Collection Development
The collection requires reorganization. Currently space is taken up by many obsolete items, and most non-fiction locations need to be brought up to contemporary library standards. The tasks are:
- Catalog the new books according to best practices.
- Weeding of the Fiction, Art, Maine, Cookbook, and 800s locations. Continuous weeding of all library items, with each location reviewed at least once a year.
- Creating new call numbers for Non-Fiction, Classics, Art, Maine, Large Print, DVD, and Children’s locations. This has already been done for Fiction, Mysteries, Biographies, and Non-Fiction up to 800.
- Reviewing MARC records for all non-fiction locations and updating them as needed.
The library needs to continue developing the collection to reflect the needs and interests of patrons. Purchasing should focus on: new bestsellers, local history, and art. New children’s books should also be added periodically. We will expand our ‘library of things’: puzzles, metal detectors, boogie boards, knitting needles are items of this sort. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Things
Weeding
Preservation specialist list: Engineers & Envelope Consultants
Facilities Maintenance
The furnace ducts need to be cleaned. This duct has clean-out on the end. Most of them do not. ARPA grant funding includes HVAC up $1500.00.
There is an electric wire that was exposed while digging in the flower bed in front of the tower. I believe the National Electrical Code states that must be in a conduit or buried 18 inches deep. The wiring on the right side facing the doors was enclosed in conduit two years ago when we were working on the irrigation. The extent of outside wiring that is not up-to-code is unknown. Thus the cost of bring it up-to-code is unknown. This situation must be addressed.
Additional outlets are needed by the desk for the networking and computer equipment.
Our existing bathroom fulfills MSL requirements. The floor needs to be sealed.
There are windows and caulking that still need to be painted.
Front door weather stripping at the bottom of the door is ripped and needs to be replaced.
Capital Improvements List
Shelf lighting
Furnace filter, Air quality
Humidity level HVAC
Internal cellar door does not close because of the furnace exhaust pipe.
Concrete floor in the basement.
Tower stairs
Chimney relining and pointing.
Pointing of the exterior wall on the back wall from the chimney to the north corner.
Fire safety. The library needs a second means of egress.
The library is not wheelchair accessible.
There are windows and caulking that still need to be painted.
The window sashes were replaced in 2019 but the frames are 124 years old. Part two of the windows frame replacement will have to be done in the coming years.
Long term projects:
2028 Heated floor: Pex forced hot water radiant floor heating to replace the blown hot air.
2029 Remove the sheetrock ceiling and restore the vaulted ceiling.
2030 Remove, rather than replace the carpets at the end of the carpet’s life. Refinish the original floors.
