From left, the outgoing Library Executive Director Annie Greene, incoming Executive Director Tess Williams and the Library President of the Board of Trustees Dan Hickman, conduct Library business Thursday in the Fireplace meeting room of the James Prendergast Library, 509 Cherry St. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

It’s been a good year for the James Prendergast Library – actually, a good couple of years, according to library officials.

“We’ve met all our goals from the 2021-2024 Strategic Plan,” said Tress Williams, incoming Prendergast Library executive director, during a recent library board meeting.

Williams is set to replace outgoing, long-time, library Executive Director Annie Greene, who is set to officially retire on Feb. 2. However, in the meantime, Williams has been shadowing Greene endeavoring to learn the ‘ins and outs’ of her new position.

“Anne really set me up for success,” said Williams. “I’ve got some big shoes to fill.”

Gingerbread house workshops were attended by 83 people while the holiday movie series featuring It’s A Wonderful Life, Elf and Polar Express, which also included a hot cocoa party, was attended by 29 people. Winter break programs requested by library patrons included Fiber Optics/Night Light, a Pokemon Workshop and a suncatcher program for teens, in addition to the gingerbread workshop.

Williams updated the trustees about the library’s current collection of books and materials in circulation, and reviewed the status of several grants the library has received.

“Thanks to a 2024 grant from the Hultquist Foundation, we are in the process of updating various sections of our nonfiction collection,” she said. “A few of the areas receiving attention include our arts, science and geography materials. The Holmberg Foundation granted the library $19,000 in 2024 to support the library’s programming, like the Library of Things, and Teen Lab improvements. The grant has been completed, with all items ordered and renovations to the Teen Lab completed. We also purchased new instruments for storytime and new items for the Makerspace, including a play kitchen.”

Williams said that other items purchased with the grant funds include new tables and chairs, fresh paint for the Teen Lab, new games, gardening equipment and projectors and projector screens.

Anna Holthouse was named as the person to be recognized as part of the library’s Staff Recognition program.

“Anna works with Sue Carlson, cleaning and maintaining the library facility,” said Williams. “Anna cleans the well-loved toys and material in the children’s room and the Makerspace. Her dedication and willingness to jump into any task she is assigned is appreciated by all the staff and patrons. ”

According to the Treasurer Frank Corapi, financially the library is doing well.

“All line items are in the ‘black’ and were on budget for our expected incomes and expenses,” he said. “In some cases, we’ve exceeded our projected income.”

Corapi said the uptick in the income category is because of the programs the library is offering being supported by the public. The library is at 117% of its expected income, Corapi said.

“I believe people are giving more because they see the library as trying to meet the needs of the community,” he said. “People are viewing the library, like they do other non-profits, and wanting to support the work we do.”

Board President Dan Hickman, echoed some of Corapi’s statements while crediting Greene for programs and disciplined oversight of the budget.

Annie Greene is extremely disciplined when it comes to the library’s budget, he said. The high-quality of the programming offered, at a relative low cost – well, people see value in that.

Hickman expressed his admiration for the entire library staff and was excited at what the prospects were for the knowledge-based, book lending, organization he oversees.

“We’re on good footing,” he said. “I’m stoked about the upcoming BattleTech group that is forming this summer.”

Williams responded by saying, “I guess we’re going to have to make a teen group, as well as an adult group for BattleTech.”