Director’s Report: January 2026
Library Programs (December): Adults: 18 | Youth: 11
| Metric | 2025/26 | 2024/25 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Library Visits | |||
| December | 9,664 | 13,277 | -27.21% |
| Fiscal Year | 69,754 | 78,717 | -11.39% |
| Total Circulation | |||
| December | 17,435 | 19,197 | -9.18% |
| Fiscal Year | 119,307 | 125,757 | -5.13% |
| Adult Programming | |||
| December | 159 | 140 | 13.57% |
| Fiscal Year | 1,443 | 1,033 | 39.69% |
| Youth/Teen Programming | |||
| December | 656 | 711 | -7.74% |
| Fiscal Year | 3,206 | 2,682 | 19.54% |
| Reference Questions | |||
| December | 1,378 | 1,441 | -4.37% |
| Fiscal Year | 9,141 | 9,714 | -5.90% |
| Internet Use | |||
| December | 835 | 820 | 1.83% |
| Fiscal Year | 6,284 | 5,834 | 7.71% |
| Youth/Teen Internet | |||
| December | 250 | 226 | 10.62% |
| Fiscal Year | 1,915 | 1,589 | 20.52% |
Library Board: It is with a very heavy heart that I share the news that Library Board Trustee/Secretary Alma Hughes-Grubbs passed away on January 7. I will forever treasure her for her warmth, kindness, and advocacy for the library.
Building: Elevator testing has been completed. I signed a proposal from O’Neal Construction to install new flagpole lights.
Finance: The library received its 2024-25 audit, and the auditors gave the library an unmodified opinion (i.e., a clean audit).
Staff: The health insurance was changed from United HealthCare to Health Alliance Plan effective January 1. (As of this writing, UHC and Corewell still have not settled).
Incoming staff: Library assistant Chesney Blevins.
Programming: After a brief hiatus for the holidays, all of our storytimes are beginning again this week. The Teen Craft Club resumes on Tuesday, January 27 at 4 pm with Bingo Cards and Vision Boards. Teens will make college vision boards and bucket list bingo cards. It may be snowy and cloudy and gray, but surely spring will arrive soon. Gardeners and aspiring gardeners can get a jump on the season by attending our Gardening Roundtable on Saturday, January 17 at 11 am.
Friends of the Library: Please join the Friends of the Library at their Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 31 at 11 am. This is a great opportunity to celebrate all that they do for the library.
Library of Michigan: On January 3, Librarian of Michigan Randy Riley passed away suddenly. He was a very devoted advocate for libraries and supported all of our efforts statewide. Mr. Riley attended our library’s open house/grand opening as well as our visit last year by ALA President Cindy Hohl.
Other: I have attached my summary of 2025 as well as my goals for 2026 to this report.