2012 Annual Report

Receipts & Disbursements Summary

Receipts	Projected	Actual	Difference
Real Estate Tax	643,021.35	559,781.41	83,239.94
Intergovernmental	510,237.92	603,325.54	(93,087.62)
Patron Fines & Fees	21,328.00	17,227.72	4,100.28
Contributions, Gifts & Donations	5,800.00	8,677.68	(2,877.68)
Earnings on Investments	633.00	1,182.17	(549.17)
Miscellaneous	1,188.00	1,187.20	0.80
Transfers In	0.00	0.00	0.00
Other Sources	0.00	0.00	0.00
TOTAL INCOME	1,182,208.27	1,191,381.72	(9,173.45)
Disbursements	Appropriated	Encumbered	YTD Spent
Salaries	471,194.44	455,468.40	455,468.40
Employee Fringe Benefits	159,408.75	153,407.40	153,407.40
Purchased & Contracted Services	170,036.23	108,496.98	107,976.98
Library Materials & Information	126,144.55	106,024.01	104,967.62
Supplies	19,051.37	15,805.71	15,277.95
Other	2,575.00	2,034.36	2,034.36
Current Capital Outlay	78,000.00	61,328.56	61,328.56
Transfers Out	560,306.61	286,675.17	286,675.17
Contingencies	10,000.00	0.00	0.00
TOTAL EXPENSES	1,596,716.95	1,189,240.59	1,187,136.44
Excess/(Deficiency)	(414,508.68)
Fund Balance - 01/01/2012	414,508.68
Fund Balance - 12/31/2012	429,562.82

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Annual Review

The past year has been a busy year for Community Library. Consuming most of our time for the first half of the year was the Consortium of Ohio Libraries (COOL) project. In the early months of the year, we finalized the governing policies for the consortium, finished the grant application, and finally migrated to the new Evergreen integrated library system.

The COOL project marked several milestones for the library. First, it was the largest grant we have ever received, totaling about $110,000. Second, it marks the first major migration since we first automated in the 1990s. Third, for the first time ever, our collection is integrated with other libraries' collections, giving patrons seamless access to numerous libraries throughout the state. Finally, the library became the first library in the State of Ohio to migrate to Evergreen.

In addition to COOL, the library also continued its effort to enhance the library experience by improving the facility, collection, and services. To that end, we reconfigured the public space to accommodate the audio/visual materials. New shelves were installed and all the movies and music recordings were moved to the floor. The shift improves access to the collection and decreases wait times at the circulation desk. It also frees up some space in technical services for staff and inter-library loan processing.

We also continued our efforts to clean up the collection by weeding older and unused materials. In 2011, we had focused on weeding the nonfiction collection. In 2012, we evaluated fiction titles and were able to weed the entire fiction collection, including genre areas. Everything that remains in fiction has circulated in the last three years.

We maintained our quality programming in 2012. Programs were added, such as the monthly movie night for adults. This program has a core group of regulars that watch anything from classics to modern popular films. In addition to our on-going youth programs, we had our first author visit in years. With grant funds, we were able to have Denise Fleming visit for a day. Using the Sunbury United Methodist Church facility, we were able to host all first through third graders in the Big Walnut schools. The program was a great success.

The final area of focus for 2012 was the strategic plan. It had been five years since we updated our plan, so it was due to be reviewed. Working with the State Library of Ohio, we collected survey responses. Unfortunately, we got a late start and changes at the state library have delayed progress, but we have the ground work in place to finalize the plan in 2013.

Overall, 2012 was another great year for the library. We are proud of our accomplishments. The library is positioned well, both financially and strategically for continued excellence in library services. We look forward to enhancing and expanding services in the coming year.

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Looking Forward

As we begin 2013, our biggest priority is completing the strategic plan. With the surveys collected and some preliminary analysis completed, we have identified that our focus will be on lifelong learning, popular topics and titles, and community space. The question is on specifics. For example, is the community more interested in quiet study areas or larger meeting spaces? We will be conducting some focus groups to assist with clarifying the community needs. Then we will need to create specific goals and objectives that correspond with that feedback. The result will be a plan directing our programs and services for the next several years.

Somewhat related to the strategic plan, we will also be using 2013 to expand our marketing efforts. Our goal is to reach people through outlets in addition to current methods, such as in-house publications and local papers. We also plan to include refining our brand and image in such a way to make the library easily identifiable in the community.

In regards to the facility, we will be working on reconfiguring the children's area and make better use of the space. We are looking at installing shelves to accommodate audiobooks, music recordings, and preschool books and kits. The reconfiguration will eliminate clutter and help with collection presentation.

Similarly, we will be reconfiguring the technical services area for staff. With increased inter-library loans, we need to organize and rearrange our shipping and receiving area. We also need to create adequate space for staff to process materials. Finally, we need to move staff closer to the circulation desk, so if assistance is needed at the desk, staff are within a close distance. With moving the audio/visual materials onto the floor last year, we now have the space available.

Over the past several years we have completed some heavy weeding of our collection. For the first time since we have moved to this location, there is comfortable space on the shelves, the collection is healthier than ever, and we are entering a phase of on-going maintenance. Our goal is to follow a regular weeding schedule to ensure that the library does not get behind in its weeding and the collection is kept current and presentable.

Finally in regards to programs, we are looking at increasing offerings in two main areas. First, we are looking at trying to increase teen participation beyond the junior friends activities. Also, we are looking at programs centered around lifelong learning. This includes general educational and informational programs. Even more specifically, we would like to increase offerings for businesses as well as technology classes. We would also like utilize more volunteers in our programs. This will help reduce the workload on staff and strengthen the relationship with the community.

2013 looks like it will be a full and exciting year. Wrapping up the strategic plan will be a priority, and we look forward to the results of that process. We are also eager to see COOL mature and become more robust as more libraries join. Patrons will benefit greatly as more items become available and as new features are introduced. The expansion of programs and enhancements to the facility should also improve the overall library experience. Whatever projects and challenges come our way, we will strive to provide the best service possible.

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