Circulation and Technical Services
Circulation for April 2026:
- Total circulation (physical items and Libby eBooks & eAudiobooks): 33,170.
- Total physical item circulation: 27,808.
- Total eBook circulation (Libby, Hoopla, Comics Plus): 3,351.
- Total eAudiobook circulation (Libby, Hoopla): 4,155.
- Streaming video downloads (Kanopy, Hoopla): 477.
- Streaming music downloads (Hoopla): 42.
- Digital magazine circulation (Libby): 2,862.
In April 2026, Circulation and Technical Services:
- Processed 192 library card applications.
- Issued 177 parking permits.
- Received and processed 2,410 items from other libraries to fill holds.
- Pulled and transferred 1,955 items to fill holds at other libraries.
- Filled 3,944 total holds.
- Processed 777 withdrawn items.
- Received, processed, and added 1,522 physical items to library collections.
Outreach Services
Senior Services, Persons-at-Home (Sarah Derven)
During April 2026, Sarah:
- Visited 13 Outreach Sites.
- Lead 7 Memory Care Writing Groups.
- Presented at a Memory Cafe at the Senior Center.
- Visited and Delivered Materials to 13 Individuals.
- Served 264 Patrons.
- Loaned 734 items.
- Made 84 Phone Calls.
- Placed 262 items on Hold.
- Renewed 222 Items.
This month, Sarah gave a presentation at the Saratoga Senior Center’s monthly Memory Café on her creative writing program for individuals with memory care needs, highlighting its benefits in fostering connection, self-expression, and cognitive engagement.
Community Events, Partnerships, Mobile Library (Jennifer Ogrodowski)
Programs/Outreach:
- Big Truck Day with the Children’s Museum
Tabling at this annual event was a great success with hundreds of families coming out to enjoy it. Bonus…no rain this year! - Shelters Book Group
Our book group at the Shelters of Saratoga is still going strong. Last month, we finished discussing Open Throat. This month, we are working through Cat’s Cradle.
Statistics:
- Attendance: 219
- Items Loaned: 30
- Cards Issued & Renewed: 11
- Returns: 34
- Ref Questions: 10
What We’re Looking Forward to Next Month:
- Wilton Wildlife Festival
Adult Literacy, English Language Learning (Mary Ann Rockwell)
English Language Learning
One-to-One Tutoring
- 12 volunteer tutors
- 31 tutoring sessions
- 66 volunteer hours
Classes
- 4 volunteers teaching classes (plus this librarian in 2 classes)
- 24 Class Sessions – (6 weekly classes)
- 125 class attendance
- 50 Volunteer Hours
Total Volunteer Hours: 116
An increase in applications from prospective literacy volunteers has been observed, likely reflecting a desire to take constructive action in response to current events. At present, the program has more volunteer interest than it can accommodate. Conversely, there has been a decline in new learners, particularly from Central America. Plans are in place for:
- A twice-weekly English for Absolute Beginners course during May
- An 8-week reading group on Charlotte’s Web, also beginning in May
Both programs will be led by new tutors with prior ESL experience.
Poetry Programs
Workshops
Jay Rogoff, Saratoga Poet Laureate, conducted a series of four poetry workshops at the library in April. All sessions were at full capacity, with a total attendance of 60 participants. He plans to offer this series again in October.
Favorite Poem Reading
- 20 participants read selected poems.
- 35 total attendees.
Poetry Café (Online Discussion Group)
- 4 participants (including facilitator).
- Featured poems from Ada Limón’s anthology You Are Here, focusing on themes of nature as an immediate and present experience.
Erasure Poem Take-and-Make
- 35 kits distributed.
- 3 participants submitted a total of 6 completed poems for display.
- All participants who submitted work received a prize through a raffle.
Respectfully submitted by:
Trevor Oakley, Head of Access and Outreach Services