Director’s Report for Jan. 2004
2003 is in the past and by most accounts I would say it was a rather successful year. It’s no surprise that I have modernistic views on a library’s role in a public setting, and I have implemented many programs that reflect the role of a 21st Century Librarian. Just to recap some of the highlights of 2003:
1. Reading programs were enhanced, both for children, adults and young adults.
2. Children’s services have received additional attention, including a mascot to promote the library and its resources.
3. Branches have seen improvements both in physical structure, support and awareness.
4. Area businesses are more aware of the library and are continuing to support our library (just received a major donation from Edward Jones---Julie Leichtmann---to sponsor our Value Line Investment Survey subscription---3 years at about $1200).
5. Marketing of the library and its resources, including a logo for visual aid, website, bookmarks and additional pamphlets, and newspaper exposure
6. Open World program brought lots of exposure to the library and was a wonderful program to take part in this past fall.
7. Arrangement of the library, including new carpeting for the children’s area, a gallery to display our artwork, shifting of materials to create additional space, and cleaning and arranging storage areas in the library.
These are just a few of the changes that were made here in the past year, and 2004 will likely see additional changes and adjustments as we move forward.
Recently at a Department Head meeting we talked about some of our goals for 2004. These are areas that I feel the library needs to focus on in the coming year:
1. Technology---continue the migration to a new automation system, and look to upgrade some of our older computers. A new technology plan for our library is due to the state this spring so I will be working on this shortly.
2. Programming---continue to provide strong reading programs for children and adults, and look at additional opportunities such as the Open World program or book signings when they are available.
3. Marketing---continue to look at ways to showcase the library and its services to the public. Additional news articles in the newspaper, creative use of the logo and the mascot, and upgrades to the website will all help in this respect.
4. Community Support---continue to work with community businesses and garner their support for the library.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Minn. Library Association provided grant money for 3 individuals from Minnesota to attend the Public Library Association (PLA) Convention this February. I applied and found out on Friday that I am one of the chosen 3 to attend this convention, so I will be in Seattle for a full week in February. The Gates Foundation provided funds for a rural librarian to attend a workshop and learn about roles that automation and technology can play in a rural library setting. Considering that we are just in the midst of a conversion to a new automation system, the timing on this grant couldn’t be better. In addition, I will be spending the rest of the week attending meetings and workshops that pertain to public libraries.
There has been a bit of an issue here in Fairmont in regards to break times. In the past, the Director allowed breaks to last for approximately a half hour, when the contract actually allows for 15 minutes. When I first started I subtlety let others know that I frowned on this, and they got better and didn’t waste as much time on breaks. Recently however they have gone back to their old habits and started taking extra long breaks again. I contacted the union representative and placed a copy of the contract back in the breakroom highlighting the wording that says they are to have 15 minute breaks. By taking breaks that averaged around a half-hour, the staff here was wasting approximately 2 ˝ -3 hours a day, which when factored out over the course of the year costs this library about $12,000 in lost work hours. In the event this becomes a problem once again, it would only make sense to cut personnel hours, as we shouldn’t have to pay for work that we aren’t receiving. I can think of a lot of places where $12,000 can be spent more wisely, but I have a feeling that this shouldn’t be an issue again any time soon.
And lastly, I started a bi-monthly newsletter entitled The Advocate that will be available to people via the website and by email. Currently I have people signing up and providing their email (about 35 so far) so that I can send them bi-monthly updates about what is happening here at the library. These people can then be my ‘sounding board’ when I have questions about what services they would like to see in the library, and they will also be encouraged to provide suggestions and comments directly to the library.