2023 Annual Report

2023 was another eventful year for the Orange Public Libraries, with new developments for staff, new community collaborations, new challenges, and further planning for the future of the Wheeler.

After a great deal of debate, the library trustees and the library building committee made the difficult decision to withdraw from the 2016/2017 Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program and formally decline the construction grant offered by the state. However, the boards had not given up on a better future for the Wheeler, and decided to apply for the 2023/2024 Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program, hoping to draft a plan that would be better received by the town administration and the citizens of Orange. In early spring, the letter of intent was approved by the Board of Library Commissioners, and the trustees began work on a new strategic plan with the assistance of library consultant Barbara Friedman.

In December, library warrant articles for the January special town meeting, including the required planning and design fee appropriation for the 2023/2024 Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program and requests for funding for a schematic design for the roof were declined by Capitol Improvement; the library board remains optimistic that these articles may be reconsidered for a later special town meeting.

In early summer, the ongoing leak issues with the Wheeler roof caused the ceiling in the supply closet near the front of the building to collapse, leading to concerns for staff safety. The town board of health agent and building inspector examined both the closet and the roof, and concluded that while there was no immediate threat to the staff, the roof was in dire need of replacement. In late summer, the library was visited by a First Amendment Youtuber, resulting in several weeks of harassing phone calls, e-mails and threats against library staff. In the fall, the boiler which had been deemed unsafe for operation at its last inspection, was replaced, followed shortly by the expansion tank.

Despite these challenges, the library staff persevered, with several new staff members joining the library, including Jennifer Kohlstrom as adult library assistant, Amelia Leighton as adult library assistant, and Sarah Houghton as the children's aide.

The 2023 summer reading program was once again a big success and regular children's programming at the library continued throughout the year, including crafts, story times and the library's popular Lego club. The virtual book club was funded by the Friends of the Library this year, and was once again a popular remote option for young readers. Rusty Shaw initiated a new writing group for adults, and the knitting/crocheting group continued to meet weekly. The 10th annual Robert P. Collén Poetry Competition was once again a hybrid program, held both in person and over Zoom in October, and participants once again joined in from all over to read and listen to the poetry of the ten finalists.

The library also enjoyed an upswell in community support, with numerous local businesses and crafters donating giftcards, goods, and crafts to the library's ongoing raffle to support the building project. The library was also able to partner with local organizations to host events to fundraise for the building project, including a puzzlethon in early spring at Trail Head Outfitters, escape rooms hosted at the library as part of the town's Return to Hogwarts celebration, and a fundraiser at the Hadley Barnes and Noble in the fall where a percentage of all store's sales from one day were donated to the library. The building committee and trustees were also grateful for continued support from the Garlic and Arts Festival, the local transfer station, Walmart, and all of the organizations and individuals from the community who donated to support the library's future.

The library staff and trustees continue to be grateful for the support they have received, and look forward to continuing to serve the community in 2023.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Board of Library Trustees,

Jessica Magelaner, Library Director