2008 was one the busiest years on record for Wilmington Memorial Library. Circulation increased by 15% over last year. Computer workstations and study tables were often all full in mid afternoon, especially with students and job hunters. The increase in library use during these tough times has confirmed the historic trend that more people use the resources of a public library in a down economy. The increased usage at the Wilmington Memorial Library may also be attributable to the ambitious library makeover that has been underway for the past two years. Although most libraries in the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium saw an increase in their circulation, Wilmington was among the top five libraries with the largest increase in circulation from July 2008 to November 2008.
Many visitors continue to comment on the library’s new look with features that make it more comfortable and inviting. Visible library improvements made in 2008 include a new parking lot and new lighting and ceiling on the first floor. Thanks to the Department of Public Works for getting the parking lot looking spiffy and to the Public Buildings Department for the new ceiling and lighting. The Friends of the Library purchased a handsome new sign for the front of the library that proudly announces to all passers-by that this building is Wilmington’s public library. The new sign for the Book Store Next Door coordinates nicely with the library sign and is bringing in new customers.
This past year library staff did the planning for the final phase of the interior makeover including the design of a new circulation desk in the children’s room funded by the Friends of the Library 2007 Annual Appeal. Installation of the new desk plus some new shelving and furniture is scheduled to be completed by spring 2009. The changes on the first floor of the library involved relocating staff offices for better efficiency and public service. The addition of a new display unit allowed for more face- out shelving of new books for a better browsing experience. With the support from the Friends of the Library 2008 Annual Appeal, we hope to complete the library makeover with custom signage to help users navigate independently throughout the library and new end panels to provide more face out display shelving.
The library’s program offerings in 2008 showed a 23% increase in attendance. The addition of the new online program registration software and marketing techniques to promote library programs proved to be effective. Well received programs for the adult audience during the winter included a program on identity theft and a workshop on nested doll painting. Tim Riley, author of “Tell Me Why: A Beatles Commentary,” presented a program about the Beatles in February, and Ty Burr, the Boston Globe film critic, came to the library in March. The Jolly Rogues presented a lively program of colonial music in April. Dorthea Benton Frank, New York Times bestselling author of books set in South Carolina’s Low Country, was the guest speaker at the Wilmington Middle School on Tuesday, May 6. This event was sponsored jointly by the Friends of the Wilmington Memorial Library and the Wilmington Education Foundation. A program about using E-Bay filled the library’s meeting room to capacity in May. Mel Simons returned to Wilmington to present his program on Jack Benny to his many Wilmington fans. Fall programming kicked off with the “Desperate Household” series followed by two popular digital camera programs and a series on financial planning. On Saturday October 25, the Friends of the Library hosted the Apple Festival featuring a fun filled day of activities to commemorate the historic Baldwin Apple. Activities included an “Apple Bake Off” contest, apple trivia, music, apple cider pressing, a puppet show featuring the story of the Baldwin Apple and an exhibit of the Butters Farm restoration project.
The annual summer reading program proved to be a big draw for all ages. Over 680 children signed up for Play It, and over 140 teens have signed up for Create It Yourself. Thanks to a donation of $4,000 from the Friends of the Library for the 2008 summer reading program, the library was able to offer a variety of special programs including live theater, such as, Beauty and the Beast, music events with performers like the popular Bernadette Baird, and educational and fun events, such as Mike the Boston Bubble Guy.
Over 100 readers participated in the Adult Summer Reading program reading 641 books. Weekly winners received a Friends of the Library tote bag and a “Buy One, Get One Free” coupon to the Friends’ Book Store Next Door. At the end of the summer, the grand prize winner received an MP3 player purchased by the Friends of the Library.
In light of the special visit of the Vietnam Moving Wall to Wilmington in September 2008, the Wilmington Reads Committee selected The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien as its choice for 2009. Wilmington Reads is a community wide reading program where residents are invited to read the same book and attend a program or discussion event to talk about the book. Participants will begin reading the book in January 2009 with programs following in March.
We continue to receive many nice comments from library users on the high level of customer service provided by the library staff. A “Parent Survey on Library Services for Children” conducted in October and a “Teen Services Survey” conducted in November also included many favorable comments about our library staff. Library Director Christina Stewart received the “Unsung Heroine Award” from the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. She was nominated for this award by Joanne Benton, Superintendent of Wilmington Public Schools, for her leadership and tenacity in transforming a worn and dated facility into a welcoming user- friendly place after the defeat of the proposal of a new library in 2005. We welcomed two new librarians to the library staff. Katie Huffman assumed the position of Reference and Adult Services Librarian in February 2008, and Alicia Kendall assumed the position of Head of Technical Services in July 2008. The entire library staff is acknowledged for working to make Wilmington Memorial Library one of the best in the state.
We said good-bye to Barbara Hooper, a charter member of the Friends of the Library and a member of the Board of Library Trustees. Barbara Hooper was one of the volunteers who helped launch the Friends of the Library in 1997, serving as its first Membership Chairman. She also served as Treasurer and Program Chairman. Barbara was appointed to the Board of Library Trustees in 2004. Barbara was a volunteer extraordinaire who gave many hours on a variety of projects that contributed to making the library better for the community. Her thoughtful perspective and dedication to good library service will be missed. Michael Caira, Town Manager, appointed Susanne Clarkin to the Board of Library Trustees to fill the vacancy left by Barbara Hooper. The Board of Library Trustees is acknowledged for its volunteer time and commitment to quality library service.
The Friends of the Library is once again acknowledged for its continued support, especially for the library makeover. The Friends gave a total of $26,500 to the library in 2008. In addition to funding 60 programs, the Friends also purchased the outside library sign, computer workstations in the Teen Zone, the Hot Title display unit and museum passes to Zoo New England, the Peabody Essex Museum and the Massachusetts State Parks. The Friends of the Library Book Store Next Door celebrated its first anniversary in April. Book lovers from near and far enjoy visiting the only used book store in Wilmington. Wednesday evening hours during the summer and Sunday morning hours during the fall and winter were added this year allowing time for more shoppers to visit. The steady stream of revenue from this endeavor allows the Friends to respond to the library’s requests for program funding and other library improvements. Thanks to all the volunteers who make possible this great community service.
Monetary gifts to the library and memorial donations are gratefully acknowledged. The library purchased a new microfilm case with donations given in memory of George Boylen, a former library trustee. The library received a gift of $1,000 from the Moms Club of Wilmington used to purchase children’s book and CD kits. Wilmington Memorial Library was selected as a recipient of the “Jeans Day” fund raiser sponsored by the Danvers Bank employees. This donation of $520 is earmarked for comfortable seating for the Children’s Room.
In closing on a tumultuous economic and political year, we are thankful for strong municipal support and for all who advocate on behalf of public libraries. With an economy predicted to adversely impact many 2009, the Wilmington Memorial Library will be steadfast in its mission to enrich citizens with the information and inspiration it needs to not only survive but to prosper in the New Year.
