Report of the Library Director for May 2009

Circulation
Circulation for May was 4,158 items. This is a decrease from both last month, April 2009 (13.8% decrease) and from last year, May 2008 (8,4% decrease). 4,267 items were checked out at our circulation desk.

New Patron Registrations
7 new patrons registered in May.

Collection Development
We added approximately 139 items to our collection in May. Our set of Frommer’s travel guides arrived and has been added to the collection. I have a small selection of these titles on display, and I have weeded out all travel guides older than copyright date 2000.

Public Computers
I have received a written quote for purchase of three laptops and creation of a wireless network for all our public computers and a printer from Worldband Communications. The price estimate was $3,300. There are some advantages to purchasing from Worldband, because they already maintain our current computer network. I will be writing a letter requesting funding from the Men’s Club, and possibly the Recreation Commission.

Summer Reading Program
We have received all the contents of our summer program registration packets and volunteers from ULTRA and the Friends of the Library are assembling the bags. Registration begins on June 13th, which is also Garden Day at the library.

Programs
Library book group: 7 people met on May 27th.
Senior book group: 8 people met on May 5th.
Thursday storytime averaged 7 children per session.
TinyTots lapsit averaged 17 participants. TinyTots is over for the summer and will resume in September.
Teen Tuesday was attended by 15 young adults.
Library Table: 4 visits, averaged 7 patrons and 15 items.

Special Events in May
32 people attended a special storytime and author visit with Terry Golson and Tillie the Chicken in the Upton Town Hall on May 14th.

64 3rd grade students from Memorial Elementary School visited the library on May 20th. The remaining 3rd grade classes were scheduled to visit May 27th, but had to reschedule their field trip to June 3rd.

Volunteers
No home delivery was made this month, but is scheduled to resume in June.
FULTI and ULTRA members have help assemble our summer reading packets.

Upcoming Events in June
June 3rd – 3rd grade field trip from Memorial School
June 3rd-24th Wednesdays at 10:30, Baby Sign language class.
June 11th – Author visit and reading from Carol Weis, “When the Cows Got Loose”
June 13th – Saturday Garden Day, plant swap, booksale, children’s craft and composter pickup
June 17th – ‘Lil Folk Farm petting zoo on library lawn 2-4pm
June 18th and 19th – Red Cross Babysitting class, pre-registration required, $55 tuition fee.
June 24th – “Midsummer Night’s Dream” theatre performance on Nipmuc Courtyard 6:30pm, for all ages, friends bakesale.

Plans for Next Month

1) Summer Reading Events begin

2) Submit funding requests for public computers

3) End of fiscal year paperwork and clean-up.