Playaway Audiobooks come to the Library.
One of our most important goals is to make the library as accessible as possible to the greatest number of people. But we recognize that the very technology that makes it possible for us to distribute content easily and cheaply can be a real obstacle for some patrons. For example, while many patrons are using the MyMediaMall service of downloadable e-books and audio books if you don’t have a computer or MP3 device you can’t take advantage of it.
Our new Playaway Digital Audio book players could be just thing for you. Playaways are preloaded, single-title audio book players that are as simple to use as pressing a button. They circulate just like books and the only thing you need to supply is an AA battery and a set of headphones or ear buds. (And if you need either of those items, you can get them at the Circulation desk for a small fee.)
Our first collection includes Children’s, Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction and Language titles. If Playaways circulate as we expect them to, we’ll expand the collection. Come in and give one a try. They are simple, portable and free.
New Activity Room opens
As part of the ongoing effort to squeeze every last bit of public space out of this building, the Local History Room has been transformed into a bright new Activity Room. Primarily this space is for programs, story times and other Youth Services events. But it can be easily reconfigured for Teen and Adult purposes. Photos of a recent Playtime Class can be seen on the MGPL Parents blog here http://mgplparents.blogspot.com/
The Local History Collection is now housed in a more secure space on the other side of the Library.
Why Video Games in the Library?
We are sometimes asked why we provide video games to our younger patrons. Well, games are additional ways to tell stories and engage in learning. And because video games appeal to the traditionally under-served population of teenagers, we felt it was worthwhile to explore using them. The Dance, Dance Revolution (DDR) competitions, we’ve offered in the past year were a big hit with teens. The Playtstation 2 games, which we have recently begun to circulate, have been wildly popular, and we’re looking forward to hosting Guitar Hero competitions in the near future. Youth Services has recently added X Box games to the collection.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
MGPL 2007 Budget Line Item Explanation
As required by State statute the Morton Grove Public Library annually produces a new budget to guide operations and services for the next year. Like the Village the Library operates on a calendar year fiscal cycle. The BUDGET NOTES document is produced to provide a simple narrative explaining each line item and, if appropriate, data on any change compared to 2006. Generally a large document like this is not published to a blog. However, I feel the importance out weighs the negatives.
How to read this document.
The budget is divided into two main sections - REVENUES and EXPENSES. REVENUES is further divided into line items each with a name and number such as "Replacement taxes - 3110". The name is just that while the number corresponds to the account number in the Library's financial system.
EXPENSES, because it covers a much larger number of items, is first divided into broad categories of spending - PERSONNEL and then into line items each with a name and number. For some categories the total is given instead of an amount for each line item.
MORTON GROVE PUBLIC LIBRARY
FISCAL YEAR 2007
BUDGET NOTES
REVENUES
Property tax receipts - 3100
$2,406,099
Set after necessary expenditures and other revenues
are projected. A 7.5% increase compared to 2006.
Replacement taxes - 3110
$20,000
Allocated by Village according to state statute; tax is
replacement for the personal property tax of 1976.
No change from 2006.
Fines - 3200
$24,000
Fees for overdue materials. No change from 2006
Lost Materials Payments - 3210
$2,800
Fees for non-returned materials. No change from 2006
Photocopy/Printing Receipts - 3800
$4,500
Fees for patron photocopies and computer printouts. No change from 2006
Miscellaneous Income - 3900
$0
Includes non-resident fees, determined by state formula. MGPL calculated fee for 2006-2007 is $273; account also includes fees for computer disks; replacement library cards. No change from 2006.
AV Rental Receipts - 3910
$1,200
Fees for rental of videos and DVDs ($1 for 1 wk. circulation) to non-residents. Changed from $15,000 in 2006. The application of this fee to resident borrowers was stopped in 2006.
Grants - 3920
$ 27,500
Includes per capita grant estimated at $1.25 per capita, allocated by the Illinois State Library. The typical grant amount is in the $28,000 range. For 2007 these funds will be used for two part time positions, one professional in Youth Services and one non-professional to assist with programs and public relations.
Interest Income - 3930
$56,192
Projected returns on funds deposited in Illinois Funds and other financial institutions. Increased from 2006, $31,192.
Book Sale Receipts - 3940
$4,000
Revenue from book sale conducted by library volunteers. No change from 2006.
EXPENDITURES
PERSONNEL
Total Salaries: $1,335,072
Includes $51,349 for salary increase (4%).
Professional Salaries - 4010
Salaries for full time professional staff. 12 FTE. Decrease from 2006, $15,318.
Support Staff - 4020
Salaries for part time staff. 17.3 FTE; 35 employees. Includes salaries of two part time staff from Per Capita Grant at $12,698 each ($25,396). Includes one new part time Reference librarian. Increase from 2006, $21,619, due to grant positions. Add one part time reference librarian, $16,00 with reallocated funds from 2006.
Custodial Staff - 4030
Salaries for Full time and part time custodial staff. 3.29 FTE; 4 employees. Decrease from 2006, $2,303.
Retirement - 4050
$125,000
Includes participation in retirement plan with the Village of Morton Grove or the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Decrease from 2006, $35,280.
Health Insurance - 4060
$220,484
Based on broker’s projection, PPO and HMO coverage for 20 employees. Increase from 2006, $25,477.
Long Term Disability - 4070
$2,200
Coverage included as part of Village of MG plan for 22 full-time employees. No change from 2006.
Life Insurance - 4080
$2,182
Coverage for 22 participants. Increase of 5% from 2006, $104.
PATRON MATERIALS & SERVICES
Total Books: $155,000
Books--Adult - 5010
Books–Youth Services - 5011
Fiction, nonfiction, reference and other print materials for Adult and Youth Services. Decrease from 2006, $17,000.
Downloadable Books – 5012
$4,100
Includes MyMediaMall, AskAway (24 hr. Reference), Digital Past, NorthStarNet and E-Books Access charges. In 2006 this line included only MyMediaMall. Decrease from 2006, $1,900.
Periodicals - 5020
$28,700
Added publications balanced by dropped and ceased publications, allows for new titles while maintaining same spending level. Decrease from 2006, $1,500.
Total Audiovisuals: $50,700
Adult - 5030
Includes audiobooks on CD and MP3 audiobooks and popular and classical music CDs. No change from 2006. Add $2,500 for PlayAway audio books.
Youth Services - 5031
Includes CD-ROMS, compact discs, kits, audiobooks and Circulating video games. Increase from 2006, $1,000. Add $2,500 for PlayAway audio books.
Microforms - 5050
Includes ongoing filming of current issues of MG Champion by Illinois State Historical Library; and microfilming of Time magazine. Decrease from 2006, $600.
DVDs - 5100
Expenditures for VHS and DVD movies. Circulating video games for Teen collection. Decrease from 2006, $1,500.
Total Programs: $34,500
Adult - 5300
Includes funding for entertainment & educational programs, computer training programs and summer reading programs; incentives, prizes, consumables/refreshments, and teen activities. Decrease from 2006, $2000. Add $2,000 to restore to 2006 level.
Youth Services - 5301
Includes funding for special outside presenters, prizes and refreshments. No change from 2006. Add $2,000.
Photocopier Acquisitions & Maintenance - 5400
$12,000
Reflects contractual leasing costs and supplies for 3 copiers. No change from 2006.
Computer System - 6090
$51,163
Includes SIRSI annual maintenance; LAN maintenance; various software upgrades; computers replacements. Decrease from 2006, $9,837.
Database Access Charges - 6300
$77,396
Includes funding for OCLC’s international bibliographic database and various reference databases. Decrease from 2006, $3,203.
OPERATIONS
Total Maintenance: $72,000
Building & Grounds Maintenance - 7010
Includes expenditures for elevator maintenance, exterminator, emergency services, electrical, landscaping, plumbing, janitorial/cleaning supplies, snow removal, carpet cleaning, parking lot and leased parking. Increase from 2006, $4,000.
Equipment/Machinery Maintenance - 7030
Includes contractual maintenance of HVAC system, alarm system, sprinkler system, car, and fire extinguishers. No change from 2006.
Equipment/Furniture Acquisitions - 7040
$32,000
Includes expenditures for miscellaneous equipment and office furniture, shelving, office chairs, etc. Decrease from 2006, $3,000. Add $5,0000.
Utilities - 7060
$18,700
Includes water and gas expenses. Increase of 10% from 2006.
Insurance - 7080
$35,462
Includes multi-peril package and worker’s comp. Increase of 10% from 2006.
Library Supplies - 8000
$28,000
Includes expenditures for office supplies (stationery, pens, binders) and library supplies such as book covers, labels. No change from 2006. Add $4,000.
Telephone - 8010
$12,500
Includes costs for key telephone system ISDN line; 2 business lines; long distance; 1 cellular phone. Increase from 2006, $1,500.
Postage - 8020
$11,000
Includes mailing of newsletter and various public information items, such as correspondence, overdue notices, MatchBook, etc. No change from 2006.
Printing - 8030
$33,000
Reflects costs for newsletter and printing of data mailers, new service brochures, etc. Increase from 2006, $5,000.
Continuing Education/Meetings - 8050
$19,000
Includes funding for various meetings/conferences–NSLS sponsored CE, ALA Conference/ Chicago, PLA Symposium, Reaching Forward Conference, Illinois Library Conference, and SIRSI SuperConference. No change from 2006. Add $4,000.
Memberships - 8080
$6,000
Includes institutional, trustee and administrative memberships in library associations, LACONI, and the MG Chamber of Commerce. Increase from 2006, $2,000.
Professional Services - 8130
$15,000
Includes funding for financial assistance; payroll services and increased legal counsel. Increase from 2006, $1,000. Add $4,000.
Consultant Services - 8140
$24,000
Includes funding for actuary and misc. consulting. No change from 2006. Add $14,000 to fund special projects..
Miscellaneous - 8150
$500
No change from 2006.
Facilities Planning/Building - 8160
$30,000
Reserve for building renovation and/or new construction. Not paid from levy.
Reserve for Extraordinary & Emergency Expenditures - 8170
$33,000
Decrease from 2006, $10,000. Add $3,000.
SPECIAL TAXES
FICA - 9010
$105,237
Social Security/Medicare contributions. Increase from 2006, $859. Add $1,000.
Annual Audit - 9020
$4,000
No change from 2006.
Tort Liability - 9030
$17,000
Includes auto, directors & officers, umbrella and surety bond coverage. No change from 2006.
How to read this document.
The budget is divided into two main sections - REVENUES and EXPENSES. REVENUES is further divided into line items each with a name and number such as "Replacement taxes - 3110". The name is just that while the number corresponds to the account number in the Library's financial system.
EXPENSES, because it covers a much larger number of items, is first divided into broad categories of spending - PERSONNEL and then into line items each with a name and number. For some categories the total is given instead of an amount for each line item.
MORTON GROVE PUBLIC LIBRARY
FISCAL YEAR 2007
BUDGET NOTES
REVENUES
Property tax receipts - 3100
$2,406,099
Set after necessary expenditures and other revenues
are projected. A 7.5% increase compared to 2006.
Replacement taxes - 3110
$20,000
Allocated by Village according to state statute; tax is
replacement for the personal property tax of 1976.
No change from 2006.
Fines - 3200
$24,000
Fees for overdue materials. No change from 2006
Lost Materials Payments - 3210
$2,800
Fees for non-returned materials. No change from 2006
Photocopy/Printing Receipts - 3800
$4,500
Fees for patron photocopies and computer printouts. No change from 2006
Miscellaneous Income - 3900
$0
Includes non-resident fees, determined by state formula. MGPL calculated fee for 2006-2007 is $273; account also includes fees for computer disks; replacement library cards. No change from 2006.
AV Rental Receipts - 3910
$1,200
Fees for rental of videos and DVDs ($1 for 1 wk. circulation) to non-residents. Changed from $15,000 in 2006. The application of this fee to resident borrowers was stopped in 2006.
Grants - 3920
$ 27,500
Includes per capita grant estimated at $1.25 per capita, allocated by the Illinois State Library. The typical grant amount is in the $28,000 range. For 2007 these funds will be used for two part time positions, one professional in Youth Services and one non-professional to assist with programs and public relations.
Interest Income - 3930
$56,192
Projected returns on funds deposited in Illinois Funds and other financial institutions. Increased from 2006, $31,192.
Book Sale Receipts - 3940
$4,000
Revenue from book sale conducted by library volunteers. No change from 2006.
EXPENDITURES
PERSONNEL
Total Salaries: $1,335,072
Includes $51,349 for salary increase (4%).
Professional Salaries - 4010
Salaries for full time professional staff. 12 FTE. Decrease from 2006, $15,318.
Support Staff - 4020
Salaries for part time staff. 17.3 FTE; 35 employees. Includes salaries of two part time staff from Per Capita Grant at $12,698 each ($25,396). Includes one new part time Reference librarian. Increase from 2006, $21,619, due to grant positions. Add one part time reference librarian, $16,00 with reallocated funds from 2006.
Custodial Staff - 4030
Salaries for Full time and part time custodial staff. 3.29 FTE; 4 employees. Decrease from 2006, $2,303.
Retirement - 4050
$125,000
Includes participation in retirement plan with the Village of Morton Grove or the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Decrease from 2006, $35,280.
Health Insurance - 4060
$220,484
Based on broker’s projection, PPO and HMO coverage for 20 employees. Increase from 2006, $25,477.
Long Term Disability - 4070
$2,200
Coverage included as part of Village of MG plan for 22 full-time employees. No change from 2006.
Life Insurance - 4080
$2,182
Coverage for 22 participants. Increase of 5% from 2006, $104.
PATRON MATERIALS & SERVICES
Total Books: $155,000
Books--Adult - 5010
Books–Youth Services - 5011
Fiction, nonfiction, reference and other print materials for Adult and Youth Services. Decrease from 2006, $17,000.
Downloadable Books – 5012
$4,100
Includes MyMediaMall, AskAway (24 hr. Reference), Digital Past, NorthStarNet and E-Books Access charges. In 2006 this line included only MyMediaMall. Decrease from 2006, $1,900.
Periodicals - 5020
$28,700
Added publications balanced by dropped and ceased publications, allows for new titles while maintaining same spending level. Decrease from 2006, $1,500.
Total Audiovisuals: $50,700
Adult - 5030
Includes audiobooks on CD and MP3 audiobooks and popular and classical music CDs. No change from 2006. Add $2,500 for PlayAway audio books.
Youth Services - 5031
Includes CD-ROMS, compact discs, kits, audiobooks and Circulating video games. Increase from 2006, $1,000. Add $2,500 for PlayAway audio books.
Microforms - 5050
Includes ongoing filming of current issues of MG Champion by Illinois State Historical Library; and microfilming of Time magazine. Decrease from 2006, $600.
DVDs - 5100
Expenditures for VHS and DVD movies. Circulating video games for Teen collection. Decrease from 2006, $1,500.
Total Programs: $34,500
Adult - 5300
Includes funding for entertainment & educational programs, computer training programs and summer reading programs; incentives, prizes, consumables/refreshments, and teen activities. Decrease from 2006, $2000. Add $2,000 to restore to 2006 level.
Youth Services - 5301
Includes funding for special outside presenters, prizes and refreshments. No change from 2006. Add $2,000.
Photocopier Acquisitions & Maintenance - 5400
$12,000
Reflects contractual leasing costs and supplies for 3 copiers. No change from 2006.
Computer System - 6090
$51,163
Includes SIRSI annual maintenance; LAN maintenance; various software upgrades; computers replacements. Decrease from 2006, $9,837.
Database Access Charges - 6300
$77,396
Includes funding for OCLC’s international bibliographic database and various reference databases. Decrease from 2006, $3,203.
OPERATIONS
Total Maintenance: $72,000
Building & Grounds Maintenance - 7010
Includes expenditures for elevator maintenance, exterminator, emergency services, electrical, landscaping, plumbing, janitorial/cleaning supplies, snow removal, carpet cleaning, parking lot and leased parking. Increase from 2006, $4,000.
Equipment/Machinery Maintenance - 7030
Includes contractual maintenance of HVAC system, alarm system, sprinkler system, car, and fire extinguishers. No change from 2006.
Equipment/Furniture Acquisitions - 7040
$32,000
Includes expenditures for miscellaneous equipment and office furniture, shelving, office chairs, etc. Decrease from 2006, $3,000. Add $5,0000.
Utilities - 7060
$18,700
Includes water and gas expenses. Increase of 10% from 2006.
Insurance - 7080
$35,462
Includes multi-peril package and worker’s comp. Increase of 10% from 2006.
Library Supplies - 8000
$28,000
Includes expenditures for office supplies (stationery, pens, binders) and library supplies such as book covers, labels. No change from 2006. Add $4,000.
Telephone - 8010
$12,500
Includes costs for key telephone system ISDN line; 2 business lines; long distance; 1 cellular phone. Increase from 2006, $1,500.
Postage - 8020
$11,000
Includes mailing of newsletter and various public information items, such as correspondence, overdue notices, MatchBook, etc. No change from 2006.
Printing - 8030
$33,000
Reflects costs for newsletter and printing of data mailers, new service brochures, etc. Increase from 2006, $5,000.
Continuing Education/Meetings - 8050
$19,000
Includes funding for various meetings/conferences–NSLS sponsored CE, ALA Conference/ Chicago, PLA Symposium, Reaching Forward Conference, Illinois Library Conference, and SIRSI SuperConference. No change from 2006. Add $4,000.
Memberships - 8080
$6,000
Includes institutional, trustee and administrative memberships in library associations, LACONI, and the MG Chamber of Commerce. Increase from 2006, $2,000.
Professional Services - 8130
$15,000
Includes funding for financial assistance; payroll services and increased legal counsel. Increase from 2006, $1,000. Add $4,000.
Consultant Services - 8140
$24,000
Includes funding for actuary and misc. consulting. No change from 2006. Add $14,000 to fund special projects..
Miscellaneous - 8150
$500
No change from 2006.
Facilities Planning/Building - 8160
$30,000
Reserve for building renovation and/or new construction. Not paid from levy.
Reserve for Extraordinary & Emergency Expenditures - 8170
$33,000
Decrease from 2006, $10,000. Add $3,000.
SPECIAL TAXES
FICA - 9010
$105,237
Social Security/Medicare contributions. Increase from 2006, $859. Add $1,000.
Annual Audit - 9020
$4,000
No change from 2006.
Tort Liability - 9030
$17,000
Includes auto, directors & officers, umbrella and surety bond coverage. No change from 2006.
Director's Report to Library Trustees for February 2007
February has shaped up to be a pretty busy month for MGPL. While the statistics are down from January, February is traditionally a quiet month, it was still the best ‘slow’ month over the last 26. A review of the total monthly circulation counts since January of 2005 reveals a steady increase in loans since January of 2006.
The part time Reference Librarian position has been posted.
The Director and Colleen Ringel attended the Morton Grove Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Networking Mutli-Chamber Luncheon, an excellent opportunity to talk with local small business owners and gauge their understanding of library services and ascertain their information needs. My conversations with some 20 owners revealed they have little understanding of what their local public library can offer, but they are willing to try anything that can give them an edge in marketing or improving their business. Over the next six months the Library will experiment with ways to better serve the Morton Grove small business community.
Blogs as a means of electronically communicating with out having to use the established medial outlets have been around so long even the major political parties have picked up on the techniques. MGPL has sprouted several blogs of its own recently. There is one for most every library interest group – Teen Blog, Tech Services Blog (staff only), MGPL Parents Blog, MGPL Almost Teen Blog, MGPL Reference Blog (staff only) and Sunshine Times Blog (staff only). This is a great trend as it allows staff to directly communicate with quickly and effectively. Patrons can also respond via the blogs.
With all this experimentation underway some basic order is needed. A committee of Katy Opderbeck, Natalya Fishman and Colleen Ringel are developing guidelines for branding the public blogs so they are identifiably MGPL products. Policy is being developed establishing areas of responsibility and content control. The draft policy will be presented to the Board for approval at a future date. Establishing a policy to govern and protect patron e-mail (and other electronic) communications with staff is also called for.
The ‘Activity Room’ is nearing completion and will be open to the public by the end of next week. While primarily intended for Youth Service and Young Adult Services other teams may make use of the space if called for. Once this task is complete planning will begin on the second floor changes.
The seating of the new Board will be an opportunity to address financial, managerial and long range planning issues. Fund raising, personnel policies, department organization, the role of the Library in the Morton Grove community and its impact on replacing or remodeling this building can be address now that the building can support current demands.
Several items concerning internal operations are in New Business. Your guidance will be very helpful.
Statistical Summary
Total circulation for February was 23,475 down from 26,984 last month, a 13 % decrease. February 2007 total circulation exceeded February 2006 by 11%.
Adult circulation for February was 11,474 down 18.2% compared to last month’s 14,028. It is up 9.5% compared to last February.
Youth Services circulation is up 12.4% compared to February of 2006. However the 11,975 items circulated is a 938 item decrease over last month.
The Reciprocal Borrowing Program (RBP) accounted for 3,868 items loaned to other communities or 16.5% of total circulation for the month. This is a decrease of 1,005 items compared to January. RBP circulation for February 2006 was 4,247.
Patron registrations for February are almost exactly the same as last month at 8,646 active cards, with 76 new and 102 renewals. This represents 38.5% of the Morton Grove population with active cards. While new registrations were up in February the total number of card holders increased by just 10 people.
Adult reference activity was down 6% (90 questions) compared to last February with 1,363 questions. It is also down compared to January 2007 by 342 questions.
Youth Services reference activity for the month was 817, up 11% over last February. YS answered 1,109 questions in January of 2007.
Morton Grove residents made 88 Interlibrary Loan requests (down by 15 from last month. Other libraries requested 129 items (down by 14 items from last month) from MGPL of which 60 were filled.
Online Database use, as reported by the vendors, was 1,109 users or sessions conducting 3,170 searches. Broken down by user type, 148 in-library users conducted 423 searches, 800 patrons connected remotely for 2,288 searches and staff signed on for 161 sessions and 461 searches.
Adult Internet PC usage was 691 compared to 773 in January and down -7% compared to last February. One Internet PC station was out of service for the month and is the most likely cause of the reduction in use. Youth Services Internet use was 171, down from January’s 194 and up 99% from February 2006. YS Mac/PC usage was up 40% from last year at 286 signups.
Website hits from non-staff users were 151,373 for the month (down from January by 22,012.) This is an average of 5,4063 hits per day, a 4% increase over last February.
MyMedialMall downloads were 37 for the month, up from last month by 5 with 69 year to date. Registration now totals 154 with 9 patrons joining in February.
MatchBook Select now has 740 subscribers: Children & Teen (182), Adult (454), Miscellaneous (104). Subscription increases by category are: Overall – no change, Children & Teens – no change, Adult – no change and Miscellaneous – no change. MatchBook Kids now has 31 registrations.
Program attendance was 712 for Adults, 1,429 for Youth Services totaling 2,141 for the month.
The part time Reference Librarian position has been posted.
The Director and Colleen Ringel attended the Morton Grove Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Networking Mutli-Chamber Luncheon, an excellent opportunity to talk with local small business owners and gauge their understanding of library services and ascertain their information needs. My conversations with some 20 owners revealed they have little understanding of what their local public library can offer, but they are willing to try anything that can give them an edge in marketing or improving their business. Over the next six months the Library will experiment with ways to better serve the Morton Grove small business community.
Blogs as a means of electronically communicating with out having to use the established medial outlets have been around so long even the major political parties have picked up on the techniques. MGPL has sprouted several blogs of its own recently. There is one for most every library interest group – Teen Blog, Tech Services Blog (staff only), MGPL Parents Blog, MGPL Almost Teen Blog, MGPL Reference Blog (staff only) and Sunshine Times Blog (staff only). This is a great trend as it allows staff to directly communicate with quickly and effectively. Patrons can also respond via the blogs.
With all this experimentation underway some basic order is needed. A committee of Katy Opderbeck, Natalya Fishman and Colleen Ringel are developing guidelines for branding the public blogs so they are identifiably MGPL products. Policy is being developed establishing areas of responsibility and content control. The draft policy will be presented to the Board for approval at a future date. Establishing a policy to govern and protect patron e-mail (and other electronic) communications with staff is also called for.
The ‘Activity Room’ is nearing completion and will be open to the public by the end of next week. While primarily intended for Youth Service and Young Adult Services other teams may make use of the space if called for. Once this task is complete planning will begin on the second floor changes.
The seating of the new Board will be an opportunity to address financial, managerial and long range planning issues. Fund raising, personnel policies, department organization, the role of the Library in the Morton Grove community and its impact on replacing or remodeling this building can be address now that the building can support current demands.
Several items concerning internal operations are in New Business. Your guidance will be very helpful.
Statistical Summary
Total circulation for February was 23,475 down from 26,984 last month, a 13 % decrease. February 2007 total circulation exceeded February 2006 by 11%.
Adult circulation for February was 11,474 down 18.2% compared to last month’s 14,028. It is up 9.5% compared to last February.
Youth Services circulation is up 12.4% compared to February of 2006. However the 11,975 items circulated is a 938 item decrease over last month.
The Reciprocal Borrowing Program (RBP) accounted for 3,868 items loaned to other communities or 16.5% of total circulation for the month. This is a decrease of 1,005 items compared to January. RBP circulation for February 2006 was 4,247.
Patron registrations for February are almost exactly the same as last month at 8,646 active cards, with 76 new and 102 renewals. This represents 38.5% of the Morton Grove population with active cards. While new registrations were up in February the total number of card holders increased by just 10 people.
Adult reference activity was down 6% (90 questions) compared to last February with 1,363 questions. It is also down compared to January 2007 by 342 questions.
Youth Services reference activity for the month was 817, up 11% over last February. YS answered 1,109 questions in January of 2007.
Morton Grove residents made 88 Interlibrary Loan requests (down by 15 from last month. Other libraries requested 129 items (down by 14 items from last month) from MGPL of which 60 were filled.
Online Database use, as reported by the vendors, was 1,109 users or sessions conducting 3,170 searches. Broken down by user type, 148 in-library users conducted 423 searches, 800 patrons connected remotely for 2,288 searches and staff signed on for 161 sessions and 461 searches.
Adult Internet PC usage was 691 compared to 773 in January and down -7% compared to last February. One Internet PC station was out of service for the month and is the most likely cause of the reduction in use. Youth Services Internet use was 171, down from January’s 194 and up 99% from February 2006. YS Mac/PC usage was up 40% from last year at 286 signups.
Website hits from non-staff users were 151,373 for the month (down from January by 22,012.) This is an average of 5,4063 hits per day, a 4% increase over last February.
MyMedialMall downloads were 37 for the month, up from last month by 5 with 69 year to date. Registration now totals 154 with 9 patrons joining in February.
MatchBook Select now has 740 subscribers: Children & Teen (182), Adult (454), Miscellaneous (104). Subscription increases by category are: Overall – no change, Children & Teens – no change, Adult – no change and Miscellaneous – no change. MatchBook Kids now has 31 registrations.
Program attendance was 712 for Adults, 1,429 for Youth Services totaling 2,141 for the month.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
First Floor Remodeling Completed!
After several months of furniture and computers moving around the first floor, we are pleased to say the construction is done. The first thing people notice is the brightness and spaciousness of the Internet Computer area. Then they realize that the Library has a cheerfulness that is reflected by the surrounding and the staff.
The remodeling project began on October 1, 2006 when we closed off the old Magazine Reading Room and began demolition of that space and the adjoining office space. The dark paneling was removed from the walls, and the entrance to the Reference Room was opened up with the removal of the heavy doors.
By the end of the year, the walls had been painted a light off-white, carpeting laid in the Internet Computer and Reference Desk area, and the Computers returned to their original area. In early January, the Reference Desk had been relocated to the opposite wall and staff began to move into their new workspace.
Now we are remodeling the old office spaces that some of our staff occupied for so long to provide a new Activity Room for the Library to use for programs and work on a new small meeting room for programs and meetings will start soon.
Downloadable Books and Videos
By the time you are reading this the Library will be well on the way to implementing a new service allowing patrons to download digital books for either reading or listening.
This is a chance to respond to the changing demographics of our community and provide wider access to the Library. The explosion of transit oriented housing and the increase in juvenile circulation indicates a shift to a younger and busier population. This part of the population not only wants more immediacy in service delivery, they are much more comfortable with online activities. Checking out digital or audio books from the Library’s webpage, using your own computer, PDA or MP3 player, seems a good fit with this demographic. The Library can be closed or you can be on the far side of the planet (or home in your pajamas) the materials are available at any time.
This latter benefit—not having to come to the Library building—addresses a growing concern of the Library—the fact that there are still segments of our community that are not using or being reached by the traditional library approach.
Thus our goal is no longer simply to get bodies in the door to benefit from our services, it must also be to get patrons the materials they want or need when or where they need them.
A consortium of local libraries runs the service we are looking at and we can join for such a minimal cost that our current book budgets remain unaffected. Every digital or audio book circulated is, in effect, a second copy that makes the paper copy that much more available. Since the online collection is chosen by the participating local libraries the titles should be desirable to the Morton Grove population. And for those residents with a library card, the service is free.
Digital/audio books are now a well developed, mainstream, product that has proven valuable to many library communities around the country. The service makes sense economically and in terms of reaching out to an underserved and important population without negative impact on existing services or collections. This really is something that offers great promise and is worth a try.
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