New programs, upcoming restroom renovations and a library essay contest were among the topics discussed at the Bradford Area Public Library’s annual report to the community on Monday.

Among the speakers was new youth services librarian Debbie Deane, who said she left a position as the director of the Mount Jewett Memorial Library to take the job in Bradford.

Deane said she was quite “impressed with what I’ve seen in my 17 days (as youth services librarian),” saying she appreciated the offerings at the Bradford library.

Deane added that she has “a lot of great ideas” for future youth programs and shared three of them: a trivia competition called Battle of the Books; a Letter Box program, a treasure hunt-type program in which items will be hidden in town and the library will be the home base; and a photography club.

She noted she would like to hold an adult trivia night after the holidays, too.

For anyone who wants to help the local library, Deane recommends they share their library-related experiences with others, volunteer, attend fundraisers and ask political candidates if they support libraries.

For her part, library executive director Lacey Love talked about adult and teen programs, restroom updates that will be funded with a Keystone grant and an upcoming fundraiser.

With the hiring of an adult programming and marketing coordinator, a position filled by Colette Roessler, there has been a significant increase in the number of adult programs and groups — such as the Chess Club and Creative Share — and about a 50 percent increase in attendance. Escape room and art programs have been so popular the library plans to bring them back this winter. A Susan B. Anthony re-enactor will be coming in March for Women’s History Month.

Among the teen programs was a visit in April by New York Times bestselling young adult author Julie Murphy, said Love. The library wants to bring another author next April, and they are open to suggestions. The teens are planning another trip to New York City, too.

Love said the Bradford library was one of only 27 libraries this year to receive a Keystone grant, which the local library will use to renovate the restrooms and add a gender neutral family restroom.

Finally, Love invited the community to Taste of Bradford at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Bradford Masonic Lodge. There will be food from nine vendors, along with a silent auction and cash bar. Cost is $25 per person.

Bob Esch, the library board vice president who introduced the speakers at the event, noted that Love and library representatives from across McKean County have started a new outreach initiative. He explained they talked to the McKean County commissioners on behalf of libraries.

Board treasurer Amy Fox talked about the library’s financial status.

“It’s really important for us to be really transparent so all of you know we’re good stewards of monies given at the library,” she explained.

Fox said that in 2017, the library had an operational income of $375,000 and expenses of $357,000. Of that $375,000, only 40 percent comes from government entities, municipalities and schools. The rest, she said, comes from fundraising, memorials, patrol fees, fines and copy expenses.

That funding is divided up for expenses such as salaries, contract labor, materials, building expenses, technology and programming.

Fox said, “It’s really important for the community to tell the story “How does the library impact you?”

In fact, to open up the conversation in the community on the importance of local libraries, the library recently held an essay contest that asked people to write how the library has influenced them. Board secretary Lorna Smith read the winning essays in both the adult and youth categories.

“It is no secret I have a deep love of libraries,” wrote adult winner Rebekah Cramer. “Rows upon rows of books want to whisk me into another world. Books full of friends who seem incredibly similar to me, as well as ones who I have to work to know and understand.”

For Cramer, the Bradford library in particular has not just influenced her, but her children, too.

“My heart swells thinking of the countless hours my kids have spent under your roof,” she stated. Her children “associate the library with discover, joy, friendship, and love.”

In her essay, sixth-grader Caleigh Rosler wrote, “This library is amazing. I often think of it as a place that houses not just books, but portals to other worlds.”

Caleigh continued by describing the programs in which she takes part, and stated, “Most of all, I love the crazy mixture of cultures, art, and writings that influence the library and its atmosphere.”

The “snapshot” of the library’s achievements in the past year concluded with remarks from board chairperson Tina Martin, who said she hopes the guests will be leaving “with a renewed sense of the library’s importance.”