Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 4/17/2023
WESTHAMPTON — According to Library Director Meaghan Schwelm, the new five year plan for the town library will free up money for new items for the “trybrary” and maybe fix up the back yard for events.
“We are doing a strategic plan to set goals for our services,” Schwelm said. “Another reason we do strategic plans is that by doing them we become eligible for certain state-level grants.”
The plan for the library for 2023 through 2028 didn’t turn up surprises. The coronavirus pandemic disrupted many of the popular program offerings. A community survey, part of the strategic plan, revealed that residents want a return to programming for kids and families at set times during the week.
The survey showed that 21,756 items are in the collections. Those items were lent out a total of 29,998 times — including e-books — making the Westhampton library a very busy one among those in small towns. 1,474 people attended events in the Community Room, Judd Room and back yard.
“Our back yard, which we use very frequently, it’s a challenging space. ... It’s not great for aging adults or people with mobility issues,” Schwelm said. “That’s one of the things we’re looking at ... that came out of the strategic planning process, to figure out what we can do to make it more accessible.”
Funding for the library comes from several sources outside town government. A Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant underwrites a weekly playgroup for young children and families. A solar farm in town sent about $8,000 in solar credit money to the library as part of its agreement with the town. The solar panels mounted on the library roof also generated about $43,000 in income that went to the town.
The survey piece of the strategic plan, completed by 96 residents, primarily online, revealed that satisfaction with the library is high. A little over a third, 36.5%, use the library weekly, with another 29.2% visiting monthly. The strengths are the welcoming staff and volunteers, Kanopy — a movie streaming service — and interlibrary borrowing. A community mindset was also much appreciated.
Trustees, friends of the library, patrons and staff sat for two meetings to analyze survey results and identify goals. One goal is to increase awareness of library resources and services. The five year plan recommends achieving that goal by keeping in closer contact with the schools, Council on Aging and other community groups, and to more frequently publicize events and offerings during larger town events like the Fall Festival.
Offering chances for learning and enjoyment at all ages was another identified goal. Regularly scheduled activities for children, and more programming for teens and millennials, will achieve it. Programming options for adults will be guided by feedback gleaned from the five year plan.
The third identified goal was for the library to be welcoming for all community members. Schwelm and Youth Services Librarian Emily Wayne will expand the collections based on the newly updated collections development policy. Staff, the trustees and town leaders will strategize how to improve the outdoor spaces to increase accessibility.
“That’s one of the things we’re looking at,” Schwelm said, “and that’s one of the bigger goals that’s going to take more time, that came out of the strategic planning process: to figure out what we can do to make [the back yard] more accessible for people.”
The survey affirmed the ongoing popularity of the library. Just shy of half, 49%, reported rates of library use in the last year matched those prior to COVID-19. 19.8% reported lower usage while 28.1% increased their time among the stacks.
Almost a quarter of library patrons used the meeting rooms or available office services: 38.9% borrowed museum passes, 55.8% participated in library programs while just under half, 49.5%, drove into town for the art exhibits.
Predictions that printed books would soon be irrelevant have not come to pass, but libraries are still faced with a struggle to stay relevant in the eyes of the public. Many began acquiring and lending tools and other small appliances that borrowers may not want to buy. Westhampton’s library has a basic collection of "items."
“We call [it] a trybrary,” Schwelm said. “That’s a collection of non-traditional materials, which includes small tech items like a Blu-ray DVD player, a laminator, a paper shredder, sewing machine, some musical instruments and learning kits, as well as many jigsaw puzzles.”
Library visitors frequently praised the pleasant and welcoming staff of the library. Schwelm didn’t think the library could do all it accomplishes without the support of the Trustees, friends of the library, volunteers and the community.
“In a small community like this you very much depend on volunteers, Schwelm said. “It’s just nice that the people of Westhampton are so engaged and appreciative of the library. That means a lot.”