plan
Non-Profit Org. US Postage
315 South Rose Street Kalamazoo, MI 49007
strategic
PA I D Kalamazoo, MI Permit No. 1224
Central Library 315 S Rose St, 49007 342-9837
Friends of the Library Bookstore 315 S Rose St, 49007 553-7820
Eastwood
Kalamazoo Public Library launched
1112 Gayle Ave, 49048 553-7810
a strategic planning process this year
Oshtemo
to consider current, anticipated, and
7265 W Main St, 49009 553-7980
possible future community needs—
Create Young Readers
Connect to the Online World
then determine which of those needs
Young children (birth to 5) will have programs, services, and materials to prepare them to enter school ready to learn.
Everyone in Kalamazoo will have free highspeed access to the online world.
• Young children will check out more easy
and wireless network.
KPL can help meet. Working with a highly regarded
readers, picture books, and board books.
library strategic planner, we learned
• More young children will attend library
what library services are most
programs and participate in the annual summer reading game.
needed and valued in Kalamazoo, keeping in mind resources available from other organizations. Following are the five overarching services, goals and specific objectives that will guide KPL’s work through the next three years.
link
December 2010 L I B R A R Y L I N K
Kalamazoo Public Library
Parents/caregivers will have the tools and skills needed to prepare young children (birth to 5) to learn when they enter school. • Parents/caregivers will say the library
• More people will use library computers • Library users will say KPL’s online
services and staff support are very good.
Build Successful Enterprises Nonprofit organizations will have the tools to build capacity and achieve excellence provided by a securely funded ONEplace.
helps prepare children to enter school with skills they need to succeed.
• At least 1,500 people will attend a
• Parents and caregivers will attend library
• More individuals or groups will receive
programs designed to give them the tools to help their children.
ONEplace program each year. assistance from ONEplace. • Users will evaluate such assistance as
very good or excellent.
Stimulate Imagination Everyone will have materials and services that provide pleasurable reading, viewing, and listening experiences. • Patrons of all ages will check out more
fiction, nonfiction, music, and movies. • More youth will attend library programs
and participate in the annual summer reading game. • Tweens/teens will say their library spaces
are fun and welcoming. • Tweens/teens and adults will say they
found something good to read, listen to, or view at the library. • Adults will say that they received reserved
items in a timely manner. • Library-sponsored programs will attract
7,500 adults each year.
Discover Your Roots Everyone will have resources to know local history and to connect past with present through family histories. • At least 1,000 people will attend a local
history/genealogy program each year. • Staff will answer at least 6,000 local
history/genealogy questions each year. • Users will evaluate local history/genealogy
services as very good or excellent. • More people will access local history or
genealogy web pages each year.
note
director’s
Alma Powell 1000 W Paterson St, 49007 553-7960
Washington Square 1244 Portage St, 49001 553-7970
working the plan
Library Board
As you’ve read in past issues of Link, KPL’s strategic planning initiative dominated the library management team’s work this past year.
Lisa A. Godfrey President Valerie Wright Vice President
We consulted with library strategic planner Sandra Nelson and used her books Strategic Planning for Results and Implementing for Results. Exercises and worksheets in her books helped us identify desirable service responses, define goals, and set specific objectives to reach those goals. You’ll find a summary of the final plan on the previous page.
As we work with the plan, we’ll seek more input from you, our patrons. Throughout the year, we’ll ask about your library visit—to learn if you found something good to read, listen to, or view; how well staff helped you find information; how quickly you were able to use a computer or access the wifi network to reach the Internet.
Even as we worked through the steps outlined in Nelson’s books, we faced funding challenges that forced hard decisions, like eliminating bookmobile service, reducing staff positions and branch hours, and centralizing materials selection and reference services.
We recently purchased an annual subscription to CollectionHQ, a web based application that will help KPL librarians to better select, weed, and refresh KPL’s collection. We plan to serve you even better, with a dynamic selection of books, movies, and music that you can’t resist! Look for more displays to highlight special collections.
At the same time, we welcomed increased library use. Patrons checked out 1,132,842 items last year, boosting KPL’s circulation by 16%. The new strategic plan enables us to focus on the five service responses the community most values from the library. Each program or project will be held up to the plan. Before we commit any library resources, we’ll determine whether a proposed effort will enhance KPL’s ability to meet strategic objectives.
Ann Rohrbaugh Library Director
James VanderRoest Treasurer Fenner Brown II Secretary Cynthia Addison Cheryl TenBrink Robert Paul Brown Trustees
Credits Kalamazoo Public Library’s Marketing and Communications Office publishes Link with support from the Friends of the Library. Contact us with your comments or suggestions, 553-7879 or email mac@kpl.gov.
www.kpl.gov
live at KPL More than 4,000 patrons have attended a free concert at KPL since the series started in 2008. Audience members and musicians love these intimate live familyfriendly performances, held on the third Wednesday of each month. Mark Duval, Two Track Mind, says KPL’s Van Deusen Room offers music lovers a “fabulous opportunity to hear acoustic performers.” Gazette reporter and reviewer John Liberty calls KPL’s concerts “a show for the band to be heard and the crowd to listen.” He enjoys the pre-song banter and post-concert chat. Ian Gorman has performed at KPL quite a few times with different groups, including Michael Beauchamp/Red Tail Ring and The Red Sea Pedestrians. He describes KPL experience as “a pleasure,” with “great vibe,” a chance to connect with a crowd that really appreciates roots music. According to Ian, KPL employs “one of the best sound guys in town,” Bryan Heany, who says he “loves working sound at the library concert series...where the music is the focus.” Asked whether they would perform again at KPL, Mark responded “Definitely!” and John Wesley Harding said, “I’d be delighted.” Ian loves playing KPL concerts and “can’t wait to do it again!” So when’s the next concert? Join us for the Micaela Kingslight Band, December 15, 7 pm, Kalamazoo Public Library.
branch hours change KPL’s Board of Trustees voted to reduce service hours at branch libraries starting December 1. The recommended changes are based on a review of circulation statistics, computer use, and staff observation. The new open hours reflect the busiest times at each branch location. Washington Square, Eastwood, and Powell branch libraries will have almost the same hours. Powell Branch Library will be closed on Saturdays because Douglass Commu-
meet jaimy gordon
nity Center, home of the library,
December 2, 7 pm, Kalamazoo Public Library
is closed.
Jaimy Gordon’s new novel, Lord of Misrule, was named a National Book Award winner in the fiction category, one of just five finalists. Lord of Misrule follows five characters—scarred and lonely dreamers in the American grain—through a year and four races at Indian Mound Downs, downriver from Wheeling, West Virginia. Andrei Codrescu, an award judge, praised Jaimy for her “incredible
A total of 33 hours will be cut system-wide, reducing costs by approximately $145,000.
command of other voices, and a sense of music in language...” A Western Michigan University professor of English, Jaimy Gordon has written two other novels, plus poetry, plays, short stories, and essays. She has received awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center, the Bunting Institute of Radcliffe College, and an Academy-Institute Award from the American Institute of Arts and Letters. Lord of Misrule will be available for purchase at the event.
in this issue events ONEplace • annual report • strategic plan • director’s note • •
events
december
tween/teen adult Ask a Lawyer December 7, 6-8 pm, Powell
the best of 2010 See what library staff are reading, listening, and viewing—KPL blog posts about books, movies, and music logged more than 22,000 views last year! Learn what KPL staff voted the best of 2010 at www.kpl.gov/top-ten.
Free legal clinic with Bar Association lawyers. Call 553-7960 to schedule a 20-minute appointment.
God in America December 7, 6:45 pm, Central Panel discussion follows the screening of this PBS documentary. Hosted by WGVU; call 616-331-6505 for more info. Funded by The Fetzer Institute.
Reading Range
ONEplace “Discovering ONEplace
staff, and organization!
December 22, 2 pm, Powell December 29, 2 pm, Eastwood December 30, 2 pm, Central
I love all the services
Build by yourself or with others using our colorful LEGO collection! Registration required. 5-10 yrs.
Gingerbread Houses
Toy Story III at POW, Hachi: A Dog’s Tail at EAS. Lego: The Adventures of Clutch Powers at CEN. Adult caregiver must accompany children.
December 1, 3:30-5, Central
December 4, 10 am, Central
Plan programs and service projects, discuss books, movies, music, and web sites, eat snacks, play games, and have fun! Gr 7-12.
Celebrate the new Wimpy Kid book, The Ugly Truth. Enter the raffle for a copy! All ages.
Art Attack December 9, 4-5 pm, Eastwood Drop in downstairs after school for an art project, games, food, and fun! Gr 5-8.
December 8, 6 pm, Central
Games @ Powell
Discuss Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen. Brown bag meal optional. RSVP readingrange.wordpress.com
December 14, 6-7:30, Powell
December 14, 6:30 pm, Washington Square Create a masterpiece with crackers, frosting, and candies. Registration required. Gr 2-6.
Holiday Crafts December 21, 6:30 pm, Eastwood Make a few festive holiday ornaments. Supplies provided. Registration required. Gr K-5.
Gifts 101
December 9, 6:30 pm, Central
December 21, 3:30-5 pm, Central
Can you play basic chords? Then join a slow jam with the Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association.
Choose a gift to make. We supply materials, wrapping, and gift cards. Registration required. Gr 7-12.
Yummy New Years Hats
provided through ONEplace.” Comments like this
Gamers’ Arena
December 15, 7 pm, Central
December 22, 2-4 pm, Central
With her powerful voice and elegant guitar style, Kingslight inspires crowds with her original songs.
Strategy, skill, and fun with our board, card, roleplaying, and video games or bring your own. Gr 5-12.
nical assistance contacts
• KPL’s management team spent many months in strategic planning. Read a summary of the final plan on the next page.
and 131 workshops and
December 28, 2 pm, Oshtemo
roundtables for 1,490
Decorate an edible hat to wear January 1st or enjoy right away. Registration required. Family.
attendees last year. If you are involved with a nonprofit in Kalamazoo County,
Kwanzaa Celebration
and haven’t discovered the
December 28, 6 pm, Powell
no-cost services, work-
Light a green candle, learn history, and enjoy a craft on Ujima, the third day of Kwanzaa. Family.
shops, and resources at ONEplace, visit www.kpl.
December 29, 11 am, Central
Classics Revisited
Bingo!
December 16, 7 pm, Central
December 23, 2-3 pm, Eastwood
Discuss Shakespeare’s King Lear with a group of book lovers devoted to classic literature.
Discover some old-fashioned fun! Bingo cards and dobbers provided. Gr 5-12.
Registration required. Call location listed or register online starting 30 days before event.
Program offered/sponsored by partner organization. Contact info at www.kpl.gov/calendar.
New Registrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,538 Materials Circulated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,132,842 Circulation Per Capita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.5 Programs Offered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,110 Program Attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,101
revenue Property Taxes 88.4%
• ONEplace, KPL’s nonprofit support center, helped 5,000 contacts during its first year, through a variety of events or consulting.
December 30, 2-4 pm, Washington Square
Storytimes KPL offers regular weekly storytimes for kids from birth to five years every month. Please check dates, times, locations and register online www.kpl.gov/kids/storytimes, or pick up a list of storytimes when you visit the library.
11,648,085
Gifts & Grants
686,051
Penal Fines
281,120
Investment Return
274,646
Library Fines & Fees
155,799
Other
88,657
State Grants
46,946
Total Revenue
$13,181,304
• KPL promoted early childhood and parent literacy with KPS’ Even Start, WMU’s Early Reading First and McGinnis Reading Clinic, Kalamazoo County Head Start, and others. 5.2%
• KPL expanded digital communications, sending four dozen enewsletters and special announcements to some 20,000 contacts.
2.1%
2.1%
1.2%
0.7%
0.4%
expenditures
• KPL doubled wireless bandwidth to better serve patrons using laptops, phones, iPads, and other devices to connect to the Internet. Access increased 46% to 16,869 users.
Make It, Take It Crafts
Make your own gift wrap to share with friends and family. Gr 1-6.
District Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119,517
• New open shelves at Central and Oshtemo let patrons pick up and check out their own holds, offering greater convenience, speed, and self-sufficiency.
• KPL staff daily post messages to 1,300+ Facebook friends. Our Flickr account features 6,000 photos, including 800+ READ posters of KPL patrons and supporters.
Aerial Angels tell a pirate story with circus feats while suspended in the library rotunda. All ages.
December 21, 6 pm, Powell
This has been a year of changes, the remodeling of Central Library’s first floor desk area being the most visible. A generous bequest enabled KPL to install a patron checkout kiosk for the new RFID inventory system. The final piece, a “Smart Return,” automatically checks items in when you drop them through the slot at Central Library. Other highlights from the year include:
Yo Ho Holiday Pirates!
Making Gift Wrap
Dear Friends,
which provided 5,800 tech-
Drop in, be creative, make a fun craft or two.
The Micaela Kingslight Band
at a glance
arrive often at ONEplace,
gov/ONEplace.
Wii, video games, music, prizes, snacks. Registration required. Gr 5-12.
GLAMA Slow Jam
help my board members,
Movie and Popcorn
LEGO @ the Library
December 7, 6-7 pm, Oshtemo
could have happened to
2009-10
Questions Answered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219,128
was the best thing that
kids
Teen Advisory Board (T.A.B.)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Night Out
report annual
Salaries & Benefits
$7,222,642
Debt Service
1,577,205
• Borrowing of movies, music, and digital material jumped 45% to 420,266 items, more than a third of the year’s total circulation.
Materials
1,155,492
Purchased Services
771,563
• Local History’s 1,390 web pages garnered 171,923 total visits, up 127% over last year! KPL’s entire site now features 13,665 pages.
Operating Supplies & Expenses
477,449
Building Operation & Maintenance
360,187
Automation & Equipment
309,986
Capital Outlay
198,725
Programming
90,252
59.4%
We’re thrilled with this growth in so many KPL services. Look for continued success as we strive to meet strategic goals (see next page) in the coming year.
Evergreen Ornaments
Total Expenditures
December 22, 10 am, Central
$12,163,501
13.0%
Make an ornament with an evergreen bough. Registration required. Gr 2-6.
Ann Rohrbaugh Library Director Oppor tunittiees fo for Nonprofifitt E xcelleence
9.5%
6.3%
3.9%
3.0%
2.5%
1.6%
0.7%