The Library recently received special recognition in the areas of financial reporting, community spirit, and community service, and we are proud to share all this good news with you!
Financial Reporting
For the second year in a row, BALibrary has received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. During the fiscal year 2024 audit process, the Library transitioned from an Annual Financial Report to an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). This report shows our financial information alongside statistics and meaningful comparisons, Library background, and other important details. Completing the ACFR makes an organization eligible for the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
The report is the work of our Finance Manager, Lauren Rosenthal, with contributions from other key staff members, and we invite you to download and read a PDF version. Please note that the report is from the 2024-2025 fiscal year - reports must be audited before submission, and then the GFOA's review process takes approximately six months. We are proud to be one of three libraries in the state, and one of 23 libraries in the nation, recognized by the GFOA for excellence in financial reporting this year. The award program was established in 1945 to encourage and assist state and local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements in preparing annual comprehensive financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.
Community Spirit
This year's Village of Barrington 4th of July Parade was an extravaganza, with so many creative participants and lots of spirited spectators! We were honored to receive the 2026 Spirit of Barrington award from the Parade judges. The Library has played a role in the Parade many times over the years, and this was one of the biggest groups of walkers we've ever had, including employees and Board members, along their spouses, partners, children, siblings, and parents. Being recognized for our community spirit was the perfect culmination to our 100th anniversary celebration which began in 2025.
"Through her commitment to preserving our past and helping others discover it, she has enriched the Barrington area in countless ways. Thank you, Kate, for your remarkable service and for helping our community stay connected to its history."
Community Service
In June of 2026, we bid a fond and grateful farewell to Adult Services Librarian Kate Mills, who retired after more than 40 years of service. Earlier this summer, Kate was given a rare honor, the Barrington Area Development Council Community Service Award. This unique award is given to "individuals whose dedication strengthens the fabric of our community."
The Council remarked that Kate has guided thousands of residents in preserving their family histories, assisted countless local historians and organizations with research, and played a vital role in preserving Barrington's story by managing the Library's Local History collection and digital archives. Her expertise has supported everyone from local authors and historians to BADC members researching recipients of the Citizen of the Year award. She has shared her knowledge through presentations, conferences, and community organizations, and brought people together through BALibrary's annual Fandom Fest, which welcomes more than 1,500 attendees each year.
Many here at BALibrary thought of Kate as "the librarian's librarian," and her contributions to the Library and to our community will continue to make a positive impact for many generations to come.