Summer 2022 Community Message

Posted on 07/13/22 by in Quarterly Program Guide

Dear Residents,

We hope this program guide finds you well, as our community prepares for a busy summer of celebrations, festivals, athletics, camps, performances, and other events. One of our community’s greatest strengths is the wide variety of activities that take place for people of all ages and walks of life, especially during the summer months. In this regard, we expect this summer to be a big one and have planned our programming accordingly.

In recent months we have welcomed many patrons, new and old, and Library usage is growing. Visits have increased by 46% and registrations for new library cards were up by 58%, in the first quarter of 2022. In this same period, total attendance at programs reached 3,961. We continue to adapt our program offerings to meet this rising demand.

This summer will see the full restoration of Summer Reading Club, with an exciting schedule of programs and performances for our community's youngest readers. Summer Reading Club is a fun and engaging way for young learners to cultivate a passion for reading while helping them to sustain literacy skills gained during the school year. If you have not yet participated, we encourage you to learn more and sign up on May 23. Like all Library activities, Summer Reading Club is free and open to all.

Thanks to the generous funding from the Wadsworth Public Library Foundation, we more than doubled the number of pieces in our early literacy play area, including a large STEM-focused magnetic ball run, new kiosks, end panel interactives, and new visually stimulating ornaments. Completed in March, the new early literacy interactives have been a hit with families visiting our busy second floor children's area. If you have not yet visited with your little ones to play, we invite you to come visit us soon.

Other improvements are underway in what is shaping up to be a big year for Wadsworth Public Library. In August, we will transition to a new Library catalog system that will result in a more user-friendly experience for patrons and staff alike. The new system will not only improve the user experience, it will also save taxpayers money over the long term. In addition, we are evaluating a proposal for new furnishings, shelving, and service desks for the Library's first floor, with an aim of improving customer service, technology access, and the browsing experience. If approved, these changes could be implemented as soon as the fall of 2022.

Community Survey
As we look with optimism toward the future, we need to hear from you. The time has come again to update our strategic plan. Please take a moment to complete our community survey on page 3 or by visiting www.wadsworthlibrary.com/survey. If you are interested in participating in a stakeholder meeting, please contact me at daniel.slife@wadsworthlibrary.com or 330-335-1299. We value your continued support and willingness to help shape the future direction of the Library. We look forward to serving you in the busy year ahead and we appreciate your patience as we work our way through the necessary service interruptions which go hand-in-hand with improving our facilities and technology systems.

Sincerely,
Daniel Slife
Director