Library board urges investment in Rutland Free Library space and services
September 16, 2025 | Rutland City, Rutland County, Vermont
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Claire Coppock, president of the trustees of the Rutland Free Library, told the Board of Aldermen on Sept. 15 that the library recorded more than 100,000 visits in fiscal 2025 and is expanding programs for children, teens and adults. Coppock said the library now offers daily children’s programming during the school year, a Dolly Parton Imagination Library enrollment program for ages birth to 5, and a new adult summer-reading series that drew 168 participants.
Coppock said library staff are collaborating with local partners including Wonderfeet, the Boys & Girls Club, the Mint, and area schools to deliver programs and that a newly hired teen librarian has grown recurring teen activities such as Dungeons & Dragons into regularly scheduled weekly sessions.
“Imagine a teen space where young adults can feel comfortable just hanging out or have a place to work on their school projects together,” Coppock said. “Imagine spaces for computer users to have some privacy so they can hold job interviews or participate in telehealth.”
She told aldermen that circulation exceeded 140,000 items in the year and that summer reading registration for children reached 198 participants, with 93 programs offered from June to August. Coppock and the trustees distributed a fiscal 2025 summary to aldermen and asked that the board consider the library’s facility needs during the upcoming budget process.
Mayor Dungess said he plans to serve as a liaison between the board and the library to ensure the aldermen and public understand planned changes and the library’s budget needs.
No formal funding decision was made at the meeting; Coppock said the trustees intend to return to the board for further discussions during budget season.
The library’s presentation came during the public-comment portion of the Sept. 15 meeting and was followed by a short question period from aldermen.
Coppock said library staff are collaborating with local partners including Wonderfeet, the Boys & Girls Club, the Mint, and area schools to deliver programs and that a newly hired teen librarian has grown recurring teen activities such as Dungeons & Dragons into regularly scheduled weekly sessions.
“Imagine a teen space where young adults can feel comfortable just hanging out or have a place to work on their school projects together,” Coppock said. “Imagine spaces for computer users to have some privacy so they can hold job interviews or participate in telehealth.”
She told aldermen that circulation exceeded 140,000 items in the year and that summer reading registration for children reached 198 participants, with 93 programs offered from June to August. Coppock and the trustees distributed a fiscal 2025 summary to aldermen and asked that the board consider the library’s facility needs during the upcoming budget process.
Mayor Dungess said he plans to serve as a liaison between the board and the library to ensure the aldermen and public understand planned changes and the library’s budget needs.
No formal funding decision was made at the meeting; Coppock said the trustees intend to return to the board for further discussions during budget season.
The library’s presentation came during the public-comment portion of the Sept. 15 meeting and was followed by a short question period from aldermen.
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