Since the expansion and renovation in 2010,

the library has witnessed a tremendous

increase in community engagement. We are

the community’s destination to read, explore,

learn and share. Our collections have

expanded to include even more popular titles.

Programs for all ages continue to delight and

amaze. Our friendly and informed staff create

a positive and welcoming library experience.

The activity and collections statistics on page 3

tell the story of our busy library.

As a result of the rapid growth, the library

embarked on creating a new long range plan

gathering community input. The 2015-2020

plan was adopted by the library board of

trustees in 2015. The plan identified several

goals and strategies aimed to grow and

improve upon current programs, services and

staffing. The board of trustees will strategically

focus on the goals set forth for the next

several years.

To our wonderful community that supports

the library, we thank you for your input and

providing the financial resources for being

able to offer the collections, programs and

services that change lives for the better.

Please join us in raising the bar even higher

and take part in the town referendum process.

Another fantastic year is revealed within these

pages. Read all about the accomplishments of

2015 and what we have planned for the

future. We look forward to seeing you at the

library!

Susan Morgan

Director

4840 West Seneca Turnpike Syracuse, NY 13215

(315) 492-1727 www.oflibrary.org

onondagafree@yahoo.com

Maria Rizzo received the Individual Artist Commission Grant from the CNY Arts 2014 Decentralization Program to engage Onondaga County residents in an interactive art project.

At several Onondaga County libraries, 45 county residents took part in painting the Symbolic Tree (shown above) and the piece was donated to OFL at the unveiling (3/14/15).

1Onondaga Free Library spending per capita for the chartered population is $27.16

as compared to the system average of $59.17.

- 2014 Onondaga County Public Library Report -

2015 Financial Summary

Need for Sustainable Funding

Per capita expenditures are well below average among peer libraries in the county.1 Our staffing model compared to peer libraries is also well below average, with a current full time equivalent of 9 employees. For the library chartered service population of 28,306, the full time equivalent is 20.

The long range plan adopted in 2015 will guide the library in continuing to evolve to meet community needs and expectations for the coming years. The petition for a town referendum is needed to establish sustainable funding in order to serve the Town of Onondaga community at an appropriate level.

5-Year Growth

2015 2010 % Growth

Total Visitors 102,553 48,142 113%

Registered Borrowers 9,216 9,748 -6%

Total Circulation 228,958 173,668 32%

Total Materials 101,342 48,404 109%

Total Programs 1,002 324 209%

Program Attendance 12,273 5,722 114%

Computer Sessions 12,602 10,228 23%

Wireless Connections 30,212 N/A N/A

Meeting Room Reservations 1,390 222 526%

Co

llecti

on

s A

ctivi

ty

Outside the

Library Walls A great year for outreach services: Town Senior Center, Onondaga Hill Middle School, Summerfield, OCC and others. The community feedback from the long range plan demonstrates the need for more outreach in the coming years. Sustainable funds will allow outreach services to expand.

Play & Learn Meaningful play for children was enhanced with the addition of a puppet theater, mobile magnet wall, giggle mirror and baby dolls. New programming initiatives for tweens and teens, including Film Camp and Minecraft Club, created a safe and welcoming space for students to explore their passion and support 21st century learners.

Brothers having fun learning and experimenting with our new mobile

magnet wall.

Summer Reading 2015 Another record breaking summer of lots of reading! The numbers tell the story: Total Registered Summer Reading Participants - 443 Total Books Read - 2,964 Total Programs Offered - 127 Total Program Attendance - 2,160 RECORD BREAKING # of Teen Volunteers - 26

Also, for the first time, OFL hired 3 high school interns with support from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and YALSA Teen Summer Intern grant.

Thank you to our

dedicated Friends group! The Friends of OFL held terrific fundraising events including their annual membership campaign, book sale and Festival of Trees. With their donation of $12,338, the Friends provided iPads for programs, Lucky Day books, Fast Flicks, puppet theater, giggle mirror, mobile magnet wall, picnic table, garden concert, and summer reading program support. We are thankful to have a wonderful source of library support from the Friends. Please consider becoming a Friend!

Garden Concert ft. Swing This!

Minecraft @ the Library: Laptops funded by the Best Buy Community Foundation grant

It has been nine years since the current Town of Onondaga referendum was voter approved. In that time, demand for library collections, programs and services has increased dramatically. The long range plan adopted in 2015 demonstrates community support for additional funding to increase full time staffing in order to offer more programs and services. The increased referendum further supports operating costs and long range capital funds needed for future building improvements.

Currently, 58% of Onondaga Free Library’s operational funding comes from the Town of Onondaga resident support.

The petition campaign will begin this spring. We need Town residents to assist with obtaining petition signatures and campaigning for library support during the referendum process.

Is the referendum necessary? Yes. OFL is the 8th most active in the Onondaga County Public Library system. Library per capita spending of $27.16 ranks among the lowest in the county system. Why do we have to have a petition? The petition process requires 10% (approx. 850) of Town of Onondaga registered voters who voted in the last gubernatorial election request to put a referendum proposition on the November 2016 election ballot. What is the petition asking to have approved by the voters? The petition asks for an increase in the support from the Town of Onondaga residents from the current $475,000 to $700,000. This increase will be used for adding full-time staff, increased operating costs and to further establish capital funds for building improvements. What will the referendum cost be to voters? The proposed referendum will cost the resident voter approximately $52.06 per $100,000 of assessed valuation per year. That’s less than $5 per month per $100,000 of assessed valuation. Will Town of Onondaga residents have an opportunity for input about the petition? Yes. As the petition progresses, regular library board meetings will give residents and community members an opportunity to share their comments. Individuals may also contact the library by phone (315-492-1727) or via email (onondagafree@yahoo.com).

Board of Trustees: Dan Pautz, President Casey Barduhn, Vice President Anthony Finochio, Treasurer Amy Kremenek, Secretary Jen Frasier Bri Fundalinski Full-Time Staff: Susan Morgan, Director Alyssa Newton, Assistant Director

Part-Time Staff: Holly Hart, Children’s Services Mary Honis, Bookkeeper/Clerk Wynton Hughes, Page Liz Kelly, Page Goran Lucic, Clerk Monica Lukowski, Clerk Sara Randolph, Clerk Eurain Scott, Clerk Chantal Sparkes, PR Coordinator Gail Thomas, Processing Clerk Bette Tucker, Children’s Services Nancy Warner, Clerk Debbie Zabel, Clerk Brennan Zimmer, Clerk

Substitute Staff: Dylan Blakeley, Librarian Kelly Casey, Clerk Pat Hagemann, Clerk Linda Harrington, Clerk Volunteers: Rich Cappelli Kathy DeSanctis Carol Dixon Ruth McMains Doug Nielson Thomas Pettitt Donna Schwarz Mary Silky Sue Thomas

April: Petition to be approved by Town Clerk, Town Attorney and Commissioner of Elections

April - August: Collection of petition signatures

September: Petition and resolution to be passed by library board and filed with Town and County Clerks

November 8: Election Day referendum vote