PDF of letter HERE
To the Londonderry community,
The Leach Library continues to be a busy community hub with over 13,000 cardholders and 45,000 visitors per year. Our mission is to provide materials, information, and services for community residents of all ages to meet their personal, educational, and recreational needs. Especially in times of financial strain, the library provides resources to help individuals and families save money on everything from books, movies, and video games to museum visits, equipment, and subscriptions. We are open to all, and we welcome everyone into the library.
Over the past year, we have returned to operating 60 hours per week, attended Old Home Day and the Senior Expo, offered over 200 programs for all ages, installed handicap access on the library’s entrance with grant funding from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, added two new physical collections, launched a digital collection with instant downloads, subscribed to three consumer resource databases, and answered over 21,000 reference questions. None of this would be possible without our staff.
Earlier in 2022, library management and the Board of Trustees evaluated our staff time alongside our operational needs and our goals for future programs and services. The numbers showed a need for more than 3,300 hours of additional support staff time annually. As a result, the Board of Trustees recommended requesting an additional fulltime support staff member starting in the 2023-2024 budget year.
This request will be presented to Londonderry voters in Warrant Article Number 13. If you would like to see the library sustain current services and continue growing, we need your support! Please come out to vote at the Town Deliberative Session on Saturday, February 11 at 9:00 a.m. at the Londonderry High School Cafeteria. Then cast your ballot on Tuesday, March 14 at the Londonderry High School Gymnasium.
We are so thankful for our amazing Board of Trustees, Friends, Town Officers and employees, volunteers, patrons, visitors, and community members. We appreciate you all and are always happy to serve you.
Erin Matlin, Library Director
Donna Plante, Assistant Library Director