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Seaside Library reports higher March attendance, new programs and ODFW fry-release outreach
Summary
Library staff told the board March program attendance rose, RFID gate counts showed about 6,000 visits, the library secured 25 copies and unlimited Libby access to the One Book One Seaside selection, received a $3,300 team grant for summer interns and reported a successful ODFW fry‑release education event.
Seaside Library director Jennifer Re and staff told the board that March programming drew strong community response and that operational counts show increased traffic.
The assistant director summarized March highlights: a March 5 story time tied to the Eggs to Pride program drew 37 attendees, a James Manwell classical‑guitar concert had 61 attendees, Puzzle Palooza ran with eight teams, and a memoir‑writing session led by Zoe Vasier drew about 30 participants. Staff said evaluations and in‑room engagement for several programs were notably positive. The board also heard that a new teen spring reading challenge piloted by Marian produced multiple entries and a $50 prize for the winner.
Why it matters: board members said the mix of in‑person programming and digital access expands reach across age groups and supports grant applications and partnership work that sustain programming.
Director Jennifer Re reported that the library has joined a regional One Book cohort for George Teay’s They Call Us Enemy; the library purchased 25 physical copies and organizers arranged unlimited electronic access through Libby/OverDrive in English and Spanish for the program months. The Friends & Foundation is funding the physical copies and will host a member event tied to the author talk on May 31.
Operational numbers were highlighted: staff said a door counter lost connection in early March (skewing one raw number) but the RFID gate system recorded just over 6,000 visits in March, and staff logged 25 programs with 381 attendees and roughly 4,000 items circulated that month. The board was told the library collected $735.50 from out‑of‑district library card sales in March; the revenue goes to the general fund.
The board also heard about a hands‑on fish release program run with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and watershed partners. Staff reported more than 600 interactions at the program and praised the ODFW educator Kyle for strong engagement with children. The release included a public event where children released juvenile fish (fry) back to a local river as part of the library’s environmental education outreach.
Staff noted a $3,300 team grant has arrived to help cover at least one summer intern and that applications for additional summer interns are under review. The director said staff plan to continue the mix of community partnerships, in‑person programs and digital access that contributed to the March results.
The board had no formal votes tied to these reports; the next regular meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, May 5 at 4 p.m.
