We collected 121 pairs of pajamas for the Boston Bruins / Cradles to Crayons Pajama Drive! Thanks to all who donated.
Tickets to the Friends Spring Egg Hunt went on sale on Saturday; please purchase in the Lobby during Library operating hours (Mon-Thu 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-6pm).
In celebration of National Library Week April 3-9, 2022, we are hosting a number of events all month, including a free concert on Friday April 8 with Matt York, who will share music from the Highwaymen. Tickets are available at EventBrite.
Share a favorite (g-rated!) joke on April 1, ask for a typed poem on April 8, or participate in Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 29 to get a free library magnet. The Grafton Farmer’s Market returns Wed April 13 from 1-5, as well as GUM Jam, our monthly “bring your own ukulele and play” group, which will meet at 6:30 after a long hiatus.
We are also celebrating our Community Read in April this year. The new library expansion includes a “green” roof, planted with sedum as both a decorative and environmental feature. To celebrate the multiple green building practices used during the renovation and expansion project, as well as Earth Day, the Friends of the Grafton Public Library chose The Overstory by Richard Powers, a novel about nine strangers summoned to save the continent’s few remaining acres of virgin forest.
Please visit our online events calendar for a complete list of upcoming Library programs.
We circulated 2,699 items in the last week, added 21 new borrowers, placed 526 holds, filled 480 hold requests, sent 707 items out in delivery and received 737, and added 146 items. Our most requested title was The Maid, a mystery novel by Nita Prose.
Several staff, including Beth, were out sick with spring colds (not COVID). Beth attended a construction meeting and placed a nonfiction book order, responded to email and meeting room request, and signed off on bills. She forwarded information about the Central and Western MA Library Legislative Day, which will take place via Zoom on April 6, and sent the April Library Newsletter.
All Borrower Services staff managed the lobby; circulation desk; meeting room reservations; placed holds for patrons, answered patron questions; checked material in and out; managed the AMH system, reported issues to Bibliotheca; and processed delivery each day.
Sandhya updated Museum Pass info, sent renewal forms to order passes for 2022-23; processed Interlibrary Loans in-state and out-of-state; collected books with umbrellas on the cover for April display, created signage for the display; cleared expired holds, rearranged Hot Spot location and signage and ran a pull-list. Jane handled NYTimes booklists, and the monthly Patrons with wrong home library report. Ranjita worked on Library of things, relabeling items to be returned inside the library and not through the AMH return slot; and did the monthly AED check. Susan supervised the team; ran transit and missing reports for volunteers to search; worked on a list of items in storage; started the first step of a fiction weed (removing duplicates); prepared for a staff review; requested obscure music titles for a patron; created a display for April; delivered books to four homebound patrons; and ordered electronic content from Overdrive.
All CR staff met for a Children’s Room staff meeting. Sarah communicated with local schools (NGES, MSES), shepherded the Young Scientists STEM program, planned for the Summer Reading Program, assisted patrons, communicated with STEM Beginnings and YFCP, and helped train a temp for working in YA.
Jen wrote CR publicity, updated EventKeeper, scheduled social media posts, planned April & May programming, and worked on the May newsletter. Mare coordinated with volunteers and assisted patrons. Stacie worked on planning displays for April and assisted patrons. Kristin communicated with local schools and planned upcoming book and comic clubs.
Teen Services reports that teen behavior continued to be disruptive and rowdy which is frustrating. Several attempts were made at one-on-one talks with several teens, but it doesn’t seem to stick. Personal boundaries continue to be an issue as well as throwing food, but several seem to take it upon themselves to pick up after the group to an extent. Impromptu pop-up games of Apples to Apples and Exploding Kittens were attempted but neither group managed to actually quiet down and concentrate on either task.
In addition to maintaining the space while it’s busy, Allison met with Sarah to continue planning summer programs, particularly choosing dates for events. We changed some endcap displays and Allison took on another moving and shifting project to maximize the best use of the space. Allison also working on the April book order and newsletter for teens. Sarah S. created a form to get feedback on a Manga book club she’d like to start and Allison created two forms to solicit opinions on movies to show this summer as well as color choices for sound dampening tiles in the gaming space. (If they are successful she’d like to order additional ones for the Maker Space.)
No reference report or visitor statistics were provided.
In celebration of the green building practices used during the library’s renovation and expansion project and Earth Day, The Friends of the Grafton Public Library encourage everyone in town to participate in this year’s Community Read. Stop by the Grafton Public Library (35 Grafton Common) to pick up a copy of the adult, young adult and / or children’s Community Read titles.
The adult title is: The Overstory by Richard Powers
A novel of activism and natural-world power presents interlocking fables about nine remarkable strangers who are summoned in different ways by trees for an ultimate, brutal stand to save the continent’s few remaining acres of virgin forest.
The Young Adult title is: Code Blue by Marissa Slaven
Atlantic (Tic) Brewer never knew her father, a hydrologist who died at sea before she was born. Raised by her mother and an elderly neighbor, Tic’s small home on the Edge is under threat from rising sea levels. At sixteen-years-old Tic is smart and studies, hard as she prepares to attend one of many Academies established worldwide, when the International Change Agreement warned of imminent environmental collapse. There she meets friends Phish and Lee, who like her pledge to save all human civilization in a race against time.
The Children’s titles are: The Curious Garden by Peter Brown (grades K-1)
Liam discovers a hidden garden and with careful tending spreads color throughout the gray city.
The Trouble with Dragons by Debi Gliori (grades 2-3)
When dragons cut down too many trees, blow out too much hot air, and do other environmental damage, the future looks grim, but other animals advise them on how to mend their ways and save the planet.
Thursday, April 28 from 7:00pm-9:00pm
Community Read Book Discussion Discussion of The Overstory by Richard Powers Community Room of the Grafton Public Library
Wednesday, May 8 at 6:30pm-8:30pm Blackstone River Watershed Association Annual Meeting & film screening Community Room of the Grafton Public Library
Programs for Children: Thursday, April 28 at 5:30pm-6:00pm
Bookworms Book Clubs – for ages K-1 Discussion of The Curious Garden by Peter Brown
Children’s Program Room
Thursday, April 28 at 6:15pm-6:45pm Bookworms Book Clubs – for ages 2-3 Discussion of The Trouble with Dragons by Debi Gliori Children’s Program Room
March is in like a lion, out like a lamb in the Children’s Room. The Children’s Room is roaring forward into spring and planning for the return of children’s programming for elementary school aged kids in April.
Take on March’s monthly mission and circle the children’s room, collecting pieces to make a rainbow. Watch our colorful blossoms bloom in our Science Nook.
It’s spring-cleaning time and we’re clearing out our craft closet! Every Tuesday in March, swing by the library to grab an activity packet or craft kits. Items will vary and will be available Tuesday only between 12-8pm, while supplies last.
Monday, March 28 is the last Young Scientists class of the spring. Join STEM Beginnings for a 6-week virtual series for children, ages 3-6. Children will learn STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) concepts through hands-on activities, story time and simple experiments. This is an interactive class and parents/caregivers are encouraged to help their child. Registration is required. To sign up or see all Library programs, please visit www.eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=GRAFTON.
March is in like a lion, out like a lamb in the Children’s Room. The children’s room is roaring forward into Spring and planning for the return of children’s programming for elementary school aged kids in April.
Take on March’s monthly mission and circle the children’s room, collecting pieces to make a rainbow.
Watch our colorful blossoms bloom in our Science Nook.
Check out the art show gallery. We’ve got some incredible artists in Grafton! Canvases will be up all month.
The stories in the Children’s Room collaborative book projects are getting good! Writers, do you want to add a new plot thread?
-Check out the book.
-Read what others have written or drawn before you.
-Continue the story, with words or pictures.
-Make sure to include “And then…” as your last line.
-Return the book to the library.
There are three books available: Grades K-1, Grades 2-3, & Grades 3-5.
March displays:
It’s Spring-cleaning time and we’re clearing out our craft closet! Every Tuesday in March, swing by the library to grab an activity packet or craft kits. Items will vary and will be available Tuesday only between 12-8. While supplies last.
Monday, March 28th is the last Young Scientists class of the spring. Join STEM Beginnings for a 6-week virtual series for children, ages 3-6. Children will learn STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) concepts through hands-on activities, story time and simple experiments. This is an interactive class and parents/caregivers are encouraged to help their child. Register online at graftonlibrary.org
Please join me in welcoming Mary Bowen, Debby Jackson, Sarah Leveille, Eric Lindstrom, and Erin McGrady, appointed as temporary staff for on call desk coverage.
Beth worked on the April newsletter, delegated phone issues, worked on multiple request forms (Display Case, Donation Box), put out a call for local food and beverage vendors to create an information and referral list for catering, approved meeting room use and updated the library calendar of events, completed the ad for the Spring Musical, worked on punch list items (dishwasher, wiring) and trained new staff.
Beth shared information about running for Board of Library Trustees, and worked on March minutes and agenda.
Staff attended a staff development day on Horror Reader’s Advisory on Friday March 18. The Library delayed opening to 2pm as scheduled.
We had 13 meeting room reservations with 103 attendees, including 65 at the Farmer’s Market. Ukulele 101 met with 10 participants. In the last week we circulated 2,674 items, issued 19 new library cards, placed 386 hold requests and filled 355 requests, sent 586 items in delivery and received 561, and added 223 new items. No door count was provided.
Heidi facilitated multiple book groups. Kate refreshed the “Read Me, I’m Irish!” display – as of St. Patty’s Day, 3 titles have been displayed, and 9 (26%) have been checked out so far. She also began working on developing an April “National Poetry Month” display which will spotlight Frank O’Hara and his works, as well as other American poetry.
Kate is brainstorming a May display about Asian, Pacific Island, Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month and authors from/descended from those corresponding areas of the world. Grafton’s 2021 census data indicates that 9.5% of residents describe themselves as “Asian alone,” which is the next largest group behind “White alone,” so we think this will be a very relevant and inclusive display opportunity.
Borrower services conducted a delivery survey: 27 bins were delivered, and 22 sent out in delivery containing 629 items. They also managed the lobby, adult circulation desk, Automatic Materials Handling system, processed delivery, and provided readers advisory and other help to patrons. We spend afternoons between 2:30 and 5:30 supervising young adults, helping them reserve rooms, monitoring their behavior in the rooms, and unfortunately, sometimes expelling them after 2 warnings.
Allie also worked on the newsletter, created a report of patrons interested in receiving the newsletter, and imported those names into Constant Contact. Jane handled NY times best seller list with subsequent additions to the shopping cart for purchase, worked on the “items with alerts” report and the “patrons with wrong home library” report. Sandhya updated museum pass procedures, as they change weekly, processed Interlibrary Loans, cleared the hold shelf and worked on her notary certification. Susan supervised the team, ran reports of items marked storage, lost and missing, and oversaw a volunteer looking for items on the shelves, processed checkouts and requests from the Crescent Manor Bookwagon, prepared home delivery orders, began Evergreen training for a new employee, and developed a weeding schedule.
Allison started training Sarah Slocum with a tour of the library and the teen room and started to get her up to speed on everything else. She worked with Susan Tuesday night to learn Evergreen. Teens trashed the Maker Space on Friday and we will reviewing camera footage and following up with individuals involved.
Sarah and Allison met with Pierre, an Abdo book representative to purchase materials, and also met to finalize plans for April Vacation Week.
Sarah covered in the lobby from 5-9 due to staff shortage in borrower services, met with a book rep to review nonfiction titles for the CR collection, met with Allison to discuss the upcoming 1/2 at school and April vacation, met with Beth, finalized April vacation programming with Cyndi and Jen, worked on collection development and maintenance, shepherded Young Scientists, contacted the schools regarding Grafton History Day, and met with Cynthia Leveille-Webster from Tufts to discuss outreach programming
Jen worked on the April newsletter, updated EventKeeper, scheduled CR social media posts, finalized April programming with Cyndi and Sarah, and began CR program press releases.
Cyndi organized the CDs to get ready for labeling, finished checking list of banned books, worked through the lost/missing/damaged/in storage/in process list trying to find the books, finalized April programming with Jen and Sarah, transit in/out lists.
Stacie worked on the New York Times best sellers list to highlight what titles we own and what we do not.
Kristin updated the CR bulletin board, prepped for her upcoming book clubs, and communicated with the schools.
We have two seats up for re-election in May, and only one candidate has pulled papers! Thank you so much to Daniela Sharma for her time, advocacy, voice, and service.
Monitor and evaluate the overall effectiveness of the library
Set Library policy
Review and adopt the annual budget (FY23 Request:)
Develop long-term Library plans
Advocate for the Library
Communicate as needed with the Library Director
Conduct the affairs of the Board at regularly scheduled meetings
Library boards of trustees carry out governing, policy, and planning activities to guide public libraries in communities throughout the country. In these turbulent times—when libraries face shrinking resources, demands for new technology services, and changing community expectations—trustees are much more than members of a traditional governing body. They are strategic leaders who serve as visionaries, community connectors, fundraisers, public voices, ambassadors, and persistent champions.
While library services are sometimes considered discretionary when it comes to allocating limited public funds, today’s library is an essential community resource that strengthens economic vitality, improves literacy, supports workforce development, and bridges the digital divide. As community leaders who understand the dimensions of modern library services, trustees can be the voice that shifts the library’s position among decision makers and funders from discretionary to essential.
Library familiarity is expected. Experience working with boards, fundraising, advocacy, and planning is desirable. Specifically, the Board seeks a candidate comfortable filling any of the following roles as defined and recommended by the MA Board of Library Commissioners:
Visionary—crafting and supporting implementation of a long-term vision to strategically position the library throughout the community;
Connector—expanding the library’s circle of influence in the community by building relationships and creating productive partnerships;
Fundraiser—advocating for the library’s budget with financial decision makers and acting as a force for fundraising;
Voice—being a visible, consistent, reliable, determined, and loud voice for the library in the community;
Team Player—working together to strengthen the influence of the library board and ensure representative participation when board vacancies occur.
This is an elected office; if no suitable candidates run, the Town of Grafton Board of Selectman may appoint a candidate to serve until next May Town election. The appointed candidate has the option to run for election against any other interested candidates.
The Library Board of Trustees meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month via Zoom. Meetings are recorded for later broadcast on GCTV Government Channel 34 (Verizon) or 191 (Charter). The time commitment is 4-6 hours per month.
Our library will be available for after-hours facility rental soon! We are putting together an informational list of local vendors for upcoming events serving food and alcohol.
If you are a licensed caterer (allergen aware, Serv Safe certified, ToG food permit) OR a TIPS certified bartender, please complete the form online and we will add you to the list of vendors that meeting conveners are requesting.
Please note:
The list will be provided for information and referral purposes only.
Only certified vendors qualify
Inclusion on the list is not an endorsement or recommendation.
Please join me in welcoming Kate Kazlauskas, appointed as Librarian, Reference, and Sarah Slocum, appointed as Librarian, Teen this week! Timing is excellent, as this week was very short-staffed due to unanticipated leave time on top of approved scheduled staff leave time. The Teen Room had to be closed on Monday evening and some teens who opted to stay and use the adult space were disruptive and had to be asked to leave.
Beth met with the construction team and checked off some more punch list items! We are down to gate for the stairs, study room doors, Community Room doors, and Maker Space doors, video game and 3-D printer setup (locking carts are in!) Flooring was scheduled to complete work on Friday. Beth and the Board of Library Trustees met with Finance Committee to defend the FY23 Budget Request, which included an increase of $100,000 in new building related expenses, no new staff, and eliminates many accounts traditionally covered by the Town of Grafton: dues, conference & seminar fees, professional development, marketing, and programming, to be covered by a mix of grants, state aid and gifts.
We had 15 meeting room reservations, Ukulele 101 met with 8 participants, and we hosted a DIY felted bird program. In the last we circulated 2,770 items, issued 15 new library cards, placed 518 hold requests and filled 436 requests, sent 576 items in delivery and received 688, and added 191 new items. No door count was provided.
Sarah attended a MASSYAC Youth Services Community Chat, a HarperCollins publisher preview, managed and shepherd Young Scientists, presented a virtual NGES preschool storytime, communicated with NSES about a May library visit, lesson planned for programming, brainstormed April vacation programming, and attended the weekly staff meeting. She also worked with the Friends on planning their spring fundraiser, the Easter Egg Hunt on the Common, scheduled for Saturday April 9.
Jen worked on the April newsletter, scheduled social media and reworked in-room signage, brainstormed April break programming with other staff, and helped monitor the YA room while we were short-staffed. Kristin worked in the lobby filling in while we are short staffed, worked on social media posts for the upcoming book clubs, decorated the bulletin board for outside the CR, and listening to the recording of MGH’s Clay Center, “Young Healthy Minds,” with Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins and Will Capriola.
Cyndi added borders to our bulletin boards, started working on labeling the bins for the blu-ray discs & DVDs, went through some donated books to see if we own them or not and then went through those we own to see the condition of the book, and began work on labeling the CDs as well. Mare worked the desk, shelved, attended to volunteer matters, and checked book lists to see what titles we own. Stacie decorated the front window, set up the flower experiment, and finished the display end caps. Come in for a new passive treasure hunt program – can you find all the colored flowers?
Borrower Services staff managed the lobby, adult circulation, teens in the library, interlibrary loans, the Automated Materials Handling system, and delivery.
Allie also worked on the April newsletter, and wrote incident reports about disruptive patrons. Sandhya handled many room reservations, more updating of museum pass procedures (we have passes to 19 museums, which have been changing their procedures regularly during the pandemic. Each change requires edits to our online pass reservation software and internal tracking procedures). She also processed loans coming from out of state and out of network.
Jane was trained in adding recommendations for purchase. She also worked on future display graphics, and managed the NY Times best seller lists.
Susan ordered fiction and DVDs and office supplies, delivered books to two home delivery recipients, prepared for the monthly Crescent Manor program, ran a staff meeting, and completed monthly statistics for physical and electronic circulation, volunteers, museum pass reservations, and new patron registrations.
Beth corresponded with patrons about meeting room use, kicked off the first session of Ukulele 101 (a partnership program with Apple Tree Arts), and began scheduling programs for April. She completed the Allergen Aware training and TIPS certification, and needs a Serv Safe certification and Community First Aid to complete the Library’s Food Permit.
We conducted a test of our panic buttons with Grafton Police.
Beth met with Building Committee, the Board of Library Trustees, and attended the Department Heads meeting. She worked on procedures for the new security system, reached out to American Alarm for a quote for a cover for the alarm keypad in the lobby, and scheduled carpet regluing.
We said goodbye and thanked to our Bibliotemps Brianna, Erin, and Kate on Saturday; they have been temping with us since November while we worked to fill vacancies. Appointments for two new positions are on the Select Board agenda for March 8.
Kate put up a March display, “Read Me, I’m Irish!” This display features famous Irish authors (classic and contemporary) as well as stories set in Ireland.
All Borrower Services staff managed the lobby, sorting room and circulation desk. Allie created signage and display for Cozy Mysteries; handled printer issues, continued to troubleshoot faxing, worked with Bibliotheca to troubleshoot gate and PC connectivity issues, updated website with library newsletter links, added to the Readers Advisory database and approved Historical Fiction list of authors (D-F).
Jane finished the report of monthly patrons with wrong library and the report of items with alerts to be removed; set up a monthly display “I don’t know the title but the cover is green”; got trained to enter titles in the Blackstone Audio account; and inventoried items waiting for RFID tags.
Sandhya completed 3 sessions of Notary Training; cleared the hold shelf of expired holds; updated the services section of the website and fixed the broken link to museum passes; processed requests for items outside the local library system; sent follow up emails to Bibliotheca regarding some of the items that were going to the incorrect bin; and set up her monthly display: “What I want to learn this year.”
Ranjita managed delivery and shelving holds; set up a new display for Women’s History Month; and worked on the Library of Things.
Susan ordered fiction and overdrive content; set up a March Madness display; compiled circulation stats, museum use and volunteer stats; conducted a Borrower Services staff meeting; began organizing reviews; began creating a weeding plan with staff; and worked on tutorials for ordering fiction, large print and audiobooks. Our public fax machine is finally fixed! The admin fax is still not functioning.
Sarah attended Community Reading Day at NSES and read to a 2nd grade class, attended the virtual New England Summer Summit, followed up with patrons and shepherded the Young Scientists program, communicated with Willard House, YFCP, and STEM Beginnings, attended the weekly staff meeting, created lesson plans, compiled February statistics, counted February PJ donations (we are up to 53!), and spoke to a mother about a possible home-schooling program.
Jen worked on the March CR newsletter, assisted patrons, lesson planned, assisted patrons, and brainstormed spring programming.
Cyndi wrapped mystery playdate books; decorated the room for March with Stacie; finished making tablecloths for the program room; continued work on the volunteer training packet; shelved books; handled patron questions and concerns; worked on the library of things.
Mare assisted patrons, coordinated with volunteers ,and shelved. She completed 2 webinars, “New Homes, New Stories: An Illustrator Panel About Home and Family” and “Young Healthy Minds: How the Clay Center’s Resources Can Support Your Library Work.” Stacie decorated the room for March, shelved books, and assisted patrons. Kristin organized the CR supply closet, communicated with the schools, and planned for her three book clubs.
This week Allison put up 3 new displays in the teen room: Women’s History Month, Doodling (to promote our doodling program later this month), and Books That Start with The Letter (one book that starts with each letter of the alphabet).
Additionally she went through YA fiction books that have missing or lost status and will reorder items that we should have in the collection, and delete missing items (that aren’t lost by a patron) that we no longer needed. This makes future searching for missing items easier and faster, while making sure we have copies of books that people are looking for (like the first book in a series). She plans to do this process for video games next.
She also attended North Street Elementary School’s Community Reading Day on Read Across America Day and read The Hole Story of the Doughnut by Pat Miller to a 6th grade class. I wasn’t given permission to bring in doughnut holes, but I did bring in some doughnut bookmarks and doughnut scented and shaped erasers for the class.
