Hubbardston library reports rising engagement; summer reading theme and events planned

Library Director Christine Barbera delivered the May 2026 director's report to the Board of Library Trustees on June 4, outlining program attendance, circulation and online reach. The report showed curbside pickups (252 patrons), 332 student visits across eight classes, 139 story-time attendees, 1,641 items circulated by Hubbardston items and an OverDrive monthly checkout total of 929. Social media metrics reported Facebook reach in the thousands and website visits around 921 for May.

Following the report, the assistant director presented the library’s summer reading plans under the theme 'Unearth a Good Story.' Highlights include a temporary excavation pit display with replica 'dinosaur bones,' a Comet Pond outdoor story time pending a DCR permit, a budget-friendly summer kickoff with a local ice-cream vendor, a possible fundraising movie night, and a proposed teen/tween advisory board to guide programming. The assistant director said UMass Amherst is providing a grad student to help develop teen forensic-anthropology programming and that partnerships with DCR and local vendors are in place or pending.

Trustees also noted volunteers, Friend of the Library outreach at the town fair, display themes for June, and that the library will be closed for Memorial Day weekend. The director said a new town accountant has been appointed and that financials will be attached to the next director’s report. On facilities, the director described informal consumer lead testing in the lower level that produced a faint positive on two exterior spots; she plans to retest and did not recommend any immediate closures pending confirmation.

Trustees thanked staff for programming work and encouraged continued outreach to grow volunteers and Friends membership. The meeting closed with scheduling and administrative items.