Menu
Carson to leave PCPL March 19
Director Grier Carson announced his departure from the Putnam County Public Library during the Board of Trustees 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,” 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.”
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,” Library Board 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.”
Zerkel 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:
-- Statistics: Business Operations Manager Lisa Barker presented the year-to-year statistics, comparing January 2017 to January 2018. Total registered borrowers is down about five 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.
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.