Page 49 - Middleborough 2024 Town Report

M I D D L E B O R O U G H
PUBLIC LIBRARY
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Digital Expansion: We have continued to invest in digital
services and platforms to enhance the patron experience.
In 2024, we onboarded our new calendaring system,
allowing patrons to submit reservations for meeting and
study rooms 24/7. We also added PressReader and the New
York Times, providing patrons access to newspapers,
including the Boston Globe and New York Times, from
anywhere at any time.
“Public libraries are unique institutions. Libraries are not
motivated by profitability, ideology, or politics. Our focus is
simply—and powerfully—to keep our community
educated, informed, entertained, and connected. The Library
is a place where people of all ages and stages come together
to learn, explore ideas, play, crat, and meet their neighbors.”
- Keira Parrot
enrichment. These programs have fostered a sense of
belonging and connectedness among our community
members. The Friends of the Library have been very
generous in their support.
Historical Preservation: We have continued to
invest in digitizing local historical materials, including
volumes of the Middleborough Gazette from the 1860s,
which were discovered at the Middleborough
Historical Association last year. We also launched
a new portal for our digitized materials:
https://midlib.libguides.com/c.php?g=1311981&p=9642916.
The Board of Library Trustees would like to welcome John
Costello and Jen Paulin to the Trustees.
Youth Empowerment: We have continued encouraging
life-long learning and literacy in our community through
programming and literacy activities from Pre-K through 18.
Staf regularly make and welcome class visits to the schools
and inspire students to read and become regulars at the
public library.
We sincerely thank our dedicated staf, volunteers, and
donors who have worked consistently and tirelessly to
advance the Library’s mission. Your passion, creativity, and
ongoing commitment have made our Library a vibrant hub
for learning and enrichment.
On behalf of the Board of Library Trustees, we would like to
thank our Community, the Select Board, the Finance
Committee, and the Town Manager for their continued
support of the Middleborough Public Library and its State
Aid certification.
Public Experience: We continue to strive to enhance our
patrons’ experience in the Library. In 2024, the Library
recarpeted the 1st-loor foyer and surrounding areas,
replaced ceiling tiles, and retrofitted existing lighting LED.
New computer tables and chairs were also added to
improve patrons’ use of our public computers. All lounge
chairs were sent to be reupholstered by Massachusetts
Corrections. Planning has begun to create an enlarged play
area in the children’s room and to redesign our Young Adult
space to make it more welcoming and open.
Sincerely,
Randy E. Gagné, Library Director
James D. Okolita, Chairperson
BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
James D. Okolita, Chairperson Eleanor Osborne, Vice Chairperson Heather Montross, Assistant Treasurer Ashley DiBiase, Clerk Jen Paulin
John Costello
Marissa Boutin
Sherri Hartlen-Neely
Diane Stewart
We have been committed to ofering dynamic programs
and events that promote literacy, creativity, and cultural
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