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Hello and happy spring, library friends!
We just wrapped up annual report time, when all the managers review what happened last year and I write a summary for the library board. I offer every year (though no one takes me up on it) that you are welcome to read the whole thing—we desire full transparency and, in fact, are proud of all the good work reflected in its pages; just email me and I’ll send you a copy.
Something I want to brag about a little is that in a review of last year’s budget and usage statistics, we have determined by a standard formula that your library provided you with a direct “Return on Investment” of $5.06! That means that you would have to spend five times as much as the library to get the goods and services that the library provides for every tax dollar we get. No matter how you look at it, that’s the definition of fiscal responsibility. It’s also using our partnerships and discounts to bring you materials, programming, and research tools—and the staff to help you—that you could never afford on your own. For those of you who understand the benefit of sharing resources among your fellow community members, or don’t wish to clutter your home buying things you could instead borrow, that ought to “spark joy!” (Sorry, I had to say it!) And, coming soon…cake pans! Stay tuned for more information about this fun new service.
Other notable facts are that circulation in the whole system is stable, with some materials up and some down, including the usual double-digit increase in electronic “checkouts” of ebooks and other digital content. And, if you think you see the bookmobile even more places than usual, you’re not imagining it. Another ten stops a week translated into a 12% increase in usage. Again, we try at every turn to provide bang for your buck, whether you’re at home on your computer or climbing on board the big blue bus.
You might see that the grass next to the library is being dug up. This is the start of the brickwork which will anchor the new Camille Leslie Memorial Reading Garden. If you didn’t donate in our former director’s memory, there’s always time. We would welcome additional contributions for landscaping to go with the lovely bench that will be installed.
What am I reading? I just started My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray, a fictionalized account of the life of Alexander Hamilton’s wife, Eliza. Since I know nothing about her, it should be interesting. And, of course, I finished the Big Read selection, Burning Bright by Ron Rash, short stories of the complexity of life in Appalachia. Very weirdly, I’m also reading a young adult sci-fi book called Be More Chill by the late Ned Vizzini, because a musical based on the book opened this week on Broadway to great acclaim, and I want to know what all the fuss is about. There’s always something at the library to catch your interest!
Happy reading or whatever brings YOU joy,
Sherie Brown,
Director
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