Librarian's Report for August 2007

The new season brings in a number of new opportunities for MGPL.

The Board is developing a Fund Development plan with our consultants and has had several productive meetings. Trustees are also actively seeking and evaluating possible locations for a new library building. Both activities hold the promise of a bright future for MGPL and demonstrate the Board’s commitment to expanding the Library’s reach in the community.

With the Village of Morton Grove having recently been named one of the ten best places to raise a family by Family Circle magazine it is only fitting that the Library be nominated for consideration in Library Journal’s ‘Best Little Library in America’ award. The award requirements are very rigorous and seek to find the public library serving a community of less that 25,000 that demonstrates exceptional services to its population. Patrons, members of Village government, the schools and the library community are participating in the creation of MGPL’s application. I think we have a very good opportunity to showcase the many programs and services offered by this library.

Closer to home the Library is participating in the Village’s first Family Fest. This whole day event will have Library staff participating with story times, sing-alongs, crafts, tattoos, games, a Guitar Hero session (for young and not so young), a book sale, on-site reference assistance and more.

Beginning October 3, the Morton Grove Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a brown bag luncheon in the Baxter Room, on the first Wednesday of every month, (except December) from noon until 1:30. The series has been scheduled for Oct. 3, Nov. 7, Jan. 2, Feb. 6, Mar. 5, April 2, May 7, and June 4.

These luncheons are open to the public and are excellent opportunities for the Library staff to show case our ability to serve the business community. Mark Pendergrass, the new director of the Chamber, will be scheduling speakers. The Chamber of Commerce will handle registration/reservations for the brown bag luncheons.

It is, once again, budget time. The increase incorporated into last year’s budget plan allowed the library to hire much needed staff, invest in technology – PC COP- that will make the public services teams much more efficient, improve HR support, purchase Play-a-way audio books, Ask-Away 24hr reference service, improvements to Books and Beyond, new furniture, creation of a new YS Activity Room and before the year is out a new computer/training space.

The goals for this year are much more modest. While keeping restricting any increase in the levy to 3-4 percent it should be possible to do the following:

• Convert one part time reference position to full time
• Retain the assistant to the Program Coordinator by moving that item to the regular budget from grants
• Retain the part time YS librarian, again by funding the position from the budget and not from grant income.
• Increase professional development funding.
• Repair the Baxter Room roof.
• Fund merit increases for staff.
• Re-configure the Reference Collection area as a quiet reading space.

A very preliminary copy of the 2008 Budget is in your packets. Only personnel cost changes are included. Department Heads are still in the process of calculating their materials and facility requests. Since the Village collects the Library’s levy, this budget’s approval must precede the final Village Budget meeting. I expect to have a final budget for 2008 ready for Board approval by the November, if not October, meeting.

Steve Larson of Ehlers & Associates, Inc. will be discussing public finance as it applies to public libraries. Mr. Larson has worked in most areas of public finance. He serves school districts, community colleges, libraries, park districts, city and villages, county governments, and special districts. His work includes the planning and sale of various types of bond/debt issues, financial planning, demographic studies and referendum and communications assistance. This is an area where the Board has clearly expressed a need for information and guidance.

Dan Berg of Sikich Professional Services and Support will also be on hand to review MGPL’s annual audit.

Finally, it is time for the Director’s annual review.