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Farmington Community Library director previews renovations, highlights school partnerships and programs
Summary
New Farmington Community Library director Sasha Matthews briefed the school board on library services, outreach with the district, online tutoring and coding resources, circulation statistics, and a renovation schedule beginning in September with new outdoor amphitheater and children's areas.
Sasha Matthews, the new director of the Farmington Community Library, presented an overview of library services and a renovation plan at the May 5 Farmington Public School District board meeting.
Matthews described library eligibility (residents, workers, and students in Farmington or Farmington Hills), outreach efforts with first‑grade field trips and school liaisons, and online resources including live-tutor homework help, coding platforms and SAT/PSAT test-prep. She emphasized that the library remains a free public space for events, study and community programs.
Matthews also walked trustees through usage statistics from the past year: nearly a million total circulations across physical and e-resources, 36,000 cardholders, more than 350,000 visitors, and 43,000 event attendees. The library will launch major renovations in September (approximately a one‑year construction window) that will add an outdoor amphitheater, an expanded children's play area, additional study rooms, and improved entry circulation. A renovation webpage (farmlive.org/rennovations) will host schedule and signage updates, the presenter said.
Board members asked about programs for older students, AI literacy classes and how the library intends to sustain participation by teens. Matthews described teen librarian staffing, outreach to the high schools and ongoing programming targeted to older youth and community members.
The board and superintendent praised the library's partnership with schools, noting the role libraries play in early literacy and access to internet and learning supports. Matthews said staff will remain available during construction and emphasized continued service to students and families throughout the renovation period.
What's next: Library staff will roll out renovation communications, signage and a dedicated web page this fall and continue joint programming with district schools.
