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Duxbury Free Library
Annual Report, December 2001
This year the Duxbury Free Library began the process of implementing its long-range plan that was written and approved in 2000. The Board, along with new director, Elaine Winquist, reviewed existing policies, procedures, staffing levels, and financial support to determine what is necessary to support the goals and objectives included in the plan. The first half of the year was spent looking at the library organization and hiring qualified staff. Eight positions were filled: Assistant Director of Technology, Reference Librarian, Library Associate, 2 Library Assistants, 2 Library Pages, Library Custodian. All of these hires fill vacancies left by retirements and resignations, no new staff was added.
Because the Library is in its fourth year in the new building, all of the building’s service contracts were reviewed and issues with the physical plant were identified. A plan was put in place to address these issues and ensure that the building and its systems will be adequately maintained. With advice and assistance from the Town, issues with the exterior of building and the grounds are being addressed. At the end of the year, the library welcomed a new café on the lower level run by Java Express of Kingston.
The library staff was recognized as a collective bargaining unit under Service Employees International Union, Local 285. Staff continues to provide an extremely high level of customer service. Through its membership in the Old Colony Library Network and the Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Library System (SEMLS), the library can provide its users with almost any library resource, either in print or online. All staff members are encouraged to develop their personal strengths and take advantage of workshops and training sessions that are available through SEMLS, the town, professional associations, and universities. Some of the results of these staff development efforts are the Library Poetry Circle, the Library Writer’s Group, the Library Book Group, library displays, young adult activities, reader’s advisory services, enhanced
reference services and an outstanding library web site (duxburyfreelibrary.org).
After months of training and preparation, the library implemented a new online computer system in October, 2001. The new system includes staff components for circulation and cataloging of materials, as well as an online public catalog with a user-friendly graphical interface. All of the library’s hardware and software was updated or replaced.
Library programming was formalized this year as part of the long range plan. Program planners in each department did an outstanding job of offering creative, educational, and entertaining programs to the community. Programs for adults included an author series in collaboration with Westwinds Book Shop, an evening film series, participation in the Duxbury Cultural Alliance’s annual event with author talks, storytelling, lectures, and displays. The Friends of the Duxbury Library presented the annual Seaside Storytelling Festival and a special program with bestselling author, Andre Dubus. Childrens’ programs included the popular family sand castle evening, the annual pet show, the summer reading program (which broke records this year with the number of participants), family storytimes, regular weekly storytimes, and
special programs to celebrate noted authors and books. Young Adult programs included a teen film series, quarterly coffee houses which provide a forum for teens and young adults to gather and perform, Oscar Night for the South Shore Teen Video Contest, summer reading contests and events, and regular meetings of the Digital Doritos and teen book discussion groups.
The library could not realize such great success without the continued support and advocacy of the Friends of the Library, Duxbury Free Library, Incorporated, and our dedicated volunteers.
Respectfully submitted
Elaine W. Winquist, Library Director
Board of Trustees: Theodore J. Flynn, Chair
Nancy Delano
John Hill
Margaret Lougee
Carl Meier
Lynne Walsh
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