Annual Report to Members

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      As expected, the long-awaited refresh of the library had some short-term negative impacts on our revenues in 2025 by curtailing bookstore sales and limiting book sale events, as well as the membership renewals that typically accompany them. Expenses also increased as a result off support offered by the Friends to library staff to facilitate the refresh. 

      But, long-term expectations remain strong with the completion of the refresh. Let’s take a quick look at some of the numbers in more detail.

Total Income: Gross revenues for the year were $103,261 compared to $171,075 in 2024, a 39.6% decrease, with every revenue source showing some decline from the year before:

Book Sales: Total sales came in at $76,825, a 23.1% decrease. 

• Online Sales retreated somewhat from the record year in 2024 with $51,492 in gross revenues compared to $53,284 in 2024, a 3.4% decrease. But, even so, it was our second most productive year on record, as our sorters and online team mitigated the impact of an ongoing decrease in book donations by continuing to build sets of books to attract buyers. 
• Bookstore Sales were down 25.1%, at $24,092 but recovered nicely after the completion of the library refresh and re-opening of the enlarged “Chapter Two” bookstore.
• Book Sale Events revenues were $11,714, down 17.7% compared to last year, with the refresh requiring cancellation of the traditional March sale. On the positive side, 4th of July sale revenues increased by 19.7% to $8,645.

Memberships: Revenue from dues was basically flat in 2025, which is no mean feat given the cancellation of the March sale. Dues revenue in 2025 was $2,367 compared to $2,460 in 2024. The number of active members was 401 at year-end compared to 427 at the end of 2024, a decrease of 6.1%.

Donations: With no significant estate donations in 2025, revenues from donations decreased from $64,514 in 2024 to $20,392 in 2025. However, that number is still well ahead of historical trends thanks to the generosity of several anonymous donors.

Expenses: Overall expenditures were up significantly in 2025 at $122,569 compared to $66,265 in 2024 due, primarily, to increases in variable expenses for logistical and material support the Friends provided during the refresh project.  However, the team did a great job managing normal operating expenses. The increase in overall expenses and decrease in revenues—which resulted in a net loss of $19,308—were fully expected based on plans to refresh the library.

Volunteers: By design, the number of active volunteers remained steady at about 50 in 2025, with virtually no turnover. The addition of a Marketing Communications Chairperson to the board at year-end was the only significant change.

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