Southborough Library Director Highlights Program Growth, Honors Longtime Volunteer

Ryan Donavan, identified as director of the Southborough Library, opened the morning portion of town meeting with a brief report on services and programs delivered over the past year. Donavan said the library "continues to look to the future while maintaining its small town charm" and asked for continued community support for materials, staff development and youth programming.

Donovan outlined participation numbers that he described as indicators of demand: the library offered 162 adult programs with 1,789 adult attendees, 94 programs for teenagers with 730 young adult attendees, and 225 programs for children with 4,148 attendees during 2025. He highlighted recurring offerings such as cookbook club, virtual cooking programs, children’s storytimes, and partnerships with YMCA and Baypath Humane Society.

Donovan noted recent staff and community training initiatives — including Narcan training in partnership with the Board of Health, an active‑shooter/stabber response exercise with the Southborough Police Department, and upcoming QPR suicide prevention training with Youth and Family Services — as part of efforts to make the library a safer and more resilient community space.

Near the end of his remarks, Donavan presented the Peggy Tuttle Award for library service to resident volunteer Bert McHugh, recognizing nearly a decade of service and regular contributions at the circulation desk.

The presentation was a short update rather than a warrant article; donors, volunteer opportunities and program support were identified as ways members of the public could help the library sustain expanded youth and adult programming.