Wadleigh Memorial Library

2010: The busiest year on record @ your library

Library cards1000 new cardholders last yearRegistrations have increased an average of 10% each year

since 2007Currently almost 12,000 registered cardholders

VisitsLibrary patrons made nearly 15,000 visits per month to their

library.

People

Staff Retirements , New Hires, & PromotionsLibrary Page Anne Zahn retired after 11 yrs.Arleen Levenson, Head of Circulation, retired after 13 yrs. Heather Stearns & Kyle Scripter hired as Library Pages.Mary Ann Shea promoted to Head of Circulation.

Board of TrusteesChris Costantino & Mary Burdett re-elected for 3 year terms.Kim Paul appointed as Alternate.

People

In 2007, our circulation topped 200k for the first time.

3 years later, another record broken when we surpass 250k.

Checked out 265,862 items in 2010—up 7% in 1 year. During the last 5 years, circulation increased 42%.

Checkouts (circulation)

Children’s books up 5%

Museum passes up 6%

Audiobooks up 6%

Videos up 10%

Downloadable audiobooks & ebooks up 34%

Checkouts (circulation)

Programs

Overall, held fewer programs than 2009 but participation increased to record numbers.

Nearly 18,000 attendees took part in 765 programs.

Teen programming *did* increase to meet demand. Held 38% more programs; attendance increased 36% Programs included book launch parties & book-to-movie

celebrations; teen craft series; Wii tournaments and “wireless” gaming (read: board games); book discussion groups; animanga club

If you build it…they will come!

Programs

Other programs included:Visit by NY Times bestselling author Lorna BarrettRegularly scheduled storytimes & baby lapsitsBook discussion groups for all ages Family activities such as Bedtime Bingo and Lego “block parties”Volunteer-led ESOL tutoringPAWS to ReadTown “Big Truck Day”

Over 25,000 logons to our pcs (includes partial year of wireless use statistics).

Nearly 22,000 searches on reference databases.

Over 10,000 reference questions answered.

Meeting room reservations increased 17% to 424.

Attendance at community group meetings increased 11% to 3,349 people.

Services

The Wadleigh Steering Committee has met weekly since CIP committee moved our project to a 2014 vote.

We’ve been working with the architects that won the AIA-NH design competition.

Architects have submitted a proposal including a team of engineers and project manager.

Steering Committee is reviewing the proposal and the suggested team.

Facilities

At the conclusion of the process our plan is to present this year’s CIP with detailed architectural plans and an estimated cost. The goal is to hold our position for a 2014 vote.

In addition, the committee has met with 4 fundraising consultants in anticipation that we will need to solicit private funding to supplement what the town will accept on a warrant article.

Facilities

To help improve safety & security, the library installed surveillance cameras in late 2010.

With 15,000 visits a month, space remains a dire need. Space for…

requested items until they’re picked up

returned items until they can be reshelved

materials purchased to meet the demand

efficient work and traffic flow

people of all ages to meet, study, work

Facilities

Library staff has worked extremely hard to meet the increasing demand on library services.

As citizens search out ways to make their dollars stretch, they’re rediscovering their library—some for the first time.

In summary

“Libraries are community treasure chests, loaded with a wealth of information available to everyone equally, and the key to that treasure chest is the library card. I have found the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card.”

--Former First Lady Laura Bush

So what card is in your wallet?