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Library director highlights winter programs and 22.8% circulation growth
Summary
Library Director Elizabeth Crooker reported Jan. 8 that winter programs are underway, storytime returns Jan. 16 with a Jan. 23 session led by Kelly Dwyer capped at 25 children, and the library recorded a 22.8% year-over-year circulation increase (10,579 in 2025 vs. 8,611 in 2024).
Elizabeth Crooker, Mansfield Public Library director, told trustees at their Jan. 8 meeting that the library's winter programs are underway and that circulation rose 22.8% year over year.
Crooker said the Tea Club program continues in 2026 and that half of the January kits had been claimed. The library's first Monday Matinee of the year is scheduled for Jan. 12, and Book Club will resume in person in January after a December break. Winter Bingo will continue through the end of February.
Friday Storytime will return Jan. 16. Crooker said the Jan. 23 session will feature Kelly Dwyer of Nature Education Opportunities running stations about how animals adapt to winter; attendance for that program is capped at 25 children. Crooker said she will use an award from the KMS Foundation to buy new equipment and to replace items in outreach "Storytime to Go" bags.
Crooker reported attendance figures from recent events: roughly 60 people attended "Cookies with Abominable Snowman." She also updated trustees on staffing, saying Raffy is cleared to work alone, has been subbing, and will work one Thursday a month with Robin.
On library usage, Crooker provided year-over-year circulation totals: 8,611 in 2024 (6,138 physical checkouts + 2,358 Libby + 282 ILL borrows) and 10,579 in 2025 (6,946 physical checkouts + 3,301 Libby + 332 ILL borrows), a 22.8% increase overall. December 2025 circulation was 626 compared with 479 in December 2024.
Crooker also reported administrative items: winter holiday books have been put away and she will weed items not checked out in five years; end-of-year reports are due Jan. 17 and she has submitted photos to Rose for the reports.
The trustees noted planned building maintenance: Crooker said she contacted Carole about overhang damage and that Ken Caisse will inspect it; a soffit repair was later assigned to Ken Caisse under new business. The trustees set their next meeting for Feb. 12, 2026.
