2019 Annual Report

2019 was a busy time for the Orange Public Libraries. Children's Librarian Jason Sullivan-Flynn led another outstanding summer reading program, funded by the Friends of the library and several local grants. The children's room staff also led a highly successful hat and mitten drive, collecting hundreds of donations for local charities. Library director Jessica Magelaner started a mobile library at King James Court, and expanded the library's home delivery service.

Community use of e-books and online databases increased. The digitized collection of the library's microfilm, hosted online through Advantage Preservation, was expanded to include local newspapers from 1880 through 1999, and became an increasingly valuable resource to local historians. The library website and Facebook page remained a valuable way for members of the community to learn about library events and connect with staff outside of the library.

Regular activity at the libraries continued, with the library collections and the public computers seeing steady use and weekly programs being well-attended. Local volunteers went above and beyond in assisting with the maintenance of the Wheeler Memorial Library, as the director and board of trustees postponed major repairs in anticipation of the building renovation.

The Wheeler Memorial Library renovation project moved to 10th place on the state waiting list, and both the building committee and staff continued to promote the project in the community. Staff-led fund-raising activities included a bake sale in the local Walmart parking lot, raffles, and participation in the town's third Thursday street fairs. The Friends of the Library dedicated over $4,000 of the funds they raised in 2019 to the renovation project, and helped raise awareness of the project at every library event.

The roof of the Moore Leland Library was replaced in December, and plans were put in place to repair the exterior woodwork and remove several of the dying trees on the property in the spring. The Wheeler received a generous donation of a new picnic table for the library lawn, and continued to expand the children's community garden with the assistance of a grant from the Greenfield Gardening Club.

The library remains, as ever, grateful for the continuing support of the Friends organization and our friends in the community at large. Throughout the year the library was able to bring manywonderful programs to the community through the support of the Friends, including the annual book sale and bake sale, the sixth annual Robert P. Collén Poetry Competition, support for ourchildren's programs, and our Live Local Legends program series.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Library Board of Trustees

Jessica Magelaner, Library Director