HomeMy WebLinkAboutState of Library Report_06.08.1999Georgetown Public Library Advisory Board
808 Martin Luther King
Georgetown, Texas 78626
• 512-930-3551
16 June 1999
Director and Staff
Georgetown Public Library
808 Martin Luther King
Georgetown, Texas 78626
Dear Sheila and Staff:
You outdid yourselves on the Third Annual Library Retreat, and you made it all
look so effortless.
I continue to marvel at your professional achievements and composure as well as
your good cheer and genuine concern for each other. If reward were in proportion to
contribution, you could all have retired wealthy yesterday.
What a hammy group the Georgetown Library Cast of Characters is --do you think
we could have a skit a month for the Advisory Board meetings?
On behalf of the Advisory Board, thank you all again for an painlessly instructive
time. We look forward to the Fourth Annual etc.
Librarily yours,
X_��
Nell F. Dickson
•
Georgetown Public Library Advisory Board
808 Martin Luther King
Georgetown, Texas 78626
512-930-3551
17 June 1999
Mr. Bob Hart
City Manager
City of Georgetown
609 Main Street
Georgetown, Texas 78626
Re: Third Annual Library Retreat
Dear Mr. Hart:
On behalf of the Library Advisory Board, thank you for speaking to us at the
Retreat. It was helpful to have you paint the Georgetown big picture for the next decade.
This Retreat was, as the previous two retreats were, full of information on issues
facing the Library and an excellent opportunity to ask questions and clarify details. It was
also a time for Director and Staff, Advisory Board and Foundation Directors to become
better acquainted with each other as well as the challenges and opportunities facing each
group.
The annual Retreats continue, in my opinion, to be a valuable tool for the
continued success of our Library.
/bcc: Sheila Henderson
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Very truly yours,
1�/
Nell F. Dickson
Chair
Georgetown Public Library Advisory Board
808 Martin Luther King
Georgetown, Texas 78626
is
512-930-3551
17 June 1999
Ms. Pat Tuohy
Central Texas Library System
P. O. Box 2287
Austin, Texas 78768
Re: Georgetown Library Retreat
The Advisory Board joins me in thanking you for your guidance in our third annual
retreat. Your gentle but firm direction reveals your ability in helping people reach a
common understanding.
Our final session with you, the Advisory Board and Foundation Directors should
help us identify, understand and separate our respective roles and lead us into more
effective advocacy for our library.
Thank you again for all your help. I certainly hope you will continue as facilitator
for our future retreats. In fact, I am already looking forward to next year?
cc: Brenda Branch
/6cc: Sheila Henderson
•
Most sincerely,
/s/
Nell F. Dickson
Chair
State of the Library Report to City Council
Presented June 8, 1999, by Library Advisory Board Chair Nell F. Dickson. In attendance
were Board members Tom Barry, Nelda Burson, Jean Ehnebuske, Dorothy Hagen and
Lay Representative Judy Parks.
The Library Advisory Board is here tonight to bring you good news - our Library
is an ever- increasing success. We believe that success is a combination of three
elements; supply, demand and means. The demand is a community of historically high
library usage, the supply is the budgetary support from the city and the means are the
dedicated library director and staff.
First, the supply -- The Advisory Board commends the council for recognizing the
importance of the library to the community and for supporting the library in the city
budget. We are all familiar with budgetary constraints and are also aware that the burden
is particularly heavy when working with public money.
According Georgetown Public Library submission to Texas State Library Report
for 1998, 46% of our population has library cards. This is an impressive statistic and
becomes more so when we consider that many of those cards are family cards with
multiple library users, thus raising that percentage. If you will look at figure 1 of your
handout, you will see that roughly half of the population since 1988 when new library was
dedicated have library cards.
Figure 2 shows the average monthly library circulation for last two years.
Libraries are traditionally judged by their circulation figures. Figure 4 compares
circulation per capita between Texas Library Association, Georgetown and Central
TexasLibrary System --you can see that Georgetown's circulation is roughly twice that of
statewide and area figures --again an impressive confirmation of demand for library
services in Georgetown.
Working with the supply of the city budget to provide the means are our director
Sheila and staff --all dedicated professionals who have turned our library into a vital asset
to our community.
Sheila has earned statewide respect and recognition - she is president-elect of Tex
Municipal Library Directors Association, on two statewide committees of TxLA, she is
also newly appointed and the first librarian on the state advisory committee to the Texas
Cancer Data Center as well as several local boards and committees. I am afraid we may
mistakenly think that all library directors are as committed and dynamic as Sheila and fail
to appreciate her.
The staff goes far beyond the role of employees who simply work for a living by
schlepping to work, enduring the day with an attitude and hurrying home fifteen minutes
early. Our library staff performs with enthusiasm, courtesy and committment, sometimes
under difficult circumstances, and they are advocates for the library in our community.
Sheila and staff are are very successful at working behind the scenes to insure a
productive and pleasant library experience for Georgetown patrons. The patrons have no
way of knowing how hard the staff works. Even those who should be better informed
about the inner workings of the library sometimes underestimate and undervalue these
unseen efforts.
In 1996, the Long Range Plan was approved by the Council. As a measure of
Sheila and the staff efforts and achievement, the LRP has been completed as far as
possible with the money and space available. Those objectives which remain
uncompleted are either unfunded staff positions or collections and services which cannot
be expanded in the current space.
Last weekend we had our annual retreat which included director and staff,
advisory board, foundation directors, Verna Browning, director of community services
and Bob Hart. Updating the LRP and additional goals were among the issues discussed.
Growth plus proactive and aggressive librarying has resulted in demand exceeding
supply and means. The population of Georgetown has doubled in the last decade as you
can see referring to figure 1. The Library issued an average of 137 new cards a month in
1997 and 220 new cards in 1998. Figure 4 demonstrates the success of GPL, comparing
Georgetown with the TxLA and CTLS averages in books per capita, circulation per capita
and sqare feet per capita --Georgetown library out -performs state and region averages
significantly.
According to American Library Association, more children participate in summer
reading programs than in Little League. Figure 3 illustrates the juvenile attendance in
Georgetown compared to state and area wide attendance --Georgetown again exceeds
with healthy margin. Our children's programs are in such demand they have sometimes
been moved offsite to comply with fire regulations. During the Summer Reading Program
last June -July, attendance was 1936 and 2015. When these programs were moved, they
were no longer a library experience. If the program is not a library experience, the
program has defeated its own purpose. These programs will be moved back to the library
this summer; however, lack of space will deny some participation --a problem with no
solution until there is more space.
I was in library for beginning of Summer Reading program last Tuesday
morning --the available floor space was full of little bodies. Parents were standing out the
doors and those children who came late could not get in. Please visit during a program
and see for yourself the wonder and excitement these programs bring to our children and
the eagerness with which they select books to take home. Let's work together so that no
child in Georgetown is denied this experience.
In the main room of the library, we are running out of shelf room for collection
development --yet we cannot quit buying books and materials. There is no space left to
install additional shelving without violating fire and Americans with Diabilities Act
regulations. We are using the top shelf of stacks, some at 6' and some at 6.5' from floor,
as well as the bottom shelf at 6" from the floor. All are problem heights for most patrons.
The bottom shelf is impossible to read with bifocals even if the knees will allow an
inelegant squat. And the top shelf means some patrons cannot reach the book at all or pull
it down upon themselves.
We have also run out of space for the staff and for working areas. Sheila and the
staff have been quite innovative in finding workspace-4 found a staffer and volunteer
processing books in the lunchroom one afternoon. Again, creativity and innovation can
only go so far --soon, a wall or lack of wiring or insufficient air circulation become
insurmountable obstacles. Our library has reached those obstacles and can do no more.
When the area began to grow and library patronage grew apace, Sheila realized
that we were rapidly outgrowing our building. Director, staff and board began to examine
possibilities. We asked a local construction company and a local architect for structural
analysis and recommendations with rough cost estimates.
At our retreat last June, we examined the library's needs very closely and came to
conclusion that a new library building would be more cost effective. There are certain
constraints inherent in working with any existing building, and there are enough negative
factors involved with the current library site to question the economic feasability of
expanding this building. Some of these factors are the lack of structural support for
upward expansion and high cost of adding such support, site restriction by existing
structures including shotgun house, and limited parking. And, any existing structure
dictates solutions which become problems in themselves --use of interior space, preserving
the integrity of certain support walls, and air flow problems.
Our advisory board minutes of July 13, 1998, record Sheila informing us of the
request from City Manager Bob Hart that director, staff, board recommend a site for the
new building. With some concern about leaving a "downtown" location, the advisory
board recommended a new library adjacent to the parks and rec bldg on N Austin Ave.
Our thinking was more bang for the buck for the library since that city -owned site would
allow all funding to be applied to the library itself Of course, if a suitable downtown
location becomes available at a really reasonable cost, we are not married to the other
location but we are- committed to the proposition that the money be spent on the library
and its contents instead of land.
The Library Advisory Board who also served as directors of the 501(c)(3)
non-profit corporation decided to become active fundraisers in 1998. We renamed that
corporation the Georgetown Library Foundation and hosted the first annual gala which
was a successful fundraiser. Late in 1998, the Georgetown Library Foundation named an
entirely new and independent board of directors who hosted the 1999 successful gala
(recognize Hartley Sappington, chair of Georgetown Library Foundation in audience).
•
We are confident that the Foundation will be an increasing source of additional funding for
the library. _
As you consider the pressing need for new library space, the library advisory board
respectfully urges you to take full advantage of the professional knowledge and expertise
of Sheila and the staff. A library has specialized needs in space configuration and
flexibility --it would be foolish not to rely on those most familiar with those needs
The three elements of the equation which have made our library a success --the
demand of growth and patronage, the supply of funding from the city and the means
provided the director and the staff --can keep our library successful by maintaining this
balance and continued cooperation in the future.
So that you can see full -to -the -overflowing state of the library, we invite you all to
a guided tour on Monday, 12 July at 6:30 p.m. and again urge you to visit during the
summer reading program.
Thank you again for your support and for your time tonight. We would welcome
the council at any of our board meetings on the second Monday of each month. We
would be happy to provide you with more specific information in any area you would like.
The Library Advisory Board is a loyal body of advocates for the library; we will work with
you any way we can.
•
Attachments (3):
Four charts
Numerical data for charts
Georgetown Public Library Statistics for May 1999
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•
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Numerical data for charts
Figures from Georgetown Public Library submission to Texas State Library
Report for 1998, estimated population of 25,500. Records maintained within Georgetown
Public Library show 11,782 cardholders in that population; therefore, 46% of population
are library patrons.
Can a monthly average, 137 cards were issued in 1997.
On a monthly average, 220 cards were issued in 1998.
Figure 1. Georgetown 1988-1998
Population Cardholders
1988 12,332 5,472
1993 14,482 6,517
1998 25,500 11,782
Figure 2. 1997-1998 Geogetown population and average monthly library circulation
Population Circulation
1997 18,500 28,208
1998 25,500 18,369
Figure 3. Comparison of Average Juvenile Attendance 1997
TxLa 4,999
Georgetown 13,500
CTLA 5,208
Figure 4. Comparison of Statistics
Books per Circulation per Square feet
capita capita per capita
TxLA 1.99 4.38 .39
Georgetown 2.91 8.49 .76
CTLA 2.04 4.59 .40
Figures3 and 4 figures were taken from Texas State Library Report for 1997. References
in these figures are to TxLA are to the Texas Library Association which has 496 member
libraries. The Library Development Division of the Texas State Library and Archives
publishes statistics gathered by TxLA annually as Texas State Library Report.
CTLA or Central Texas Library Association is a subdivision of TxLA with 66
libraries in 30 counties.
1997-1999 Given pap 6 circ
10
99] i iga
{ p-P i.v mo arc
Fig— 1 Fig— 2
19
Figure 7
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Georgetown stlHstlu ", Tai.A and CTLA
Fig.. I
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Patron Visits
Current Year
1997-1998
19%-1997
1995-1996
1994-1995
1993-1994
1992-1993
Circulation
Current Year
1997-1998
1996-1997
1995-1996
1994-1995
1993-1994
1992-1993
Georgetown Public Library Statistics
Children's Programs
Attendance
Programs
Story Hour
Offw- Totc Movies, Craft
Other Services
ILL ordered
ILL filled
Large Print Circ
Volunteer Hours
Adult
Teen
Community Service
Total Volunteer Hours
Registrations
City Residents - new
Non -Residents - new
Non -Residents - Renew
Total
Cash Receipts
Fines, Room Rentals
Non -Residence Fees
Donations
Gifts/Memorials
1999
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
Y-T-D
13,810
14,548
17,028
14,679
114,835
9,637
10,540
10,514
11,259
153,997
11,991
11,623
14,595
15,810
161,905
10,980
10,792
9,480
14,538
125,397
9,424
8,381
13,387
10,300
113,240
8,208
10,669
8,793
9,603
104,437
5,313
5,840
6,455
6,822
66,443
17,906
18,312
21,290
20,033
129,173
16,686
17,025
18,320
17,286
220,430
15,885
16,909
18,345
17,847
206,504
14,726
13,120
14,447
13,866
174,409
15,024
14,645
16,029
14,241
187,548
14,074
14,796
16,178
14,903
182,578
11,824
12,234
14,436
12,850
159,648
392
482
664
624
3,794
2
2
3
0
16
10
11
11
13
65
4
7
13
63
42
29
19
217
29
44
27
17
184
50
50
50
50
350
79.75
90.25
55.5
57.75
507.25
24.00
32.00
12
14
120.00
22.00
3.00
10
10
106.50
125.76
125.25
77.5
81.75
733.75
140
92
101
96
926
25
32
25
20
190
51
55
68
55
374
216
179
194
171
1,490
1,368.33
1,387.87
1465.28
1812.48
$10,074.58
1,225.00
1,470.00
1520.00
960.00
$9,005.00
596-80
649.71
480.30
450.77
$4,288.35
1855.00
304.85
445.00
0
$3,484.85
Mayor MaryEllen Kersh:
Sorry you could not attend the library tour
July 12. The tour illustrated the "full to
the brim" state of the library and the video
of children's program showed the "full to
the overflowing" state of the children's
room and the parking lot.
Attached is the handout we provided for
the tour.
Nell F. Dickson
Library Advisory Board
This note was attached to handout
and distributed to those who did not
attend:
Mayor MaryEllen Kersh
Mayor Pro Tem Ferd Tonn
Council Member Lorenzo Valdez
Council Member Clark Lyda
Council Member Charlie Barton
Council Member Lee Bain
City Manager Bob Hart
Director of Community Services
Verna Browning
An invitation to this tour was
extended during the Library
Advisory Board's report to the
Council on the state of the
Library June 1999 and all
those listed above plus
Council Member Susan Hoyt
Council Member Hoss Burson
were also sent a printed
invitation 21 days prior to
the tour.
•
TO: Mayor, City Council members, City Manager, Director of Community Services
(addressed to each by name and position)
FROM: Library Advisory Board
DATE: July 12, 1999
RE: List of achievements in the library 1996 -1999
Attached is a list of particulars including but not limited to Long Range Plan objectives
which time constaints did not permit covering in our June presentation to you on the state
of our library.
When you compare this list to the Long Range Plan which you approved in 1996, please
note that the uncompleted objectives are those which require funding (additional staff for
Sunday hours) or space (for children's programs, Texas History Collection, books and
staff) unavailable to this date. Specific priorities which cannot be met at this time are to
• create a quiet reading area for public use,
• add additional public use computers, and
• develop resource collections for child care providers.
The rapid completion of the Long Range Plan is due to budgetary support from the city
and the enthusiastic leadership of Sheila Henderson with her dedicated and professional
staff. Lest you think we sing their praises too highly, our philosophy is --if we are quick to
hold persons accountable for mistakes or failure, we should be equally quick to credit
achievement and success.
Georgetown Public Library
Accomplishments, Improvements, and Changes
1996-1999
1996-1997
Added reference librarian and two other professional librarians to staff
Acquired two Internet connections for staff to use in reference work and installed electronic
magazine index (Infotrac)
Provided community resource bulletin board
Began publication and distribution to patrons of monthly newsletter
Began publishing regular library column in Williamson County Sun
Enclosed computer room, Children's Room, and Texas History Room
Held first staff -advisory board retreat
Held Celebrity Circ Day during National Library Week to introduced City and County officials
to the library
All staff attended Austin Public Library's day of in-service workshops
1997-1998 y
Celebrated the library's loth birthday
Improved customer service and staff accountability by restructuring staff to include two "shifts"
of workers: daytime and evening/weekend
40 Moved shelving to improve visibility and security
Added new shelves to accommodate growing collections
Started Books on the Go program for homebound patrons with United Way grant
Implemented GISD Kid's Card program
Installed new phone system
Installed new book security system
Received grant to update career collection
Received Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF) grant to provide Internet access to the
public
501(c)(3) Board hosted first library fund-raising Gala with Cactus Pryor as guest of honor
501(c)(3) Board created independent Georgetown Library Foundation
Increased Texas History/Genealogy Collection to include microfilm and electronic databases
Held second staff -advisory board retreat
Held second Celebrity Circ Day with Laura Bush as guest of honor
All staff attended annual Texas Library Association conference in Ft. Worth
Held day -long staff workshops on change and diversity in the workplace, led by nationally
known motivational speaker, Alice Gresham
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• 1998-99
Instituted public access to the Internet
Increased scope of large -print circuit rider program
Selected as one of six libraries in state to participate in national Community Advocacy Project
Collaborated with GISD teachers to put special groups of books on reserve for student research
Held third staff -advisory board retreat with first-time participation by board of library foundation
Completed process to receive federal c-rate grant, which reduces library telecommunications
costs by 50%
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