What a difference a year makes
A Special Report by York Public Library Robert Waldman
The Friends of the Library's Annual Book Sale was a big success last week. Above, book fans browse through the many volumes for sale during the benefit event.
Courtesy photo
The result is that our statistics are up, from new registrations to the number of items borrowed. Circulation is up 27 percent to 86,000 items; the number of patrons is up 12 percent; ILL-borrowed is up 182 percent and loaned is up 85 percent; public computer sessions and website visits are up 51 percent.
Our number of programs increased 54 percent and the attendance at those programs, 46 percent. Meetings, extensive and diverse programming and art exhibits continue to make the library the center of York's cultural and municipal activity.
How does one meaningfully summarize a year of significant progress in a short article?
Three new staff members were hired. Frank Dehler is outstanding as the coordinator of circulation and public services; Jeanine Means serves patrons and provides professional graphics expertise, and Kate Bell offers weekly lap-sit session and develops YA (young adult) programs and the YA collection.
A Children's and Youth Services Programs and Activities Committee
was formed, and working with librarians Kathleen Whalin, Kate Bell and Robert Waldman, added a "Tactile Toddler Time" and a monthly "Art By The Pond" activity; organized a fair that highlighted community resources for pre- school age children; prepared a monthly calendar of events distributed to our school children, and helped plan the construction of the new playhouse. This year we also made the children's area more interactive - adding a Brio table and, thanks to a grant from IBM, a "Tiny Tike" computer.
Outreach initiatives this year were extensive and impressive. Board members and the director visited every school open house, and an e-mail letter was sent to every teacher in the York Schools confirming our commitment to provide the best education for the children of York. Our "Talk to Us!" campaign encouraged the community to share their thoughts and suggestions about the library. In addition, this year we produced a brochure of library services and resources and revitalized our "Books on Call" delivery service to the homebound.
The York Public Library Technology Plan 2005-2010, completed by
Assistant Director Sudie Blanchard, included upgrading work stations and installing a new server. A campaign raised awareness of Minerva and Marvel. Wireless network access was initiated and high school students offered computer tutoring to senior citizens at the library.
Notable Library Operations Projects included designing and issuing new library cards and automating magazine circulation. Thanks to a significant private gift, the DVD collection went from dozens to over 500. Twenty-five magazines were added to the collection. YA Librarian Kate Bell enhanced the young adult collection to appeal to teenagers.
Miscellaneous: York Public Library volunteer and York High School Senior Miriam Stevens received the Friends of the Library $1,000 scholarship. The Friends of the Library Book Nook sales surpassed all expectations and allowed us to fund a variety of programs and initiatives. Shakespeare, looking suspiciously like the library director, turned up at the Middle School Shakespeare Festival.
Last but not least, the debt on the building loan has been retired. This is a major event which contributes to securing the future for the library.
Some of the challenges before us: Increase staffing and funding to enable the library to continue its services and develop new programs and initiatives; keep up with quickly developing technologies, and now that the debt has been retired, develop a fundraising plan to build a significant reserve or endowment fund to ensure the viability of the Library building and its services for generations to come.
In conclusion, these accomplishments mean most in the context of how well we serve our library patrons. An e-mail and a letter to the editor are representative of the input we have received this year.
An email through "Talk to Us!" reads, "I am an active library patron and I think you are all doing a fabulous job. Every visit to the library is a positive one. I get excited to have such a choice of books. I have utilized Minerva for requesting books from home and think that it is a great service. I am in a book club and have not had to purchase a book in quite a while. It's also convenient to be able to check my record and renew books from home. Keep up the great work."
And from a letter to the editor: "As a family with young children, we have greatly appreciated the expanded hours and wonderful programs offered by the York Public Library during the last year. In particular we've appreciated how the children's section adds more attractions and resources all the time. We have also been impressed with the library as a whole - from the computers to the comfortable seating. There are simply very few places like it, where a family can spend a whole afternoon and not spend any money."
Thanks to all of you who have helped make the York Public Library reach its fullest potential. We have come a long way in one year.
