Report of the Library Director for June 2016

Summer program in full swing – School assignments require materials

Circulation

June circulation activity was 4,417.  This is 7.1% higher than last month, and nearly the same as May of 2015 (0.2% lower).  We continue our trend of seeing higher book circulation than last year, but lower DVD circulation. 

Laptops: 4. Nooks: 1.   Games: 24.

Unique Patrons

June 2016: on July 7, Upton Library had 2,009 items checked out to 729 unique patrons.

Digital Content Use

BYKI: was not used in June.

Overdrive: eBook circulation to Upton patrons: 396, eAudio circulations: 195.

Wowbrary:   We have 167 active subscribers to Wowbrary. (+5)

New Patron Registrations:  23 new patrons registered in June.

New Items: We added 230 items to the collection in June.

Passport Applications:  processed in June: 10.

Programs
Library book group: 10 people met on June 29.
Senior book group: 8 people met on June 14.

Thursday storytime 4 sessions, averaged 7 children.
TinyTots lapsit 4 sessions, averaged 4 children.

Library Table: 4 visits, averaged 6 patrons and 12 items.

ESL classes: 7 classes, averaged 2 students.

Friends of the Library – next meeting unknown.

Plans for Next Month
1) Start of fiscal year materials and supplies orders
2) Maintain stock of school summer reading materials

3) Summer program events

Special Events in June

Summer Reading kickoff theater with Little Red Wagon, June 21, attendance 116

Teen cooking demonstration, June 29, attendance 10

Frisbee and fitness demonstration, June 30, attendance 51

Upcoming July Events

Hula Hoop Yoga Fusion – July 6, 3pm-9pm, Nipmuc HS

Lil Folk Farm petting zoo – July 13, 11am-1pm, Library Lawn

Babysitter training with Red Cross – July 15, 9am-3:30pm, Registration and Tuition

Juggling Nutrition Magician – July 20, 10am-11am, Memorial School

Hall of Fame Wrestler fitness program – July 26 3:30-4:30, Library reading room

Elephant and Piggie theater starring Miss Nicole – July 28 6:30-7:30, Memorial School

Summer Reading 2016

112 children have signed up for the 2016 Summer Reading program and received their reading packet with calendar and reading log. 

Our kick-off event children’s theater performance had great weather and was attended by 116 people.  Friends of the Library were successful in selling refreshments at the event.

Two additional programs held in June were well attended.  The teen cooking demonstration was held in the reading area with a max capacity of 12, and was attended by 10 teens ages ten to thirteen.  Cooking / food demonstrations in libraries are popular programs, but this is the first one we have held at Upton due to concern about our facility’s limitations.  We received positive feedback about this program from multiple families.

Building / Grounds Maintenance

Gypsy moths – the short term problem is resolved, because the caterpillars have eaten all the leaves on our lawn, so we no longer have caterpillars climbing on the walls and doors.  I’m not sure what the long term impact on the health of the trees will be.

Bird nest – the baby birds have fledged and flown off safely.  We had a few weeks of loud chirping in the library, but that is now ended.  I will work with custodian Paul Marchand to get this vent repaired this summer.

Bathroom renovations – in the planning stages.  Once I have a solid idea what extent of improvements we want, I will discussing funding and logistics with Town Manager.

Collection Development – School Reading assignments

Miscoe Hill changed the required reading book for one grade, and left the other three grades unchanged.  BVT and Nipmuc both completely revised their reading lists for this year.

So far I have expended approx.. $1,000 from the materials budget to buy multiple copies of these titles.  My goal again this year is to keep at least one title for each grade in stock and immediately available for check out.  This is a major benefit for students that aren’t regular library users, because they get a good experience from the library instead of being told to wait while we request a book via interlibrary loan.

How much more materials funds do the trustees want to dedicate to this service?  I expect to spend at least another $500, but if demand stays high, it could take as much as $1,500 to maintain this level of service.  Other options are to start making items non-holdable or non-renewable to encourage faster turnover, or to rely on ILL, which gives patrons up to a week wait time before their item is available.

Planning and Design Grant

The feasibility committee continues to gather information about the possible sites (Two RFP responses, and a handful of town-owned sites).  The committee will also discuss if a grant-eligible project is still the best solution for Upton, or if we should consider other options.  A tour of the newly opened Taft library in Mendon may be enlightening as an example of the services possible in a comparable non-grant project.