The Director provided support for the Friends Book Sale, scheduled for May 1. Staff and library construction team continued to meet weekly. Beth began working on a deaccession list of furniture and equipment that will not be returning to 35 Grafton Common; submitted a Grant Application to EBSCO for solar panels; developed a wish list of items to be funded (such as supplies, toys and manipulatives); fielded questions on the Construction Project (IT budget, phones, FF&E, office layouts) and Capital Campaign (piano, meeting room, etc); turned in the roster for State Ethics Commission and Open Meeting Law trainings and signoffs; began the process of photocopier procurement; worked on Princh and AMH logistics; put together a
webpage on the Library’s garden and continued work on the Seed Library; planned an author event with local author Pam Hollander for this June; reviewed staff salaries and job descriptions
for upcoming salary & compensation review and FY22 budget; solicited vacation rollover requests; provided Town Meeting / logistical support to Grafton RISE; and made website,
newsletter and social media updates.
Children’s Services
Our partnership program with the YFCP to host Young Scientists virtually began its spring session in April. Sarah reports that we have gotten a lot of interest in this session with all of the
classes filling up and reliable attendance.
We continued to provide preschool storytime outreach to the public schools virtually this April. Kristin and Sarah also met with the coordinator of RLA to discuss an end-of-the-year program
highlighting our summer library program, Tails and Tales.
Staff have been in contact with the Grafton Land Trust and are hard at work creating an exciting partnership program that will kick off this summer!
We did not have an April ATA music and movement class. We will switch to a live Zoom format in May.
Video views in April:
Preschool 4
Toddler 6
April School vacation brought more grab and go kits to the Library for pick up via our contactless curbside pickup. We offered Sticker paint by number, craft stick catapults, 3D foam animals kits, and a
DIY anemometer kit. In total, we created 112 kits that were distributed.
During April vacation we also offered a special Earth Day program,
Revenge of the Toxic Robot, presented by Tailwise. Unfortunately, no one attended the program. We are fortunate enough to have access to the video and all of the coordinating activities through the end of August, so we will be advertising the Grafton specific code in our newsletter and highlighting it as an activity this summer.
Teen Services
This month Allison’s main focus has been getting our summer program set up. This involves continuing to set up Beanstack as well as working on preparing kits for programs. We did
purchase an 8-week summer reading content from Animal Adventures that will give our patrons access to shows, crafts, author visits, and more online. It will be incorporated within our
program to free up staff from creating some content. The summer program should be ready to go on June 1.
Adult Services
We put out 779 curbside bags in April. For activities, we put out 24 Seed Bomb kits for adults; 60 blackout poetry kits for adults (30 for kids); and 36 Community Read kits. We ceased quarantining books April 30.
Our BookWagon at Crescent Manor is scheduled for Thursday, May 13! We added one Home Delivery recipient, and one dropped out, bringing the current total to 7. In the month of April we delivered 29 items to these patrons (there was no home delivery the week of 4/19/21). 3 adult volunteers put in a total of 20 hours. Our two regular adult volunteers are fully vaccinated. The third is not volunteering again until the summer. We received one new
volunteer application.
Museum usage continues to increase! There were 41 reservations, 36 were picked up and there were 5 no-shows. Last month there were 23 reservations, 22 pick-ups and 1 no-show. We made the decision not to purchase Southwick tickets this year, due to increased price and reduced discount.
We “acquired” 3 Grafton patrons after running the “Patrons with wrong home library report, which we are now running monthly. The Evergreen upgrade to 3.5 took place over Patriots Day weekend. Evergreen 3.5 introduces many new features and bug fixes, such as
New Features in Cataloging and Circulation/Holds
A small but enthusiastic group of people discussed the Community Read title The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. We all found it an enjoyable book, and made note of how the story showed very clearly all the many ways library services improve people’s lives. Those of us who had read other books on the pack horse librarian theme, shared our thoughts and feelings about them. Heidi says, “I think it encouraged people who hadn’t read them to consider doing so in the
future.” We also discussed how excited we were about the progress being made on our library building. In addition to the Community Read discussion, Heidi also invented and prepared three different take and make kits inspired by the book:
Decoupaged Box Kits (with a quote from the book printed on one of the pieces of fabric to put on the cover: “To Seek Knowledge Is To Expand Your Own Universe”), Cone Fire Starter Kits, and Cup Cover Kits. Also, Heidi dressed in a variety of costumes inspired by the book, and posted them on Facebook as PR for the event. Her cosplay included: of the ladies who invited Alice to tea when she first
moved to town, one of the pack horse librarians in riding gear; one of Mrs. Van Cleve’s Victorian dolls; and Mr. Van Cleve’s housekeeper Annie. The other book club titles for Community Read month, were selected to fit in with the “library” theme. The “Not Just for Young Adults” Book Discussion Group met via Slack to discuss A Kind of Paradise by Amy Rebecca Tan; the GPL Mystery Book Group met to discuss Read It and Weep by Jenn McKinlay; the “Inspirational Book Club” met via Slack to discuss The Library Book by Susan Orlean; the “Daytimers” and “Reads Well with Others” book discussion groups met via Slack to discuss The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. The official Community Read discussion jumped to Zoom at patron request.
Technical Services
440 items were added in April. Titles that were not found by CWMARS were scanned and submitted for original cataloging. Donna performed repairs, catalog/spine label corrections/repackaging, disc repair, as needed.
Staff Update
Staff participated in the following Professional Development Opportunities in April
• Disability in the Workplace: Let’s Talk About Accommodations & Boundaries (MW)
• How to Deal with Current Realities in Our Libraries (MW)
• Human Spirit Through Illustration (MW)
• Novelist’s Crash Course in Gentle Reads (AP)
For a complete list of FY21 staff development, please visit https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Te8xRmHe-PITMBTadC4_6DkeKXSvMipWkr85k26Bf4/edit?usp=sharing
YES Log
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NO Log
No, we do not have passes to the Stone Zoo, nor do any Blackstone Valley Libraries.
Patron Comments
4/28 “Thanks for all you have done to keep reading alive during the lockdown.” HF
4/23 “ I’m hoping to see some of you at the Book Sale on May 1st. I just now noticed that it is not being held on the grounds outside the new addition which is, in my opinion, regrettable if perhaps it’s too early for that much car and human traffic. I still try to make it, so good luck!”
EG” I let the patron know that the 35 Grafton common location is an active construction site, so no events can be help on the grounds at this time. -SB
4/16 “I really loved the lavender sachet!” (from March’s self care kit *smile*).
4/14 “I miss coming in.” (one of our volunteers). -HF
4/12 “I’m so glad I called! Thanks so much for your help.” (Updated library account and password and learned about, downloadable audiobooks and book groups).
4/12 “Thank you so much for your help. Much appreciated!!!! My student already responded with a big thank you also. ” (help with eAudio).
4/12 “The library is looking amazing! I just drove by and I noticed they put the column in!”
4/7 “Deep gratitude to Heidi and the Library Staff for seeking, finding and offering the GWR-2020 reference book, which I effectively used in my Easter message to our faith community on
April 4, 2021. The Grafton Library staff members are commended for their exemplary service to our community in all seasons–especially in our Season of COVID.”
4/1 “ I have NO books to read. During this pandemic time we all so need a book to look forward
to reading.
We put out 123 bags for curbside pickup and delivered 10 items to 4 homes. Our Book Wagon program visited Crescent Manor last week and served 12 patrons with 28 checkouts and renewals and 10 item requests. Concierge service books were prepared for 4 different patrons.
A reminder: Curbside Pickup ends Sat 5/22. Self-service holds begins Tue 6/ 1! Patrons will no longer have to schedule pickup, but can drop in Mon/Tue/Fri/Sat from 10am-2pm or Wed/Thu from 2-8pm to pick up holds, browse the collections, and check items out themselves – don’t forget your library card!
In a funny turn of events, a staff member picked something up from Buy Nothing Grafton. It turned out to be from one of our regular patrons, who wrote a note on the bag saying it was her turn to offer something to her in a brown bag, and thanking us for our curbside service.
Ladybug kits and Friday Fun suncatcher grab and go craft kits were made available for children. 24 DIY wind-chime kits for adults and the last 6 Mind, Body Spirit Canvases were picked up, first come, first served. A reminder that canvases are due back
We prepared for reopening and the move by shifting parts of the collection, working on a deaccession list of items to offer to Town departments or public auction.
Beth worked on opening logistics, move logistics, policy, job descriptions, collection development, and website updates. Of note, RB Digital content has been acquired by Overdrive, so access to ArtistWorks is now via Libby. and we have added IndieFlix (streaming independent film), Qello (streaming video of on-demand concerts) and The Great Courses (streaming audio lectures from renowned academics). This new content will be available beginning next week under an EXTRAS feature in the Libby App – download at https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/.
Heidi facilitated a discussion of the Community Read title The Case of the Missing Marquess: an Enola Holmes Mystery, by Nancy Springer at the “Not Just for Young Adults” Book Group. Sarah hosted a STEM class for children ages 3-6 and presented virtual preschool storytimes to three SGES classes.
Sarah completed social media graphics for the upcoming GPL/GLT mind and body partnership, created a social media posting schedule, and wrote the social media text template that will be used in all posts. We are excited for this partnership, which promotes exercising mind and body, with hiking and nature books!
Sarah made suggested edits to the Remote Learning Academy SLP video and submitted it to Kristin Parone, the Remote Learning Academy coordinator; Kristin continued to work on the Millbury Street Grafton History Day field trip video.
Marilyn attended the 2021 MLA Conference, with a focus on paralibraianship.
Jen and Allie have been working on the forthcoming June newsletters.
We continued work on the Library Summer Program, assembling kits, working on PR and Beanstack, creating a promotional video, and meeting to discuss ways to streamline and simplify.
LGBTQ Pride Month occurs in the United States to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969. As a result, many pride events are held during this month to recognize the impact LGBTQ people have had in the world.
While your at the library, check out our Pride Month book display!
Wondering what to read next?Let us help you discover your next great read! Complete a short form and staff will match your format, genre, and audience preferences to curate a selection of books and media for you.
Want to expand your access to online resources? Anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Massachusetts can sign up for a FREE Boston Public Library e-Card, then visit their website to get even more content! (hint – it’s good for their OverDrive catalog of eBooks and eAudio and eVideos and eMagazines, too!)
We put out 164 curbside bags and 50 May activity packets. 8”x 8” canvases are still available for anyone who would like to participate in the Community Art Project Mind, Body & Spirit. Details at https://www.facebook.com/events/921069722016389.
60 adult blackout poetry kits went out in April, and 30 youth. Share your creations! #nationalpoetrymonth #graftonpubliclibrary.
The Library added 440 new physical items in April! Subscribe to Wowbrary for a weekly email delivery of our New Titles newsletter (includes new OverDrive titles!) or check out the CAROUSELS feature in our catalog, which highlights new titles at https://grafton.cwmars.org/.
A volunteer pulled approximately 150 duplicate adult fiction books to donate to The Friends Book Sale. Thank you to our Friends for a fantastic event last weekend, and to Quite Fetching, Anzio’s, Sarah Bejer, the Capital Campaign, and adult and youth volunteers for their help. Sales exceeded expectations, and it was so nice to see everyone out to support our cause. Proceeds benefit the Library.
Staff received training on Princh, our remote printing service. Visit print.princh.com or download the Princh app to send a document to our Library printer: # 103048!
This week staff member Kristin Pliakas met with Andy Deschenes and Bob DeToma to record a tour of the renovated and expanded library, to be included in a virtual field trip for Grade 3 at MSES and NSES as part of the annual Grafton History Day program. The video should be available soon on demand: http://reflect-grafton.cablecast.tv/CablecastPublicSite/?channel=2.
The Children’s Staff prepped for curbside kits to go, scheduled social media posts for May programs, prepared for kits for SLP 2021, hosted a STEM class for children ages 3-6, hosted Bookworms Virtual Book Club for 1st & 2nd Grade, and presented 4 sessions (6 classes) of preschool storytime outreach to NGES. A live music and movement program presented by Apple Tree Arts begins next week, register online. Next week, watch for our ladybug grab and go craft kits, and an announcement about our new partnership with the Grafton Land Trust!
Allison, the Teen Librarian, placed a book order, created individual graphics for each summer reading program badge and developed activities to complete each badge, created samples and felt instructions for one activity, and helped plan a co-presentation on Summer Reading for Library staff.
The Director worked on job descriptions for approved new positions (pending Town Meeting Approval) and updated many Library policies for Trustee review to ensure they will apply to the new facility, and worked with the Policy Committee on Minimum Staffing and Meeting Room policies in particular. Building Committee met to approve bills. Interiors Committee is completing the signage package. Beth Gallaway reviewed updated guidelines from the Commonwealth – libraries have been moved to “other sectors” with more relaxed guidelines and no more quarantining of materials required. The Trustees will meet Monday May 10 at 7pm on Zoom to determine if it is feasible to open to public browsing — we would love to give everyone an opportunity to stock up before we close to relocate back to 35 Grafton Common. Join the public meeting at 7pm 5/10 on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88189458443?pwd=cFpQZ2dEckNCeHFxVjdxR1QxMWtWUT09
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbWHrmaXp
Meeting ID: 881 8945 8443; Passcode: 822673
Construction trailers have been removed from the site! Site contractor to remobilize 4/5/21.
Painting is 80% complete (including ceilings) on the first floor, 50% of wood doors hung. Painting is 90% complete on the second floor, 90% of wood doors hung. The ceiling grid is 90% complete on the first floor, and complete on the second floor. Ceiling tiles at fixtures only. Ceramic wall tile in toilet rooms on the second floor is complete. VCT is 25% complete.
Main entry canopy carpentry and glazing is complete except for painting. Door hardware remains to be completed. Cab construction for the elevator is nearly complete.
Edge trim at flat roofs is 90% complete. Roof detail at existing building is 90% complete. Cornices have not been started, but detail has been worked out. All exterior windows have been installed, along with sunshades on South side. PVC trim and siding is complete, including the main entrance canopy PVC. South side has been painted (siding and trim). North side siding paint is complete, trim paint is 60%. Exterior plumbing wall devices installed. Sinks received on site but not yet installed. Water heater is installed. Permanent power is on. Second Floor light fixtures are 80% installed. First Floor light fixtures have been laid out and piping is complete.
HVAC rooftop piping and installation is complete. Mechanical piping is complete and tested. ATC installation is at 80% Fire Protection heads at vestibule and exterior have been installed. Fire Department preliminary walkthrough completed.
See separate, updated cost report. which incorporates furniture and shelving costs (The Capital Campaign will fund the overage for furniture & shelving) and additional services for the Design Team.
Capital Funding/Trustees funding nearing agreement
See separate, updated schedule. Roofing remains behind compared to the project schedule but is not affecting the critical path. Overall the Substantial Completion date remains June 8th, 2021. Shelving order was finalized and placed; we’re waiting to hear on delivery and installation schedule which will drive the move date.
There has been good adherence to standard safety practices on site. The weekly safety review by an independent consultant has been helpful in identifying issues that need constant attention. Covid-19 protocol is in place and there has been good compliance. CTA has a laborer on site daily to do cleaning of high-touch surfaces.
The Design team has been on site to review progress; Ken and Ron were on site 2/25/21 to develop a punch list of the exterior of the building. CTA has a running ‘Work To Complete’ list that should be the basis for future punch lists.
The Interiors Subcommittee made their final recommendations to the LPBC which were accepted at the March 22, 2021 meeting. Orders for both furniture and shelving have been placed. External funding is being committed to cover the increases due to inflation and scope decisions. PO’s have been written for RFID panels, book sorting system, self-check stations and the EV charging station equipment. A PO for the majority of appliances is anticipated in early April along with the IT scope once finalized.
The Landscape additional scope has been priced, reviewed several times and is being refined further. The Landscape Architect will be providing a proposal for the remaining fees needed to finish the design and create documentation for construction. We currently have three issues in front of the HDC:
Site sign (to be submitted week of 4/5)
Roof screen options. In the opinion of the project team… there is no historically appropriate precedent for roof screening and there is a real concern that any type of screen is going to be worse than the current view. The HDC’s most recent suggestion was for a 4’ high partial screen to divert attention from the HVAC units. The project team’s position is to leave the condition as-is for the moment.
Exterior light fixtures. There has been a mix of opinions from the HDC members on these fixtures. The project has purchased them and coordinated the exterior details and electrical requirements. With a very narrow elevation profile it is the opinion of the project team that these fixtures will have a minimal visual impact and are appropriate for a new building.
Please check out photos in albums on our Facebook Page.
Prepared by Beth Gallaway, Library Director & Andy Deschenes, Clerk of the Works
Congratulations to Cyndi Zarriello, who received a Paralibrarian II certification from the Massachusetts Library Association!
March stats: 850 curbside pickups (including 22 museum pass reservations), 8 home deliveries, 665 reference questions, 518 new items added, 11 new library cards issued, 2 volunteers, and 277 participants in 14 programs. Read the full March Director’s Report online.
The Community Read culminated in a virtual book discussion on Slack Thursday April 29. Thank you to the Friends for sponsoring the program, and to Heidi Fowler, for representing the selected titles through dramatic costuming all month.
The Library promoted the Friends Book Sale, which takes place Saturday May 1 from 10-2 at Mill Villages Park in South Grafton. Purchase a canvas tote bag and/or gently used books and media that have been quarantined per state guidelines, and snacks available from Anzio’s, Gary’s Ice Cream Truck, and pet treats from Quite Fetching. This fundraiser will include a Capital Campaign fundraiser as well: sale of bookmarks by local artist Sarah Bejer. Masks are required, please follow social distancing guidelines at this outdoor event.
Director Beth Gallaway worked on the May newsletter, copier procurement, a LEED pilot project regarding the innovative patio spaces in the new library, and worked with C/WMARS on SIP2 protocol (setup for the Automated Materials Handler (AMH) and Andy Deschenes on phones for the new library. She planned an author visit with local author Pamela Hollander (Wed 6/2) to discuss Pam’s new book Gen X at Middle Age in Popular Culture. Beth completed the March MA Public Library Construction Program Grant Report and an EBSCO grant application for Solar Panels this week.
We prepped our Community Art project Mind, Body & Spirit, designed by staff member Allison Coelho Picone. Take home a canvas the week of May 3-8 and return the finished product the week of May 24-28 to take part in a Community Art Quilt display when our renovated library opens! For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/921069722016389.
Coghlin (IT) visited to reconnect some printers that went rogue after the Evergreen catalog update over Patriots Day weekend.
The Board of Library Trustees met and had a conversation around COVID-19, deciding the library should remain closed to the public through the move to the new building, scheduled to begin the week of July 12. Social distancing and ventilation in the temporary quarters pose a challenge that town departments and other libraries in the area. We continue to offer curbside pickup 6 days a week from 10am-4pm plus one evening a week until 8pm, and remote reference and readers advisory as well as virtual and DIY programming.
he Director provided support for the Friends Book Sale, scheduled for May 1. Staff and library construction team continued to meet weekly. Beth began working on a deaccession list of furniture and equipment that will not be returning to 35 Grafton Common; submitted a Grant Application to EBSCO for solar panels; developed a wish list of items to be funded (such as supplies, toys and manipulatives); fielded questions on the Construction Project (IT budget, phones, FF&E, office layouts) and Capital Campaign (piano, meeting room, etc); turned in the roster for State Ethics Commission and Open Meeting Law trainings and signoffs; began the process of photocopier procurement; worked on Princh and AMH logistics; put together a
