<< Return to About the Library
Annual Report
2006 — Always a work in progress
And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud
was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. —Anais Nin
DIRECTOR’S NOTES:
We live with the hand that’s dealt us. That is the story of most public libraries. In the face of this reality, managers, PR departments, and staff relentlessly work to engage as much community goodwill as possible so that people will see what treasures we hold and so they may understand that public libraries are invaluable in a free society.
I had to take a back seat this past year because of a personal medical emergency. It is because of the goodwill of our Friends of the Middletown Public Library and the dedication and professionalism of this library staff that my absence made barely a ripple on the smoothness of day-to-day operations. Most noteworthy were the help and support of Borough Council, the Borough Manager, Department Managers and Borough staff. I had always known that the community is supportive of our Library. Now we are truly part of the Borough departmental structure, an alliance that had previously been avoided despite the Borough’s ownership of this institution. This newfound status has brought a sense of camaraderie and give us the peace of knowing that, whatever the future has in store, we will not face it alone but with a strong set of allies.
Stephanie Liva, Director
How we met our 2006 goals
Continue increasing DVD and audiobook collections. We have significantly increased both of these collections. Our audiobook collection was given a great boost through our District affiliation. Capital Area Library District purchased NetLibrary’s e-Audiobooks. Now patrons of each of the district libraries may download e-audiobooks from the NetLibrary/Recorded Books website.
Catalog and display music CDs. While our intentions were good, this was an area of the collection we simply haven’t had time to develop. Ordering and cataloging are the major concern; however, space is also an issue. With some judicious rearranging of furnishings, we may be able to make space for a browser and begin a small collection in 2007.
Set up Young Adult area with appropriate materials and furnishings. This was probably our most significant achievement in 2006. By expanding the Graphic Novel and Young Adult collections, we started to cultivate teen interest in the library. We also set aside a small area that is specifically for teen users, which seems to be more appealing than leaving teen collections in the children’s room. In addition, we invited teens to come to the Library to play Dungeons & Dragons. This began a weekly trend that has not abated. It is so gratifying to see adolescents and older teens coming to the Library for social interaction. It is even more gratifying to see so many boys taking an interest in visiting this Library.
Launch redesigned Library webpages. The website was entirely redesigned and we added more content while endeavoring to keep navigation simple.
Continue cultivating membership in Friends group and hold elections. The Friends of Middletown Public Library sponsored both book sales, were instrumental in planning the end-of-summer picnic, provided funding and gifts for Summer Reading Club prizes, sponsored several adult programs, spearheaded a campaign to collect paperback books for active-duty military personnel, and promoted the library with some fundraising from a vendor booth at the first annual Middletown Fall Fest. Leadership of the Friends changed when the longtime members of the executive board voted to place willing volunteers into leadership positions, in accordance with bylaws. Newly appointed officers are Scott Fitzpatrick, Chair; John Ziats, Vice-Chair; Lori McGarvey, Treasurer; and Paula Shelton, Treasurer. The next general election will be open to all members of the Friends. It will be scheduled for May 2007.
Sponsor one program a month for adults — Sponsor one program quarterly for teens. Dungeons and Dragons, a teen program has become so popular that the group meets at least once a week. We also had a “Teens Reading to Kids” program as part of the Summer Reading Club 2006 weekly programming.
We did not sponsor one program a month for adults, but we did hold more programs than in the past—thanks to the sponsorship of The Friends of Middletown Public Library, who both chose and underwrote several programs during the winter season.
Hold end-of-summer picnic in Hoffer Park to establish it as an annual event. The Friends of Middletown Public Library underwrote and planned this major culminating event to Summer Reading Club. It was the second year and we hope to continue it for many years to come.
Increase number of outreach visits to schools, especially Middle School.
With the “No Child Left Behind” requirements, schools have been
unwilling to allow time for activities other than those that are
curriculum related. While our Youth Services Specialist has been
invited to some schools, she has not been able to make the more regular
visits we had hoped for.
Two-Year Statistical Comparison
61,316 times items were checked out 55.108 times items were checked out
2,863 items added to the collection 3,219 items added to the collection
4,184 items withdrawn from the collection 6,414 items withdrawn from the collection
6,914 reference questions answered 6,637 reference questions answered
11,527 uses of public computers 9,140 uses of public computers
3,811 items loaned to other libraries 3,333 items loaned to other libraries
3,542 items borrowed from other libraries 2,577 items borrowed from other libraries
963 people joined the library 924 people joined the library
58,987 visits to the library 54,180 visits to the library
Other items of note in 2006
-
State aid increased from $33,833 to $35,016. Income from fundraising and gifts: $12,023.
-
Total operating expenses: $321,860 compared to $342,213 in 2005.
-
Operating cost per capita (pop. 9,242): $34.83.
-
Increased number of public internet PCs from 5 to 7.
-
Staff changes:
Leaving for greener pastures: Andrea Huff, Youth Services Specialist; Sara Leach and Katie Slabonik—Library Aides.
New arrivals: Tara Dowell, Youth Services Specialist; David Ferrari, Heather Reardon, and Nidia Werner—Library Aides.
Borough Council voted to increase hours for the Youth Services Specialist to full time. -
Board members: Ruth Shank, Chair; Shirley Clouser, Vice-Chair; Rebecca Dolan, Treasurer; Karen Joseph, Assistant Treasurer; Nicole Henderson, Secretary; Nancy Taxweiler; and Priscilla Reid.
-
As part of our effort to integrate our activities into those of the Borough and take advantage of the expertise of Borough staff, the Library Board voted to place accounting activities into the hands of the Borough’s Finance Office.
Goals for 2007: Redesign and renovate some of the interior spaces of the Library — Catalog and display music CDs — Form partnership with the Middletown Recreation Department — Increase use of circulating collection by children ages 8-12 — Install wireless internet network