2022 Annual Report

The year 2022 was an extremely busy year for the libraries. Capacity limits were lifted, and the libraries were able to resume in-person programming without restrictions. Though the library was busier than ever with programming, the main focus for the director and the trustees was the Wheeler renovation project.

In May of 2022, the state increased the annual cap for the Massachusetts Board of library Commissioner’s Public Library Construction Program from $20 million to $24 million, meaning that the state was able to offer grants to seven of the wait-listed libraries instead of the anticipated five. The Wheeler Library happened to be in the seventh spot on the wait-list, and the library building committee was offered their construction grant in July of 2022, a year earlier than anticipated. Adding to the difficulties presented by the extremely tight deadline the committee now faced, the economic difficulties of COVID had led to a sharp spike in construction costs, and the renovation that had been estimated at $9,941,364 back in 2016 had increased by roughly 57%, to $15,653,316.11. The trustees and building committee launched an aggressive informational and fund raising campaign, and received vocal support from the selectboard, finance committee, and Orange library patrons. Unfortunately, on November 8, 2022, Orange residents voted 1,291-1,233 against borrowing funds for the renovation.

At the following joint meeting on November 19th, both the trustees and the building committee decided not to give up on the current grant round just yet. Library director Jessica Magelaner had been meeting with directors and selectboard members from Amherst, Brewster, Deerfield, Fitchburg, Gloucester, Greenfield, Lynnfield, Melrose, Marlborough, Seekonk, Sharon, Swansea, Westborough and Westford to seek additional funding for renovations through the state's American Rescue Plan Act fund. It was determined that she would obtain an extension from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for the current grant round and then continue to advocate for ARPA funding for libraries; if the funds are approved by state legislature for assistance with library renovations in 2023, the library board will seek another vote in March of 2023.

In spite of the chaos from renovation proceedings, the day to day business of the library continued as normal. In July, adult assistant Christina Linde resigned from her position at Orange to accept a new position in Gardner. Staff member Shawnee Shaw was promoted to the position left vacant by Linde, and staff member Gabriel Beauvais was promoted to Shaw's position. Jennifer Gernert was hired in September of 2022 to fill the children's library aide position left vacant by Beauvais.

The children's summer reading program continued using Beanstack, which was funded once again through a grant obtained by the children's librarian Jason Sullivan-Flynn. The combined efforts of adult and youth readers once again more than met the goal set by the Friends of the Library for a $400 donation to the Franklin County Community Meals Program. Sullivan-Flynn was also able to obtain a $10,000 grant from the American Library Association's American Rescue Plan Humanities fund that was used for children's programming. The primary use of the grant was a series of instructional music programs for children. These were all well-attended, with the notable exception of the June 4 drumming program, which had to be canceled due to a large fire downtown that destroyed several buildings.

Traditional programming resumed after summer reading, including story times and the library's popular Lego club. Virtual programming also continued, with virtual book club remaining at-home option for younger readers. Rusty Shaw initiated two new programs for adults, a walking club that met every Friday from April through October, and a knitting/crocheting group that continues to meet weekly. The ninth annual Robert P. Collén Poetry Competition was once again a hybrid program, held both in person and over Zoom on October 28th, with participants joining in from all over town and all over the country to share their love of poetry.

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