2020 Annual Report

The year 2020 was universally difficult year, but the Orange libraries pulled through to continue serving the community. In March, 2020, the libraries, along with all other town buildings, were closed to the public due to the global pandemic. Library Director Jessica Magelaner, Children's Librarian Jason Sullivan-Flynn, and staff member Charlene Deam worked staggered shifts to make sure the building was in good shape, that the wireless service for patrons working outside the library was uniterrupted, and to provide the community with curbside and home deliveries. Due to overwhelming community demand, the libraries reopened in a limited capacity on June 15, 2020, becoming the first libraries in Franklin County to reopen to the public. The children's room remained closed, the fiction and non-fiction stacks were likewise off-limits for browsing, and half of the computers and chairs were removed from the reading rooms to enforce social distancing. In-house visits were limited to ten members of the public at a time. Curbside pick-ups and home deliveries were still offered as an option for patrons who could not safely visit the library in person.

The library's summer reading program, though very different from previous years, was still a great success. Summer reading for 2020 ran from June 15 through August 6, and participation was mostly online, using a program called Beanstack. Prizes for 2020 were $25 gift cards to local businesses, as away of discouraging travel and encouraging support of the community during the pandemic. The combined efforts of adult and youth readers more than met the goal set by the Friends of the Library for a $400 donation to the Franklin County Community Meals Program. An anonymous donor matched the Friends goal, allowing the library to donate a total of $800 for 2020.

In July of 2020, longtime staff member Charlene Deam retired from her role as Head of Adult Services. She was replaced by Rusty Shaw, Children’s Library Assistant. This position will be filled as pandemic restrictions are lifted.

In September, the front of the Wheeler Memorial Library underwent a long-needed upgrade with help from generous volunteers including Bobby Smith, Curtis Ames, Catelyn Ames, Pam Smith, Pennie Smith, The Mahar Key Club, Janice Lanou, Will Johnson, the Cross family, Richard Kent and Deborah Kent. Many large bushes were removed, including the two overgrown bushes on either side of the front stairs, and plans were put in place to reseed and landscape in Spring of 2021.

The seventh annual Robert P. Collén Poetry Competition was held virtually on October 27th, with participants joining in and reading their work live on the virtual meeting platform Zoom. Athol Orange Television aired the program live for audience members who were unable to participate virtually, and recorded the event for their on-demand video library.

In October and November, Moore Leland Library underwent exterior rennovations as well; the large bushes that had grown against the building were removed, landscaping was done to trim back the remaining bushes and maintain the flowerbeds, and significant exterior damage was repaired.

At-home programming continued throughout the year, with children's librarian Jason Sullivan-Flynn organizing a virtual bookclub and take-home craft kits. Children were given small bags of supplies and directions to assemble a craft at home with their family. Funding for the book club (books and craft supplies) was generously provided by the Orange Cultural Council and Valuing Our Children. The most successful craft of 2020 was the PopTart gingerbread kits. Funding from the Orange Elementary School PTO, the Pioneer Junior Women's Club, and the Breakfast with Santa Committee, all organized by Karen Perkins, raised $900 for additional supplies and allowed the library to distribute 83 craft bags to children in the community.

Though 2020 was a difficult year, the library staff and trustees are grateful for the support they have received, and look forward to coninuing to serve the community in 2021.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Board of Library Trustees,

Jessica Magelaner, Library Director