Report of the Library Director for January, 2014

P&D grant application submitted – FY15 budget process continues

Circulation
January circulation activity was 4,721, which is 18.0% higher than last month, but still a decline from last year (14.2% lower).  Ebook downloads reached a new high of 288 titles downloaded this month.  The previous high was 253 from October of 2013.

Laptops: 7.  Nooks: 3.  Games: 55.

Unique Patrons

Upton Library currently has 1,919 items checked out to 425 unique patrons.

Digital Content Use

BYKI: In January, 4 users accessed byki for a total of 2.1 hours.  Our top languages were German and Spanish.

Overdrive: eBook circulation to Upton patrons: 288, eAudio circulations: 74.

Wowbrary:   We have 138 active subscribers to Wowbrary. (-2)

New Patron Registrations:  15 new patrons registered in January.

New Items: We added 272 items to the collection in January.

Passport Applications processed in January: 7.

Programs
Library book group: 5 people met on Jan 29^th.
Senior book group: met on January 14^th.

Thursday storytime averaged 5 children per session for 5 sessions.
TinyTots lapsit averaged 2 children per session for 3 sessions. 
Library Table: 4 visits, averaged 7 patrons and 27 items.

Lego Days: averaged 5 children for 3 sessions.

Plans for Next Month
1) FY 15 budget and personnel decisions
2) Improvement project – bids, scheduling and move out

3) Collection development

Library Improvements

The specifications for the library improvements project have been completed, and the project has been advertised as required in the Central Register and local newspapers.

A public walkthrough of the building was held on Jan 28^th, and representatives from four general contractors were present.

Bids are due on Feb 5^th at 11am.  After the bid opening, the Trustees have a scheduled meeting on Feb 6^th 7pm to discuss the qualifications of the firms and the bid amounts.

Improvements Schedule

Assuming we are able to award a contract early in February, I am preparing for the move out and the work to be completed.  The current plans are:

Feb 17^th-20^th – shipping boxes and storage trailers delivered.  Two 40’ and one 20’ trailers will be located on the Thompson family land across Grove St. from the library.  Rental and delivery cost: $2,070.  Library materials will be packed into ~650 boxes.  Box and packing supplies cost: $1,000.  Packing will be performed by library staff.

Feb 24^th – Limited library services begin.  Reference services and interlibrary loans will be offered from the Fay room on the 2^nd floor of Knowlton Risteen building.  I recommend a reduced schedule of Tues, Thurs and Saturday, and closing on Wed and Fri.

Feb 24^th-28^th – Library materials packed and moved into trailers.  Packing will be done by library staff, moving by the Worcester County Sheriff’s work release program.

Mar 3^rd-21^st – Library space is turned over to the general contractor for work to be completed.

Mar 24^th-28^th – Library materials moved back into the building.

Mar 29^th – Regular library services resume

Mar 31^st – Trailers removed.

Planning and Design Grant

The planning and design grant application was completed, signed and submitted.  I have received an email verification that the application was received by the MBLC.  I don’t expect to hear anything else from the MBLC until they announce the provisional grant awards on June 5^th, 2014.

In the final submission, our budget request was increased to $66,000 to ensure adequate funds for the owner’s project manager.  This means the town’s matching appropriation will be $22,000.

Our next steps are to start assembling the feasibility committee, and to present 3 articles at the annual town meeting (2 for approvals, and 1 financial appropriation).

FY15 Budget

Budget request was submitted to the Finance Committee with 2.5% wage increases for current library staff.

I will be attending Personnel board meeting and Finance Committee meetings on Feb 5^th to receive and provide more information about the FY15 library budget.