Director Carson announces departure from PCPL

Thursday, March 1, 2018
PCPL Director Grier Carson

Director Grier Carson announced his departure from the Putnam County Public Library during the Board of Trustee’s recent regular meeting.

“I just want to publicly say how much of a privilege it has been to work with the community and the staff here, and how proud I am,” Director Carson, who has served the library for four years, said. “I am most proud of the staff we’ve brought in. It’s made a big difference and enabled us to do things we haven’t before. Some of (the library’s accomplishments) have been slam-dunk stuff, and I think people are noticing the library.”

Director Carson’s last day will be March 19 before taking a position with the Monroe County Public Library.

“We want to thank you for what you’ve done,” President Alan Zerkel said. “We wish you well, and we’re a little jealous of Monroe County. Thank you, Grier, for all you’ve done.”

Tona Gardner added, “It’s hard to quantify the impact. It all feels forward-thinking.”

President Zurkel announced that the board has appointed a search committee, which has had a meeting on the search process and should be hosting interviews by about April 16.

Look for an article on Carson’s time as the library director in a future edition of the Banner Graphic.

In other news:

-- Claims: Claims this month totaled $84,945.10, but not having a quorum the board tabled their approval to next month.

-- Statistics: Business Operations Manager Lisa Barker presented the year-to-year statistics, comparing January 2017 to January 2018. Total registered borrowers is down about 5 percent, non-resident borrowers contributing most to the decline.

Overall circulation is down, but showed great improvement in online juvenile print at 111 percent, online young adult audio at 64 percent and online juvenile audio at 50 percent. Adult books have also increased for the fourth month in a row.

In outreach, technology (Community Help Desk, classes) is up 67 percent, and volunteer hours are up at 19 percent. Use of the Interlibrary Loans program is also up 70 percent.

Manager Barker also presented the month-to-month statistics, comparing December 2017 to January 2018.

Total circulation is up 20 percent, showing the greatest improvement in young adult books at 69 percent. Interlibrary Loans are also strong at a 93 percent increase.

The PCPL Board of Trustee’s next regular meeting is set for March 21 at 6 p.m. in the Kiwanis conference room.

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