Staff anticipates re-opening
GRANTS, N.M. – The April 19 Grants Public Library Advisory Board meeting included the director’s report for the previous two months.
Director Nadine Jiron reported that following the Dec. 14 meeting there has been an increase in requests by community members for the curbside service that includes copying documents, sending fax, and notary republic services.
The library implemented this practice during 2020 in response to the pandemic.
The February statistical report noted the addition of 94 new items to the collection; 423 materials were discarded. March data included the addition of 166 new items and six were removed from the collection.
The facility was open 24 days in February 2020 and 4,486 people visited that month, compared to zero patrons for the same period this year. The facility was open 14 days in March 2020 and 2,746 people were walk-ins. The library was open 23 days in March 2021 and four community members were admitted into the building during the month.
Public access computers recorded 1,816.57 hours for February 2020 and zero for the same period this year; 1,018 people used the library internet in February 2020, but the number was zero for this year.
Public access computers recorded 646 hours of patron usage for March 2021 compared to 427.79 hours for the same period in 2020.
March 2020 recorded 638 people using the library internet compared to only 16 for the same period this year.
February generated $268.85 in copier fees and March use increased to $336.80.
The library collected $276 in miscellaneous fees, which includes sending faxes, plus $18.53 in gross receipts tax during February. The March revenue for the same services was $331.50 plus $26.89 collected in gross receipts tax.
The staff installed a box for monetary donations earlier this year. The money will remain with the library; previously it was sent to city hall and included as part the city’s general revenue funds. No money was collected by the special donations fund during February or March, according to the director.
The library was awarded a “Tools in Action” mini grant for $500. The board discussed using the funding to develop a community garden on the grounds, 1101 N. First Street. The director suggested donating the garden produce to the Sharing Closet. The facility plans to continue the Sharing Closet, which offers items at no charge to needy community members. Director Jiron acknowledged the ongoing need for personal hygiene products.
Staff members have sent letters to patrons who had overdue materials; many of these had been checked out prior to the pandemic. Late fees were waived to encourage people to return the missing items. The annual inventory was completed in January; materials that had not been checked out for the past five years were discarded.
The Children’s Reading Area has been updated with new shelving. The staff created a new activity area that offers jigsaw puzzles, Legos, and other hands-on activities for patrons of all ages.
The board and director discussed the $2,000 awarded in COVID Relief money that can be used to purchase a COVID-safety equipment such as scanner for people entering the library.
They also discussed the need for security cameras, which are scheduled for installation prior to returning the building to full public access.
Last month’s meeting agenda included reports on Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget requests; the city is the fiscal agent, and all staff are city employees. The board also heard reports on the condition of the facility’s roof along with suggestions for potential use of the remainder of the building which is scheduled for future renovation.
The advisory board positions represent Cibola County, the Village of Milan, and Grants. The city council appoints the five members, who serve threeyear terms. The board meets six times per year.
V i s i t cityofgrants.net/library or call 505-287-4793 for more information.