MARBLEHEAD — The Abbot Public Library has secured approval for a small round of enhancement funding, while officials continue preparing for upcoming Town Meeting discussions and broader decisions about the library’s future.
The library’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved an application to the Shattuck Fund, a private source used for facility and service improvements.
The approximately $6,000 request, described by Library Director Kimberly Grad as “modest,” will support upgrades to the library’s physical space, including new seating in the gallery and a bike rack to improve accessibility and safety outside the building.
Grad emphasized that the funding is separate from ongoing townwide budget discussions and does not affect the library’s operational funding, which remains under consideration ahead of Town Meeting.
At the same time, library officials are preparing a coordinated public outreach effort to ensure residents understand how different funding outcomes could impact services.
“We want to make sure that everybody understands what we’re up against,” Grad said, noting the importance of clear and consistent communication with town officials before releasing additional public information.
Grad said she plans to speak at Town Meeting on May 4, where she will present “basic facts” about library services and outline how varying levels of funding would affect staffing, hours, and programming.
Library officials are also organizing community engagement efforts in the weeks leading up to the meeting, including informal gatherings and outreach events designed to connect with residents and answer questions.
As part of National Library Week, the library will launch a townwide scavenger hunt aimed at encouraging participation and highlighting library services.
The “Great Marblehead Yellow Duckie Hunt” begins Tuesday, April 21, at 1 p.m., when 50 rubber ducks with a blue ribbon will be hidden in public locations throughout town.
Participants who find a duck can return it to the library, take a photo, and receive a free book. Each participant will also be entered into a raffle for a Kindle Paperwhite.
Grad said the event is meant to bring a sense of fun and community engagement to the library’s outreach efforts.
“It’s just nice to do something whimsical and fun … and inspire engagement with the library,” she said.
The scavenger hunt will run through early May and is supported by the Friends of Abbot Public Library. Organizers say it is intended to connect residents with the library while celebrating National Library Week.
The library also plans to distribute informational materials and engage residents ahead of the meeting through a series of community conversations and events.
Additional outreach events, including informal “Coffee Fridays” and appearances at local gatherings, are also planned as the library continues to engage residents ahead of Town Meeting.
