Annual Report 2018

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Indian Trails

Public Library District

ANNUAL

REPORT

2018

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ANNIVERSARY


FROM DIRECTOR & PRESIDENT

I

n February 2018, the Board of Library Trustees approved a new strategic plan, which will guide our work for the next several years. There are many moving parts to creating a strategic plan — library trends, budget, and staff and trustee input — but what ultimately guides us is what our community wants and needs. Through community feedback we learned residents valued the library for its books, movies and programs, but we also discovered our community valued the knowledgeable staff, makerspace and meeting space. Public libraries have traditionally been transactional — focused on getting material and information into the hands of its members. Over the years, the role of public libraries has evolved to become more relational, focusing on providing space for social interactions for sharing knowledge and interests with others.

Where once we measured a library’s value to the community by the number of books circulated, today the measure of a library is how it creates a space where everyone is welcome to explore their interests, work, study, or simply relax and read. As we begin 2019, the Indian Trails Public Library is a hub in our community. We are a place where people from different cultures come together to exchange ideas. We connect groups through programs and conversation. We ignite the spark of curiosity, without which learning and exploration are not possible. The themes of our strategic plan — Culture, Connector, Curiosity — are evident at the Indian Trails Public Library. We see this in the smiles of people in the building, the children eager for storytime to start, the browsing among the new books. The possibilities are endless. Brian D. Shepard, Executive Director Louise Barnett, Board President

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BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES

Louise Barnett President

W. Gene Looft Vice President

Don Roalkvam Treasurer

Henry Hackney Jr. Secretary

Jamie Bulger Trustee

Bruce D. Matthews Trustee

Wendy Present Trustee

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Excellent customer service! Information is easy to access and always available when I need it. Our library is one of the most creative in the area. -Library Member VISION

Embracing Culture. Connecting Community. Igniting Curiosity.

MISSION

We enhance the community and create opportunities through services, programs, and materials.

CULTURE

We embrace all aspects of our community’s culture. We are vibrant.

CONNECTOR

We connect our community by being a neutral, safe space for all. We unite people.

CURIOSITY

We ignite curiosity by providing unique programs, services, and collections. We encourage growth.

2018–2020

STRATEGIC PLAN

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2018 BY THE NUMBERS Library staff

84,643

answered...

questions

10,968 members

43,488

reserved study rooms

PEOPLE attended

1,409 PROGRAMS

5,332 NEW

855,143

print and digital items circulated

LIBRARY

CARDS

71% INCREASE from 2017

442,233 people visited the library

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HAPPY 60TH ANNIVERSARY! It began in 1958 as a door-to-door solicitation to start a local library when $450 and 2,000 books were collected from 8,000 Wheeling residents. Sixty years later the library offers a vast multimedia collection of books, audiobooks, e-books, dvds, games and digital content that serves 67,000 residents in Wheeling, Prospect Heights and Buffalo Grove. We celebrated our anniversary on October 7 with over 400 people enjoying refreshments, entertainment and giveaways.

1958

1963

1971

1981

1998

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2018

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ANNIVERSARY

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BOOK AND A BUCK For our 60th anniversary we wanted to recognize and honor our beginnings by paying it forward with our Book and a Buck Drive with a slight twist. All monetary donations went to the ITPLD Foundation to further our work in the community. Book donations were given to the Beardstown Houston Memorial Library in central Illinois to expand its collection of popular material.

Raised $800 for ITPLD Foundation and collected 120 books and DVDs for Beardstown Houston Memorial Library.

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CUSTOMER SERVICE SURVEY In November 2018, members were invited to complete a customer service survey either online or via an iPad in the lobby. The survey was designed to evaluate members’ overall impressions of the library. More than 1,337 responses were collected and 1,045 people left comments such as these:

The library embraces a community of readers. It’s light, bright and welcoming. It has become so much better at offering something for everyone.

I really like when I go to the library and the parking lot is full and inside there are lots of people of all ages and ethnicities using the facilities! I’m a historical novelist and I research the ancient world. When I need help a librarian will look through the databases to see if there are books at other libraries not available at Indian Trails and they will get them for me.

Organized layout, expansive collection of materials to check out. Receptive toward recommendations of new additions to the library catalog. Accessible hours of operation.

ITPLD does a great job of providing a full range of resources to the community. It has given me the opportunity to learn more about the foreign policy of our country and the implications of it for my daily life through the Great Decisions discussion group. I have also taken Lynda and Gale courses through the library. These offerings and much more make ITPLD great.

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NEW SERVICES BUSINESS MENTORING & RESUME REVIEW The library partnered with SCORE to provide one-hour mentoring sessions to members. These sessions offered insight into how to run a business. Appointments were also available for members to work on their resumes with a career specialist.

BOOK CLUB IN A BAG People interested in hosting a book club can check out a Book Club in a Bag, with 15 copies of a pre-selected title and discussion questions. Simple and easy.

LAUNCH PAD ON THE GO A new collection of equipment that offers ITPLD cardholders the chance to check out tools for creativity and learning at home. Includes everything from sock looms to video production kits to sewing machines.

ADVENTURE PACKS Adventure Packs for ages 3 and older contain books, CDs and interactive materials designed to boost literacy skills.

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GIVING GARDEN Our popular Giving Garden got a makeover this year with help from the Helen Morrow Trust, Wheeling Rotary Club, Wheeling Garden Club, and Eagle Scout William Snarski and Boy Scout Troop 468. The garden was expanded and raised beds were built for the vegetables planted by children. A fence was installed and plaque hung recognizing those who helped bring back the garden after the two-year hiatus during renovation. Extra vegetables were donated to the Wheeling Township Food Pantry.

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BERNARD THE CARD Bernard the Card made his way to the lobby for September’s library card signup month promotion. Bernard is one of several new characters that the library introduced via print and digital platforms to build a brand voice and drive member engagement.

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OUTREACH The library regularly partners with various community organizations to foster relationships, support initiatives and provide resources. In 2018, the library attended 23 outreach events and saw 3,189 people – a 35% increase from 2017. Some of these events included Fallapalooza, Wheeling Food Pantry, Buffalo Grove Farmers Market and Senior Extravaganza.

STAFF INTERACTED WITH

3,189 PEOPLE

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OUTREACH EVENTS

SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY The River Trails Condominium fire on July 18 that displaced nearly 100 families brought an outpouring of people who donated goods to those affected by the fire. The library served as a drop-off point for donations and staff pitched in sorting goods to be delivered to relief organizations. On the day after the fire, the Branch opened early so people affected by the fire had a place to come and use computers to apply for assistance. The library also waived all fees for members who had library books destroyed in the fire.

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1,968 meals served

SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM The library continued to find ways to serve its community by bringing in a social worker from the Village of Wheeling and offering a Summer Lunch Program three days a week. The social worker was available once a month to help residents access health and social services and visited the Summer Lunch Program. For 12 weeks in the summer, the library served cold lunches to children, ages birth to 18 years. Volunteers from the Rotary Clubs of Wheeling and Buffalo Grove, Our Savior Church, ITPLD Foundation, Illinois State University and Illinois State Senator Julie Morrison and U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider assisted. Support from the Greater Chicagoland Food Depository and grants from the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club and U.S. Department of Agriculture made this program a success.

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SOLAR POWER In 2017, the library received a $100,000 grant from EBSCO Information Services, a large library resource provider, to install solar panels. In September 2018, 60 panels were installed on the roof of the main library and went online in December. Although it will take a full year to gather data on the impact of energy generated, the installation is in keeping with the library’s goal of incorporating sustainable and energy efficient design implemented in the 2016-17 renovation.

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ONE BOOK, ONE COMMUNITY December 2017– February 2018 The libraries of Cook Memorial, Indian Trails and Vernon Area again partnered to bring our communities together through literature and culture. One Book, One Community’s mission is to encourage friends and neighbors to explore a book’s themes from multiple perspectives. The 2018 selection, Stolen Beauty by Laurie Lico Albanese, tells the story of Gustav Klimt’s painting, known as “The Woman in Gold,” through a series of stories set in turn-of-the century Vienna and 1930s Nazi-occupied Austria.

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CULTURE


FOUNDATION FOR THE INDIAN TRAILS PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT This was an exciting year for the Foundation as it hosted its first donor recognition event October 20, 2018. This after-hours event featured food, music and the chance to explore the Launch Pad and Youth Services. Donors were invited to bring a guest and show off the library at this special event. The Foundation held two book sales in 2018, earning over $6,000 that will go toward funding items on the library’s wishlist. Here are just a few things the Foundation funded through member support: • Launch Pad on the Go, a collection of equipment that can be checked out by members • Sewing machines for classes • Expanded Reading Garden • Enhanced Giving Garden Book Sales • Free books for youth reading programs

earned

$6,000

toward library efforts

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FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sheila Anderson, President Nina Strezewski, Vice President Stephanie Demb, Treasurer Rose Johnson, Secretary Cathy Burns, Director Neil Holman, Director Lakshmi Karpoor, Director Mark Luboyeski, Director Christine Melone, Director Michael Putz, Director Richard Rosen, Director Kalsoom Saleem, Director Daisy Saucedo, Director Steve Wetle, Director

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VOLUNTEERS A BIG thank you to our volunteers! In 2018, volunteers donated a total of 4,004 hours of service at the library. Our volunteers assist with day and evening programs, tutor our ESL students and assist with various library projects.


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Adult & ESL VOLUNTEERS

68

Middle School

VOLUNTEERS

123

High School VOLUNTEERS

VOLUNTEERS DONATED

4,004 hours of service at the library

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CURIOSITY


2018 DONORS Thank you to everyone who generously donated to the Indian Trails Library in 2018. Your support is invaluable to our ability to continue to expand services and programs. Sheila Anderson

Robin Raef

Summer Reading Program

Erin Attere

Paul Reiff

Benihana, Wheeling

Janice & Bill Ausbrook

JoAnn Revak

Bowlero, Buffalo Grove

Mary Bartosh

Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove

Culver’s, Lincolnshire

Karyn Brewer

Rotary Club of Wheeling

Enchanted Castle, Lombard

Allison Brill

Karey & Allen Rosenston

Kane County Cougars, Geneva

Cathy Burns

Janet Schmid

Kohl Children’s Museum, Glenview

Thomas & Lenore Caruso

Bruce Smith

Lou Malnati’s, Buffalo Grove

Sue-Ann Daly

William Snarski & Boy Scout

McDonald’s, Wheeling

Sally Decker Smith

Troop 468

Menchie’s, Lincolnshire

Susan Dennison

Cathy Splett

Oberweis Dairy, Arlington Hts.

Toby Elrod

Barbara Stefani

Rainforest Cafe

Linda Fanella

Nina Strezewski

Rockin’ Jump, Buffalo Grove

Shawn Finnerty

Diane Tully

Shedd Aquarium, Chicago

Margaret Fruhbauer

Vernon Area Supply Grant

Subway, Buffalo Grove

Lisa Ginsburgh

Jennifer Walsh

Wa-Pa-Ghetti’s Pizza, Wheeling

Victoria Hathaway

Kelly & Steve Wetle

Neil Holman

Maria Yabes-Gillett

Jan Johnson

Gantry Zettler

Rose Johnson Lakshmi & Sanjay Karpoor Jeff Kritzman

Donors who donated through:

Chris Lapetino

• Amazon Smile

Jillian Lemery

• Network For Good

Tamiye Meehan

• Restaurants

Christine Melone

Lou Malnati’s - Buffalo Grove

Sandy Mills

Cafe Zupas

Sheila Myrent

Purple Sprout Cafe & Juice Bar

Shari Necheles

Culver’s - Buffalo Grove

Jing O’Brien Gregory Post

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Indian Trails Public Library District • 355 Schoenbeck Rd., Wheeling IL 60090 • 847.459.4100 • www.itpld.org


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