Thanks for this opportunity to share with you what’s happening at the library.
I’ll be giving a brief presentation about our mission, some statistics, information about what we do and who we are.
Steve indicated this was to be a ‘brag session’, so be warned
Our mission statement -- WE CONNECT YOU TO THE WORLD OF IDEAS -- was crafted by the library board and staff over a decade ago
THE BOARD AND STAFF MEETING IN JOINT SESSIONS ABOUT EVERY OTHER YEAR TO UPDATE OUR GOALS AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
THIS MISSION STATEMENT WAS CREATED DURING ONE OF THOSE SESSIONS
It has served us well and continues to be our mantra
We’re in the business of connecting local residents to ideas – not just through books but also films, classes, digital media, displays, and presentations.
It goes without saying our collections (books, DVDs, etc) are at the core of what we do
WE HAVE ACCESS TO PRETTY MUCH WHATEVER PEOPLE WANT, AND WILL GO TO GREAT LENGTHS TO GET IT
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Our collections are important, but they are just one part of the picture
Really, what the library is all about, is people
MORE PEOPLE ARE VISITING THE LIBRARY THAN EVER BEFORE
200 times per day.
CAPACITY OF THE SEAHAWKS STADIUM
Visits have increased significantly since we opened the new facility in 2013.
CHECKOUTS ARE AT RECORD LEVELS
We offer a wide range of adult programs
The library’s listening project Will turn 10 next year
Since 2009 we’ve collected OVER 70 stories FROM local residents – all can be heard on the library’s website
IN ADDITION TO OUR ADULT PROGRAMS also have many children’s programs focused on literacy and learning
This spring we launched 1,000 books before kindergarten
Research has shown that introducing reading and books to babies and toddlers puts them on the path to success – this program is aimed at getting parents into the reading habit early
The program is funded by the Friends of Petersburg’s Libraries
TODDLER TIME AND OPEN PLAY ARE TWO OTHER PROGRAMS AIMED SPECIFICALLY AT OUR YOUNGEST RESIDENTS. WE OFFER THESE PROGRAMS WEEKLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
THEY ARE A GREAT CHANCE FOR PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN TO GET TOGETHER AND OFFER ONE ANOTHER SUPPORT …
….WHILE KIDS LEARN IMPORTANT EARLY LITERACY SKILLS.
ATTENDANCE AT TODDLER TIME OFTEN TOPS 30 – SO WE’RE GLAD TO HAVE A GLASSED IN CHILDREN’S ROOM WITH A DOOR!
AIMED AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, CURIOUSITY CREATES IS OUR DROP-IN WEEKLY AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
OUR BIGGEST CHILDREN”S PROGRAM OF THE YEAR IS OUR SUMMER READING CHALLENGE
Name change about a lot more than just reading
learning activities to complete -- problems to solve -- searches to perform -- even things to build.
in addition to that preschoolers and teens take part in the program – so that’s about 180 total
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The Summer Reading Challenge is only possible with an incredible amount of community support
50 local businesses and individuals contributed to the program last year.
This year First Bank and Uncruise are major donors to the program
Since about 2005 we’ve also had a TEEN LIBRARY BOARD
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THE show has been running for about 7 years
THEY COMMIT AN IMPRESSIVE AMOUNT OF TIME AND EFFORT TO KEEPING THIS SHOW GOING
IN ADDITION TO CHECKING OUT MATERIAL AND HOSTING PROGRAMS WE OFFER A LONG LIST OF OTHER SERVICES….
From book warehouse to community CONNECTION SPOT
In 2017 the library was rated a ‘Star Library’ by Library Journal for the fifth time,
ranking among the top 3% of libraries in the nation
NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE OUR AMAZING STAFF, BOARD, INSTRUCTORS AND ABOUT 30 REGULAR VOLUNTEERS
THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY ARE BOTH A VOLUNTEER FORCE AND FUNDRAISIG GROUP FOR THE LIBRARY
a registered non-profit organization
hold a Monthly Book Sale in the library foyer
FUND MANY LIBRARY PROGRAMS….AND Volunteer for special events
We see support not only in the form of lots of volunteers devoting their time and talents to the library, but also in the form of donations
AS ON offshoot from our capital campaign for the new library we have a library endowment with the Alaska Community foundation.
Donations of $100 or more are recognized on our fishing wall.
WE ALSO HAVE AN Art Education Endowment
established in 2012 by Petersburg resident John McCabe.
WE SPEND annual interest earnings FROM THE FUND ON arts programming at the Library.
In addition to actively seeking donations we also seek out grants wherever we can.
The Rasmuson Foundation has been a major funder of library projects
We’ve received 9 grants from the Foundation since 2004 – TOTALLING $637,254
THEY ARE A MAJOR FUNDER IN THE LIBRARY’S STORYTELLER’S POLE THAT IS SCHEDULED TO BE UNVEILED THURSDAY May 17
So WHAT’S NEXT?
- IN JULY WE’LL WELCOME OUR FIRST Intern – A LIBRARY school student FROM NEW York state
- Further on the horizon we plan to build a covered Shelter in front of the library – probably within the next two years
Steve asked is talk about the CHALLENGES we face - Overall things are pretty great at the library
We try to keep our budget flat and pursue other funding for special projects
WE CONTROL AND Cut costs where we can - EXAMPLES:
joining the alaska library consortium has resulted in significant cost savings
We added a self check out machine in the new library to offset the impact of higher use
BIGGEST CHALLENGE: Higher use, same staffing levels – the demand for service is high and we try our best to meet it but this certainly our biggest challenge.
In this challenge we asked kids to think about someone they were thankful for
….Then write them a card and send it in the mail.