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Library Manager’s Report October 2026
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Children’s Area Refresh Project. Plans are continuing to move forward. A large vinyl mural has been designed that will span most of the back wall in the Children’s Area. The mural will feature Every Child Ready Duluth’s “Ready Five” characters in a whimsical, bright woodland setting. The Duluth Library Foundation has placed orders for new furniture and fixtures for the space. The Children’s Area is scheduled to close beginning Monday, Nov. 2. City of Duluth Property and Facilities Management staff will remove the current furnishings to make way for contractors to paint and install new carpet. Then the shelves will be rearranged and the new furniture installed. As we continue to prepare, the Foundation is working on raising the final $11,000 toward its fundraising goal. Soon library staff will begin inviting children and caregivers to check out extra toys and books to help empty the shelves and to give kids plenty to read and play with during the closure. A grand reopening is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5. The following Saturday, Dec. 12 is being held as a backup date.
Summer Reading Program. After a banner year in 2025, when participation in the Summer Reading Program was up in nearly every age category, this year’s participation was somewhat lower in most categories. However, the West Duluth Branch bucked the trend. The overall totals there were not as large as they were at the other two locations, but they were up in nearly every category as compared to last year. In total, 792 people completed the 2026 Summer Reading Program among DPL’s three locations. Last year 830 people completed it. This year participants read a total of 1,922,693 minutes. Last year the total was 1,934,139.
Walk-up Window. As you may know, a walk-up window was installed at the Main Library a few years ago during the covid pandemic. The window continues to be used by library patrons who want to make a quick stop to pick up their holds. Now patrons can designate the walk-up window as their hold pickup location. Knowing which items will be picked up at the window vs. at the regular hold shelf streamlines the workflow for staff. Also, having the walk-up window appear as an option when placing holds has increased its usage.
Passwords for Libby. Beginning October 1, patrons who use the Libby app will need to log in with a password or PIN in order to access their account. The requirement is being implemented by OverDrive/Libby to ensure users’ privacy and security. Library staff are preparing people for the change with handouts and social media posts. Patrons can call or stop by any location to set up or change a password on their library account.