THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2023

OBSERVER CORPS REPORT 2023

Being the League Observer at the monthly meetings of the Library Board of Trustees during this past year has been a unique privilege. This has been an especially important even historic year for the Falmouth Libraries, the people of Falmouth and the future well-being of all. Attendance at Board meetings continues to be available in person or via zoom and will until 2025. During the winter months, that choice is especially appreciated, but the choice is available all year.

In June 2022, Judy Fenwick was unanimously elected by the Board to be the chair for 2022-23. The Board then presented the revised Library Grounds Policy which protects the Main Library Lawn from further permanent installations to preserve and protect the valuable open green space. The Trustees budget now includes funds to maintain the upkeep of benches on the lawn for the benefit of the public. Moreover, the grounds will continue to be available to local groups and organizations on written request but their events must be open and free for the public. The only sale allowed on the grounds is the annual Friends of the Falmouth Public Library Book summer book sale. Request forms and rules of use are on the Library’s website.

Copies of the important Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2022-2027 were made available; it provides an impressive overview and road map for the next five years, a number of actions cited have been achieved in 2022-23. Perhaps most immediately important these have to do with staffing and responsibilities of new staff.

By June 2022, the search for a new Assistant Director was already underway and nine candidates applied; five were interviewed via zoom, and two in person. In August an offer was made to Brian Stokes from the New York Public Library who accepted and began work on September 19. He was formally introduced to the Trustees at the October meeting. In New York he had volunteered and later worked circulating library materials to prisoners in New York prisons. By April he had already succeeded in making the same kind of arrangement with the Barnstable County Correctional Facility, warmly supported by Sheriff Donna Buckley. Brian also reports the enthusiasm of Falmouth staff for this new program.

Brian did a superlative job of directing the transition to the new LS, KOHA Library Software, an open-source integrated system for managing and transferring materials among libraries. CLAMS had voted to switch from the old Sierra system to KOHA (which means “gift” in Maori). January and February were devoted to training staff and getting ready for the seamless transition which occurred on February 27, 2023. The CLAMS network remained intact. Library patrons only needed to create new pins to use the system - the last four digits of their phone numbers. Kudos and thanks to Brian and the library staff for their hard work. The Library Board soon showed its appreciation by fulfilling the staff’s desire for an environmentally friendly coffee maker and bottled water for it. The Trustees unanimously approved to fund these at not more than $800 for the first year.

Linda Collins, Director of the Library, announced in December that a Managed Service Provider for cyber security would be added to the Library’s operating budget. Designated were $12,000 which is less than the actual cost! In March she reported that the town Finance Committee had approved the FPL Operating Budget and $15,000 were added to support extending hours at the East Falmouth Library. Additional funding was added to enhance technological security. In April Linda announced that she would begin a medical leave in May, and Brian would be Acting Director in her absence. We all wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to her return.

Of course, there were other impressive accomplishments over the year:

1. Unspent capital appropriation from FPL 2006 renovation was returned to the town: $991.00!

2. The Board approved a Library Support Fund grant to provide a flat screen TV for the Children’s Room.

3. The Great Decisions program for summer 2023 was sold out by April.

4. Changing exhibits of works by local artists are displayed in Main Library.

5. The Trustees voted unanimously in June 2022 to contribute $1800 towards the 6 July-August Wednesday night summer Movies Under the Stars. The cost is $3600 per night. This program will continue this summer.

6. The Friends of the Library 2022 Book Sale brought in $61,553 and the Holiday Sale $6100.

7. Reference Librarian Jessica O’Connor received a grant in Fiscal Year 2021-2022 from Cape Cod 5’s Community Grant program to pay for last summer events involving board games. There were 6 events at the Library in July and August with over 300 multi-generational participants. Funds were used to buy 14 games. Jessica plans to offer more game days and also allow games to circulate.

8. The Donate button on the Library website has indeed generated donations. Linda Collins drafted thank you letters and tax information for donors.

9. The bronze plaque for the AirFoil sculpture on the lawn was ordered and put in place.

10. Digitization of local materials continued in-house; the Falmouth Enterprise is now complete for 1896 through 2017.