Hot Springs Library reports rising visits, gets $10,000 Carnegie gift for improvements

Mary Terronis, director of the Hot Springs Public Library, reported increased library usage and several program updates during the council meeting.

Terronis said the library averages about 2,500 visits per month and recorded 7,554 visits so far this year, an increase of 717 from the same period last year. The library’s registered patrons number 4,312; 2,490 are within Hot Springs city limits and 1,465 are from Fall River County. Checkouts for the first quarter exceeded 6,000 — roughly 300 more than the prior year.

Terronis announced the library received a $10,000 gift from the Carnegie Corporation of New York as part of a 250th‑anniversary program that provided grants to libraries built between 1886 and 1917. Terronis said the funds will support improvements such as upgrades to the children’s area and teen space, and new programming, including a summer reading program called 'Under a Story' featuring archaeology and paleontology themes. The summer program will run June 5–July 31 and include weekly activities and special events.

Terronis also said the library’s 'book barn' will open for the summer on April 24 and that staff continue to digitize archival content for online searchability. Council members praised staff and encouraged residents to visit the library.

Next steps: library staff will bring any major project or expenditure requests tied to the Carnegie gift to the council for budgeting approval as needed.