Executive Order Threatens Future of Inter-Library Loan and Downloadable Books

The future of some library services in New Hampshire are at risk following a Presidential Executive Order issued Friday, March 14, 2025 that calls for the reduction and elimination of functions of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). In New Hampshire, IMLS provides $1.3-$1.5 million annually to fund the state’s interlibrary loan program, allowing libraries to borrow books and other materials from other libraries and provide these to residents, book club participants, researchers, and homebound individuals. 

The reduction or elimination of IMLS funding will greatly impact Moultonborough and all New Hampshire residents. In 2024, The Moultonborough Public Library provided 1,739 items to our patrons through interlibrary loan. The State Library also uses IMLS money to provide Talking Book services to residents who are visually or otherwise impaired in a way that prevents them from reading print books. Libby, the ebook, downloadable audiobook, and digital magazine platform, is also provided in part by IMLS funding. In 2024, Moultonborough Public Library patrons borrowed more than 12,000 books and magazines through Libby, accounting for 19% of the library’s total circulation.

Comments on this matter can be addressed to State Officials through this petition: https://forms.gle/sEBo5nm3VaB78TB77.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

 

 

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Josianne Fitzgerald, Moultonborough Adult Services Librarian, Receives the READS Award of Excellence

Award of Excellence Presented to Moultonborough Librarian
By Reese Lincoln

The READS Award of Excellence is meant to recognize a library worker whose exceptional contributions have improved their library’s services to adults. The New Hampshire Library Association presents the award to one individual from across the state annually, and this year, the recipient is Josianne Fitzgerald.

Josianne has been a librarian at the Moultonborough Public Library for the past two years, and in that time, her dedication and thoughtfulness in her job have made a huge impact to the benefit of the community.

The expansive help Jossiane provides to all patrons in the library has been essential to the supportive Moultonborough Public Library environment. She has been instrumental in providing community members with a vast range of technological support. She is prepared and glad to help patrons one-on-one with their queries. Josianne, alert to the
population’s needs, also teaches group classes on everything from using Google Docs to the age of AI.

In addition, Josianne’s fluidity of both English and Spanish and experience as a former conference translator is a unique asset that has helped open up the community. She has translated the application for the library’s donation program of warm clothes and toys for the holiday season, and this year she worked with a local astrophysicist to translate her program about the solar eclipse. Her services are invaluable to the community, and her engagement has provided a sense of belonging for all.

Among the many reasons Josianne received this award, prominent is her compassion towards the community. Josianne has spearheaded a growing number of wellness and health programs, including a diabetes-friendly recipe club and has supported a dementia caretakers weekly support group. This year, the library was given a grant to provide programs coordinated by Josianne with a health educator from Granite VNA. These programs include a health book club called “Wellness Reads,” as well as a series of Tales and Travel Memories events, which provide a connection opportunity to those living with dementia.

Josianne has served as a librarian across the world, in countries including China and Egypt, but her colleagues are certainly glad that she has ended up here in New Hampshire. Her coworkers are thrilled to see Josianne get the credit and attention they know she deserves. Brittany Durgin, the Moultonborough Public Library director, states, “Josianne is an asset to the communities she serves and is a wealth of knowledge for those of us who work with her.”

 

Artist of the Month

Cheryl King is our artist of the month in April. Stop by to see her beautiful paintings in the Program Room this month. 

Artist Bio:

Cheryl is a third generation artist who has studied both known and unknown artists over her lifetime. Currently her preferred mediums are watercolor and oils with a realistic or impressionistic style. Her paintings are typically inspired by the beauty surrounding her in her home town of Groton, Massachusetts, her second home at Lake Winnipesaukee, or by travels she has experienced with her husband and two children. Other areas that energize her creativity are Cape Cod and The Islands where she has been blessed to spend extensive time with family and friends.