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Director reports surge in circulation and programming wins, cites grants and summer plans
Summary
Library Director Elizabeth Crooker reported an almost 47% year-over-year February circulation increase, wide participation in Winter Bingo (517 books read), repackaged seed library, two recent grants totaling $1,170, and plans for summer reading themed "Plant a Seed, Read!"
Elizabeth Crooker, Mansfield Library director, presented the March 12 Director's Report highlighting program participation, circulation growth and recent grant awards.
Crooker told trustees that February circulation rose to 686 items from 468 in February 2025, an increase she described as "almost 47%" compared with last year. She said interlibrary loan activity is up so far this year (92 borrows and 169 loans, Jan. 1'Mar. 10, 2026) despite sporadic delivery interruptions caused by holidays and snow closures.
On programming, Crooker reported that all February Tea Club kits were claimed and about half the March kits remain. A special Wiggles storytime on Feb. 20 drew eight children and the new wooden climbing-structure toys were well-received. She said Winter Bingo had its largest participation since the program began in 2020: "We had 19 people turn in cards and several who turned in multiple cards. A total of 517 books were read!" Crooker said she will likely include a bingo card in the summer reading program.
Crooker also listed recent support and events: a $500 award from the 250th Anniversary Fund for the Community Read and $670 from NH Humanities to support the Big Watch screening and related programming. She noted seed-library work completed for 2026 and preliminary planning for the summer reading theme "Plant a Seed, Read!" Upcoming events include a Native Plants program on April 7, a Stuffy Sleepover April 10'11, and the Big Watch on May 7.
Crooker reported a canceled Senior Safety event in February that has been rescheduled for March 16. Trustees did not take substantive policy votes on the programs during the meeting; the director's report was accepted as submitted.
