HDL FY 2013 Report to the Community

HERRICK DISTRICT LIBRARY 2012-2013 Annual Report

Welcoming all people to a lifelong journey of enrichment and an exploration of ideas.

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR When you work within a library building that does not appear to change much from the outside year to year, it isn’t easy to convey just how much is going on in an effort to be more useful to a community. New materials are being purchased for the collections and licensed for access in anticipation that they will meet the needs of our taxpayers. New programs and events are created to reveal the Library’s breadth of possible discovery. No year is without a full array of efforts to improve how the Library serves you and this year has been no exception: • We implemented self check-out machines at the main library to expedite the process of borrowing materials.

• We scoured reviews to select, order, and process for use more than 32,000 new items for your use.

• We added a text message alert option for patrons to consider for more convenient notification of overdue materials and holds.

• We introduced an online reservation program for our popular “Book Group to Go” book discussion bags.

• We created a new, convenient way to pick up preschool materials with “discovery pack” backpacks which include 5 books, songs or rhymes, and activities based on a common theme.

• We re-arranged the Children’s Library to provide more inviting access for our earliest patrons to discover the wonder of books and provide space for youngsters to gather right in the middle of their library.

• We installed an art work in the Children’s Library to invigorate the space while memorializing a beloved children’s librarian, Marilyn Brown.

In short, this Library never stands still. The Herrick District Library staff is always looking for new ways to connect with the taxpayers that fund it. I hope the information enclosed in this report will encourage you to explore our services again and again, and if you are looking for something we don’t offer today… let us know. Your suggestions are important to us as we reach to be of more value to you and the rest of the Holland community.

- Thomas Genson, Library Director 2

> NEW THIS YEAR • Self check-out machines installed on both levels of the main library • Text message alert option added to enable notification of overdue materials and holds • Art piece titled “The Windows” dedicated and installed in memory of former children’s librarian Marilyn Brown 3

PHYSICAL ITEMS CHECKED OUT

CHAD’S STORY

Books: 58%

DVDs: 31% Audio Books & CDs: 11%

1,421,362 Items were physcially checked out, downloaded or streamed from Herrick District Library ‘s collection last year.

“Herrick District Library is an outstanding business resource. Before I started my web design business, OptimWise, I checked out books about starting a business, and magazines like Entrepreneur and Inc. Since starting my business, I’ve checked out books on sales, marketing, and web design. I use my Herrick library card to watch lynda. com training videos from anywhere, so I can keep my web design skills sharp. The library website also provides free access to legal forms, which I’ve used to draft documents for my attorney to review.

I recently received free business consulting from a SCORE advisor at the library. The library also hosts Chamber of Commerce events, which have been opportunities to learn and meet clients. I highly recommend that entrepreneurs and small business owners take advantage of the many business resources available through Herrick District Library.”

> LEARN ONLINE

>

If stacked end to end, the number of items checked out would cover the distance from downtown Holland, MI to Rivertown Crossings Mall in Grandville, MI

DIGITAL DOWNLOADS & SESSIONS

Herrick District Library provides online access to lynda.com, a video tutorial library that teaches the latest software tools and skills through lessons taught by recognized industry experts. It provides video instruction in many subjects, including: • • • • • •

Computer Programming Microsoft Office Music Production Photography & Videography Video Game Development Web Development

Database Sessions 60,721

eBooks & eAudio Books 56,570

eMusic 19,902

- Chad Warner 4

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HDL CARD HOLDERS

JUAN’S STORY

57, 346 district residents are HDL card holders

6 out of 10 residents in the HDL library service area have library cards, compared with the national average of 4 in 10

HDL STACKS UP AGAINST PEERS The number of items checked out from Herrick District Library compares well with libraries in other U.S. metropolitan areas similar in size to the greater Holland area.

HDL circulates more items than libraries in: Billings, MT Albany, NY

Boulder, CO Elgin, IL

Wilmington, NC

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“Herrick District Library has been an excellent resource for me and my kids. I can prepare for job interviews and research a certain industry, let my kids find the next superhero or Barbie book or movie, attend an event to learn about other cultures, download the next eBook on my tablet, or simply have a quiet moment reading the newspaper. The library provides us with an excellent environment to explore, discover, play, and develop an appreciation for learning. The library is now such a part of our lifestyle that my kids regularly ask me to take them there.”

- Juan Carlos Muñoz

> KIDS’ READING • The main library location held 210 story time sessions this past year, with 5987 children in attendance.

• 2, 874 children participated in the Summer Reading Program.

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PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS

TEEN INTERNS

Spanish Story Time

Summer Reading Kick-off

Chamber of Commerce Tech Lunch

Six high school students participated in an internship program this summer at Herrick District Library. Professionals from Mac Media worked with the students to shoot and create video footage of the library, with the intention of using it as training materials for future interns. Students learned about the expectations and obligations of an employee and employer, and learned basic video shooting and editing techniques.

Above, intern Sonia Bermudez

> TEEN PROGRAMS 1086 teens attended 92 programs at Herrick District Library this past year, with events taking place both at the main library and north branch. Programs included game nights, book themed events, a volunteer corps, clubs for fans of manga/anime and Doctor Who, art programs, maker-type programs, and more for teens in grades 6-12.

Act Out!

Tulip Time Parade

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Star Wars Reads Day

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LITERACY HEROES

FINANCIALS LIBRARY REVENUES

Property tax millage $4,175,568

Penal fines

385, 335

Service contracts - townships

83, 379

Fines & fees

172, 966

Investment earnings

12, 567

Miscellaneous

21, 946

Total Revenues

$4, 851, 761

LIBRARY EXPENDITURES

Ishmael Culbreath, Makyah Hays, Darrius Freeman, and Tyler Smith are thankful for a library initiative called Literacy Heroes.

They meet and read regularly with Literacy Hero volunteers trained by Herrick District Library. These volunteers go out and read with at-risk children in various locations in the Holland area, including the library’s two locations, The Rock at Holland Rescue Mission, area schools, and the Holland Community Kitchen, among others. Ishmael, Ma’Kyah, Darrius, and Tyler enjoy a weekly meeting with their reading partners at The Rock. They believe that this program has made them stronger readers!

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> THEIR THOUGHTS

• “My reading partner is always confident in me.

She thinks I can do it, and then I think that too.”

Operations

$2, 692, 627

Other services & charges

1, 361, 413

Debt service

568, 638

Capital outlay

216, 956

Total Expenditures

$4, 739, 634

• “My reading partner tells me how bright my future will be because I keep reading even when it is hard.”

• “Now I can read a book, when before I could only watch the movie of that book.”

• “My reading partner brings fun books and we laugh a lot. She is really nice, and it makes me want to read more with her.”

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GAYLE’S STORY

THANK YOU We truly appreciate the support we receve from our community. Although our patrons support us through tax dollars, many individuals and groups go above and beyond to help support us financially and through donation of materials. We are also thankful for the service of the Herrick District Library Board of Trustees, and the support of the Friends of Herrick District Library. The Friends offer support through proceeds from the book sales and from material in the Book Nook bookstore, located on the lower level of the main library. Library programs are also supported by Friends of Herrick District Library and proceeds from the library endowment fund.

Library Board of Trustees Cynthia Kleinheksel, President Lois Grotler, Vice President Jim Barry, Treasurer Nathan Bocks Gary Dewey Bob Kool Eileen Talamantez Susan VanAllsburg

Friends of the Library Board

“After I retired I began spending a lot more time at the Library. I have become quite proficient with all of my devices after coming in for group and individual sessions with librarians to learn how to use my nook and iPad. I am impressed with the staff and how knowledgeable and helpful they are, in spite of the Library’s budget cuts and demands. It is obvious to me how much their job has changed, as well as how much they have to do and know. They are always running, and yet always smiling and helpful.”

- Gayle Anning 12

> eBOOKS A variety of eBook resources are available on the Herrick District Library website. See the eMedia page and the Kids’ eResources page for eBook resources including: • • • • • •

Overdrive Overdrive for Kids AudioBook Cloud TumbleBook Cloud EBSCO eBooks BookFlix

Pam Stowe, President Kay MacKenzie, Vice President Nancy Marcusse, Treasurer David Anderson Mary Doak Ellen Leik Sally Shimp

Donors Jack Bender The Century Club Vern Clark Carol Cook Judy Crankshaw Edify North Wallace K. Ewing Family of Gerald Cooper Family of Beth Hooker Gordon & Carolyn Hulst Sarah Fitzek Cliff Frantz

Thomas Genson Danny Gomer Gun Lake Casino Holland Genealogical Society Holland Professional Club Jan McAdams Huttenstine Louise Koster David & Kayla Laurin Loren Lemmen Susan K. Maciak Donald & Mary Ellen MacDonald David & Julie Marckini Matthew & Terry Metcalf Lewis & Elizabeth Miller Cornelia & Louis Pepoy Asha & Suresh Potdar Vincente Rangel Lynn Roberson Mary Robinson The Seeker’s Group Dorothy Sherburne Tulip City Gem & Mineral Club United States Philatelic Classics Society Eileen VanderMulen James & Sara VanHekken Kay VerSchure Robin Williams-Voigt Edward & Diane Wilson Wiley & Karen Wilson Jerry & Lynn Zandbergen

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HOLLAND

MICHIGAN

Serving residents of the city of Holland, Holland Township, Laketown Township, and Park Township

300 S. River Ave . (616) 355-3728 155 Riley St . (616) 738-4360 www.herrickdl.org