Despite losing two integral staff members, Pam Baldini and Bev Sikes, to retirement, the Kent Memorial Library had a relatively good year. Wendy Mitzel was hired to do teen outreach. Sue Mack, previously a full-time staff member, returned as a substitute. Michaela Colangelo served as our summer intern and is returning to Georgetown University as a senior.
As you all must know, we are not back at what we call “The Big House” at 50 North Main Street. Our circulation statistics, down 5.5% from last year, reflect our continued existence at 61 Ffyler Place and the difficulties we have had with the State-run interlibrary loan system. As of this writing, however, the interlibrary loan system is running smoothly once again. In our heyday, we circulated close to 140,000. Last year, the circulation number was close to 79,000, almost half the number. Of that number 19,000 were digital products: books, audiobooks and magazines. I would like to add, however, that according to last year’s statistics, our circulation number is still better than these Connecticut towns of similar size: Mystic, Naugatuck, Plymouth, Somers, Stafford, Windsor Locks and Wolcott. And, our number is better than these towns larger than us: Killingly, New London, Seymour and Torrington.
The library prepared and hosted a robust list of programs, about 570 with almost 8,000 people in attendance. A wildly popular new program is our Cookbook Club hosted by staff member, Vicki McGuinness. And surprising to some, we show about 4-5 movies each week.
Summer reading statistics held steady, both this year and the last, about 330 children and 360 adults participated. During the summer, Lois and Sabine gave away decorated baskets, mostly donated from area merchants. The sound of children romping through the library as they recorded their summer reading was music to my ears. Fun summer programs this year included bug eating, animals, puppets, 3-D maker space, and garden stones for children. The theme for summer was Build A Better World, so the adult summer programs featured a thoughtful presentation by Pastor Tom Carr, better eating, stamping cards, book discussions and garden stones for a better garden. Most of our programs are funded by The Friends of the Kent Memorial Library.
The pop-up library at the Farmer’s Market surprised but pleased a number of people. The children enjoyed the crafts funded by a grant from the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation and others learned about our programs and services and checked out books – all at the Farmer’s Market. Over the summer, we handed out 1,000 solar eclipse glasses also supplied by a grant. Unfortunately the demand for them exceeded our supply.
Next up is Vellamo, a Modern Finnish Folk Music Concert at the Second Baptist Church on Wednesday, September 6 at 6:30 p.m. and the Friends Used Book Sale at Sacred Heart Church on September 8-10. You don’t want to miss either one!