Stockton - San Joaquin CountyPublic LibraryAnnual Report 2006-2007

The Stockton - San Joaquin County Public Library 2006-2007 year has been filled with accomplishments that affect every person in the community of San Joaquin County. We have worked diligently in our mission to provide a leadership role in working with community partners to develop strong partnerships that have focused on many needs, but most notably our efforts have been focused on improving literacy. Literacy is essential in impacting the overall social, economic, health and cultural opportunities for all people of all ages and we are proud of the Library’s work in the last several years in being a strong advocate of empowering people through the ability to read.

In addition, the 2006-2007 year brought a great deal of dedication to the organization’s future by developing a Strategic Plan, Facilities Master Plan, and Marketing Plan. It is my goal, the Library’s goal to align ourselves with the city and county goals and to become key players in establishing the future of our community. Our efforts to increase our presence in the community include opening two new libraries; one in the City of Ripon and the other in the Weston Ranch community.

The Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library’s successes continue and can be seen throughout the 2006-2007 Annual Report. We are proud of what we have done, and continue to be proud of what is still to come. I am looking forward to the 2007-2008 year as we push forward with our mission of becoming an integral and recognizable face of the community. The library contains the future, come inside and see.

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

What is more important in a library than anything else - than everything else - is the fact that it exists.”

Poet Archibald MacLeish community

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The mission of the Stockton - San Joaquin County Public Library is to create an environment for connecting people and ideas by providing residents of all ages with the resources to purse their educational. civic, business, and personal interests.

The City of Stockton created public library service in 1880. In 1910 the County of San Jaoquin contracted public library service with the City of Stockton to provide library service outside of Stockton, broadening the service area to the entire San Joaquin County.

The library system consists of the Chavez Central Library, eleven branches (four inside the Stockton city limits), a mobile library, and a mobile family literacy unity. The City County System provides services to seven cities: Escalon, Manteca, Stockton, Ripon, Tracy, and the unicorporated areas of Linden and Thornton. The libraries play a crucial role in focusing on literacy and education by providing free-choice learning opportunities to empower and create readers.

We are your library; discover what we can do together. The possibilities are endless and the rewards are too great to measure. The library enriches the cultural, social, and physical tapestry of our community, our neighborhoods, and the peopld by providing a sense of community.

LIBRARY MISSION

Library.Here is where people,one frequently finds,lower their voicesand raise their mind.

Richard Armour

New Libraries - In fiscal year 2006-2007 the Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library opened two new branches, on in the Weston Ranch community and the other in the City of Ripon. Both of these communities can now enjoy library services right within their neighborhood. With a population of over 605,000 it is the intent of the Library to continue creating new ways and places for all people to have access to the resources we have to offer. The Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library prides itself on becoming more than a “house of books” by offering many diverse programs that can educate and unite the community.

Computer and Technology - Programs such as Ask Now, a free nationwide information service offered through the Library website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Free!

Literacy - We also encourage the families within our service area to embrace the need for literacy as well as quality family time. Through the implementation of Storytimes we can promote the love of books and the ability to read.

Cultural Awreness - The Library is continually participating in events that will showcase the diversity of the community as well as the nation. The African American culture and history is celebrated as part of the Black History Month in which the library showcases art, books, and events that were and continue to be pioneered by infamous people such as Martin Luther King, Angela Mayou, and Alice Walker. Every culture is represented with the walls of the library.

Mobile Libraries - The need to take the library experience to the community is recognized and pursued by the ever popular Mobile Library and Training Wheels program. With regularly scheduled outings the Library can be seen on the streets of the community. Books, storytimes, and literacy programs are available on the road, visiting the underserved communities of San Joaquin County.

The Stockton - San Joaquin County Public Library is fundamentally committed to lifelong learning and reaching all segments of the community. It is the Library’s goal to continue to be a vibrant, strong, and diverse presence in the community and in order to do so, the Library staff, management, and leadership continually seek opportunities to increase our resources. Printed materials, audio books, compact discs, and digital video discs line the walls of every branch and calendars are full with activities that promote and celebrate community, city, state, national and world-wide events, holidays, and topics.

The Library is no longer the quiet solitary place to do research or read – the library is alive and full of The library is continually seeking new opportunities and ways to support the goals of the city, the county, and the community members. It is the mission of the library To Create an Environment to Connect People and Ideas.

A NEW DAY

The Stockton - San Joaquin County Public Library is full of success stories featuring many of our patrons and our staff. As part of the 6th annual Writign Challenge for Adult Learners in California’s Library Literacy Services, one of our patrons was Writer to Writer Finalist in 2007.

Every year the California State Library sponsors a state-wide student writing challenge. The students are required to read a book, have their tutor read a book to them, or listen to a book-on-tape. They are then to write a letter to the author telling them how the book influenced them or impacted their lives. The student could dictate the letter to their tutor or write it themselves. This year seven students in the Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library Adult Literacy Program submitted letters. The letters were judged by adult learners on staff at programs throughout California and other adult learners throughout the state. In total, there were 140 submissions.

Garland Rabon, a Stockton resident, was the winner when his letter was chosen for this award in the beginning classification.

Mr. Rabon’s winning letter was written to Dr. Ben Carson. Mr. Rabon read Dr. Carson’s book, Gifted Hands, and was moved by the compelling story of a boy who overcame many difficulties in his life to become a very gifted, kind, tenacious doctor. Mr. Rabon’ read Gifted Hands as part of the Adult Literacy Program that is one of many programs offered by Stockton - San Joaquin County Public Library. Mr. Rabon and his tutor, Darla Gibbs, have been reading the book together as a way to develop the ability to read, one of the most important skills we can all possess as we take our journey through this life.

The Library has many programs and activities that strengthen the mission to enhance and enrich the lives our our community through the ability to read.

success

SUCCESS OF OUR PATRONS

SUCCESS OF OUR PROGRAMSThe Stockton - San Joaquin County Public Library brings more than books to the residents of the San Joaquin County. A multitude of programs that appeal to all ages and all people are available at every branch in an effort to build on community, family, education, personal growth, enjoyment, and LITERACY! Our programs are continually being praised at federal, state, and city levels. In fiscal year 2006-2007 we proudly received two awards from the San Joaquin County Council of Governments.

The Regional Excellence Award is the only program of its kind to provide recognition for outstanding achievements and contributions throughout our larger, regional community. The awards program pays tribute to the people and organizations who give of their time and talent to create and implement valuable programs and projects, dedicating themselves to the success of the regional community.

The first award was in the category of Community Involvement and is in recognition of the Californai Cultural Crossroads Program to promote Literacy and Understanding of Diverse Cultures.

The second award was for Honorable Mention in the category of Community Involvmenet and is in recognition of “Reading Rocks” Library Reading Rally - San Joaquin A+ Reads Week.

The Cultural Crossroads is a grant sponsored program sponsored by Target Corporation with support from the Comcast Foundation and the Library & Literacy Foundation for San Joaquin County. The program allows the Library to hold year round free events within the San Jaoquin County to educate, celebrate and discover cultural diversity.

The most recent event, Día de los Niños/Childrena’s Day, was cordinally hosted at the Manteca Branch Library, Martin Luther King Jr. Park and the Cesar Chavez Branch Library in Stockton. The event offered parents and children a unique Lationa celebration with music, food, and fun. These cultural events are dynamic in nature and often include storytelling, exhibits, art and music demonstrations and performances highlighting different cultures. Events are planned in a way that the whole family can enjoy the whole day.

Stockton - San Joaquin County Public Library is proud to receive these awards, and even more honored to be a the facilitator of such important events that spark the desire to learn and encourage a sense of commnity.

FACTS AND FINANCES

Population Served Registered Borrowers

605,448

276,971

Full-Time Staff

Literacy Volunteers

Library Volunteers

STAFFING

POPULATION VS. BORROWERS FACILITIES

Angelou 2324 Pock Lane, StocktonChavez 605 N. El Dorado St., StocktonFair Oaks 2370 E. Main St. StocktonTroke 502 W. Ben Holt Dr., StocktonWeston Rnch. 1453 W. French Camp Rd. StocktonEscalon 1540 Second St., EscalonLathrop 15461 7th St., LathropLinden 19059 E. Main St., LindenManteca 320 W. Center St., MantecaMtn. House 579 Wicklund Crossing, Mtn, HouseRipon 333 W. Main St., RiponThornton 26341 N. Thornton Rd., ThorntonTracy 20 E. Eaton Ave., TracyMobile Library Serving San Joaquin County Training Wheels Serving San Joaquin County

REVENUE SOURCES

52.45 % City of Stockton44.44 % San Joaquin County1.51 % Fines and Fees.71 % Other Jurisdictions .67 % State Funding.22 % Federal Funding

OPERATING BUDGET FOR 2006/2007$13,186.812 growth

MATERIALS AND SERVICE

1,018,300 Library Materials Owned43,641 New Library Materials Added11,816 New Material Titles Added76,460 Bound Periodicals (Estimated)809 Current Periodical / Subscriptions

1,946,347 Annual Attendance in Library83,367 Annual Attendance at Library Programs1,977,150 Circulated Materials561,733 In-Library Use of Materials461,328 Reference, Research and Information Questions Answered

CITY OF STOCKTONEdward Chavez, Mayor; Steve Bestolarides, District 1; Dan Chapman, District 2; Leslie Baranco Martin, Vice Mayor, District 3; Clem Lee, District 4; Susan

Talamantes Eggman, District 5; Rebecca Nabors, District 6; J. Gordon Palmer, City Manager

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTYSteve Gutierrez, District 1; Larry Ruhstaller, District 2; Victor Mow, District 3; Ken Vogel, District 4; Leroy Ornellas, District 5, Manual Lopez, County Administrator

CITY OF ESCALONGary Haskin, Mayor; Greg Greeson, City Manager

CITY OF LATHROPGloryanna Rhodes, Mayor; Pam Carder, City Manager

CITY OF MANTECAWillie Weatherford, Mayor; Robert Adams, City Manager

CITY OF RIPONChuck Winn, Mayor; Leon Compton, City Administrator

CITY OF TRACYBrent Ives, Mayor; Daniel Hobbs, City Manager

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY PRESIDENTSKtristina Zack, Escalon

Beth Lynch, LindenBetty L. Christy, Manteca

Vince Kerrigan, RiponCoralita Rathhaus, Stockton

Donald Johnston, Tracy

LIBRARY & LITERACY FOUNDATION FORSAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

Budd West, President

LIBRARY PLANNING COMMITTEETom Amato, Edward Chavez, Steve Cox, Susan dePolo, Gary Gillis, Audrey

Gillispie, Gary Hansen, Gerry Henderson, Tandy Hughes, Carolyn Jensen, Donald Johnston, Sylvia Kothe, Dennis Lee, Elena Mangahas, Evia Moore, Nelson

Nagai, Gloria Nomura, Gary Podesto, John Reynolds, Tod Ruhstaller, Margaret Sanderson, Carrie Sass, Kathryn Scholl, Sharon Simas, John Solis, Sophat Sorn,

Bob Wallace, John White, Douglass Wilhoit, Leo Zuber

LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD CHAIRSMartin Van Houten, Escalon

Jeff Hoffman, Manteca/LathropBronis de Supinski, Tracy

LIBRARY MANAGEMENTNatalie Rencher, Director of Library Services

Patty Wong, Deputy Director of Library ServicesJane Dyer Cook, Library Division Manager

Lydia Tinder, Library Division ManagerKen Yamashita, Library Division Manager

Greg Brazile, Program Manager IIIKendra Stockwell, Executive Assistant

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe Library would like to extend its thanks to the following

individuals for their continued commitment and support throughout the past year.