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Library director reports surge in circulation, seeks $7,500 county support for cards
Summary
At its annual meeting, the Mitchell Library Board heard a director's report noting a jump in circulation and in‑library visits, a planned drive‑up book return pending engineering review, and the director's request that county commissioners continue an annual $7,500 contribution to provide library cards to county residents.
Kevin Smith, the library director, told the Mitchell Library Board that circulation and in‑library traffic rose in June to their highest recorded monthly levels since he began, and that the library is exploring operational changes to handle continued demand.
"You have your the written report before you're sent out," Smith said while summarizing the packet and highlighted plans for portable shelving on wheels to make flexible program space, improved signage and a proposed drive‑up book return that requires the city engineer's review.
Smith also described a partnership recognition for the Troy Lending Library and the imminent arrival of an initial set of donated children’s toys to be processed and catalogued. He credited recent marketing and programming changes — including expanded social media use and targeted summer programs — for part of the increase in checkouts and traffic.
The director said he requested that county commissioners continue an annual contribution of $7,500 to cover library cards for county residents. "Their reactions were positive," Smith said after presenting the request; he added that one county commissioner commented on using Libby and family participation in reading challenges.
Board members asked operational questions about the drive‑up return, shelving and how the library plans to manage the new materials. After discussion, the board voted to accept the director's report.
The board set its next regular meeting for Sept. 15 at 5:15 p.m. and noted an Oct. 21 statewide trustee training session on disaster planning to be hosted in Mitchell.
