Program Description

The Provincetown Public Library continued to cement itself as a community anchor and cultural center by delivering enriching programming, expanding digital resources, and improving on Library operations. Through innovative collaborations with town departments, non-profits, and community members, the Library worked to provide the community with quality programming, to better market the Library’s resources, and create avenues for input among community members, staff and the Board of Library Trustees. The Library also continued its dedication to regularly publishing community generated content online, implemented new program initiatives, and worked to improve the condition and maintenance of the Josephine Del Deo Archives.

Programming and Partnerships

Throughout 2020, the Library continued to offer a strong schedule of programs and workshops spanning a wide range of topics. These programs sought to foster a strong sense of community, provide interesting and informative events for patrons to attend year-round, and cultivate and encourage Provincetown’s literary and arts community. Highlights from these collaborations included the Winter Wednesdays program, which provided the community with an array of compelling, free courses over February and March, Tech Time, Seashore Point Book Club, as well as, support the outreach and information campaign for the 2020 Census.

Achievements

The Library also strengthened and developed its series of annual Library events that are designed to pay tribute to outstanding members of the national literary, art, and academic communities and highlight Provincetown’s strong cultural and arts heritage. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Fifth annual Moby Dick Marathon Reading was cancelled, but Assistant Director Brittany Taylor and PTV's Amy Davies created a fantastic virtual version. The Library, in collaboration with the Health Department and SKIP launched Crop Swap as a means to offer free, fresh produce to the people. Since it's inception Crop Swap has distributed over 7,000 lbs. or produce. The Library also strengthened its dedication to bettering the Provincetown community through its participation by serving as a an office locations for Provincetown's Community Service Liaison.

Conclusion

The Provincetown Public Library remains unique on the Cape in that it is open many more hours than is required by the Commonwealth and is only one of two with 7-day access year-round. We are deeply committed to providing access to our residents through both the busy months of the season and the slow winter months when the library is the only literal and metaphorical light. When the building closed to the public in March 2020 because of the pandemic, library staff remained available to assist patrons during all the regulary scheduled hours. While the building was closed to the public the Library was very much still serving the community through access to electronic resources, which saw an increase in usage of over 150%, and virtual programming.In June the Library began "streetside pick-up" of library materials, personalized browsing, and printing services. As always, we are grateful for the support of town government and our residents, and rely on an excellent staff to ensure that the library meets the needs of the community.

Budget Statement

The Library presents a reasonable budget request designed to meet state-wide public library budget requirements, to provide Library staff with appropriate training and education, and to improve Library programs and services. The increases in the budget are primarily returning budget amounts to approved FY21 budget before COVID-19 budget revisions.

Major Accomplishments for 2020

• Under the direction of Assistant Director Britanny Taylor and PTV's Amy Davies, the annual Moby Dick Marathon was transformed into a virtual event with 40 participant readers and 360 views online.
• For the first time in many years the Library has a refreshed and working relationship with the Friends of the Provincetown Public Library.
• The Crop Swap, a collaborative project between the Library and the Health Department, launched in September 2019 and has distributed over 7,000 lbs. of fresh produce to the people.
• While the Library closed its doors to the public in March, library staff remained available during all the regular scheduled hours to assist patrons over the phone and online.

FY 2022 Objectives

Our goals for FY2022 are:

• Meet all statutory and regulatory requirements to receive State Aid to Public Library funding and be in full compliance with state standards, requirements, and best practices.
• Develop a 5 Year Strategic Plan to provide the Library with clear goals, vision, and direction.
• Further develop the Library’s community outreach services, enhance the Library’s customer service model, and be responsive to changing demands on library services through the pandemic.
• Continue to grow three major annual events which also enrich the Library’s cultural role in the community: Provincetown Book Festival (including the Rose Dorothea Award), Moby Dick Marathon Reading, and Heritage Day Celebration and be prepare to offer them all in a virtual format if needed.
• Enhance access to local history resources.

Performance / Workload Indicators

FY 2022 Additional Budget Requested

Additional Amount Requested: $3,904

Budget Line: Books/Subscriptions/Audio/Visual (573200)

One Time Only or Ongoing Expense? On going

Description of Additional Program, Product or Service:

This additional budget request for Books/Subscriptions/Audio/Visual will return the budget amount to the previously approved amount for the FY21 budget before COVID-19 budget revisions.

Cost/Benefit Analysis:

This amount is the necessary materials budget required by the state of Massachusetts for state aid and public library certification, as well as provide for the purchase of additional materials for Library patrons.

Additional Amount Requested: $2,000

Budget Line: Community Programming (572020)

One Time Only or Ongoing Expense? On going

Description of Additional Program, Product or Service:

This additional budget request for Community Programming will return the budget amount to the previously approved amount for the FY21 budget before COVID-19 budget revisions.

Cost/Benefit Analysis:

This additional budget request will ensure the public is offered quality programming year-round.

Additional Amount Requested: $240

Budget Line: Contracted Serv-Prof/Tech (530000)

One Time Only or Ongoing Expense? On going

Description of Additional Program, Product or Service:

This additional budget request is for an increase in fee for monthly system care of the Library’s website.

Cost/Benefit Analysis:

This additional budget request will ensure the website runs smoothly and that staff has access to professionals for system upgrades.