Burkel highlighted recent events including a Jane Austen evening that drew more than 70 attendees. Burkel also announced the retirement of circulation staffer Lori Beaverwander after 26 years and said staff hours are being adjusted so one 30-hour employee can be expanded to 40 hours without changing benefit eligibility.

As part of the update the board viewed—or discussed—a roughly five-minute video that walks through the library process for a newly arrived book: unpacking, barcode and RFID tagging, cataloging, stamping the library name, and shelving. An unidentified narrator described the steps and routines used to process holds and move materials into circulation.

Burkel reported collection and usage figures to illustrate demand: ″Today there are 85,685 physical items in the library's collection. Last year, over 7,000 new items were added to the library's physical collection. Last year, our library visits totaled 98,548, and our library checkouts were 394,531,″ the transcript records.

Operational notes included library holiday closure dates and a one-time incident where a bird entered the building and remained inside for about a day and a half before staff removed it. Burkel also acknowledged brighter replacement lampposts ordered by city staff that improved lighting in front of the library.

The board set its next meeting for Jan. 15 and plans to set meeting dates for the coming year at that session.