After a long break…

I know it’s been awhile since I posted anything new but after the hectic (should I say frantic) days both before and after the levy vote I really needed a break.  First, a huge and heartfelt thank you to Hamilton County for voting to give our Library local funds to keep our services available.   We really appreciate the vote of confidence and the financial support!  It’s a huge relief to know that we’ll have this additional income to help with the operation of the Library.  While we can’t predict whether or not our State funding will continue to drop, we do know that without the local funds, our Library’s services would have been significantly reduced.  So, thank you for hearing us and thank you for voting. 

Thanks also to all the volunteers and donors who made this levy campaign happen.  The many volunteers involved in this effort called voters, went door to door, planned fundraisers, delivered yard signs, thanked donors and did the many tasks required to succeed with a new, countywide levy.  Our donors provided the funds needed to print materials, mail them out, purchase yard signs, develop television ads and pay to run them, and so many other daily expenses of a levy campaign.

The hard work of so many volunteers really paid off when Hamilton County voters approved our 1 mill levy with a 73% for vote, far exceeding our wildest imaginings. 

Now we have to move ahead with our next work, but before we leave the topic of the levy altogether I want to mention something about the articles in the newspaper.  You can’t believe everything you read in the paper.  Reporters make mistakes and mistakes were made in the article concerning the branches with more DVD circulation than book circulation.  First the headline, “Library War: Videos top Books”  is just plain wrong.  At our Library, book circulation still exceeds DVD or video, in fact it exceeds all forms of audiovisual circulation added together.  And, it’s growing.  So far this year the number of items borrowed has grown by 758,406.  Of this number print has grown 708,888 leaving only 40,211 increase in all audiovisaul combined and the remainder of the increase, about 9,000 for digital books – which is still books.  These nunbers are correct, our Library checked out so far this year 700,000+ more books than in the same period in 2008!  The article then goes on to list 11 branches that circulate more DVDs than books.  The branches are identified in two places, a list at the end of the article and a map that lets the reader see the branches circulating more DVDs than books.  This map lists only 9 locations but includes three that aren’t in the list in the article.  Both are wrong.  First, there are only 10 branch libraries that check out more DVDs than books.  Bond Hill, included in the list, and St. Bernard, Westwood and Norwood, numbered on the map, all check out more books than DVDs.  Using the data center provided with the map confirms this but a reader would have to look at each branch library’s information indivdually to find this out.  Just setting the record straight.

As an FYI, the publication of this article spurred some DVDs borrowers to let us know how much they appreciate this service.

In late October Anne Keller, Executive Director of the Friends of the Public Library and I did a presentation for the Ohio Library Council’s Unconventional Convention.  This was a virtual conference with attendees watching our powerpoint and listening to our talk remotely.  This is a great idea and a great time and money saver for conference attendees.  But it was disconcerting as a presenter to stand in a completely empty auditorium and give a talk.  Until we did this I had no idea how much I rely on the audience reaction to determine how the talk is being received overall.  When we finished we had questions, which at least let us know someone was listening.  The behind the scenes people would read out the question so there was a disembodied voice reading out questions to me and Anne in our completely empty, and dark, auditorium which we would then answer.  Altogether a strange and interesting experience.  If you’d like to watch and listen OLC will be posting all six talks on their website but theya re not yet available.

The Library’s last strategic plan was developed in 2003-2004 and covered the five-year period that ended in 2008.  Because of our uncertain financial picture, the plan for 40 branches is vastly different from the plan for 20, we decided to wait until after the election to update our plan.  The election’s over and it’s now time to begin updating our strategic plan.  When we developed the last plan we did extensive focus groups, surveys, and interviews with community leaders.  We expect to have at least as much, if not more, community involvement in developing this plan.  The process is just getting underway and will take several months to complete.  Our last plan was very useful in deciding what needed to be done to best serve our community and we made many improvements as a result of the feedback we received during the planning process.  We truly did use the plan to set priorities for the Library.  We’re looking forward to seeing what’s changed since our last plan and finding out how to make more changes to continue improving our services.

 

 

 

Update

Books by the Banks was a huge success!  Thousands attended the third annual book festival held October 17 at the Duke Energy Center.  Bestseeling authors joined first time authors to discuss thier works, greet fans and autograhp books.  Couldn’t be there?  Check out the Library’s Flickr site to see photos of some of the day’s activities:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cincinnatipubliclibrary/

I had a wonderful time assisting several authors throughout the day including Jennifer Weiner, Jeanette Walls, Barbara Bradley Hagerty, Brett Harper and Garth Stein.  Despite the popularity of these authors I was still able to find a few minutes to walk around the Author Pavilion and talk with some additional authors there that day.  I even had time to purchase a few books!  For a booklover like me the event was a real pleasure.  Thanks to the many libraries, sponsors, supporters, authors and volunteers who made the event possible.  Check out the Books by the Banks website for a complete list of participating libraries and event sponsors at:

http://booksbythebanks.org/index.shtml

So many activities are underway I can’t keep track of them all.  The Big Read is finishing up this next week but there’s still time to participate by reading Mark Twain’s classic work The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.  Entries for the Teen Read Week photography contest “What I Love About Cincinnati” are due by October 31.  More information can be found here:

http://teenspace.cincinnatilibrary.org/features/2009-10/

For the complete program calendar visit our website:

http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/programs/  You can search by location, date or audience.  Thanks to the generosity of our many  donors, the Friends of the Public Library, the Library Foundation and the Anderson Township Library Association, most Library programs are offered free of charge.

A recent change in our hold service makes it even easier to pick up your holds at the Main Library.  Now you can specify the Main Library Drive  Up Window as your pick up location when placing your hold.  When you receive your email or call letting you know your hold is in, just go to the drive up window and your books will be waiting for you. 

The Friends of the Public Library held a book sale at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center last week.  The sale was quite successful grossing $6,600.  The members only preview evening was crowded and shoppers were buying more than usual.  The Friends Shop also had a table selling some of their items including Christmas cards featuring images digitized by the Library and printed onto card stock, banned books jewelry and book-themed puzzles and games for children.  I did a little early Chirstmas shopping while there that night.  The next Friends sale is scheduled for November 13-14 at the Madeira Branch Library.  For hours of the sale click here:

http://friends.cincinnatilibrary.org/

Mid-November will be a popular time for booksales.  The Anderson Township Library Association is holding its Holiday and Nearly New Used Book Sale beginning November 12 at the Anderson Branch Library.  Hours and details are available here: http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/support/atla.html

The Friends Executive Director, Anne,  and I did a presentation entitiled “With Friends Like These Who Needs Enemies?  Building a Strong Relationship with Your Friends” for the Ohio Library Council’s Unconventional Convention on October 22.  Ours was one of 6 presentations selected for this online conference.  The presentation has been archived and will be available online in the near future.  Anne and I had a great time presenting on this topic and hope sharing our experiences can help other libraries and friends groups work together better to the benefit of both.

Book Festival and other news

Last week I had a new experience.  Representative Dale Mallory presented a House Resolution honoring me for being named Ohio Librarian of the Year by  the Ohio Library Council.  I went to Columbus on Tuesday and Representative Mallory presented his Resolution.  I then got to address the entire Ohio House of Representatives with some very brief remarks.  Here’s the link to me at the House.  Go to 11:42 a.m. 

http://www.ohiochannel.org/multimedia/organizations/media.cfm?file_id=122324&organization_id=31#

Next weekend is the 3rd annual Books by the Banks book festival at the Duke Energy Center.  I enjoy working at book festivals and getting a chance to meet some of my favorite authors.  I always buy too many books so I give lots of them away as gifts.  Here’s the link to our website with all the details.  The festival runs Saturday October 17 from 10-4.  Hope to see you there!

http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/news/2009/booksbythebanks.html

Also next weekend is a Friends of the Library booksale at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, formerly the Clifton School.  The sale starts with a members only preview on Tursday from 5:00 to 8:00 and is open to the public Friday 10:00 to 6:00 and Saturday 10:00 to 5:00.  It’s the first sale to be held in Clifton and a great chance to see the Cultural Arts Center.  There will be a good selection of books and other items at bargain prices.  I’ll be there for the member’s preview on Thursday night ready to shop!

The Ohio Library Council has a number of Committees that work throughout the year on issues facing their members.  One of these committees is the Government Relations Committee.  This Committee is involved in any legislation affecting libraries and also plans the annual legislative day in Columbus.  I’m excited to be chairing this Committee for the next two years.  It’s bound to be a challenging time since the next State budget is likely to face declines in State revenue that must be addressed.  We’ll be working hard to keep our funding in the next budget.

Gates grant

Thursday and Friday of this past week Anne, Executive Director of the Friends of the Public Library; Amy, the Library’s Public Relations Director and I attended an advocacy workshop called Turning the Page.  This workshop is required for any Library receiving funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Opportunity Online Hardware Grant.  The workshop was developed by the Public Library Association.   It was two full days of thinking, working and learning about nothing but how to be library advocates.  What a great opporunity for us to build some additional skills.  Our Library is receiving a substantial grant, nearly $162,000, to purchase computer equipment for the public for 17 of our branch libraries.  The grant comes with some requirements in addition to attending the workshop.  Participating libraries are required to also contribute 25% of the cost of the equipment purchase in the first year of the grant and 50% in year two of the grant.   To help libraries succeed with securing the matching funds, the advocacy workshop accompanies the grants.  Fortunately for us we have already secured our matching funds for year one but we’ll soon need to begin working on the match for year two.  The equipment we’ll be able to purchase with these funds will make a huge difference in our community.  There will be more up-to-date equipment at many of our branches, even some that were not eligible for the Gates grants.  We’re currently in the process of purchasing the equipment for the West End Branch as a pilot site for our Gates equipment. 

The new catalog, an update included in our annual maintenance with Sirsi/Dynix our catalog vendor, includes a feature I’ve long wanted.  We now have the ability to store a list of books previously read or a list of books you want to read in your account.   There are a few steps involved in setting up the initial list but once it’s there it’s easy to use.  First, go into the catalog, then log in to your account by entering your card number and PIN in the upper right hand corner of the search home screen.  You’ll see a header called Permanent Lists above the search box. Click it and enter the name for your list.  Now start searching the catalog.  When you see something you want to add to your list click on the +My List box in the search results.  It’s right above the Place Hold button.  When you want to see your list just go back to Permanent Lists and all your titles will be listed.  To place a hold on an item from your list click details then place hold.  You can also remove an item from your list.  So many people have asked for this feature over the years it’s great to finally have it available.  So start building your list to keep up with all the great new books and movies you hear about and want to read – just not all at once.

A glimpse of Library history

A question at the Mariemont branch prompted a search of the Library board minutes from 1971 and 1972.  While I didn’t find what I was looking for I did find something fascinating.  At least to me.  There in the middle of the 1972 minutes was a 24 page report entitled Report of the Special Collections in Department of Rare Books.  I sure wish I’d known about this a few years ago!  I had heard that the Rare Books Department first had a permanent space in the 1955 Main Library and I knew about a few of the special collections but this report was filled with details I’d never seen before.   Prior to the original Rare Books room many of the items were stored in a bank vault at the Provident Bank.  In addition to describing the many special collections, the report outlined a brief history of the department.  Although the report mentions no author it was presumably written by long-time curator of the Rare Books and Special Collections Yeatman Anderson.  The report also mentions the important role the Friends of the Public Library played in acquiring materials for the new Rare Books Department.  The Tower Room on the Main Library’s 3rd floor was the original display room for Rare Books.  The Department is now known as the Cincinnati Room and housed on the 3rd floor of the bridge connecting the buildings on the South side of 9th Street with the North Building.  While I can’t reproduce the enitre report here I can mention a few of the special collections developed over the years.  I am pleased to report that a recent appraisal of the collection determined that these items are in excellent condition. 

The Americana collections include the Cincinnati Collection, the Ohio Valley Collection, the Inland Rivers Library and the Discovery and Exploration Collection.  The Discovery and Exploration collection was started in 1876 when the Library purchased from the Robert Clarke and Company duplicates from the Julius Warren(Leon) and Harriet Lewis Library.  Among the fascinating items in this collection is the Basel 1494 edition of the letter Columbus wrote about his discoveries in the new world. 

There are also several author collections that relied on gifts when started in the 1950s.  Lafcadio Hearn, Mark Twain, Christopher Morley, Rockwell Kent, Sir Winston Churchill, William Faulkner, Ernest HemingwayJohn Steinbeck, Willa Cather and Charles Dickens are among the many authors represented.  In fact, the current exhbition in the CIncinnati Room features several books by Mark Twain from this collection. 

There’s also an outstanding dictionary collection – the Louis E. Kahn English Dictionary Collection.  The collection was donated to the Library by Mr. Kahn’s widow in 1961.  When the collection was started Mr. Kahn sought to acquire a copy of every English language dictionary prior to 1876.   At the time of the report the Library had 123 out of a possible 368 editions published prior to 1801.   Among these are a first edition of Noah Webster’s first dictionary published in 1806.  We do still add to this collection from time to time.

We also have the Reese C. Vidler Bible Collection.  This fascinating collection is displayed with some regularity and new Bibles are added with frequently.  The foundation of the collection was purchased from Vidler in 1925 and includes a Miles Coverdale Bible.  Most recently a copy of the first Bible in the 20th century to include illustrations of each book of the Old and New Testaments by a single ilustrator was purchased for the collection in 2000 by the Friends of the Public Library.  Barry Moser’s woodcut engravings beautifully illustrate the Pennyroyal Caxton Bible.  Mr. Moser visited the Library to discuss his work on this beautiful Bible. 

This collection was a real surprise to me, the Sports Collection.  The collection originated in the 1930s from Derrydale Press publications, the Cuvier Press Club and Library purchases.  Derrydale Press was founded in 1927 and ceased publishing in 1941.  During that time, the Press reprinted rare early American sporting books.  According to this report, the real core of the collection is the old sports books from the library of the Cuvier Press Club.   Purchased in 1937, the acqusition included a restriction that it be retained as a unit.  The Cuvier Club was a local organization of hunters and fishers.  The books were collected for thier practical uses but were beautifully bound by the club.

In 1952 the Library received a gift from Mre. Margaret Bullock Dickson of an extensive collection of books illustrated by George and Robert Cruikshank.  The collecton was given in memory of her father who built the original collection.  Known as the James Wilson Bullock Cruikshank Collection the collection contains hundreds of works illustrated by the Cruikshank brothers including a copy of Grimm’s Popular Stories and an early edition of Oliver Twist published in parts.   Additional gifts over the years have increased the depth of this unusual collection. 

There’s also a collection of books about books and fine printing.  This collection encompasses many topics including bibliographies, printing manuals, and a collection of books on the history and manufacture of handmade paper.  It is into this collection that a former staff member Mrs. Albert L. Russell donated a collection of books relating to fine printing collected by her father Allen Collier that included a copy of the Insel-Verlag facsimile edition of the Gutenberg Bible. 

The Milestone Book collection is a collection of important books that have advanced civilization over the past 500 years.  Although the collection was started long before the 1950s it was not until then that the collection began to take shape under the guidance of Mrs. Alice Plaut.  Using two important bilbiographies Downs’ Books that Changed the World and Muir’s Printing and the Mind of Man, Plaut built the basis for today’s collection.  Works in this collection include the Federalist Papers and Origin of the Species, a work of particular interest since we are currently celebrating the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth. 

This paper has piqued my interest to learn more about the Special Collections housed in the Cincinnati Room and I’ll be looking to update this report from the 1970s.  I found it fascinating to explore the roots of these important collections.  Thanks to the many donors and the Friends of the Library as well as the many dedicated and knowledgeable staff for building such an outstanding collection for our Library.  It’s a true treasure for our comunity.

Artists’ Books

One of the things I love most about our Library is its wonderful collections.  There are all kinds of special collections carefully built over the years and still added to today.  One of these collections is the artists’ books collection.  I didn’t realize until I was taking a visitor on a quick tour of the Main Library on our way to lunch how very special this collection is.  As we crossed the bridge over 9th street we walked past the Cincinnati Room where our annual artists’ book exhibit is on display.  This year’s exhibit, entitled, The Keith Kuhn Memorial Artists’ Bok Exhibit – More Than Words: The Book as Art, is dedicated to former Library Services Director Keith Kuhn, who passed away in 2008. Over sixty books—many of them hand made, one-of-a-kind objects—are currently on display.  I mentioned the exhibit as we walked by and my friend was not familiar with artists’ books so we stopped in to take a look around. 

Those of you who are also new to artists’ books may not know what to expect.  Artists’ books are creative and innovative.  Humorous and insightful.  Some take the idea of a book in a whole different direction using not paper but wood, metal or other materials.  Still others are beautiful examples of fine binding by some of our area’s best.  I have a few favorites that I look for each year when the books are on display.  My very favorite is a clever play on Alexander Pope’s Rape of the Lock , called O-Maj to Alexander Pope  by Diana Duncan Holmes and Timothy M. Riordan.  The “book” consists of two volumes made up of metal trays each containing vials holding hair from Cincinnati artist and authors.  Each time I see it I’m amazed again at the creativity and sheer fun of this book.  Sorry, no picture of this one, you’ll have to come to the Main Library to see it.

Another favorite is a Gabrielle Fox book purchased by the Friends of the Public Library last year.  This beautiful book houses the poem No Land Where I Have Traveled: A Kentucky Poem by Logan English.   Ms. Fox has taken a limited edition printing of this poem and rebound it in a beautiful deep green goatskin with onlay leaf design in green and red leather.  The full description of the binding can be found in our catalog, which notes that this copy is number 16 of 450 trade copies,  but this book can only truly be appreciated when you see it.  It’s absolutely gorgeous!

At the same time our collection is on exhibit in the Cincinnati Room, the Cincinnati Book Arts Society has its annual exhibit of artists’ books on display in the Main Library Atrium.  Bookworks 10 features many beautiful books with both contemporary and traditional bookmaking techniques.

Here’s a link to take a look at a few of the books in the Bookworks 10 exhibit online:

http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/news/2009/artistsbooks.html

For more about the Library’s collection of artists’ books and to look at several of the books, click here:

http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/main/artistsbooks.html

Information about the Cincinnati Book Arts Society can be found here:

http://www.cincinnatibookarts.org/index.html

Looking online is great but to truly enjoy these wonderful books you’ll have to see them in person. This years’ exhibit ends next week but our collection in the Cincinnati Room can be accessed year round.

Mostly News

Budget cuts to other agencies we partner with are forcing changes that impact Library programs and patrons.  Last year we started two homework centers called Centers of Excellence at the Price Hill and Avondale branch libraries.  We provided the space and the Urban League provided a tutor to work with the kids each afternoon.  Unfortunately, we recently learned that the Urban League is unable to fund these centers this year.  We estimate the cost for both to be around $15,000 for the school year so we’re going to look for a donor or sponsor to keep these centers operating.  We don’t have the money in our budget to cover this additional cost.  If you have any ideas, let me know.  In the meantime, these students will have to keep up with their homework without the help of the tutors. 

Another cut is to the GED program.  For the past several years, we’ve offered the GED practice test and the State would waive the GED test fee for anyone who took the practice test and passed it.  We were notified by the Ohio Department of Education that this program is over.  Now, even if you pass the practice test you have to pay a fee of $40.00 to take the GED (a reduction over the previous fee).   We’ll still offer the practice test, in fact it’s more important than ever for those who don’t have $40.00 to risk on the GED until they know they’re prepared to take it and pass.  As with the Centers of Excellence, we’d like to find a donor or sponsor to provide our Library with funding to continue the fee waiver.  We estimate the cost to be about $16,000 a year.  The change is effective September 1, 2009.

I am dismayed by both of these changes.  We know our children need the type of assistance provided through the Centers of Excellence.  It focuses their after school time on homework and brings them into the Library regularly.  The $40.00 fee for the GED makes it that much harder for those trying to improve their lives to get the education they need for better employment or perhaps furthering their education.

Cincinnati’s Commemoration of the Bicentennial Birthday of Abraham Lincoln continues on Wednesday, September 9 with a televised town hall meeting featuring special guest former congressman and U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young. Joining Ambassador Young to discuss After Obama: Race and Politics in Cincinnati are local panelists:

Father Michael Graham, President, Xavier University; Jan Michele Lemon-Kearney, Publisher, Cincinnati Herald; Judge Nathaniel Jones, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and Maria Molina, Manager, Latin American Development Director, Americas Consumer Relations, Procter & Gamble.

The program will be broadcast live on CET from 8:00—9:00 p.m. and will continue streaming live on CETConnect for 30 minutes. A reception and book signing with Andrew Young will be held earlier at the Main Library from 5:30—7:00 p.m. in the Huenefeld Tower Room. Copies of his book, An Easy Burden: The Civil Rights Movement and Transformation of America will be available for purchase and signing.  Please plan to join us for the reception and watch the discussion on CET.  For more information visit the website:

http://www.cetconnect.org/LincolnLegacy/

 

Self-indulgence at a book sale

Thursday evening my daughter and I went to the Friends warehouse for their book sale.  Our timing was good; right around dinner time so we had plenty of time to browse the shelves in all our favorites.  For me these include fiction, gardening and cooking while Allison prefers DVDs.  At first we carried our selections but soon the stacks grew too large so we grabbed one of the new shopping baskets.  We filled it and kept shopping.  We finally forced ourselves to stop but it was difficult.  You see, for book (and movie) lovers a Friends sale is a a self-indulgent pleasure.  We see a book that looks like a good read.  A quick peek inside the cover reveals the amazingly low price for such a find.  How can we pass up such a bargain? The same is true for the movies and music.  In fact, when we paid we were astonished at how little our huge stack of books and movies cost.  We struggled to get them all out to the car!  Apparently we weren’t the only ones to think the Friends sale had some great bargains.  Overall this year’s sale topped last year – no small feat in these tough economic times.  But maybe the economy is exactly why Friends sales are doing so well this year.  Book lovers like us are looking for a way to indulge themselves at an affordable price.  In fact, the only cheaper way to read is to borrow the books from the Library!  I haven’t finished reading all the books I bought yet but I have started on a couple.  Why read just one when there are so many to choose from?  And, when I’m finished I may put some of them back in the Friends donation box.  That way someone else can indulge their love of books by picking up a bargain at a Friends sale.  The next Friends sale is September 18 and 19 at the Covedale Branch Library.  I’ll be there ready to shop and I hope you will be too.  Here’s the link to all the upcoming Friends sales:

http://friends.cincinnatilibrary.org/booksales.html

Our Library was once again recognized as one of the best in the nation when we ranked 10th among libraries serving a population of 500,000 or more in Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings.  More than just a rating of top circulating libraries, the Hennen ratings look at 6 input and 9 output measures to rate each library, including measures relating to reference questions and visits in addition to circulation.  This is the fourth consecutive time our library has been in the top 10.  For more information on the rating system visit the website:

  http://www.haplr-index.com/ratings.html

Thanks to our staff and community.  Without you we would never have achieved this distinction.

Our Library is not business as usual

Our State funding first began to drop in 2001.  It dropped about 9% in 2002 then was frozen until 2008.  The freeze was lifted in 2008 and our State income dropped in 2008 then went into freefalll in 2009 dropping so quickly that State estimates can’t keep up with how fast it has fallen. 

So, how have we managed to keep everything up and running for so long?  It hasn’t been easy.  To keep within our budget we’ve had to rethink how the Library operates and come up with innovate ways to handle the growing demand and shrinking income at the same time. 

Here are some of the things we’ve done since 2000 to keep our costs from increasing and keep from charging user fees (a frequent solution for our current situation). 

We’ve cut staff.  With about 65% of our budget going to staffing, any expenses reduction that saves any significant amount of money has to involve staffing.  Right now we’re down about 19% in staff size or nearly 200 positions.  Some of these cuts were done with job eliminations and others have been done through attrition.  To provide adequate staffing, we also had to cut our hours 10% or about 240 hours per week.  Some communities lost evening hours and Sunday hours were cut everywhere but Main Library. 

We restructured our Main Library.  Combining several departments under one manager generated substantial savings as did other staffing changes.  At the same time we added three new services at Main – a Tech Center, TeenSpot and Homework Central.  This new model saves us nearly $1 million annually in operating costs and the Main Library is busier than ever with increases in both circulation and reference questions.

With use up and staffing levels down and no funding to restore cut positions we’ve had to come up with other ways to reduce workload.  So several tasks previously performed by each branch Library have been fully or partially centralized.  These include renewals which are all handled now either onlne or through a call center at Main, and  processing of new books.  By standardizing labels placed on new books this work can now be done in the Processing Department instead of at each branch Library.  The Collection Development department selects all materials for evey Library location eliminating trips to the Main Library and duplicate orders for the same titles.  This saves time not only for branch and Main Library staff but also for our Fiscal Services Office as well.  Teacher Collections were centralized at Main Library over a period of several years.  Implementation of a PC reservation system which eliminated the need for staff to sign people on to the computers.  Adding self check equipment to our busiest locations.  Eliminating unnecssary steps in materials handling.  Adding online fine payment to our website.   Converting many of our publications to online formats including our anual report and our monthly program calendar.  Elimating paper overdue and hold notices.  Referring past due accounts to a collection agency to recover monies and books owed to the Library.  Utilizing email to send Library information – a real bonus since information is sent monthly to more than 160,000 cardholders without any printing or mailing costs.   

We continue to work on additional efficiency measures including increasing the number of Library locations with self check equipment and a program that would allow Library card applicants to enter their application information online rather than on a paper form to eliminate duplicate steps and improve accuracy. 

As a result of these changes our Library is more efficient than ever and we’ve been able to keep up with the increased use and decreased revenue.  Until now.  With our State funding dropping about 17% so far this year, we’ve had to use any available funds to offset this drop.  Even the best efficiency improvements can’t make up for a $10 million drop in income in one year.   To survive 2009 we’re using capital funds previously set aside for building and maintenance projects.  We’re using any unrestricted gifts to cover basic operational expenses.  But these are both one-time funds.  They won’t be here in 2010 to offset our projected $16 million operating budget deficit.

Some have suggested that we should charge a fee for our services.  We did double our overdue fines for most materials in 2002.   However, charging a fee to circulate some items, for out-of-county cards or for computer use all added together will barely make a dent in a deficit of this size.  We are starting a new venture which has the potental to raise income for the Library while avoiding fees for many of our services.   Utilizing equipment purchased with grant funds in 2007 and 2009, we have established a Digital Services Department unique to our area.  With this equipment we can digitize fragile and rare materials from the collections of organizations in our region in an environment that is secure and local.  Owning entities can deliver the items personally and inspect the facilities before handing over ther treasures.  The digital copies can be made available via the Internet for reasearchers worldwide and can be used as a substitute for the actual item when a book or map is particularly fragile and should not be handled frequently.  We’re just getting ready to launch this new venture so it’s too soon to speculate how much income could be generated.  Already the Department has a contract that will bring in more than $30,000 in income.

Despite  the many efficiency measures introduced, staffing cuts, hours reductions and increasing revenue through sales of services and fines, we will not be able to operate our current Library locations, hours and services without a steady source of additional income.  The 1 mill levy the Library Board has voted to place on the ballot this November would provide much-needed income to keep our services available countywide.  The levy funds are not being requested to fund major new initiatives or a significant expansion of our services.  These funds are needed merely to replace the lost funding from the State.  Without these funds up to half our branch libraries will close, hours of service will be cut more, more than 250 additional staff will lose their jobs and materials purchasing will be slashed.  To avoid these drastic cuts we must have additional income.  Levy funds would keep branch libraries open, keep services for children and seniors available and allow us to continue purchasing new materials.

Our Library has provided excellent Library service to the residents of Hamilton County for 156 years.  Efficiency measures and one time funds are no longer enough.  We must secure additional funding or drastically reduce the services we provide.  Cuts of this magnitude would be devastating to our community.  The Library levy is a great value providing the ongoing funding needed to keep a critical service available to all in our community.

No time to write

There’s so much going on right now I just haven’t had time to write.  Plus there’s a problem with my keyboard so typing is a real pain.  Need to get it fixed ASAP.  At least I’ll have a good excuse for any typos!

The Library Board has voted to place a 1 mill levy on the ballot November 3.  The funding generated by this levy is needed to replace the funding lost when State tax revenues dropped and the percent of State taxes going to the Public Library Fund was reduced from 2.22% to 1.97% in the State budget adopted in July.  Our Library is unusual in that a levy voted by the Board of Trustees must be placed on the ballot.  Most others require approval by the taxing authority, in our case the County Commissioners.  The usual process for levies seeking to be on the ballot includes a detailed review by the Tax Levy Review Committee (TLRC) and while we were not required to undergo this review we felt that our voluntary participation was an important step in the levy process.  We are glad that the members of the TLRC were willing to take on this extra review.  For the past three Mondays we’ve been going through a much abbreviated review by the members of the TLRC.  The first week we presented a powerpoint that explained how State library funding, our primary source of income, has dropped by 28% since 2000 and by 19% in 2009 alone.  We reviewed the many services offered by the Library and told the TLRC members what will happen if the Library has to cut expenses to fill the projected $16 million funding shortfall in 2010.   Week two was a public hearing.  Several members of the public spoke about how much they value the Library’s services and one person spoke with suggestions for generating income and reducing expenses.  These suggestions included charging for audiovisual circulation and closing branch libraries.  Last night was the final week of this review and it was a questions and answers session.  Board Vice President Bill Moran presented a statement regarding the suggestions made at the public hearing telling how little income would be generated by charging for DVD circulation and the public outcry the Board faced when branch closings were previously considered.  Members of the TLRC had several questions for me, Mr. Moran and our Fiscal Officer Pat Schoettker as they sought to learn more about the Library’s funding, services and expenses.  We were happy to respond to their questions and hope that our answers helped the TLRC members to better understand the unprecedented funding crisis our Library is facing.