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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES The Board of Library Trustees of the Abington Public Library is pleased to submit its report of the year, 2004. During the year the library continued to serve as the community's information and cultural center and is now in its eighth year in the new library building. In 2004, there was a significant increase in the number of registered borrowers at the Abington Public Library. This in some ways reflects the downturn of the nation and state's economy, where a populace with less disposable income reaches out to their public libraries for more of their recreational and informational needs. But most importantly this growth in the library's patron base also parallels the growth in the town's residential population. During this time the population of Abington swelled to over 15,500 residents. The library responded by expanding the print collection and providing new compact discs, videos, books on tape and other resources, all of which stretched the budget to the maximum. Staff members continued to teach residents basic internet and database searching. The Copeland Meeting Room was used by the Thimbles & Friends Quilting Group, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the North River Collaborative, Abington condominium associations, parents' organizations, the Abington Police Department, the Council on Aging movie program, and the Visiting Nurses Flu Clinic, in addition to library sponsored programs. Several art exhibits by the Abington Art Association and the Artists' Circle from the Fuller Museum in Brockton were hung on the walls of the Copeland Room. The small study rooms were used by many tutors and Abington students needing tutoring or studying for exams. The library continued to be open 40 hours per week until late June when the hours were increased to 50 including Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings until 8:30 P.M. and on Saturdays from September to mid-June. This was due to partial restoration of funding lost during the previous fiscal year when the Library's budget was reduced 21.5%. Membership in the Old Colony Network provided access to over 3.0 million items, expanding the library's collection of books, periodicals, newspapers, audiocassettes, videocassettes and DVDs. The Southeast Massachusetts Library System (SEMLS) provided daily delivery service. OCLN, SEMLS and the Mass. Board of Library Commissioners provided Internet service. Periodical and reference databases were still provided through SEMLS and the Board of Library Commissioners. The library also continued to develop its own web site www.abingtonpl.org. This site, built with funds provided by State Aid to Libraries showcases the library's resources and collections and provides links to sites in the Town and beyond. Library patrons are able to use the web site to: review their library account, renew books, place holds, search the online catalog, check for adult and children's program dates and times, ascertain library hours, print meeting room booking form, view library policies and many other things formerly available only at the library. Abington residents and organizations generously supported children's activities. The Friends of the Library again funded the children's Summer Reading Program. The Cliffhanger Club Parent-Child Book Discussion Group, for children in grades four to eight met once a month during the school year to read and discuss favorite books. Toddler time and the traditional preschool story hours continued to fill up. Children's programs included guest performers, story-craft activities, preschool and toddler story hours, after-school programs, and a book discussion group. Children's programming is entirely funded by private donations from The Friends of the Library, The Anderson Insulation Co., Inc., The Kathy Greenwood Fund, Fleet Bank, Gap/Old Navy and the NRC Family Network. Donations were received for children's books from the Ruth F. Winsor Fund. The Friends of the Library continued their support. The Friends sponsored the Periodicals Subscription Drive; donated family passes to Plimouth Plantation, the Science Museum, the Kennedy Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Children's Museum in Easton, MA., and the Roger William Park and Zoo; conducted the spring book sale and the rental collection of best sellers. Sadly, during the year, longtime library Friend and ardent supporter Gloria Casey passed away. The Friends plan to donate to the library in her memory. The book discussion group met monthly with discussion leader Chris Cormier Hayes. Membership in the Friends is open to all. The Trustees also thank the Abington Lions Club for the pass to the Children's Museum in Boston and their fund raising concert which enabled the library to purchase new large print books and Books on CD. The Board also thanks the Abington Cultural Council for its support. The Board and the Library Staff join in acknowledging the outstanding work of the library's volunteers, the BookStops. These dedicated people performed such jobs as delivering books to nursing homes, shelving books, keeping book shelves in order, covering new books, copying and collating and assisting with other clerical tasks. The Trustees installed a series of plaques honoring those residents and other generous people who have remembered the library in their wills and by other means. Those making donations of over $10,000.00 have their names inscribed on this "Benefactor's Wall." The Board reluctantly accepted the resignations of longtime Library Assistant Nancy Cannon, who retired on June 30th and Trustees Ann Doherty and John Leahy who did not seek re-election. Aimee Tyler and Jonathan Harris were welcomed to the Board. The Board also wishes to acknowledge the dedication and the public service of all the members of the staff. 2004 LIBRARY STATISTICS Circulation 95,700 Total Collection 70,555 Reference Questions 7,904 Public Internet Workstations 6 Registered Borrowers: 8,323 Abington Public School Class Visits 21 According to information provided by the Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) on their website @ www.masslib.org the following are some financial statistics that are directly related to Abington's circulation figures. The value of library services was $1,176,102.72. This figure represents the amount Abington residents would have paid out of pocket if they had not used the library. The actual library budget for FY2004 was $268,746.00, a significant difference. Quantity of Use Library Service Value of Service 80,014 @ $12.50 Books Borrowed $1,000,175.00 1,662 @ 2.00 Periodicals Borrowed 3,324.00 9,601 @ 3.87 Videos/DVDs Borrowed 37,155.87 4,423 @ 9.95 CDs,Books on Tape etc. 44,008.85 2,221 @ 6.00 Children's Programs 13,326.00 396 @ 15.00 Adult Programs 5,940.00 103 @ 50.00 Hours of Meeting Room Use 5,150.00 311 @ 24.00 Museum Passes 7,464.00 4,948 @ 12.00 Hours of Internet Use 59,376.00 Respectfully submitted, Henry DiCarlo, Chairman Betty Henderson, Vice Chairman Janet O'Connor, Secretary Lorraine O'Neill Aimee Tyler John O'Neill Jonathan Harris Cynthia Whiting Christina McMahon |
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