Hubbardston library reports steady March usage, plans UMass-backed summer program

Library Director Christine Barbara presented March operations data and program plans to the Town of Hubbardston trustees.

Barbara told trustees the library ran one curbside pickup serving 322 patrons in March, hosted eight school-class visits totaling 318 students and held six storytime events with 179 attendees. Monthly circulation across town locations was 1,737 items and the library recorded 1,494 registered patrons. Overdrive (digital) checkouts were 879 for the month. Social media and website metrics included 2,223 Facebook viewers and 602 website visits; small numbers of visits from Singapore, China and Germany were noted as likely bots.

She also summarized staffing and event highlights: two weather-related early closures in March, Dungeons & Dragons sessions for different age groups, and ongoing adult and children's book-club activity. Barbara said the library will be closed April 20 for Patriots Day and that Trisha is reinstating Monday story time starting March 30.

On programming, Barbara said she and staff member Trisha have scheduled work with the East County (East Quabin) Land Trust and with UMass Amherst's anthropology department on a summer reading program titled "Unearth a Good Story," in which UMass would provide archaeological relics and graduate-student facilitation for excavation-themed activities.

The director's written report also noted that the Massachusetts Historical Commission responded to a submission about planned renovations and expressed support for the proposed scope, provided exterior fabric and historic windows are not altered without further review.

Trustees did not take separate action on the director's report; the discussion served to inform upcoming program planning and budgeting.