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Brownell Library director reports higher post-pandemic demand, roof project and staffing changes
Summary
Wendy, the library department head, told the council the library is seeing more varied visitor needs since the pandemic, described work around digital services and a planned roof replacement by June to fix water/runoff issues, and flagged the upcoming retirement of a long-time youth librarian.
Wendy, Brownell Library's department head, said visitor patterns have shifted since the pandemic and staff are fielding more varied service requests including help with online government services, printing forms and extended assistance for patrons on computers. "I feel like we're back to a very brisk business, post pandemic," Wendy said, noting the library has reorganized the circulation desk to better greet visitors and created a quieter area for longer, private interactions.
Wendy also discussed building maintenance: recurring water and runoff issues tied to the roof and approach to the main door that staff hope to resolve with a roof replacement scheduled for completion by June. She said the project was delayed last year after a contracted vendor broke an agreement. Wendy identified ongoing technology and shared-system work (ILS and courier service improvements) and flagged staffing shifts, including the planned retirement of long-time assistant youth librarian Erna.
Council members asked about outreach and how the library coordinates events; Wendy and trustees said trustees step in for tabling and community attendance when staff capacity is limited. Trustees and staff are pursuing sustainable-libraries certification and planning centennial programming while monitoring limited operational wiggle room for collections versus building needs.
