Summer library program breaks attendance record

A record number of 445 registered participants at Forsyth Public Library for this year’s summer reading program highlighted growing concerns about staffing and space limitations.

During a recent Board meeting, trustee and Library Committee chair Larry Reed described the situation as the library being “...the victim of their own success.”

Some programs exceeded 100 in attendance. “There were 171 children and 51 adults who came to the June 23 program [held in the community center] with the magician,” said Head Librarian Jean Campbell. She attributed participation to “...a combination of our slate of programs and interest on the part of the parents to maintain their children’s language skills through the summer with an emphasis on the library and reading. I also read this as approval of the job the library is doing.” Campbell said, noting that Reed’s comment underscores an “emerging problem” not limited to this year’s record numbers.

She said library staff continues to meet the high expectations of the community, but worries “...about the growth of the summer programs and the library’s ability to keep providing so much for so many.”

The Library Committee continued discussions on space considerations and the summer reading programs during an Aug. 19 meeting.

“The question of room capacity for the kinds of programs we present is an unsettled issue,” Campbell said.