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Pollard Memorial Library tells council use of bookmobile, tech help and programs is growing; council urged to protect funding
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Summary
Director Bridget Cooley told the council the library expanded outreach, completed a mosaic unveiling, and logged significant service metrics (12,500+ computer sessions, 28,000+ printed pages, and rising circulation). Councilors praised growth and asked that funding be preserved in the upcoming budget.
Lowell — Pollard Memorial Library Director Bridget Cooley presented a status update to the City Council on April 21, highlighting outreach growth, expanded programming and rising usage metrics.
Cooley said the library’s goal is to be "Lowell’s library," expanding services both inside the building and into neighborhoods through a growing bookmobile program and community partnerships. She told councilors the library’s 2025 service numbers included more than 12,500 computer sessions, over 28,000 printed pages, and roughly 37,000 reference interactions; first-quarter circulation in 2026 was about 3,600 items higher than the same quarter in 2025.
Councilors praised the report. Councilor Robinson recited bookmobile growth statistics, showing dramatic increases in stops, new cards and checkouts from 2023 to 2025; several councilors said the library produced strong returns on modest budgets and urged colleagues to protect library funding as the city enters budget season. Councilor McDonough reminded members that while the library’s outcomes have risen substantially, the services are not free and recommended preserving resident-facing programs during a lean city budget year.
Cooley also described program expansion for teens and adults, multilingual materials (more than 400 non-English books added, plus 250 English-learning books), pilot home delivery and plans to make lendable tablets and laptops available. She thanked partners including the Friends of the Library, Lowell Public Schools and Mill City Grows and asked the council to continue advocacy for library services.
What’s next: Council accepted the informational report and referred several asks — including continued advocacy and attention during the upcoming budget process — to the administration.
Quote: “Our ultimate goal every day is to be Lowell’s library,” Cooley said.
Context: Councilors repeatedly framed the bookmobile as a high-return community investment and asked for budget protections to preserve and expand resident-facing services.
