Library reports 20% increase in visits, schedules Book Sale, readies Bookmobile and hires patron services librarian

Library staff told trustees on May 15 that patron visits were up roughly 20% in April and that internet/Wi‑Fi usage and interlibrary loan requests were healthy, signaling increased demand for services.

The Friends of the Library announced plans for a Book Sale: donations begin June 1 and Set‑up Day is scheduled for Saturday, July 1; volunteers were invited to sign up. Staff also reported that the Bookmobile will resume summer service with adjusted routes and that Sarah, Danielle and Maddie Evans will staff the van. Trustees noted a needed repair to the Bookmobile lift and discussed a minor cosmetic touch‑up to the vehicle’s rear image.

The trustees heard that Roeki DeMaria has been hired as the new Patron Services Librarian; the transcript notes DeMaria previously worked at the Waterbury Public Library and that the position attracted 15 applicants.

Program Services Librarian Lori Ledak summarized a busy program slate for youth and adults, including multiple book clubs, author sessions (Catherine Drake), Crafternoons, Cook the Book, poetry events including a Meg Reynolds workshop, language groups, trivia nights, Write‑Time with South Burlington, watercolor workshops, a forthcoming Fair Housing discussion prompted by the book Eviction, a bird walk at Catamount, an appearance by Dr. Stephen Sheppard at Mud Pond, and an August Bella’s Hats Tea Party. Intergenerational reading with WCS currently involves nine adult participants.

Trustees also agreed to cover gift cards for volunteers reaching significant anniversaries and noted that added Saturday programming has been successful.