Mt. Lebanon Public Library2003 Annual Report
During the past year, as we faced the future with a constrained budget, we heard from you, our library users, who so convincingly described what the library means to you. We know that our elected leaders heard you as well. We appreciate your generous contributions that let us retain magazine subscriptions, purchase books and audio/video materials, and offer programs for children, teens, and adults in 2004. We would like to ensure that our library remains strong, and we are grateful for the help you give us as we continue our important work.
We have many people to thank: you, the residents of Mt. Lebanon, for your unflagging support; the Municipality of Mt. Lebanon for providing 54% of our operating funds and for maintaining the building; the Library Board of Trustees for their sense of mission and keen insights; and, most of all, our dedicated, helpful staff for their enthusiastic, professional service. We look forward to serving you well into the future.
Cynthia K. Richey, Directorricheyc@einetwork.net
Our MissionMt. Lebanon Public Library acquires, organizes, and provides open access to information, resources, and services that inspire and help community residents meet their lifelong personal, educational, cultural, vocational, recreational, and professional information needs. The Library, as a leading force in the community, emphasizes local resources, popular materials, and educational enrichment for all ages and abilities.
2003 Board of Trustees The Library Board of Trustees determines the mission of the library, sets policy, develops and monitors the budget, guarantees free communication, and preserves the precepts of intellectual freedom. The Board also works with staff to ensure that the library provides equitable library service to all residents of the community. In addition, the Board sponsors the annual Books & Bubbly Book Sale Presale and Library Garden Tour.
· President – Bonnie Van Kirk · Vice-President – James D. Strader · Treasurer – William Lewis · Secretary – Ann Winkelstein · Benjamin Hodes · Joseph Wertheim · Lucille Wick
Funding In 2003, we received 54% of our operating funds from the municipality of Mt. Lebanon, 27% from the Allegheny Regional Asset District, and 13% from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The remaining 6% of our operating funds came from fines, copier charges, interest, and miscellaneous donations.
Allegheny Regional Asset District We received $381,440 from ARAD, 27% of our operating funding. We used these funds for books, magazines, audio-visual materials, furniture and equipment, part-time staff, and programs for all ages.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania We received $184,395 from the state, 13% of our operating funds. We used these funds for books, audio-visual materials, part-time staff, and children’s programs. In order to receive state aid, we are required by law (the PA Library Code) to meet specific standards set by the state for library service. By meeting a higher standard, we increase our state funding.
Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA) Formed in 1998, ACLA is a 44-member library system that fosters cooperative activities among member libraries and seeks to improve services and programs in all the county libraries. ACLA is funded by the Allegheny Regional Asset District (ARAD) and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As a full member, our library benefited from ACLA’s programming, library service, and continuing education opportunities.
Value of Library Services in 2003 In 2003, the cost per resident for Mt. Lebanon Public Library services was $22.65*, less than the average price of a single hardcover book. (*based on municipal funding for the library)
Books borrowed: 386,134 times ·If people had purchased the books at an average price of $30 each…………………………………… $11,584,020
Audiocassettes, CDs and videos borrowed: 164,199 times ·If people had purchased the audio items at an average price of $20 each…………………………………… $1,313,600
·If people had purchased the videos at an average price of $20 each……………………………………. $1,970,380
·If people had rented the videos at an average price of $3 each…………………………………….. $295,557
Programs: 27,420 people attended more than 1,339 programs for adults and children. ·If people had paid $5 each………………….……………………… $137,100
Magazines: We subscribed to more than 339 magazines, journals, and newspapers valued at……………………………….… $31,500
The library also offered other free public services, such as access to the Internet, dozens of on-line databases, and other on-line resources; public documents from municipal, county, state, and federal services; tax forms; information on local events; plus access to other public libraries in Pennsylvania.
The Mt. Lebanon Public Library generated more than $15 million worth of great services.
And – LIBRARY CARDS ARE FREE!
People Flock to the Library Local residents made more than 600,219 visits to the library during 2003. As the library was open 3,416 hours, this means an average of 176 people visited the library each hour of operation!
Circulation Rises Again! Circulation, defined as the number of items charged out of the library, increased to 550,333 a 7% increase over last year. This averages 161 charge-outs by our cardholders for every hour the library was open! Mt. Lebanon continued to be in the top 4% of the state in circulation per capita.
Audio Visual (AV) Materials Popular Use of our AV collections continued to increase as we purchased more titles in these areas. Our 14,086 videos, audiocassettes and compact discs were borrowed 164,199 times in 2003. We also added to our collections of DVDs and unabridged books on compact disc.
Library Cards in Demand! We issued more than 2,190 new library cards in 2003. The total number of Mt. Lebanon cardholders now stands at 22,410.
Collections Grow We added 15,851 new books and audio-visual items in 2003. Our collections of all materials totaled 169,876 at year-end. Our turnover rate, or the average number of times an item is checked out, was 3.24.
Special Collections The library enhanced several of its special collections: Large Print Books, Small Business, Study Resources, Parent-Teacher, Reference, Literacy, Local History and Genealogy, Travel, Classics, children’s Picture Books, and Resources for Parents of Children with Special Needs. We also expanded graphic novel and music CD collections for teenagers and our circulating collection of storytime kits, consisting of books, puppets, audiocassettes, videos, activity books and sample programs, for use by daycare centers, nursery schools, and others working with young children.
Book Lists The library produced many book lists to provide guidance to our collections. Among them were: Staff Picks, Award-Winning and Notable Books, Holiday Planner, Gift Books for Children, Great Gifts that Don’t Need Batteries, Women’s Studies, Study Exam Guides, From Books to Box Office, Doing the Right Thing, Great Courses, Little-Known Historical Figures, Small Business Start-Up Toolkit, Marketing Research and Marketing, Mars the Red Planet - Fact and Fiction, Italia, Middle East, Oktoberfest, Democracy, Political Humor, Women of a Certain Age, Major Historical Figures Appearing in Historical Fiction, If You Liked The Da Vinci Code, Travel in Pennsylvania, Great Whiskey Rebellion, School Desegregation for Black History Month, World War I, Geology and National Parks, World Series 100th Anniversary, Nature Conservancy Bird Park Bio-blitz, Lewis and Clark 200th Anniversary, The 200-Year Story of the United States Constitution, Humor, If You Liked The Magic Tree House Series, Arthurian Tales, Fun with Stories, Trip List, Fantasy, If You Liked Ella Enchanted, If You Liked Lemony Snicket, New Gift Books, Classis Gift Books, Banned Books, Purely for Pleasure, and Learning About Our Muslim Neighbors.
Exhibits and Displays Exhibits in our upper and lower gallery space included photographs, paintings, drawings, handmade paper, and other works by local artists. Children’s Summer Reading Club art graced the walls in July and August. A traveling exhibit, Structures of Our Time, from the Octagon Museum in Washington, D.C. was shown in the lower gallery at year’s end. Patrons’ display case collections included antique glass, Santa Clauses, beer steins, pigs, quilts, Harley Davidson memorabilia, camels, carved birds, needlepoint, Pittsburgh Pirate memorabilia, bobble heads, angels, hats, and international dolls. The library welcomes exhibits and displays from community residents.
You Asked Us! Librarians answered 41,254 reference questions and helped patrons find answers for many of their other needs. Some questions we answered: 1. Do you have biographies of women jockeys? 2. I need books about MRIs for a 7-year-old about to undergo that procedure. 3. Who are The Five? 4. How do you get a handicapped parking permit? 5. What is Sarbanes-Oxley? 6. Is Austria on the Euro?
(*See We Answered! for resources.)
We Answered! (answers to You Asked Us!) 1. Mary Bacon, Kathy Kusner, Robyn Smith (Index to Collective Biographies for Young Readers, rj920.03 Bre) 2. At the Hospital by Amy Moses j362.1 Mos The Hospital Book by James Howe j362.1 How 3. A group of 19th-century Russian composers led by Balakirev, the other members being Borodin, Cui, Musorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd ed., r 780.3 N48, v. 8. 4. www.elderweb.com has a section on disabled parking placards and license plates. Links to Pennsylvania Application for Disability Parking Placard. 5. Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act of 2002. www.sarbanes-oxley.com/ 6. Yes! Did search on Vivisimo search engine: www.aboutaustria.org/living
Tax Information Center The reference department provided a free Tax Information Center with books, files, and websites for local, county, state and federal tax forms, instructions, and information. The library also distributed state and federal tax forms for patron use and helped patrons find information on Allegheny County Property Assessments.
Government Information Center The League of Women Voters maintained our Government Information Center, which provides voter registration and absentee ballot forms, as well as non-partisan information on elections, voter issues, and elected officials from local to federal levels.
eiNetwork: Computers and More through the Electronic Information Network Funded by the Allegheny Regional Asset District (ARAD) and private foundations, this system electronically connects more than 70 libraries in Allegheny County and provides access to catalogues of member libraries, on-line databases and other resources, and the Internet. Mt. Lebanon, an eiNetwork member since 1997, leases 74 computers and printers, all maintained by the eiNetwork, and receives software, support, and training, too. Resource sharing is accomplished quickly and efficiently, maximizing tax dollars.
www.mtlebanonlibrary.org: Gateway to a Universe of Information In addition to providing access to 70 libraries via the on-line catalog, the library’s website serves as a gateway to community information; research and information databases and resources; recommendations for books, movies, and other library collections; and the wide world of the Internet. The web page also provides information about the library itself including a library events calendar, lists of new books, and library news. Our web page received 286,645 visitors in 2003.
Computers and more! Patrons used our 50 public computers to gain access to catalogs, databases, reference services, and the Internet. Staff and volunteers provided formal and informal instruction and training in catalog, database, and basic Internet searching, and simple word processing to hundreds of adults and children. In addition we provided free classes on effective, responsible Internet use. The library offers free instruction to all patrons who request it.
POWER Library: Information Sources at Your Fingertips Through our library’s web page, patrons enjoyed access to the state-funded Pennsylvania On-line World of Electronic Resources, a collection of 44 databases, including full-text magazine and newspaper articles from EBSCOhost, netLibrary; Searchasaurus for elementary and middle-school students, SIRS Discoverer for children, AccuNet/AP Multimedia Archive, Bigchalk, Grove’s Dictionaries, Poem Finder, and more. POWER Library is also accessible from home with a valid library card.
More Information Sources at Your Fingertips: eiNetwork Electronic Resources Through the einNetwork, we provided patrons with access to more than 20 on-line databases, including, among others, Morningstar; College Source; Facts.com and Issues and Controversies; Grolier’s Lands and Peoples and Popular Science; Learnatest (practice exams for GED, SAT, Civil Services, Real Estate, and more); Books in Print with reviews; Alt-Health Watch; Biography, Business Company, and Literature Resource Centers; Business Source Elite; World Book On-line; and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from 1990 to current date. Patrons can access all of them at the library or from home with a valid library card.
Popular Programs The library offered 1,339 programs for adults and children in 2003, with more than 27,420 people attending. In addition to storytimes for children, we conducted summer reading clubs and book discussions for all ages, offered programs about nature, health, classical music, current affairs, history, and sponsored programs in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, the Pittsburgh Symphony, Family Hospice, Elderhostel, the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, and The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, among others.
Talk about Books! Patrons of all ages enjoyed lively discussions about books in our 10 book groups: Women’s Biography/Autobiography, Morning and Evening Groups (adult books), KidsLit (adults discussing children’s books), Girls Night Out (for mothers and daughters, children’s books), Just for Guys (for boys and fathers or father figures, children’s books), Shakespeare Readers, Mystery Readers, PALS and Teen Connection. All groups welcome new participants at any time.
Screenings We presented two film series featuring movies from our video collection: Sunday Senior Movies (favorites for older adults); and Elaine Wertheim’s Comedy Tonight. Our videos and DVDs may be checked out for a week at a time.
Discovery Programs The library received the 2003 Pennsylvania AARP Excellence in Programming Award for our Discovery Programs. Now in its fourth year, this is a successful series of 6-week programs on various topics taught by local, volunteer experts. Hundreds of people enjoyed these free classes this year: Art Appreciation/Myth and Meaning, Boost Your Immune System, The Memory that Must Be Preserved, Creativity for the Untalented, Where Does It Come From/Where Does It Go?, Nature Conservation, Presidential Illnesses and White House Cover-Ups, Ulysses, and The 200 Year Old Story of the Constitution. A volunteer committee under the auspices of the Friends of the Library coordinated the popular series. They also began an ethnic luncheon series, visiting Italian, Middle Eastern, and German restaurants in the area and receiving brochures listing library materials about the geography, cuisine, culture, and so forth of each region.
Adult Summer Reading There were 60 participants in the Adult Summer Reading Club who read a total of 144 books. The “Get in the Game @ Your Library” theme featured Bingo cards with various genres in each square. One participant almost covered the card by reading 24 books. We provided wonderful free prizes through the generosity of the Three Rivers Storytelling Festival, Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre, Pittsburgh Playhouse, City Theatre, and Pittsburgh Public Theatre.
Banned Books Week We publicized the importance of intellectual freedom and libraries with a Banned Books Week celebration. Staff decorated the library with posters of text from banned books and the reasons for the challenges to them. Patrons checking out one of the 100 most banned/challenged books of the last decade received a “banned book buck” good for $1 off fines, good through 2003.
Children’s Programs Throughout the year 8,844 children ages 6 months-6 years and parents, grandparents, caregivers, and teachers attended 352 storytimes, 6,030 school-age children attended 118 programs, and 1,698 children of all ages, parents and grandparents attended 59 family programs. The library continued to be the primary provider of pre-reader and family literacy services and resources. The total of programs presented in 2003 was 529, with a total attendance of 16,572.
Born to Read! Twenty babies from birth to 6 months of age had their pictures displayed on the Born to Read bulletin board in the Children’s Library and received a bag with a bib, book magnet picture frame, and suggested reading list. This program promotes the importance of reading to babies right from the start.
Family Place To increase service to families with very young children, we continued our Family Place interactive programs for adults and children, ages one to three. At various times throughout the year, we presented 11 interactive, educational programs for adults and children ages 1 to 3, using community resources, with an attendance of 343.
Battle of the Books In an effort to encourage older elementary children to experience the delights of reading, the children’s library sponsored the Battle of the Books, in which children in grades 4, 5 and 6 formed teams coached by adults, read books from a required list, wrote questions about the books, then answered questions during two spirited playoffs. In 2003, 75 children participated in two evenings of playoffs, with an audience of over 100 cheering them on.
Summer Reading Clubs for Children 788 school-age children enrolled in the “Get in the Game @ your library” 2003 Summer Reading Club and 482 children completed the requirements of reading 5 books and doing an art project or book report. 275 preschoolers registered for the Read to Me Club and 149 completed the requirements of listening to 20 books. 3,155 children attended 66 programs during June, July, and August, and 56,102 books were circulated in children’s during these months.
Grandparent and Vacation Bags and Sick Day Comfort Kits Children’s Library staff prepared 110 collections of books, audio-visual materials, activities, and bookmarks for visiting grandchildren, traveling families, or sick children.
Special Events Scores of fantastic programs provided unique recreational and educational opportunities for area residents of all ages. Highlights included and World Affairs series on Understanding the Middle East and Repercussions of the War in Iraq, Folksingers Margaret Hooton and Bob Barnett, the Library Pet Show, Chess Tournament, Fright Night at the Library, What Einstein Told His Cook, 100 Years of Flight, Lewis and Clark, Editor’s Forum, Gender and Judicial Decisions, Harry Potter Day, Japanese Tea Ceremony, Business Round Tables, Learn to Knit, Holiday Storytimes for children, and Historic Homes of Western Pennsylvania. Event attendance for all programs was 27,420.
Teens and the Library The Teen Summer Reading Club had tremendous participation with more than 135 participants reading 635 books. We awarded donated prizes and posted recipients’ names in the Teen Department. Teens also participated in afternoon “snack attack” sessions featuring movies and crafts, and there were 77 entries in this year’s national Teen Read Week contest. The Teen Advisory Committee helped plan programs and library services throughout the year.
We Reach Out Staff presented 244 storytimes, book reviews, poetry readings, book talks, programs, or other presentations to 6,668 people at schools, daycare centers, senior facilities, churches, hospital units, and civic and community gatherings. In addition, more than 11,000 members of community, civic, and other non-profit groups, and volunteer literacy tutors used our meeting rooms and study rooms at no charge. This activity resulted from our successful community partnerships.
We worked in partnership with several other organizations to provide services and information to our patrons. Among them were the League of Women Voters, Historical Society of Mount Lebanon, Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, Mt. Lebanon School District, Parent Learning Support Network, Mt. Lebanon PTA, Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy, Family Hospice, The Pittsburgh Foundation Center, Outreach, Pittsburgh history and Landmarks Foundation, and The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh.
Library Volunteers More than 194 community-spirited volunteers assisted us in many essential tasks, such as putting books in order, processing new books, helping with library programs, photocopying, designing book lists, and delivering books to homebound residents. Volunteers also provided Income Tax Assistance (VITA), literacy and English-as-a-second-language tutoring through the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, planned the Discovery programs for adults, taught computer classes, and organized the 13th Annual Garden Tour. Volunteers generously donated more than 3,500 hours of their time during 2003. We welcome volunteers; ask for an application at the library.
Homebound Delivery We expanded our service to persons who are confined at home or in an institution. Fourteen volunteers delivered more than 4,700 items to 41 individuals and 5 sites. The most popular materials were large print books and books on tape which we lent along with portable tape players.
Assistive Devices for Patrons with Disabilities The library staff continued a long-standing commitment to accessible information and services for everyone, such as a wheelchair and rolling walkers for easy mobility in the library, reader-enlargers, a speech synthesizing reader, an infrared audio system for programs, large print books, an elevator, and handicapped parking. We offered computer software and hardware for blind and visually impaired patrons, including JAWS for Windows screen reader, MAGic screen enlargement, several Kurzweil reading machines, and Optelec print enlargers. We also have a TTY machine for hearing impaired patrons. That number is 412-531-5268.
Courtyard: Outdoor Extension of the Library Patrons loved our courtyard and used it for formal programs such as book reviews, poetry readings, concerts, and storytimes, and informal uses such as reading to a child, volunteer tutoring, or perusing a magazine. The courtyard was also the venue for our August series of free family concerts featuring area musicians: Eric Susoeff and Louis Lowenstein, Mt. Lebanon High School String Quartet, Nan Hoffman, and the Hot Matzohs.
Friends of the Library We are fortunate to have a dedicated Friends organization that supports the library. The Friends promoted library services in the community and raised funds for materials and programs that the library could not otherwise provide. The Friends also published ten issues of The Library News, edited by volunteer Sandy Golomb, Carol Bleier, and Susie Golebie; held two membership drives; organized and conducted their Annual Book Sale; sponsored several programs (described elsewhere in this report); and provided refreshments for all family programs. To join the Friends, contact the library. Membership dues begin at $10 per person.
· President – James McGinnis ·Treasurer – Richard Moore · Vice President – Rania Harris · Recording Secretary – Nancy Smith · Corresponding Secretary – Phyllis Moore
Friendly Fundraising The Friends of Mt. Lebanon Public Library raised more than $30,000 from their fantastic Twice Sold Tales, chaired by Betsy Hohlfelder and Jackie Holdsworth. The annual Book Sale is held each October. Donations are accepted year-round.
Books & Bubbly This annual gala presale for Twice Sold Tales is sponsored by the Library Board of Trustees and supported by The Friends. The event provides patrons with an opportunity to peruse the books before the sale begins and sample delicious treats for a ticket cost of $25. This year’s event raised $3,790.
13th Annual Garden Tour The 13th Annual Garden Tour featured six splendid Mt. Lebanon gardens. This event is sponsored by the Library Board of Trustees and organized entirely by volunteers. Tour Chairs Mary Lu and Bob Quehl, their talented committee, and the gracious gardeners raised more than $12,341 for the library.
Memorial, Honor and Birthday Books Patrons donated more than $11,450 to purchase books in memory of, in honor of, or on the occasion of a birthday of loved ones. Each selected book is a wonderful way to remember or honor a special person. Check the library’s web site for a list of donors and the books that have been added to our collection.
Special Donations · Buy-A-Brick – In 2003, patrons contributed $2,100 to the library to place bricks in the entranceway and help fund library projects.
· United Way, Corporate Matching, and Other Gifts – We received $6,230 from generous library supporters. The Library’s United Way contribution code is 4670.
· Community Groups – We received more than $9,850 in donations from Mt. Lebanon-Dormont Rotary Club, Mt. Lebanon Lions Club, Mt. Lebanon PTA, Child Study, and the Woman’s Club of Mt. Lebanon.
Adopt-an Author/Magazine, Giving Tree, and Other Donations Patrons provided much-needed support to the library when they contributed several thousand dollars for magazine subscriptions, new books and audio-visual materials, and children’s programs, as well as for library supplies such as date due stickers and pencils. We place donor names on each magazine and book.
The Mt. Lebanon Public Library Fund At year-end, the library’s fund with the Pittsburgh Foundation totaled more than $25,845. Tax-deductible gifts to the library’s fund help increase the endowment that will, eventually, be used for books and various library improvement projects. Patrons may donate to the Fund at any time (www.pittsburghfoundation.org).
Professional Activities and Community Involvement Library staff members were active professionally with the Pennsylvania Library Association, Pennsylvania Department of Education and Commonwealth Libraries, Allegheny County Library Association, Electronic Information Network, American Library Association, Association for Library Service to Children, the University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation. The staff also was involved in many community organizations and partnerships: Mt. Lebanon School District, Mt. Lebanon PTA, Mt. Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, Mt. Lebanon Lions Club, Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy, Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department, and local church libraries and other public libraries as volunteers. |
