Library director highlights summer programs, staff and new MOU with City of Lewistown

Melissa, the library director, told the City of Lewistown commission that the library's summer programs drew about 360 youth participants and more than 100 adults and that an intern from Stanford has bolstered outreach and programming this season. "What I really wanna highlight is the excellent community we have around the library with staff, with our board, with the commission, and with the community," Melissa said during a presentation to the commission.

The director introduced several staff and volunteers by name and role, including youth librarian Kiara Vanderbeek, outreach lead Sue Stantley (who runs the Dolly Parton Imagination Library outreach), Polly Reifel (a temporary library science intern), and Jamie Hahn Curry (senior outreach). Melissa described ongoing initiatives: a story walk, digitization of local archives, senior outreach at assisted‑living facilities, and a transforming communities grant that provides art and audiobooks for patients receiving infusion treatments.

Melissa also said the library and city finalized a new memorandum of understanding that clarifies the multi‑government relationship between the library and the city, including the city's role in staffing and providing building insurance. "This year, we negotiated a new MOU with the city, which is basically our direct relationship with how the library's staff are employed and how the city works with the library," Melissa said. The director thanked commissioners for honoring a recently deceased staff member, Nancy Sackett, and credited the commission for continued funding since the library's founding in 1897.

Commissioners asked logistical questions about program costs and delivery; Melissa said local Friends of the Library funds cover the local cost of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library books, which are mailed to children by the national program. She also offered to provide commissioners with the statistical snapshot and the handout that accompanied the presentation for follow up.

The presentation concluded with the library offering the commission further detail on budget items and with the director inviting commissioners to visit programming on site. The commission took no formal action on the presentation itself; the library items were informational and will feed into upcoming budget work sessions.