Montgomery County Public Library Annual Report 2015-16 by McQuick Printing Company

2015 ANNUAL REPORT

From the Desk of the Library Director… Twenty fourteen–fifteen was a year of Surprises in the life of your public library. Additional funding was provided by the Alabama Public Library Service that allowed the library to acquire and replace outdated computers, laptops, printers, cameras and other technology needs that enables the library to continue to move forward in reaching its goal of a 21st Century Library. Twenty fifteen ended with a Big Bang, as the library staff completed an eighteen month training program that exposed the staff to Montgomery and all that it has to show to the world. A program began, in anticipation of our move to downtown, proved to grow the appreciation and understanding of WHO old Montgomery is. The staff, led by the capable team of Leslie and Nicole from the Alabama Training Institute at Auburn University-Montgomery, visited every venue of public interest in Montgomery. Beginning with Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, the Alabama State Capitol, Rosa Parks Museum and Library at Troy University and ending with the newly renovated university library at Alabama State University, it was a wonderful opportunity to learn how to sell our city to visitors while at the same time learning how to answer the many questions that come our way about Montgomery. The staff spent a year learning about the people we serve and how to be prepared to guide visitors through the prideful maze of sites and attractions in our lovely Montgomery. We learned how to work with difficult citizens and when to say this is not a service which we provide. The staff learned how to work with one another and how to recognize when to agree to disagree. Based on evaluations from the staff, it was the best investment that the city and county could have given to the staff. We are prepared to represent our city and county by providing the best of ourselves to our citizenry. The demise of the vision of Questplex has not left our staff without a dream, vision or confidence in the leadership of our Library Board, and the City and County of Montgomery; it has given the staff more faith that the leadership of the above mentioned organizations is making decisions for the broader good of our community. This unity of effort continues to resonate faith that one day Montgomery will have the library service which it desperately deserves. The library will continue to embrace more technology and more ways to deliver that technology to the over 90,000 households in Montgomery county representing over 229,000 citizens. Your support is necessary to make the public library a true “People’s University”. For it is a public library that serves as a great equalizer in meeting the needs of the over 20% of persons living below poverty level in Montgomery County and push to make that giant leap in proving to ourselves that we are truly a SMART community through the availability of resources that assist our citizens in knowing all things. It is the vision of the public library to provide access to opportunities for the nearly 31% of the populace who possess a college degree so that they may continue to feed their minds through recreational reading material, job enhancement material, preparation to acquire new job skills and the continuance of life-long learning opportunities. The public library is the “People’s University”; no walls, no mortar, just you, your mind and access to information. The enclosed data represents how the staff approaches our new goals and, how you, the users, utilize that information. For every dollar that the city, county, state and federal government invest in the public library it reaps a tripled benefit to our citizens. You will find data that supports the value of the public library to this community. Public libraries are about the business of providing access to new and old ideas, hard data, fun times, sharing what, when and how about the communities where we live and encouraging citizens to get to know one another through community programming. The cost to you for access to the Montgomery City-County Public Library is FREE! Grow with us, as we continue to work towards reaching higher levels, creating new spaces, providing broad access opportunities, sowing seeds of a progressive community and making Montgomery a place where we are all proud to call HOME. Kind regards,

Jaunita McClain Owes Library Director 3

From the Desk of the Library Board Presidentâ&#x20AC;Ś Dear Patrons and Supporters: True to its mission, the Montgomery City-County Public Library has again provided a wide variety of services to its patrons to advance their literacy, enhance their knowledge, facilitate their skills in research and analysis, and help them become more technologically savvy. Our success is due to support from the city and county governments, good customer service from our staff, and increased usage by the public we serve. During this past year, our circulation totaled 341,517 (this figure includes electronic access); reference assistance, 135,423; website visits, 234,409; Wireless uses, 109,432; and Hoopla downloads, 9,984 (from its launch in June through September). As we acknowledge the heightened focus on e-communication, I am especially proud of the expanded computer classes, the availability of e-readers, and the endless array of services on the libraryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website (including many online courses for students) that permit you to connect with us without ever leaving home. Of course, funding continues to be a challenge to the Board of Trustees as we seek to maximize expenditure of taxpayer dollars. Please urge your city, county and state representatives to ensure adequate funding for the library and to support its requests for non-governmental funding. We are grateful for your past support and your contributions to our ongoing fund raising campaign. We ask for your continued support as we forge ahead. I trust that this report assures you that your library is providing quality information/learning services to the community. Thank you for being a library patron and supporter. Please visit one of our 10 branches soon and let us know how weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing and how we can improve our services to meet your needs. It is our goal to continue providing cutting-edge services to the Montgomery Community. Sincerely,

Thomas McPherson, Jr. President MCCPL Board of Trustees

We Have Booksâ&#x20AC;Ś But We Also Have Much, Much More! Todd Strange

Mayor City of Montgomery

Elton Dean

Chairman Montgomery County Commission

During FY2015, 630,339 patrons walked through the doors of the ten library locations of the Montgomery City-County Public Library System. Some came for books, the traditional mission of libraries. Others, however, came for educational programs, or to access computers, to conduct genealogy researches, or get homework help. Students from grades kindergarten through 12th grade received homework assistance from live volunteers in reading, math, English, spelling, Social Studies, and online assistance in a variety of subjects. Children listened to stories while in the library for story hour. Newcomers to the area learned more about the community, the city and the county. Avid readers discussed literature with their favorite book clubs. Some just stopped and read magazines and newspapers. Still others came to attend meetings and workshops.

Public Libraries Enrich the Culture of a Community... When patrons of all ages and backgrounds visit the Montgomery CityCounty Public Libraries, they find free access to books and online resources, along with expert guidance from professional librarians. Libraries serve as gathering places for the community, open doors to early and lifelong learning, while supporting entrepreneurship. Here, anyone can stop in, find new ideas, enjoy lighthearted entertainment, travel through history, build a connection with the community, better understand the world around them or research job opportunities and apply for jobs online.

Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center Industries and Careers Choosing a career is a challenging decision. Many different professions can suit your skills, interests, and goals. Here you can learn about 94 different industries and career fields and thousands of professions to find the one right for you. You can browse popular industries or popular careers.

Plan Your Education Planning for college or another educational path can be a complex process. Advice and resources in this section will help you get organized, find your best options, identify your goals, and locate the schools that fit you best. Find a school that’s right for you. You’ll find: 4,500 Undergraduate Schools, 2,200 Graduate Schools, 890 Nursing Schools and 5,100 Vocational & Tech Schools

Launch Your Career Hard work and job skills alone don’t guarantee career success. Employers also look for professional appearance, good organization, time management, and many other basic skills of the modern workplace, which you can practice and perfect with the advice here.

Learn more about Career Skills and Apprenticeships & Internships 6

eBooks Gale Virtual Reference Library Gale Virtual Reference Library is a database of encyclopedias, almanacs, and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research. These reference materials once were accessible only in the library, but now you can access them online from the library or remotely 24/7. Because each library creates its own eBook collection, the content you see may vary if you use the database at different libraries (your school, your public library, or your office). Gale Power Search... What is PowerSearch? Discover a great collection of articles from thousands of Gale resources – magazines, journals, newspapers and books along with videos, images and podcast content – all brought to you by your library. Your search should always start here. Topic Finder Use the Topic Finder to discover the context of your search term and uncover hidden connections.

www.mccpl.lib.al.us

FREE Alabama Permit Practice Test (AL)

Welcome to our free Alabama Permit Practice Test! This test contains 40 multiple choice questions based on the official Alabama Driver’s Handbook. It will test your knowledge of the rules of the road and road signs in Alabama. Each of the learner’s permit practice test questions contains four possible answers, and only one of them is the correct choice. Choose the best answer and click it to see if you’re right or wrong. If your choice is wrong, you’ll immediately see the correct answer together with the explanation of why it is so. You are required to score at least 32 out of 40 questions correctly, in order to pass this AL Permit Practice Test. Please remember, however, that this is just a sample practice test and taking or passing it does not guarantee you will pass the real thing. You are strongly recommended to study the driver’s handbook from cover to cover, to succeed. Good luck!

Information Comes in Many Formats... In addition to books, media and reference material, Montgomery City-County Public Library offers a number of other programs for the community. The library has a regular blog appearing on the library’s website; and each location has its own Facebook page. Appearing in the Montgomery Advertiser each Sunday is a list of titles added to the collection during that week. A Newly Released Titles publication is printed each month. For further information on new releases there is Book Page, a selection guide for new books whose editors evaluate and select for review the best books published in a variety of categories. Only highly recommended books are featured.

Meet the Need, Help Them Read!

Seussville

Seussville—the official home of Dr. Seuss on the Web—is the place for children of all ages to play and learn with Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully whimsical books and classic characters. The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! and all of the Dr. Seuss books leap to life through interactive games and activities that will enrich each child’s reading experience.

From The Children Page...

For Parents…

Bookflix has paired award-winning fiction with engaging nonfiction to help students become fluent, confident, and independent readers. The pairing of fiction and nonfiction has been shown to be an effective way to develop critical reading and comprehension skills. Fiction, with its narrative “story” structure, is often more accessible for beginning readers. It can be used to introduce a topic and provide a bridge to the informational text. Pairing fiction and nonfiction texts enhances readers’ comprehension of a particular topic, exposes them to a wider range of vocabulary, and builds background knowledge—and therefore interest.

MOTIVATING KIDS TO READ: Children Who Can Read, But Don’t... Studies show what common sense tells us: the more kids read, the better they read and the more pleasure they get out of reading. Unfortunately, the reverse also holds true: children who read very little usually have poor reading skills. Reading is a struggle for them, and they avoid it whenever possible. Is there anything that you can do to encourage your children to read? First, it’s helpful to know your child’s reasons for not liking or wanting to read. These reasons can help you decide what will work best in motivating your child to discover or rediscover how much fun reading can be.

BookFlix is an excellent interactive program for parents to experience with their children. Parents and caregivers can bring 4 to 8-year-old children to the library to spend time exploring the program together; or it can be accessed at home through the library’s remote access system. Older brothers and sisters may also enjoy helping their younger siblings navigate the topics and stories in BookFlix. 8

We Help You Find Your Resourcesâ&#x20AC;Ś One of the benefits Montgomery City-County Public Library provides is that of trained specialists who are ready to assist the public with research projects. During FY2015 our librarians answered 74,882 reference questions and provided assistance to patrons more than 135,423 times. The reference collection provides an opportunity for citizens to research facts and data, compare cost of products for purchase, evaluate stock market investments and assist patrons in formulating a research approach when using the Internet and printed sources. Reference Librarians can assist with whatever the need might be!

The Library is Everywhere! The online catalog, iBistro, makes it possible for anyone to access the library catalog from home, the library or anywhere in the nation to see what materials are available, which library location has it, renew material or even place a hold on material. In 2014-2015, the libraryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website had 234,409 visits. Twenty-four thousand nine hundred nineteen Alabama Virtual Library remote users accessed AVL 135,353 times. This database provides students, teachers, and citizens of Alabama online access to essential library and informational resources. AVL is a group of online databases that have magazine, journal and newspaper articles for research.

From the Teens Pages! ScienceFlix, Scholasticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest online curriculum supplement that combines standards-driven leveled content, interactive features, and intuitive navigation into a single, highly engaging iPad/tabletready product. The content in ScienceFlix has been organized into effective structures called units, with each one aligning to science curriculum standards. All of the articles in each of the units have been written at three levels, so content is now easily accessible to all students. Carefully vetted Web links are provided at each level as well. Each unit also includes careers article(s), a Science Lab feature with projects and experiments, and a quiz to provide opportunities for self-assessment for students and progress monitoring for teachers. ScienceFlix is published by Scholastic Library Publishing, a division of Scholastic Inc. It is the work of more than 100 people who contribute to the creation of content, design, technical development, updates, and system management. 9

The Learning Express Library

Interactive Test Preparation for the Community Achieve your educational and career goals. Choose a center and get started! ♦♦ School Center ♦♦ High School Equivalency Center ♦♦ College Pre Center ♦♦ College Center ♦♦ Adult Learning Center ♦♦ Career Center ♦♦ Recursos en espanol (Resources in Spanish)

Alabama Public Libraries… Did you know?

♦♦ There are many kinds of libraries in Alabama ♦♦ We serve all different kinds of people, but we all serve the same purpose ♦♦ There are 220+ public libraries in Alabama (at least one in every county) ♦♦ 100% offer free Internet ♦♦ 100% assist job seekers ♦♦ 100% provide online tutoring, test prep, and homework resources ♦♦ 100% offer children’s programming, like Summer Reading and Storytimes

In Numbers 184,594 residents have an MCCPL library card:

341,517 Total Checkouts

2,642 rs of age a e y 5 to Birth 13,591 age f o rs a e y 1 Six to 1 ,969 of age 29 rs a e y 8 1 Twelve to 138,392 p u d n a 9 Age 1

Books fr

om the A

dult Coll ection om the Y oung Ad ult Colle Adult M ction edia Coll ection Young A dult Med ia Collec tion Books fr om the J uvenile Collectio Juvenile n Media C ollection Outreac h/ Exten sion Ser vices Downlo adable E lectronic Collectio Total Ch n eckouts Books fr

135,363 11,382 140,460 21,038 943 3,535 8,946 19,850 341,517

1,141,751 library visits, reference questions, electronic usage, programs, etc. ored programs ograms) 095 library-spons y Program events, and Adult pr 4, ed nd te at le Peop brar imes, Summer Li (including Storyt

76,681 630,339

74,882 braries Visitors to Ten Li ten libraries 581 ns answered in io st ue Q ce ary Program 6, en br er Li er Ref m m Su e rams during th tended 149 prog 205,879 at s lt du A d an n Childre y ar br rces in the Li mmer 422 Electronic Resou oks during the Su bo People used the en te fif t as le reading at ded to children Certificates awar 11,544 m ra Library Program Library Prog ts in the Summer 135,423 an ip ic rt pa by ad Books re s on ti es qu s to reference in finding answer ed st si as s on rs Pe

23,303 is the total number of hours all 10 library locations were open to the public 11

Highlights of 2014-2015 Authorcheck was added to the library’s collection of electronic resources in 2014. Author Check is a library service enabling you to create a list of your favorite authors that are currently available in your library’s catalog. You will receive an email notice as soon as the library orders a new title by one of your authors, with a link into the catalog to place your own hold! Available at www. mccpl.lib.al.us. Added to the library’s collection of electronic resources in 2014, Gale Courses replaces Learn4Life. It offers a wide range of highly interactive, instructor led courses that you can take entirely online. Using your MCCPL library card you can enroll in courses that will help you to develop new skills or improve on current skills. Courses run for six weeks and new sessions begin every month. Courses cover technology, software, personal development, accounting and finance, health care and medical and a large array of other subjects. Available at www.mccpl.lib.al.us Added to the library’s collection of electronic resources in 2014. New Book Alerts is a free online service that showcases the newest titles purchased by your local library. You can select to receive alerts via email and/or RSS feeds. If you see a new title that you are interested in, just click “check catalog” to place a hold on the item right away. Available at www.mccpl.lib. al.us. ScienceFlix, Scholastic’s new online curriculum supplement that combines standards-driven leveled content, interactive features, and intuitive navigation into a single, highly engaging iPad/ tablet-ready product. The content in ScienceFlix has been organized into effective structures called units, with each one aligning to science curriculum standards. All of the articles in each of the units have been written at three levels, so content is now easily accessible to all students. Carefully vetted Web links are provided at each level as well. Each unit also includes careers article(s), a Science Lab feature with projects and experiments, and a quiz to provide opportunities for self-assessment for students and progress monitoring for teachers.

Instantly borrow free digital movies, music, eBooks and more, 24/7 with your library card. Bringing you hundreds of thousands of movies, full music albums, audiobooks and more, hoopla is a revolutionary digital service made possible by your local library. From Hollywood blockbusters to best-selling artists and authors – not just the hits, but the niche and hard-to-find as well – you’ll discover that hoopla provides you the freedom to experience, explore and enjoy what you want, when you want, and where you want. It’s simple to access and use, without the hassle of having to return the items you’ve borrowed, all you need is your library card, a web browser, PC, laptop, smart phone or tablet to get started.

Zinio brings you magazines with the same great articles, photos, and ads as the print version, but packed with the power and convenience of the digital form. Each issue is delivered to your desktop, for you to read anytime, anywhere - even offline - using the intuitive and interactive Zinio Reader. Link. Zoom. Highlight. Note. Search. Print. Archive. It’s all easy when it’s digital.

In 1999, Suzanne Beecher discovered a way to get people back in the habit of reading books. DearReader is an online book club in which you can receive daily samplings of the genre you choose. You can choose from fiction, non-fiction, business, romance, science fiction, mystery, thriller, classics, teens, or pre-publications. Simply check the type books you’d like to receive, enter your email address and click subscribe. You will start to receive a daily sample of the genres you choose. In FY2015, this database was accessed over 27,307 times!

On March 19, 2015, Montgomery City-County Public Library held a press conference to unveil the newly installed mural depicting the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March. Panels for the mural were painted by Carver High School students more than 20 years ago. From the time the panels were donated to the library until the erection of the outside display, they stood in the meeting room of the Rufus A. Lewis Library. As part of the 50th anniversary celebrating of that historic march, the panels were permanently installed outside for the world to see.

Rufus A. Lewis Regional Library was the host to Montgomery City-County Public Library’s “Five Days to Freedom” Festival, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March, on March 21, 2015. The festival included schools and church choirs, dance groups, poet, Dr. Jaqueline Trimble, local singer, song-writer, Michael McDonald, Carver High School band, National Storyteller, Minnie Stringer, guest appearances by Chuck E. Cheese, Batman, Power Ranger, and Mickey & Minnie Mouse, food and other vendors, the Secretary of State office taking Voter IDs pictures, MCCPL issuing library cards, arts & crafts, face-painting, inflatables—there was something for everyone. On Tuesday, March 24, 2015, Rufus A. Lewis Library served as a stopping point for the student marchers from Selma to Montgomery, along with the National Park Service and chaperones. The library, (through the generous donations from three local churches), provided 200 sack lunches and water to the marchers. Library Director, Juanita Owes, gave a brief history of how the library got its name. After lunch, the marchers posed for pictures in front of the newly installed mural, depicting the original march of 1965.

MONTGOMERY CITY-COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY EXTENSION/OUTREACH SERVICES End of Year Report 2014-2015

SCHOOL SERVICES PROGRAM FOR AUGUST 2014 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MAY 2015 Twenty-four (24) schools participated in the School Services Program for the 2014-15 school year. Listed below is the complete list of schools along with the total number of titles requested by each school (requests were for print format only):

Participating Schools

Number of Titles Requested

Blount Elementary 0 Booker T. Washington Magnet High 6 Carr Middle School 56 Carver Elementary 2 Catoma Elementary 40 Chisholm Elementary 70 Crump Elementary 0 Dannelly Elementary 150 Dozier Elementary 0 Dunbar-Ramer 0 Fitzpatrick Elementary 20 Flowers Elementary 0 Floyd Elementary 0 Goodwyn Middle School 15 Highland Avenue Elementary 0 MacMillan Academy 0 Macon East Montgomery Academy 104 Martin Luther King Elementary 0 Montessori School at Hampstead 0 Seth Johnson Elementary 0 Southlawn Middle School 0 St. Jude Educational Institute 56 Vaughn Road Elementary 0 Wilson Elementary 0 Others 0 ___________________________________________________________________________

Total Requested

519

MONTGOMERY SCHOOLS 15

OUTREACH SERVICE TO NURSING HOMES / ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES FOR JULY 2014 – JUNE 2015

A total of 16 facilities currently subscribe to this monthly delivery service (see list below) yearround except for Capitol Heights Assisted Living which prefers service every other month. About half of the facilities are serviced on the first Monday of each month; the other half on the second Monday. Due to a staff shortage in the Department this year, service was suspended for 7 months (November ’14 - May ‘15). Annual circulation statistics for 5 months of operation are as follows:

1,485 -- 16 sites @ 495/mo. x 3 mos. 960 -- 15 sites @ 480/mo. x 2 mos.

------2,445 -- Total Delivered AHEPA Two (25 books) 285 Sylvest Dr. 36117 396-1466

John Knox Manor (15 books) 4401 Narrow Lane. Rd. 36116 281-6336

Angels for the Elderly Assisted (20 books) 52 Angels Court 36109 270-8050

John Knox Tower (60 books) 4401 Narrow Lane Rd. 36116 288-6462

Capitol Heights Place II & Oakgrove Inn (50 books) 3801 Oakgrove Dr. 36116 Capitol Heights Assisted Living 149 South Panama St. 36107 215-8881 551-1902 & 265-0330 (40 & 15 books respectively) Seton Haven (60 books) 3721 Wares Ferry Rd. 36109 Cedar Crest (30 books) 272-4000 4490 Virginia Loop Rd. 36116 281-6826 South Haven Manor (20 books) 1300 E. South Blvd. 36116 Crown Health Care (20 books) 288-0122 1837 Upper Wetumpka Rd. 36107 264-8416 Waterford Place (30 books) 3920 Antoinette Dr. 36111 Elmscroft of Halcyon (30 books) 288-2444 1775 Halcyon Blvd. 36117 396-1111 Woodley Manor (15 books) 3312 Woodley Rd. 36116 Golden Living Center (50 books) 288-2780 2020 N. Country Club Dr. 36106 263-1643 Hillview Terrace (15 books) 100 Perry Hill Rd. 36109 272-0171 16

2014-2015 Revenue and Expenditures Audited Total Revenue

$4,598,747

City of Montgomery

$3,063,024

Montgomery County

$1,086,820

State Aid

$177,158

LSTA Grant

Donations

$84,252

Other Sources

$58,720

Program Services

$124,969

Interest Income

$3,804

Total Fund Balance

$405,637

Total Expenditures

$4,677,145

Cultural & Recreation

$4,600,175

Capital Outlay

$76,970

FUNDING Montgomery City-County Public Library Balance Sheet Governmental Funds For the Year Ending September 30, 2015

ASSETS

Operating Fund

Cash & temporary Cash investments

$227,413

Other receivables Due from other funds

Endowment Fund

Total Governmental Funds

$102,936

$429,011

$948

$50,000

$102,936

$479,959

$278,361

Total Assets

Local Appropriations City-County Fund

$46,026

State Aid Grant Fund

$52,636

LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCES

Accounts payable

$4,345

$6,674

Due to other funds

$50,000

$4,345

$56,674

Total Liabilities

$13,303

$24,322

$50,000

$74,322

Fund balances: Non-spendable

$100,000

Restricted

$39,310

$2,936

$42,246

Assigned

$14,290

$23

$14,313

Unassigned

$274,016

$(24,938)

$249,078

Total Fund Balances (deficit)

$274,016

$(10,648)

$39,333

$102,936

$405,637

$278,361

$46,026

$52,636

$102,936

Total Liabilities and Fund Balances

Amounts reported for governmental activities in the statement of net assets are different because: Capital assets used in governmental activities are not financial resources and, therefore, are not reported in the funds Net assets of governmental activities

$12,197,342 $12,602,979

Montgomery City-County Public Library Statement of Revenue, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances Government Funds For the Year Ended September 30, 2015

Operating Fund

Local Appropriations City-County Fund

State Aid Endowment Total Grant Governmental Fund Fund Funds

177,158

City

3,063,024

County

1,086,820

1,086, 820

3,086

718

3,804

84,252

124,969

58,720

Total Revenue

271,027

4,149,844

177, 158

718

4,598,747

EXPENDITURES:

188,168

4,128,896

283,111

4,600,175

REVENUE: State Aid Grant

LSTA Grant Local appropriations:

Miscellaneous revenue: Interest income Donations Program services Other sources

Cultural and recreational Capital outlay

76,970

Total Expenditures

265,138

4,128,896

283,111

4,600,175

5,889

20,948

(105,953)

718

(78,398)

Excess (deficiency) of revenue over (under) expenditures OTHER FINANCIAL SOURCES (USES) Transfers (to) from other funds

76,970

Total other financing sources and uses NET CHANGE IN FUND BALANCE Fund Balances at Beginning of Year Fund Balances (Deficit) at End of Year

5,889

20,948

(105,953)

718

(78,398)

268,127

(31,596)

145,286

102,218

484,035

$274,016

$(10,648)

$39,333

$102,936

$405,637

An Annual Report On How your Tax Dollars Support the Services You have Come to Trust and Love

Public Libraries Are a Cost-Saving For Every Patron… Access to information is a priority goal of service of your public library. That goal is achieved through the circulation of library material in varying formats and access to electronic information via the web site. In FY2015, your public library’s major funding was provided by the City of Montgomery and the Montgomery County Commission. Additional funding provided by the State of Alabama through the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) as state aid support. APLS also administers the Library Service & Technology Act (LSTA), made annually via the Institute of Museums and Libraries (a federal competitive grant program). Additional program support was provided by the Town of Pike Road for the Pike Road Library, Friends of the Montgomery Library, Mrs. Mary McLemore, president, Pike Road Friends of the Library, Ramer Friends of the Library, Pintlala Friends of the Library, Pine Level Friends of the Library, The Lowder Foundation in support of the Hampstead Branch Library, Beulah Baptist Church, Mt. Gillard Baptist Church, Councilman CC Calhoun, Councilman Jonathan Dow, Councilman Tracy Larkin, Commissioner Jiles Williams, Representative John Knight, Senator Quinton Ross, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas McPherson, Dr. Katie Bell, Mr. Chester Mallory, Alabama Power Company, Wal-Mart, Dollar General, Chick Fil-A, the library staff and citizens who truly believe in access to information for all people.

Circulation Of Printed Material Books MCCPL circulated 321,667 printed items at a value of $60 per item. That circulation of printed items is valued at $19,300,020.00 savings to the citizens of Montgomery County if you had to go out and purchase each of those items.

Books on Tape 4,420 books on tape were borrowed during this period. If you, our users, had to pay $25.00 per use, it would cost you $110,500.00. However, because you are a citizen in Montgomery County, you saved the same amount.

CD/DVD/VIDEO/DVS/KITS 19,126 items were borrowed which fell into the listed categories at a value of $22.00 per use. Those loans equate to $420,772.00 savings to the citizens of Montgomery County.

Library Services Services include the following: Computer use The library’s computers were utilized by 207,928 citizens at a value of $15.00 per use. The savings to those citizens $3,118,920.00.

Computer Lab Use The computer lab provided 33,386 Montgomery citizens the opportunity to use a computer to access information at a value of $25.00 per use. The savings to those citizens $834,650.00. 20

Reference Questions So many questions are asked by our citizens. Each time a question is asked, the Reference Librarian logs each new question answered. 74,882 questions were asked of your Librarians. If you had to pay for each question answered, we would value our answer at $45.00 per answer. The value of that service would be $3,369,690.00 savings to you, our patrons. Reference Assistance How we assist our patrons in finding answers to their questions does not take as much time as finding the answers ourselves, thus 135,423 times that your Librarian assisted you in finding your own answers saved you $2,031,345.00 at a cost of $15.00 per assistance. Computer Classes We value each time we are given to narrow the digital divide through teaching someone how to use the software provided by the public library. If you, the user, had to pay for the computer classes you would be charged on average $25.00 per class. Your public library presented 56 classes over the twelve months of this analysis. Your savings are valued at $1,400.00. Dial-a-Story Reading, Listening and Hearing a story read or told to a child helps to develop the child’s cognitive skills. We encourage all of our young people to call our Dial-A-Story numbers 24-7 and hear a story. 233 young people dialed the number at a value of $5.00 per call; that’s a savings of $1,165.00. Telephone Renewal In this time of high fuel costs, closed highways, etc. being able to call in and renew a book is essential to friendly library service. 60,629 library users called in to renew their books at a value of $2.00 per call yielding a savings of $121,258.00. However, if you had to drive down to the library to renew the item, the per gallon cost of gas was a savings of $135,202.67 at a cost of $2.23 per gallon of gasoline. Programs 6,231 programs were presented during this period, a value of $50.00 per program. The programs saved you, our users, $311,550.00. Attendance If you had to pay a fee to attend those 4,095 programs with an attendance of 76,681 at a value of $15.00 per person, we would have made $1,150,215.00. However, we saved , you, our users, money by offering free programs which help improve the quality of your life. Web Visits The second most visible image of the Montgomery City-County Public Library is its web page and is seen and used by people all over the world. It provides a glimpse of the value of the public library to the Montgomery Community. 234,409 users visited the library’s web site. The value of those visits is $5.00 per visit. The savings to the citizens of Montgomery $1,172,045.00. Patron Assistance General help was provided to 135,423 users at a value of $2.00 per use. The value of the savings to our users is $270,846.00. Media Viewings 31,092 viewed items from the Media Department at an average value of $8.00 per viewing. The savings to our viewers $248,736.00. Computer Assistance Library staff assisted patrons 104,971 times at a value of $15.00 per assistance. The total savings for this service to our patrons $1,574,565.00. 21

Interlibrary Loans The Library borrowed 704 books through interlibrary loan for its users. The value of each individual loan is $30.00, which is a saving value of $21,120.00. The Library loaned to libraries outside of your library 712 books at a value of $30.00 per loan. The total value of loan was $21,360.00. The total value of sharing information with other libraries is $42,480.00. Wireless Use The library listens to your expressed needs and you have indicated a desire to access the web resources from any place within the library, thus we initiated the installation of wireless services. 109,432 patrons utilized the service over the past year. If those patrons had to pay to use the service, we would value the service at $20.00 per use. However, our citizens saved $2,188,640.00 by providing this free service to our community. Overdrive Checkouts 19,850 items were downloaded from OverDrive, our downloadable electronic library collection, at an average value of $30.00 per item, savings to you, our patrons is $585,500.00. Hoopla Downloads 9,984 items were borrowed at a cost of $8.00 per item. Total savings to our patrons for this service was $79,872.00. Proctored Exams The library provides exam proctoring to the public at a cost of $50 per exam. 401 patrons needed that service. Had the library charged a fee to the patron, the library would have earned $20,050.00; however the services of the libraries are FREE to its patrons thus the savings to the patron is $20,050.00. Newspapers 737 daily/weekly newspapers at a cost of $7.50 per day for a savings of $2,017,537.50 to our patrons. Database Searches 205,879 database searches were conducted by patrons at a value of $20 per search. The total savings to our patrons for this service was $4,117,580.00. Zinio 768 checkout downloadable magazines have been borrowed at a cost of $7.50 per item, for a savings of $5,760.00. The total Savings Value to our citizens is $43,230,299. Money not spent by our users because you have decided that a public library is the place to collect material and share again and again. Allowing you, the regular citizen of Montgomery County, to utilize your personal resources to support other areas of your lives. Conclusions For every dollar we spent, we returned a value of $10.42. From the $4,149,844.00 budgeted, the library returned a value of $43,230,299.00. A savings to the citizens of the City of Montgomery and Montgomery County of $39,080,455.00 for the period of October 1, 2014 - September 30, 2015. 22

Worth Their Weight is a model utilized by public libraries in the United States to compare actual budget to services offered. It is a discipline which is still in development stages. The values of the services is pulled from documented sources, i.e. the actual average cost of a new book added to the library’s collection. Services, i.e. computer use, computer lab use, etc. is based on national figures provided by SW Ohio CBA in Worth Their Weight. The Americans for Libraries Council’s publication “Worth Their Weight” was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Montgomery City-County Public Library performed a random survey of patrons who checked out library material between the period of August 1 through September 15, 2014. Only patrons whose e-mail addresses were on their patron profile were included in the group. This group represented 2,913 unique e-mail addresses. Of 2,913 e-mail invites sent, 276 replied. Another 47 replied over the website without an invitation and 130 completed surveys while in the library at the circulation desk. The total number of returned surveys for the Patron Satisfaction Survey was four hundred fifty-three (453).

Montgomery City-County Public Library Patron Satisfaction Survey: 2014-2015 Q1: How often do you visit the public library? Answer Options

Response Percent

Monthly

36.8%

Less than once a month

19.8%

Weekly

32.4%

Daily

9.5%

98.5% answered question

447

skipped question

Q2: When you visit the library, do you find the book you need? Answer Options

Rating Average

Always

56.9%

Sometimes

33.5%

90.4%

answered question

410

skipped question

Q3: If you do not find the book you need, does the staff offer other choices? Answer Options

Response Percent

Always

60.0%

Sometimes

14.0% 74.0%

answered question

381

skipped question

Q4: How important is the library to you? Answer Options

Response Percent

Extremely

65.1%

Very

28.0%

93.1% answered question

422

skipped question

31 24

Q5: When you call one of our library locations, is the staff helpful, friendly & kind? Answer Options

Response Percent

Always

85.5%

Sometimes

13.0%

87.0% answered question

424

skipped question

Q6: When you ask for assistance, is the service courteous & professional? Answer Options

Response Percent

Always

81.0%

Sometimes

8.5% 89.5%

answered question

401

skipped question

Q7: How often do you ask the librarian for help with using the collection? Answer Options

Response Percent

Sometimes

50.3%

Seldom

19.7%

70.0%

answered question

309

skipped question

144

Q8: Do you have access to a computer at…(check all that apply) Answer Options

Response Percent

Home

90.6%

School

12.6%

Work

40.2%

Other public place

8.9%

Q9: Are the computers helpful in assisting you in completing your research? Answer Options

Response Percent

Extremely

40.1%

Very

21.4%

I do not use the library’s computer

26.3%

87.8%

answered question

370

skipped question

83 25

Q10: How do you use the computers? Answer Options

Response Percent

Word processing

46.6%

Internet access

78.5%

Card catalog

33.3%

53.2%

Games

18.1%

Web cam

2.9%

Social Media

26.7%

answered question

348

skipped question

105

Q11: Do you own an…(check all that apply) Answer Options

Response Percent

IPad

44.3%

Kindle

35.2%

Nook

6.3%

Android phone

38.8%

Blackberry

2.3%

IPhone

40.4%

Other (please specify)

11.5%

answered question

384

skipped question

Q12: Do you download information from the library’s website? Answer Options

Response Percent

Always

10.2%

Sometimes

37.6%

Never

50.9%

98.7% answered question

442

skipped question

Q13: Do you know about electronic material downloads? Answer Options

Response Percent

Yes

61.9%

38.1%

answered question

444

skipped question

Q14: Do you download books through “Overdrive”? Answer Options

Response Percent

Yes

24.3%

75.7%

answered question skipped question

453

0 26

Q15: Do you download books through “Hoopla”? Answer Options

Response Percent

Yes

13.5%

86.5%

answered question

453

skipped question

Q16: Is the staff knowledgeable and skillful in showing you how to use the computers, collection, meeting rooms, etc.? Answer Options

Response Percent

Extremely

39.1%

Very

26.7%

Somewhat

9.1%

74.9% answered question

352

skipped question

101

Q17: What level of confidence do you have in the library to deliver the services and information that you require? Answer Options

Response Percent

Complete

46.6%

A lot

35.0%

Some

12.4%

96.1% answered question

442

skipped question

Q18: Overall, how do you rate the quality of services, collection and access to information that the library provides? Answer Options

Response Percent

Excellent

60.0%

Good

27.6%

Adequate

12.4%

100.0%

answered question

453

skipped question

Q19: Overall, is our performance... Answer Options

Response Percent

Much better

53.0%

About the same

25.6%

Somewhat

19.20%

81.2%

answered question

443

skipped question

Q20: Please share your comments or suggestions on how we can improve our services to you, our patrons. answered question

229

skipped question

224 27

Patrons who used the library’s computers were prompted to complete a survey upon completion of their use of the computer. One hundred twenty-three (123) users responded to the survey. Here are the results of the survey.

Montgomery City-County Public Library Computer Use Survey - October 2014 Q1: How important is the library to you? Answer Options

Response Percent

Extremely

75.6%

Very

21.1%

96.7%

answered question

122

skipped question

Q2: How often do you visit the public library? Answer Options

Rating Average

Daily

26.0%

Weekly

49.6%

Monthly

16.3%

Less than once a month

8.1%

100.0%

answered question

123

skipped question

Q3: When you ask for assistance, is the service courteous & professional? Answer Options

Response Percent

Always

74.8%

Sometimes

11.8%

86.6% answered question

103

skipped question

Q4: How often do you ask the librarian for help with the use of the computer? Answer Options

Response Percent

Always

14.2%

Never

11.7%

Seldom

25.8%

Sometimes

34.2%

answered question

103

skipped question

20 28

Q5: Do you have access to a computer at…(check all that apply) Answer Options

Response Percent

Home

56.9%

School

21.1%

Work

17.9%

Other public place

28.5%

answered question

123

skipped question

Q6: Are the library computers helpful in assisting you in completing… (Please check all that apply) Answer Options

Response Percent

Staying in touch with friends

48.8%

Checking emails

70.7%

Enrolling in an online class

30.1%

Looking for a job

63.4%

Filing government forms

30.9%

Applying for a job

63.4%

Uploading personal information

36.6%

Comparing the cost of items to purchase

28.5%

Surfing the Web

54.5%

Researching important information

65.0%

Keeping up with current events

48.0%

Listening to music

26.0%

answered question

123

skipped question

Q7: How do you use the computers? (Please check all that apply) Answer Options

Response Percent

Word processing

47.2%

Internet access

86.2%

Card catalog

17.1%

65.0%

Web cam

5.7%

Games

22.0%

Skyping

1.0%

Checking on my grades from college

18.7%

Taking an online class

22.0%

Social networking

29.3%

Taking a test

30.9%

Contacting City and/or County Government

16.3%

Contacting Library staff

7.3%

answered question

123

skipped question

0 29

Q8: Do you own an…(check all that apply) Answer Options

Response Percent

IPad

22.5%

Kindle

20.2%

Nook

7.9%

Android phone

60.7%

Blackberry

2.3%

IPhone

25.8%

Other (please specify)

31.2%

answered question

skipped question

Q9: Do you download information from the library’s website? Answer Options

Response Percent

Always

7.3%

Sometimes

40.7%

Never

40.7%

Other

9.8%

answered question

98.5%

121

skipped question

Q10: Do you download books from “Overdrive”? Answer Options

Response Percent

Yes

7.3%

92.7%

answered question

123

skipped question

Q11: Do you download books from “Hoopla”? Answer Options

Response Percent

Yes

8.9%

91.1%

answered question

123

skipped question

Q12: Is the staff knowledgeable and skillful in showing you how to use the computers? Answer Options

Response Percent

Extremely

49.6%

Very

33.3%

Somewhat

12.2%

98.4% answered question

117

skipped question

6 30

Q13: Overall, how do you rate the quality of access to the computers? Answer Options

Response Percent

Excellent

61.0%

Good

24.4%

Adequate

10.6%

answered question

96.0%

118

skipped question

Q14: What level of confidence do you have in the library to deliver reliable computer service? Answer Options

Response Percent

Complete

59.0%

A lot

26.0%

Some

15.0%

100.0%

answered question

123

skipped question

Q15: Overall, is our performance… Answer Options

Response Percent

Much better

61.8%

Staying at the same level?

22.8%

Somewhat better?

15.4%

100.0% answered question

123

skipped question

MISSION AND VISION The mission of the Montgomery City-County Public Library System is to make readily available to all residents of Montgomery County access to materials, information, and services to meet their personal, educational, cultural, technological, and occupational needs. The Montgomery City-County Public Library will enhance the quality of life for Montgomery county citizens by serving as central Alabamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier repository for a broad-based and comprehensive collection of books and data and its most accessible site for Internet and digital services. The library also aims to respond programmatically to the personal interests, educational imperatives, and research needs of Montgomery County citizens.

FOUNDATION BOARD 2014-2015 Mrs. Vanzetta McPherson, President Mr. Derek Parrish, Vice President Mr. Jim Hodgson, Treasurer Mr. Carl Barker Mrs. Lynn Beshear Mr. Brian L. Davis Mr. Sam Martin Mrs. Leslie Sanders Mr. Christopher Vucovich Mr. Frank Wilson

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2014-2015 Mr. Thomas McPherson, Jr., President Mr. Jim Earnhardt, Vice President Dr. Katie Bell, Treasurer Mrs. Janet Waller, Secretary Mrs. Betsy Atkins Rev. Gary Burton Miss ShaKenya Calhoun Dr. Janice Franklin Mrs. Julia Henig Mrs. Amy Knudsen Mr. Chester Mallory Mrs. Leslie Sanders Mr. Joseph D. Trimble Mr. Courtney Williams Mrs. Catherine Wright

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Mr. Thomas McPherson, Jr. Mrs. Jaunita Owes Mrs. Catherine Wright

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Mrs. Mary McLemore Mrs. Vanzetta McPherson

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Mrs. Jaunita Owes, Library Director Mrs. Vivian White, Assistant Library Director Mrs. Rebie Morris, Administrative Assistant Administrative Office 334-240-4300 P O Box 1950 / 245 High Street www.mccpl.lib.al.us 34

Choose From Ten Locations

Juliette Hampton Morgan Library 245 High Street Monday - Wednesday 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday & Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday 2 p.m.-6 p.m.

Rufus A. Lewis Regional Library

E L Lowder Regional Library

3095 Mobile Highway

2590 Bell Road

Coliseum Branch Library

Monday & Tuesday 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Monday & Wednesday 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

840 Coliseum Boulevard

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Monday - Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Closed Sundays

Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Square Branch Library

Hampstead Branch Library

Ramer Branch Library

2885-B East South Boulevard

5251 Hampstead High Street, Suite 107

544 State Highway 94

Monday - Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Closed Saturdays & Sundays

Pike Road Branch Library

Pintlala Branch Library

9585 Vaughn Road

255 Federal Road

Monday - Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Closed Saturdays & Sundays

8 Bertha Pleasant Williams Library @ Rosa Parks Avenue 1276 Rosa Parks Avenue Monday - Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Saturdays & Sundays

Closed Saturdays & Sundays

Juliette Hampton Morgan Memorial Library

Governor Square Regional Library

Pike Road Branch Library

EL Lowder Regional Branch Library

Coliseum Boulevard Branch Library

Bertha Pleasant Williams Library

Hampstead Branch Library

Pintlala Branch Library

Rufus Lewis Regional Library

Ramer Branch Library 37

FOUNDATION BOARD 2015-16 Mrs. Vanzetta McPherson, President Mr. Derek Parrish, Vice President Mr. Jim Hodgson, Treasurer Mr. Carl Barker Mrs. Lynn Beshear Mr. Brian L. Davis Mr. Sam Martin Mrs. Leslie Sanders Mr. Christopher Vucovich Mr. Frank Wilson

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2015-16 Dr. Katie R. Bell, President Rev. Gary Burton, Vice President Mr. Chester Mallory, Treasurer Mrs. Janet Waller, Secretary Mrs. Betsy Atkins Miss ShaKenya Calhoun Dr. Janice Franklin Mr. Michael Fritz Mrs. Amy Knudsen Mr. Chester Mallory Mrs. Leslie Sanders Mr. Joseph Trimble Mr. Courtney Williams Mrs. Catherine Wright

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Dr. Katie Bell Mrs. Jaunita Owes Mrs. Catherine Wright

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Mrs. Mary McLemore Mrs. Vanzetta McPherson

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Mrs. Jaunita Owes, Library Director Mrs. Mrs. Karen Preuss, Assistant Library Director Mrs. Rebie Morris, Administrative Assistant Administrative Office 334-240-4300 P O Box 1950 / 245 High Street www.mccpl.lib.al.us 38

The total Savings Value to our citizens is $37,960,836. Money not spent by our users because you have decided that a public library is the place to collect material and share again and again. Allowing you, the regular citizen of Montgomery County, to utilize your personal resources to support other areas of your lives.

Conclusions For every dollar we spent, we returned a value of $9.05. From the $4,195,602 budgeted, the library returned a value of $37,960,836. A savings to the citizens of the City of Montgomery and Montgomery County of $33,765,234 for the period of October 1, 2015 - September 30, 2016. Worth Their Weight is a model utilized by public libraries in the United States to compare actual budget to services offered. It is a discipline which is still in development stages. The values of the services is pulled from documented sources, i.e. the actual average cost of a new book added to the library’s collection. Services, i.e. computer use, computer lab use, etc. is based on national figures provided by SW Ohio CBA in Worth Their Weight. The Americans for Libraries Council’s publication “Worth Their Weight” was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Interlibrary Loans The Library borrowed 600 books through interlibrary loan for its users. The value of each individual loan is $30.00, which is a saving value of $18,000. The Library loaned to libraries outside of your library 663 books at a value of $30.00 per loan. The total value of loan was $19,892. The total value of sharing information with other libraries is $37,890. Wireless Services The library listens to your expressed needs and you have indicated a desire to access the web resources from any place within the library, thus we initiated the installation of wireless services. 72,770 patrons utilized the service over the past year. If those patrons had to pay to use the service, we would value the service at $20.00 per use. However, our citizens saved $1,455,400 by providing this free service to our community. Database Searches 203,205 database searches were conducted by patrons at a value of $20 per search. The total savings to our patrons for this service was $4,064,100. Proctored Exams The library provides exam proctoring to the public at a cost of $50 per exam. One hundred forty-six (146) patrons needed that service. Had the library charged a fee to the patron, the library would have earned $7,300 however the services of the libraries are FREE to its patrons thus the savings to the patron is $7,300. Overdrive Checkouts 13,129 items were downloaded from OverDrive, our downloadable electronic library collection, at an average value of $30.00 per item, savings to you, our patrons is $393,870. Zinio 997 checkout downloadable magazines were borrowed at a cost of $7.50 per item, for a savings of $7,477.50. Hoopla 9,188 items have been borrowed at an average cost of $8 per item. Total savings to our patrons for this service was $73,504. Newspapers 737 daily/weekly newspapers at a cost of $7.50 per day for a savings of $2,017,537.50 to our patrons.

Reference Questions So many questions are asked by our citizens. Each time a question is asked, the Reference Librarian logs each new question answered. 65,266 questions were asked of your Librarians. If you had to pay for each question answered, we would value our answer at $45.00 per answer. The value of that service would be $2,936,970 savings to you, our patrons. Reference Assistance How we assist our patrons in finding answers to their questions does not take as much time as finding the answers ourselves, thus 130,990 times that your Librarian assisted you in finding your own answers saved you $1,964,850 at a cost of $15.00 per assistance. Computer Lab Classes We value each time we are given to narrow the digital divide through teaching someone how to use the software provided by the public library. If you, the user, had to pay for the computer classes you would be charged on average $25.00 per class. Your public library presented 49 classes over the twelve months of this analysis. Your savings are valued at $1,225. Dial-a-Story Reading, Listening and Hearing a story read or told to a child helps to develop the child’s cognitive skills. We encourage all of our young people to call our Dial-A-Story numbers 24-7 and hear a story. 761 young people dialed the number at a value of $5.00 per call; that’s a savings of $3,805. Telephone Renewal In this time of high fuel costs, closed highways, etc. being able to call in and renew a book is essential to friendly library service. 44,290 library users called in to renew their books at a value of $2.00 per call yielding a savings of $88,580. However, if you had to drive down to the library to renew the item, the per gallon cost of gas was a savings of $110,725 at a cost of $2.50 per gallon of gasoline. Programs 3,604 programs were presented during this period, a value of $50.00 per program. The programs saved you, our users, $180,200. Attendance If you had to pay a fee to attend those 3,604 programs with an attendance of 71,894 at a value of $15.00 per person, we would have made $1,078,410. However, we saved you, our users, money by offering free programs which help improve the quality of your life. Web Visits The second most visible image of the Montgomery City-County Public Library is its web page and is seen and used by people all over the world. It provides a glimpse of the value of the public library to the Montgomery Community. 184,443 users visited the library’s web site. The value of those visits is $5.00 per visit. The savings to the citizens of Montgomery County $922,215. Computer Assistance General computer help was provided to 83,078 users at a value of $5.00 each. The value of the savings to our users is $415,390. Media Viewings 1,041 viewed items from the Media Department at an average value of $10.00 per viewing. The savings to our viewers $10,410. 43

Public Libraries Are a Cost-Saving For Every Patron… Access to information is a priority goal of service of your public library. That goal is achieved through the circulation of library material in varying formats and access to electronic information via the web site. In FY2016, your public library’s major funding was provided by the City of Montgomery and the Montgomery County Commission. Additional funding provided by the State of Alabama through the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) as state aid support. APLS also administers the Library Service & Technology Act (LSTA), made annually via the Institute of Museums and Libraries (a federal competitive grant program). Additional program support was provided by the Town of Pike Road, Friends of the Montgomery Library, Pike Road Friends of the Library, Ramer Friends of the Library, Pintlala Friends of the Library, The Lowder Foundation, Beulah Baptist Church, Mt. Gillard Baptist Church, Councilman Tracy Larkin, Representative John Knight, Senator Quinton Ross, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas McPherson, Dr. Katie Bell, Mr. Chester Mallory, Alabama Power Company, Wal-Mart, Dollar General, the library staff and citizens who truly believe in access to information for all people.

Circulation Of Printed Material Books MCCPL circulated 308,790 printed items at a value of $60 per item. That circulation of printed items is valued at $18,527,400 savings to the citizens of Montgomery County if you had to go out and purchase each of those items. Books on Tape 3,170 books on tape were borrowed during this period. If you, our users, had to pay $25.00 per use, it would cost you $79,250. However, because you are a citizen in Montgomery County, you saved the same amount. CD/DVD/VIDEO/DVS/KITS~ 16,781 items were borrowed which fell into the listed categories at a value of $22.00 per use. Those loans equate to $369,182 savings to the citizens of Montgomery County.

Library Services Services include the following: Computer use The library’s computers were utilized by 183,223 citizens at a value of $15.00 per use. The savings to those citizens $2,748,345. Computer Lab Use The computer lab provided 18,672 Montgomery citizens the opportunity to use a computer to access information at a value of $25.00 per use. The savings to those citizens $466,800. 44

FUNDING Montgomery City-County Public Library Balance Sheet Governmental Funds For the Year Ending September 30, 2016

ASSETS

Operating Fund

Cash & temporary Cash investments Other receivables Due from other funds Total Assets

Local Appropriations City-County Fund

Endowment Fund

Total Governmental Funds

$103,661

$422,173

$1,008

$50,000

$103,661

$473,181

$255,314

$46,105

$306,322

$46,105

State Aid Grant Fund

$17,093

LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCES

Accounts payable Due to Library Foundation

$15,240

$17,500

$33,801

$113,172

Due to other funds

$66,541 $113,172

$50,000

$128,412

$67,500

$229,713

Fund balances:

Non-spendable

$100,000

Restricted

$3,661

Total Liabilities

Assigned

$6,747

Unassigned

$177,910

$(28,142)

$(16,708)

$133,060

Total Fund Balances (deficit)

$177,910

$(21,395)

$(16,708)

$103,661

$243,468

$306,322

$46,105

$17,093

$103,661

Total Liabilities and Fund Balances

$12,097,958 $12,341,426

Montgomery City-County Public Library Statement of Revenue, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances Government Funds For the Year Ended September 30, 2016

Local Operating Appropriations Fund City-County Fund

REVENUE:

State Aid Grant Fund

Endowment Fund

Total Governmental Funds

State Aid Grant

176,205

LSTA Grant

50,000

Local appropriations:

City

3,060,209

County

1,135,393

Miscellaneous revenue:

Interest income

2,070

725

2,795

Donations

30,640

Program services

122,000

Other sources

64,007

Total Revenue

268,717

4,195,602

176,205

725

4,641,249

EXPENDITURES:

Cultural and recreational

145,587

4,203,021

232,246

4,580,854

Capital outlay

106,064

3,328

Appropriation to Library Foundation

113,172

Total Expenditures

364,823

4,206,349

232,246

4,803,418

Excess (deficiency) of revenue over (under) expenditures

(96,106)

(10,747)

(56,041)

725

(162,169)

NET CHANGE IN FUND BALANCE

(96,106)

10,747

(56,041)

725

(162,169)

Fund Balances at Beginning of Year

274,016

(10,648)

39,333

102,936

405,637

Fund Balances (Deficit) at End of Year

$177,910

$(21,395)

$16,708

$103,661

$243,468

109,392 113,172

2015-2016 Revenue and Expenditures Audited Total Revenue

$4,641,249

City of Montgomery

$3,060,209

Montgomery County

$1,135,393

State Aid

$176,205

LSTA Grant

$50,000

Donations

$30,640

Other Sources

$64,007

Program Services

$122,000

Interest Income

$2,795

Total Fund Balance

$243,468

Total Expenditures

$4,803,418

Cultural & Recreation

$4,580,854

Capital Outlay

$109,392

OUTREACH SERVICE TO MAXWELL FEDERAL PRISON CAMP NOVEMBER 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; JUNE 2016 Extension/Outreach Services provides monthly year-round book service to inmates at Maxwell Federal Prison Camp. This program first started on November 20, 2015. Listed below is the total number of title requests from inmates from November 2015 to June 2016:

Participating Facilities Number of Titles Requested Maxwell Federal Prison Camp 157 Total Requested 157 ******************

Grand Total of Titles Requested From Extension/Outreach Services 7,394

OUTREACH SERVICE TO NURSING HOMES / ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES FOR JUNE 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; JUNE 2016 A total of 18 facilities subscribed to the monthly year-round delivery service except for Capitol Heights Place which prefers service every other month. John Knox at Arrow Head suspended services in January 2016 due to a few members who used our services regularly would no longer require it due to their death. Oxton Manor has expressed an interest in our services and would like for us to provide services once they reopen after their renovations. Eleven (11) of the facilities are serviced on the first Monday of each month and the other seven (7) are serviced on the second Monday of each month. Listed below is the number of titles delivered at the requests of the facilities from June 2015â&#x20AC;&#x201D;June 2016 as well as the names of the facilities that we service: Participating Facilities Number of Titles Requested AHEPA Two 325 Angels for the Elderly Assisted Living 260 Capitol Heights Place 105 Capitol Heights Place II 520 Cedar Crest 390 Crowne Health Care 338 Elmscroft of Halcyon 330 Golden Living Center 650 Hillview Terrace 195 Holly Cottage 117 John Knox at Arrow Head 112 John Knox Manor 325 John Knox Tower 780 Oakgrove Inn 150 Seton Haven 780 South Haven Manor 260 Waterford Place 390 Woodley Manor 195 Total Requested 6,222 Extension/Outreach Services also provided live entertainment to residents of South Haven Manor and Christmas cards to residents of South Haven Manor, John Knox Manor and John Knox Tower. In June of 2016 Extension/Outreach Services established a series of Book Talks with residents from various nursing homes and assisted living facilities. 49

MONTGOMERY CITY-COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY EXTENSION/OUTREACH SERVICES End of Year Report 2015-2016 SCHOOL SERVICES PROGRAM FOR AUGUST 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MAY 2016 Fifteen (15) schools participated in the School Services Program for the 2015-2016 school years. Listed below is the complete list of schools along with the total number of titles requested by each school (requests were for print format only):

Participating Schools Number of Titles Requested Blount Elementary 0 Carr Middle School 3 Carver Elementary 0 Carver High School 0 Catoma Elementary 10 Chisholm Elementary 112 Dannelly Elementary 91 Dozier Elementary 69 Floyd Elementary 0 Goodwyn Middle School 60 MacMillan Academy 36 Macon East Montgomery Academy 71 Martin Luther King Elementary 0 Pike Road School 563 Pintlala Elementary 0

Total Requested 1,015

Extension/Outreach Services also provided over 700 children application forms and over 33 application forms for faculty members at the requests of the schools so that they could apply for library cards. The department also provided over 600 bookmarks that contained information for accessing children electronic databases. 50

The Alabama Virtual Library provides all students, teachers, and citizens of the State of Alabama with online access to essential library and information resources. It is primarily a group of online databases that have magazine, journal, and newspaper articles for research. Through the AVL, an equitable core of information sources is available to every student and citizen in Alabama, raising the level of excellence in schools and communities across the state. Multiple versions of Explora will be released for schools and public libraries. Each version features a unique landing page designed to best support the needs of students, patrons, teachers and librarians in their respective settings. They all feature attractive, user-friendly designs that can be easily viewed on mobile devices. A single search box on the home page helps to simplify the search process and increase student success. Easy-to-browse categories are organized by popular topics, and topic overviews provide users with a starting point for research. Relevant results can be limited by source type, including primary source documents and other authoritative information texts. Gale eBooks on GVRL support all levels of learning from preschool to scholarly and professional. The wide variety of full-text, inter-disciplinary content is a great way to fill gaps in any library’s collection. With these easily accessible and searchable materials, you can offer an effortless eBook experience. Forget those common complaints that eBooks are hard to access and require multiple-copy purchases. A single-copy purchase of any GVRL eBook means it’s open to everyone, anytime, with no special downloads or apps—and no checkouts or holds. EBSCO’s wide array of public library resources will meet the many needs of users while helping maximizing their knowledge base. By leveraging the latest technology and strongest content, bringing patrons the information they’re seeking through a simple user experience. EBSCO helps increase the visibility of libraries within the community. EBSCO helps patrons answer everyday questions while introducing them to other helpful library services. Whether patrons are looking for a new reading recommendation, conducting genealogical research or simply seeking homework help, EBSCO can help meet the needs of the entire community. ♦♦ Received an end of the FY grant of $40,000 from the APLS in support of the upgrade of technology in the libraries. The Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) provided the funding via the Institute of Museums and Library Services

♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦

Added 14,323 print items to the collection, representing over 4,476 individual print titles Achieved BLOG hit of 2,602 visitors Created a “Happy” Video Created Line Dancing Class Issued 5,847 new library cards Added After School Edge Programs for teens 51

Ancestry.com

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Morgan’s Renovations The interior of the library was painted, new carpet installed, major improvements to the public restrooms on both floors were made and new lighting was added to give the interior a bright open atmosphere. Beginning with FY2016, a contractor was chosen to design and replace the roof of the Morgan Library while the City Maintenance Department began to design a new HVAC system for the library. The installation of the roof was completed in March of 2016. The library staff began the process of deciding how each area of the library would look; making sure to incorporate ADA compliant furniture, and programs that appeal to all segments of the population of Montgomery County. Technology is being evaluated and a design is forthcoming regarding the placement of computers and other media equipment. The new Morgan facility is being programmed and designed with the citizens of Montgomery at the forefront of our thoughts.

Chilton Library Get the detailed information you need to tackle vehicle maintenance and repairs. Some of Chilton Library’s more popular features include: • Maintenance and specification tables that provide the unique data you need for each specific vehicle • Step-by-step service and repair procedures, and labor estimating tool to help you confidently determine your next move • Vacuum diagrams to simplify troubleshooting • Wiring diagrams to help explain system operation • Close-up photographs and illustrations for visual support • ASE test prep quizzes for the most popular certification exams • A print button which allows you to easily print out what is needed

Adult Programs at Governor’s Square Library ♦♦ Lunch Bunch Book Club

2015-2016 Back to School Boot Camp Juliette Hampton Memorial Library hosted their Annual Back to School Boot Camp during the summer of 2016. Students who completed the entire Boot Camp received school supplies. The students had to be present each day of the week. Students were allowed to bring their personal laptops but they were personally held accountable for them. A certificate was presented to each child upon completing the Boot Camp. The camp lasted a total of five days for each grade division. Each day children were expected to walk away from the boot camp having learned something about the library. Different activities were used to involve students and persuade them to visit their local libraries in their respective neighborhoods.

Homework Assistance The following library locations provide after school homework assistance on the days listed below beginning in September, ending in May.

Monday

Rufus Lewis Regional Library

6:00-7:30pm

Tuesday

Coliseum Boulevard Branch Library

5:00-5:45pm

Tuesday

Juliette Hampton Morgan Memorial Library

6:00-7:30pm

Wednesday

EL Lowder Regional Library

6:00-7:30pm

Thursday

Governor’s Square Library

4:00-5:45pm

Highlights 2015-2016 Adult Programs at Rufus Lewis Library ♦♦ Scrapbooking ♦♦ Mesh Wreath Making Class ♦♦ Computer Class

♦♦ After 5 Book Club Discussion ♦♦ Identity Theft ♦♦ Yoga Class ♦♦ Book Signing and Discussions ♦♦ Holiday Open House

Adult Programs at EL Lowder Library ♦♦ Chess Club

♦♦ Ladies of High Tea Book Club ♦♦ Stitch and Share

Adult Programs at Bertha Williams Library ♦♦ Senior Bingo ♦♦ Scrabble Time ♦♦ Page Turner Book Club

♦♦ Genealogy Sessions ♦♦ Holiday Open House ♦♦ 4th Friday Cook Up

♦♦ Movie Day @ the Library ♦♦ Crocheting Class

Adult Programs at Ramer Library ♦♦ Monthly Adult Program

♦♦ Ramer Christmas Open House

♦♦ Ramer Readin’ Right Book Club

Adult Programs at Coliseum Boulevard Library ♦♦ Weaving for beginners ♦♦ Coliseum’s Coloring Club ♦♦ Christmas Pop-up Card Workshop

♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦

Computer Classes for Seniors ♦♦ Outside the Lines Southern Charm’s Book Club ♦♦ Banned Book Week Eastbrook Mystery Book Club ♦♦ Community Art & Soul Holiday Open House

Adult Programs at Hampstead Library ♦♦ Movie Series & Events

Adult Programs at Pike Road Library ♦♦ Bookies Book Club

♦♦ Friends Speaker Series

Adult Programs at Morgan Library ♦♦ Cover to Cover Book Club

♦♦ Extraordinary Lunch Bunch Book Club 55

2016 In Numbers 190,441 residents have an MCCPL library card: 2,642

Birth to 5 years of age

13,591

Six to 11 years of age

29,969

Twelve to 18 years of age

138,392

Age 19 and up

5,847

New patrons

121,118

Books from the Adult Collection

12,804

Books from the Young Adult Collection

136,801

Books from the Juvenile Collection

18,148

Adult Media Collection

570

Young Adult Media Collection

3,974

Juvenile Media Collection

15,375

*Outreach/ Extension Services

358,367

Downloadable Electronic Collection

667,157 Total Checkouts

1,084,711 library visits, reference questions, electronic usage, programs, etc. 566,269 Visitors to 10 Libraries 71,894

People attended 3,604 library-sponsored programs (including Storytimes, Summer Library Program events, and Adult programs)

65,266

Reference Questions answered in 10 libraries

130,990 Persons assisted in finding answers to reference questions 203,879 People used the Electronic Resources in the Library

23,126

6,187

Children and Adults attended 175 programs during the Summer Library Program

37,883

Books read by participants in the Summer Library Program

343

Certificates awarded to children reading at least fifteen books during the Summer Library Program

is the total number of hours all 10 library locations were open to the public 56

Gale Courses Offers a wide range of highly interactive, instructor–led courses that you can take entirely online. ♦♦ Accounting and Finance ♦♦ Business ♦♦ Computer Applications ♦♦ Design and Composition ♦♦ Healthcare and Medical ♦♦ Language and Arts ♦♦ Law and Legal ♦♦ Personal Development ♦♦ Teaching and Education ♦♦ Technology ♦♦ Writing and Publishing

Did you know? • 58% of adults in the U.S. have public library cards. • Americans go to school, public and academic libraries more than three times more often than they go to the movies. • Reference librarians in the nation’s public and academic libraries answer nearly 6.6 million questions weekly. Standing single file, the line of questioners would span from Ocean City, MD to Juneau, AK. • There are more public libraries than McDonald’s in the U.S.—a total of 16,766 including branches. • Americans spend nearly three times as much on candy as they do on public libraries. • Americans check out more than eight books a year, on the average. They spend $35.81 a year for the public library—about the average cost of one hardcover book. These quotes are made possible by the ALA Library Champions in support of America’s Libraries: www.ala.org/offices/librarychampions. Most Americans view public libraries as important parts of their communities, with a majority reporting that libraries have the resources they need and play at least some role in helping them decide what information they can trust. (Pew Research Center, 2016) 57

We Help You Find Your Resourcesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Ask a Librarian... During FY2016 our librarians answered 65,266 reference questions and provided assistance to patrons more than 130,990 times.

The Library is Everywhere! iBistro, the online catalog, makes it possible for anyone to access the library catalog from home, the library or anywhere in the nation to see what materials are available, which library location has it, renew material or even place a hold on material. In 2016, the libraryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website had 184,443 visits. The wireless Internet was used 72,770. Twenty-four thousand nine hundred twenty-nine Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) remote users accessed AVL 135,376 times. AVL is a group of online databases that have magazine, journal and newspaper articles for research that provides students, teachers, and citizens of Alabama online access to essential library and informational resources.

The reference collection provides an opportunity for citizens to research facts and data, compare cost of products for purchase, and assist patrons in formulating a research approach when using the Internet and printed sources. Reference Librarians can assist with whatever the need might be!

From the Teens Pages! FreedomFlix, Scholasticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s online curriculum supplement that combines standards-driven leveled content, interactive features, and intuitive navigation into a single, highly engaging iPad/ tablet-ready product. The content in FreedomFlix has been organized into effective structures called units, with each one aligning to history curriculum standards. All of the articles in each of the units have been written at three levels, so content is now easily accessible to all students. Carefully vetted Web links are provided at each level as well. Each unit also includes careers article(s), and a quiz to provide opportunities for selfassessment for students and progress monitoring for teachers. FreedomFlix is published by Scholastic Library Publishing, a division of Scholastic Inc. It is the work of more than 100 people who contribute to the creation of content, design, technical development, updates, and system management.

Meet the Need, Help Them Read!

Starfall Starfall– Starfall has been educating children for well over a decade. Their systematic approach, in conjunction with audiovisual interactivity, is perfect for preschool, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, special education, homeschool, and English language development. Starfall is an educational alternative to other entertainment choices for children. Our low-cost membership program expands the free content you already enjoy to include delightfully animated songs, mathematics, and reading activities spanning pre-k to 2nd grade.

From The Children Page…

For Parents…

Ask Dr. Math: Ask Dr. Math is a question and answer service for math students and their teachers. A searchable archive has been made available by level and by topic, as well as summaries of frequently asked questions.

Tips on helping your children become more effective readers.

Top 10 Ways to Improve Your Child’s Reading Ability 1. Set aside a regular time to read to your children every day. 2. Surround your children with reading material. 3. Have a family reading time. 4. Encourage a wide variety of reading activities. 5. Develop the library habit. 6. Be knowledgeable about your children’s progress. 7. Look for reading problems. 8. Get help promptly for reading problems. 9. Use a variety of aids to help your children. 10. Show enthusiasm for your children’s reading.

NASA Science For Kids: Here kids of all ages can have fun learning and exploring the world around us. NASA brings you an exciting way to look at our Sun and Earth, our solar system and the universe beyond. Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government: Hello, kids! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Benjamin Franklin. I will be your guide throughout this site. You probably know me best as a Founding Father and from my “shocking” kite experiment. 59

We Have Booksâ&#x20AC;Ś But We Also Have Much, Much More! Todd Strange

Mayor City of Montgomery

Elton Dean

Chairman Montgomery County Commission

During fiscal year 2016, over 500,000 times patrons walked through the doors of the ten library locations of the Montgomery City-County Public Library System. Some came for books, the traditional mission of libraries. Others, however, came for educational programs, or to access computers, to conduct genealogy researches, or get homework help. Students from grades kindergarten through 12th grade received homework assistance from live volunteers in reading, math, English, spelling, Social Studies, and online assistance in a variety of subjects. Children listened to stories while in the library for story hour. Newcomers to the area learned more about the community, the city and the county. Avid readers discussed literature with their favorite book clubs. Some just stopped and read magazines and newspapers. Still others came to attend meetings and workshops and to fill out job applications online.

From The Desk Of The Library Board President... Dear Patrons, Supporters, Friends and Staff: As the year 2017 comes to an end, I am reflecting on the many activities of the Montgomery City-County Public Library System. In so doing, I became keenly aware that in spite of the renovation, you were steadfast without a disruption of services. This accomplishment was only made possible due to the support from the city and county governments, understanding patrons, and good customer service. To each constituent, I say “thank you” for a job well done. During the past year FY16, the circulation totaled 308,790 (all totals are lower than the past five years due to the closing of Juliette Hampton Morgan for renovation and the management of ten branches rather than 11. This does not, however, include electronic access); reference assistance, 130,223; website visits, 184,443; downloads, 358,539 (to include Hoopla, Overdrive, Zinio Magazines, Dear Reader checkouts); computer uses, 183,900; wireless uses, 72,770, and door count, 566,269. I am happy to note that foot traffic has increased since the completion of phase one of the renovation. This phase included inside painting of the total facility, replacing the elevator and the heating/cooling system, and upgrading each restroom. Phase two will include new furniture, additional programs, and an enhancement of current technologies. Increasing funding through many sources continues to be a major effort of the Library Board of Trustees. However, to some extent, this year’s challenges have been met as we seek to maximize current funding. Please urge your city, county, state and national representatives to support libraries, thereby, ensuring adequate funding as we continue to seek non-governmental funding. In addition, we ask you to be a public relations person of one by visiting your library, knowing the many services offered, and passing on positive information to others. We are grateful for your past support, contributions, fundraising campaigns, and program participation. We ask for your continued support as we forge ahead. I hope this report assures you that your library is providing quality information and programs of service. Thank you for being a library patron and supporter. Please let us know how we are doing and how we can improve our services as we fulfil our mission, “to make readily available to all residents of Montgomery County access to materials, information, and services to meet their personal, educational, cultural, and occupational needs”. With Much Regards,

Katie R. Bell

Katie R. Bell, President, Montgomery City-County Public Library Board of Trustees 61

From the Desk of the Library Director… Greetings There’s a budding new look to your Juliette Hampton Morgan Memorial Library. Yes, it is a look for which we are spending many hours planning, designing, selecting and setting the right atmosphere and aesthetics for the citizens of Montgomery County. In 2016, the Montgomery City and County installed a new roof on the Morgan Library at a cost of $250,000, far below what had initially been quoted. Also in 2016, the City’s Maintenance Department installed a $1,000,000.00 heating and cooling system in the Morgan Library for a cost of less than $500,000.00. This project was just one more example of the city and county stretching a dollar as far as possible with the use of skilled city employees in our Building Maintenance Department. A new elevator was installed at a cost of $90,000. Yes, the funders are making great strides in stretching every tax dollar as far as possible. Results: this old building is looking great with new paint, enhanced restrooms and ensuring that the Juliette Hampton Morgan remains 100% ADA compliant in spite of its age. Check it out for yourself and you will feel the same pride of ownership that our staff is feeling. Developing an aesthetically warm and attractive building is only one goal of the public library; another goal is to grow programming to meet the needs of the Montgomery community. Between 2015 and 2017, the library began to take an internal look at what is being presented to its patrons and as a result of that internal reflection are planning several new programming concepts. We hope that you will enjoy, engage and take part in the new programming and services that will be rolled out with the unveiling of the newly renovated Juliette Hampton Morgan Memorial Library in 2018. The enclosed data represents how the staff approaches our new goals, how you, the users, utilize that information. For every dollar that the city, county, state and federal government invest in the public library it reaps a tripled benefit to our citizens. You will find data that supports the value of the public library to this community. Public libraries are about the business of providing access to new and old ideas, hard data, fun times, sharing what, when and how about the communities where we live and encouraging citizens to get to know one another through community programming. The cost to you for access to the Montgomery City-County Public Library is FREE! Grow with us, as we continue to work towards reaching higher levels, creating new spaces, providing broad access opportunities, sowing seeds of a progressive community and making Montgomery a place where we are all proud to call HOME! Kind regards,

Jaunita McClain Owes Library Director

2016 ANNUAL REPORT