Library Director Chris Barbera reported March circulation and program figures to the Town of Hubbardston Library Trustees and outlined multiple upcoming spring programs.

Barbera said the library recorded 344 patrons in March and hosted 10 class visits (15 visits totaling 369 students). Story time had five sessions with 48 adults and 68 children (116 total attendees). Dungeons & Dragons events ran twice with 15 attendees. The library issued 10 new cards (one e-card) and reported 2,491 Facebook page reaches and 903 Facebook page likes for March. Overdrive monthly checkouts were 731 for Hubbardston residents, and there were 391 Overdrive holds (157 e-audio, 234 e-books). Financial figures noted in the report were current to February 2025; Barbera signed the report “respectfully submitted by Chris Barbera.”

Why it matters: the director’s report provides trustees a baseline of patron use and digital demand while framing programming decisions and budgeting for the coming fiscal year.

Barbera described several specific programs and logistical items. The Dungeons & Dragons group is running a themed book challenge with prizes (dice bags, mini dice, prints and a “book dragon” blanket) and will hold a movie night tied to the program if trustees approve licensing costs. She said the cinematic public-performance license for the film she selected is about $240 and asked trustees to consider the expense as part of program decisions. Barbera also described other spring offerings: a tree giveaway for Earth Day on April 22 (103 trees available, with a pickup option at the library), donated seeds from Burpee Seeds for gardening programs, a mini 4x4 canvas paint night with finished canvases to be displayed on the children’s artwork wall, a book club kickoff on May 12 that will choose themes rather than single titles, and a struggling readers program in development that would pair children with animals in training for read-aloud sessions.

Barbera said volunteers must be rechecked every three years and that staff have discussed safety measures including panic buttons, handicap-accessible basement entrance buttons, a second checkout desk downstairs and a dedicated phone for the lower level. She reported being in a National Grid queue for pole installation related to an annex mailbox placement.

Trustees and attendees suggested practical adjustments: using video “one-minute critiques” as an alternative to written blurbs to guard against AI-written submissions, and exploring site licenses (Swank, MPLC, etc.) so the library could offer multiple movie nights at a stable price.

The director also noted web and social metrics (531 website visits in March; Instagram reach 42 with 197 followers) and that Senior Book Club met March 26 and will next meet April 30 at 11 a.m. at the Senior Center at 7 Main Street.

Barbera closed by asking trustees whether they had questions; none required action beyond program licensing and budgeting determinations.