Librarian's Report for September 2007

The Library participated in the Village’s first Family Fest. Here it is by the numbers:

421 Youth Services visitors.
246 customers for the Book Sale.
250 Tattoos applied.
100 dollars in Book Sale revenue.
52 reference questions asked and answered.
40 circulation related questions.
35 participants in the 11:00AM sing along
33 Guitar Heroes and another 75 audience members.
16 participants at the 9:00AM story time
14 new or renewed library cards.

A large number of our people stepped up to work the event. These folks made a very positive impact on residents. Adult volunteers: Joann Brelin, Ruth Budish, Pat Morath Reference Librarians Liz Kaiz, Patti Smolin, Becky Sedam and Susan McGowan. YS staff: Ronnie Rund, Debbie Wiedeman, Nani Boyce, Robina Button, Rosetta Metz, Brenda Glenn, and Terry Carey. Circulation staff: Paul Kuk, and Kelly Hanaoka. Nancy Brothers was also on site during the day. My special thanks to Terry Carey, Susan McGowan, Nancy Brothers, Virginia Castillo and Claude Covington for their indispensable efforts in organizing their staffs and making things happen.

The Morton Grove Chamber of Commerce brown bag luncheons got started last week in the Baxter Room. The Library will host these 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. The initial turn out was small, but the speaker was very well received. I expect this program will grow as word gets out to the business community.

Two new policies are included for your review. Both of these will be reported out by the Policy Committee. The Public DVD Player policy allows staff to fairly manage patron use of these increasingly important but potentially disruptive tools. The Internet Instant Messaging (Chatting) Policy defines the scope and level of service for this new method of patron communications. Instant Messaging Reference is currently in test. It can be accessed from any MGPL webpage by clicking on the “Ask A Librarian” graphic.

Your packet also includes a preliminary 2008 Budget. As I discussed at the August meeting the plan is for a modest growth of 4% or less to maintain 2007 service levels with the following changes.

• 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.

Dan Berg of Sikich Professional Services and Support will be on hand to review MGPL’s annual audit. Sikich was just recently rehired as the Village’s and the Library’s auditor. The Library has received excellent service from this firm and they have often gone out of their way to help the Administrative team understand and resolve the occasional problem.