Well, we are half way through the year and the Library is doing fantastic. Total circulation counts for June was a record 27,984 items. Youth Services had a one-day record of 850 items checked out. Reference also saw increases compared to the prior year, as did just about every metric we track.
The recent issue of Family Circle Magazine lists Morton Grove as a top ten place to raise a family. Such a ranking is an indication of good strong demographic and economic trends that mean continued growth for the village. Village Hall now estimates an additional 1,600 people live in Morton Grove due to condominium s recently built south of Lincoln Ave. The impact can be seen in the steady climb in Circulation and the increasing use of Youth Services.
On July 2nd our new Young Adult Services Librarian, Liz Kaiz, started. She will be reporting to Terry Cary to continue the outreach efforts with the teens of Morton Grove. Liz will also be assisting with adult reference during after school hours to help transition teens to adult services.
Several policy changes will be recommended to the Board tonight. One deals with the Library’s Reciprocal Borrowing Program service to non-residents to place our policies more in-line with those of the North Suburban Library System, of which MGPL is a part. Another applies a benefit more fairly and one brings policy inline with practice. All of the policy recommendations will improve either the employment environment or Library operations.
Libraries are more than just collections of materials; they are both social and reflective spaces. Sometimes the chance to ponder can be improved with an unlikely venue. The Bathroom Poetry Project is an opportunity for patrons to ponder the written word is an unlikely yet private space. As you discus entering into an agreement with the Bathroom Poetry Project consider that poetry is often where you find it and not where you think it should be.
The fundraising study with ESC is underway. Several Trustees have already participated in the interviews. Thank you. To successfully complete the study phase of the project two Trustees are needed to help constitute the Library’s portion of the project committee. The time demands are small, but the benefit to the Library will be significant.
The need to address the shortcomings of the library building is apparent. The Board studied this issue in detail last year and I will gladly review the lessons learned if asked. Taking the broad prospective the Board needs to address one question before all others. Are the Trustees in agreement that the existing building is inadequate to meet community needs for the foreseeable future? If the answer is yes then there are at least four replacement options to be considered.
Remodel the existing building to address current shortcomings.
Build new library in present location by demolishing the building.
Acquire an existing building and reconfigure it to meet library needs for as far into the future as the Board thinks appropriate.
Acquire vacant land and build to suit.
All options must be considered in the light of cost, length of time to acquire and develop, current and future needs of the community, impact on delivery of library services during construction, availability of parking, and accessibility of location, to name a few considerations.
With a growing population for the first time in several decades, a Library Board, Village Board and Administration that recognize the power of a library to benefit the whole community, now is the best moment for Morton Grove to build its new Library. This Board has the expertise, experience and will to successfully recreate MGPL.
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2 comments:
anything ever come of that bathroom poetry project? sounds interesting.
Unfortunately, no. The first round of poems were not really suitable and they have not supplied any new material since then.
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