Director’s Report: April 2026
Library Programs (March): Adults: 26 | Youth: 22
| Metric | 2025/26 | 2024/25 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Library Visits | |||
| March | 11,585 | 11,759 | -1.48% |
| Fiscal Year | 101,360 | 111,463 | -9.06% |
| Total Circulation | |||
| March | 20,843 | 21,870 | -4.70% |
| Fiscal Year | 177,953 | 185,738 | -4.19% |
| Adult Programming | |||
| March | 329 | 233 | 41.20% |
| Fiscal Year | 2,360 | 1,615 | 46.13% |
| Youth/Teen Programming | |||
| March | 555 | 596 | -6.88% |
| Fiscal Year | 34,283 | 3,793 | 12.92% |
| Reference Questions | |||
| March | 2,005 | 1,822 | 10.04% |
| Fiscal Year | 14,538 | 14,947 | -2.74% |
| Internet Use | |||
| March | 1,077 | 1,119 | -3.75% |
| Fiscal Year | 9,181 | 8,699 | 5.54% |
| Youth/Teen Internet | |||
| March | 280 | 293 | -4.44% |
| Fiscal Year | 2,776 | 2,301 | 20.64% |
Art Award: The library has received donations in memory of Alma Hughes-Grubbs. I consulted with her family and with Michele Montour, and am pleased to say that we will award an annual art prize in Alma’s memory to a student displaying their art at the library. Details are still being ironed out for the Alma Hughes-Grubbs Art Award.
Building: I received quotes from two elevator companies for elevator maintenance, and I am engaging with City Elevator of Michigan for service beginning June 1. They quoted the lowest price at $1,200 per year to perform quarterly service which is also much lower than our current company charges.
In response to questions asked at the last meeting, I have included a copy of the library’s agreement with the city regarding the shared parking lot. In short, the agreement calls for the library to be responsible for the cost of routine maintenance such as snow removal. It calls for future capital improvements that are necessary to maintain the lot, to be divided up by our percentage of ownership (59% library/41% city). This arrangement seems to be working well so far. Additionally, the new city hall has parking on the opposite side of their building, so I do not think use of the public lot will be a major issue.
Staff: Incoming staff: Library assistant Parker Eisen and library assistant Vanessa Galloway. Outgoing staff: Library assistant Samantha Shannon. The circulation department has worked on some staff reorganizing, and has added the position of Senior Circulation Assistant. This will free up some of Amy O’Brien’s time to better assist with accounts payable and other administrative duties. Amy will continue to assist at the circ desk as a Senior Circ Assistant along with Lori Najduk and Liz Valicenti. The library’s staff in-service day will take place on Friday, April 24. This is an opportunity for staff from all of the departments to meet with each other, and for us to review best practices, procedures, and safety training.
Friends of the Library: The Friends’ Spring Used Book Sale will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3. The Friends work very hard to put together this great event for the community!
Programming: The library is taking the opportunity to showcase its Library of Things and its digital services during National Library Week, April 20-25th. We are presenting a different digital service each day, including Ancestry.com, Kanopy (movie streaming), Libby (eBooks), and MeL (Michigan eLibrary). Capping off National Library Week will be a visit from the Music Lady, Beverly Meyer, to Saturday Storytime on April 25 at 11 am. The annual Perennial Plant Swap will take place on May 2 at Noon.
Articles of Interest:
- “Book Output Topped 4 Million in 2025” (Publishers Weekly, March 17, 2026)
Read Article - “Hatchette Cancels Shy Girl Novel Over AI Writing Concerns” (Tech Buzz, March 21, 2026)
Read Article - “Bankruptcy Filing Offers More Details into Baker & Taylor’s Stunning Collapse” (Words and Money, March 20, 2026)
Read Article - “White House FY27 Budget Proposal Repeats Threats to Eliminate IMLS” (American Library Association, April 3, 2026)
Read Article - “Trump Administration Withdraws Appeal, Securing Historic Victory for Libraries and IMLS” (American Library Association, April 7, 2026)
Read Article