It was a productive and celebratory evening at the Batavia Public Library as the Board of Trustees gathered to discuss the library’s future and current successes.
Administrative and Policy Updates
The board conducted several routine business items and approved a new policy governing library programming to streamline operations and clarify expectations for participants.
- Consent Agenda: The board unanimously approved the March 2026 meeting minutes, financials, and the disposal of surplus property.
- New Programming Policy: A revised programming policy was approved with specific updates regarding staff responsibility for implementation and attendance age requirements.
- Photography and Privacy: During policy discussions, the board clarified that patrons are notified via The Batavian and on-site signage that photos/videos may be taken for marketing, and individuals may opt-out by informing staff.
- Fiscal Year 2027 Schedule: The board began discussing a potential shift in meeting days from Tuesdays to Thursdays for the upcoming fiscal year, with a final decision expected in June.
Renovation and Infrastructure Projects
Significant progress was reported on the library’s ongoing renovation and roofing projects, with a focus on both structural completion and interior design.
- Project Expenditures: To date, $859,030 has been spent on renovation and roofing, including payments to architects and construction managers.
- Roofing Completion: The main roofing work is finished, and the project is currently in the “punch list” and retention payment phase.
- Interior Design: Staff recently participated in a “chair poll” to test and vote on new furniture options for the renovated spaces.
- Local Partnership: The library is exploring furniture options from a Batavia-based company to support local business while finalizing interior plans.
Financial and Personnel Management
The library remains in a strong financial position as it nears the end of the current fiscal year, with proactive steps being taken to manage rising costs.
- Budget Status: With three months remaining in the fiscal year, the library has exactly 25% of its budget remaining, hitting its financial targets.
- Insurance Savings: To combat rising premiums, the library is switching to Delta Dental on June 1st, which is expected to save over $7,000, representing a 35% reduction in cost.
- Staffing Changes: Several internal promotions were announced, including Lauren Brown’s transition to full-time Graphic Designer and Laura Sears Putowski’s move to a Technical Services Associate position.
- Long-Term Service: The board celebrated Michael Malhan, a circulation page, for an incredible 34 years of service to the library.
Community Engagement and Strategic Plan
The Director provided a comprehensive progress report on the library’s strategic goals, highlighting a massive increase in community partnerships and outreach.
- Outreach Partnerships: The library collaborated with groups like Chip In Batavia for a prom dress giveaway, Starfish Rescue for pet adoptions, and local schools for “Battle of the Books”.
- Program Growth: In March alone, the library hosted 76 programs with 4,515 attendees.
- Year-to-Date Impact: Total attendance for fiscal year 2026 has already exceeded 28,000 people.
- Accessibility Improvements: The Large Print collection was moved to the front of the library, starting right behind the “Hot Picks,” to make it significantly easier for patrons to access.
- Marketing Innovation: The library has implemented a digital “marketing ticket system” using Airtable to streamline design requests and track staff workload.
Youth and Teen Services
Both departments reported high engagement levels, particularly during Spring Break and through specialized community programs.
- Teen Prom Dress Giveaway: A major success this year, with 1,356 dresses distributed to local teens in partnership with Chip In Batavia.
- Youth Activities: Highlights included a “Baby Nursery” dramatic play theme, a “How to Train Your Dragon” interactive movie, and a visit from River, the Batavia Police Department’s comfort dog.
- “Born to Read” Evaluation: The board discussed the future of the “Born to Read” program, weighing its current impact against newer initiatives like “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten”.
- School Connections: Teen Librarian Mallory Manning has increased her presence at the high school to twice a month, leading to a noticeable surge in teen enrollment for the summer reading program.
Author: Jim Fahrenbach
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