One of the primary focuses of the meeting was a detailed report by Jamie Peny, head of collection services, on the state of the library’s collection. Peny highlighted the library’s ongoing efforts to diversify its holdings by acquiring more Spanish and Portuguese materials. This initiative is driven by community and school surveys. Peny emphasized the importance of securing materials originally written in these languages rather than just translations.

Peny further elaborated on the library’s internal processes for collection development. Librarians participate in committees dedicated to both fiction and non-fiction collections, overseeing various segments such as graphic novels. A noteworthy shift in policy now entrusts these committees with the responsibility of purchasing all formats relevant to their categories, including audiobooks, to ensure a cohesive approach to content acquisition. Tools like professional journals and patron feedback play a role in shaping the collection.

The report also addressed the library’s weeding policy, which aims to maintain a relevant and accurate collection. Specific guidelines, summarized by the acronym “musty” (misleading, ugly, worn, trivial, and irrelevant), help determine which items should be removed. Peny acknowledged the anxiety librarians might feel about removing items but reassured that alternative access through interlibrary loans and online resources is available.

Another discussion during the meeting was the library’s circulation statistics and the categorization of literature by age. There was a preference expressed for the term “teen” over “young adult” to better represent readers aged around eleven. The term “new adults” emerged as a category for individuals in their early twenties. The rising popularity of Playaway devices for portable audio experiences was noted, as traditional CD players become less common in new cars. The decline in physical media formats like DVDs and CDs was also discussed, with streaming services becoming the dominant mode of consumption.

The board also delved into the challenges of accurately counting digital holdings. With access to 20,000 ebooks through Overdrive, categorized by age group, and the complications of counting titles from services like Hoopla, the discussion highlighted gaps in data collection methods. It was clarified that Libby is an app that accesses Overdrive’s catalog, and while the library reports its own usage statistics, detailed data on how many patrons use services from other consortia like the Boston Public Library remains less clear.

The meeting touched on the library’s annual report, which captures data on book circulation, programming, and staff information to justify state funding. Challenges related to library collections were also discussed, along with the strategic plan for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Modifications to the plan included addressing staff and board diversity, and the need for clear and enforceable policies was a recurring theme. The strategic plan aims to reflect community needs and usage patterns, with a focus on maximizing meeting room utilization and accommodating diverse events.

Another topic of interest was the library’s meeting room reservation policy. The need to clarify that a reservation is only confirmed upon receipt of payment was emphasized. The group debated the appropriate timeframe for payment, settling on a stronger stance that reservations must be paid for promptly to prevent system abuse.

Community engagement was a part of the discussion, with suggestions for translating policies into multiple languages to enhance accessibility and awareness. The idea of establishing an informal advisory group of diverse community members was proposed to provide insights and ideas for library programs, fostering a sense of belonging and equity.

Financial updates included a substantial grant of $220,000 set to begin on October 1st, which will support a wide-ranging library initiative. The director mentioned an upcoming staff development day and a new hire in the children’s room, along with plans for a new app for library services facing some delays.

As the meeting concluded, the board reviewed and approved the minutes from the previous meeting and discussed future agenda items, ensuring continued focus on the library’s strategic plan, summer reading reports, and the new app’s development.