Annual Report - 1998
SALINA PUBLIC LmRARY BOARD
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE CITY COMMISSION - 1998
The year 1998 was a year of catch up and re-focus for the Library and the Library Board
after 15 months of construction and years of planning for the renovation of the library,
which ended in November 1997. At the same time, it was a strong year of service for the
library, which saw increases in circulation, reference questions, new card holders and
Summer Reading participants. There was an increase in promotion of library services
with the addition of a part time public relations staff person. There was an increase in
programming for adults, making use ofthe new Prescott Meeting Room.
Each month, over 20,000 people go to the library. Annual Circulation for 1998 is over
515,000, up ITom 499,000 n 1997.
Projects in 1998
Update fire/smoke alarm system
Installation of a public address system
Long range Planning Committee
CD-Music collection
Budget
The Board approved a General Fund budget for 1999, with no increase
in the bottom line. With another valuation increase, this lowers the library
mill levy. The Board is working to re-pay the City for a construction loan,
which is scheduled to be completely repaid in the year 2000. In addition, the
Board needs to re-build the Capital Improvement Fund for future projects.
Library staff received a 2% across the board salary increase for 1999.
Plans
The Library is in the middle of a year long planning process, with a 23
person committee, most of whom are library users and which includes 4
youths. The resulting plan will set the direction for the next 3-5 years.
Issues being discussed are technology updates, alternative service facilities,
such as a bookmobile and more service to ethnic groups and teens.
Concerns
Parking for library staff and users continues to be a concern of the Board.
Rising costs for staffing and health/dental benefits is an on-going concern.
The Board changed staff costs for insurance to $19 per month single and
$161.30 (30%) for family coverage. The evolving role of the public library
and the changes due to technology are also concerns.
Salina
Public
Library
1998 Annual Report
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FINANCES
.. The libra ry had a budget
of $1,734-,874- and incurred
a total of $1,705,557 in
the following expenses.
EMPLOYMENT .....$850, 706
FACILITIES..........$9 2,25 6
MATERIALS......... $185 ,89 8
(APITAL.............$4-22,817
OTHER............... $15 3 ,880
.. Spring Poetry Series
.. Storytelling Stage at the
Smoky Hill River Festival
.. Children's "Be a Kansas
Star" summer reading
progra m
.. Adults' "Fall in Love with
Reading" program
.. "Women Around the World"
book discussion series
.. Planning Commitee
convened in Fall 1998
.. Much, much more
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CIRCULATION
.. The library had OVE!r
250,000 visitors.
.. SPL issued 4-,4-56 m!w
library cards, bringjng
the number of card
holders to 37,824.
.. 272,207 books, videos,
audio recordings alnd
other materials were
borrowed by patrons
in the adults' library.
.. The most popular adult
book was Sidney Shti!ldon's
Best Laid Plans.
.. 24-3,049 materials were
borrowed by patrons
in the children's library.
.. The most popular children's
book was Clifford's Spring
Clean-Up.
.. Interlibrary loan located
2,607 materials for SPL
patrons and circulated
3,502 materials to other
libraries.
COLLECTIONS
.. 13,277 new libra~y
materials were added to
the collection, resulting in a
total of 212,858 materials.
.. The library's music
collection expandE~d to
indude over 400 a>mpact
discs in a variety of genres.
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