Town of Brewster, Massachusetts
Brewster Ladies' Library
Section II - Culture & Recreation: 6101 Brewster Ladies' Library
Mission Statement
The Brewster Ladies’ Library is the free public library for the Town of Brewster. It is managed by a Board of Directors, elected by the membership of the Brewster Ladies’ Library Association. The Library’s mission is to be a cultural and life-long learning community center that provides free access to a range of resources, activities and professional assistance to further enhance the quality of life of the community. The Library has been serving its community since 1852.
Accomplishments for FY2022
- Development of Strategic Plan 2022-2026.
- Creation of Library of Things-collection of circulating items for public. (Examples are wi-fi hotspots, DVD player, games and tools.)
- Revised library’s website.
- Re-configure spaces for public study spaces and seating.
- Renovation of Historic areas for quiet study-Eddy Grant $10,000.00 for furnishing and repairs.
- Wireless printing implemented.
Goals & Initiatives for FY2023
- Membership in Digital Commonwealth. Plans for local history and archival collections to be inventoried and identified for access.
- Re-imagining of present spaces and building functionality for community and patron input for maximum benefit.
- Continuation of Building Construction planning and continued re-assessment of the project within present budgetary considerations.
Budget Highlights
- The budget represents a $42,871 (6.18%) increase over the FY22 budget.
- An increase of $1,000 is provided for maintenance costs due to the increasing age of the library building.
- An increase of $1,000 is provided for rising costs of labor for trash pick-up, alarm maintenance, and exterminator.
- An increase of $2,000 is provided for a tuition stipend upon completion of courses (contractual bargaining agreement).
- Part-time wages have increased from $15 to $16 an hour, in order to stay competitive with Cape libaries who are paying $18-$19 an hour.
- An increase of $11,232 is provided for the Assistant Teen/YA position to become a full-time position - this is year two of a multi-year agreement to increase part-time positions to full-time. 50% of the increase will be paid with State Library Aid. This is why you see a shift from the PT wages line to FT wages.
- The Brewster Ladies Library Association supplements the Library Budget on an annual basis of approximately $75,000. Detail is provided in the supplemental documents.