2015 Bexley Public Library Annual Report

Bexley Public Library 2411 East Main Street Bexley, Ohio 43209

2015 annual report

“Libraries transform because transformation is essential to the communities we serve.” This opening statement from the American Library Association’s “Libraries Transform” campaign highlights the heart of our mission here at Bexley Public Library. We know that to enlighten, engage, and inspire our amazing community, we must continue to transform what we do and how we do it.

While staying true to our century-old commitment to providing unparalleled access to information and books for all, we also set our sights on new and innovative ways to serve you in 2015.

As you can see in the metrics to the right, library usage is higher than ever. We’re seeing more books, movies, and music checked out, a huge increase in digital books, movies, music, and magazines borrowed, and another year of increases in both programs offered and attendance at lifelong learning opportunities for all ages.

To help sustain this continuing transformation, we launched our first-ever Annual Fund in 2015. Our community responded generously and gave over $45,000 to support lifelong learning programs, untethered library services, and immediate facility needs. You can learn more about our growth in each of these areas in 2015 in the following pages.

As you will see on the final page, we were able to do all of this through careful stewardship of both public and private funds.

Thank you for being such a supportive, engaged community.

We love being your library.

Rachel G. Rubin | Library Director

2015 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Alan Michaels | President Alan Radnor | Vice-President Sam Shamansky | Secretary Melissa Ingwersen Michael Kilbourne Jennifer McNally Brandon Mitchell

LIBRARIES TRANSFORM

+4,530

New cardholders added: 25,554 total cardholders at the end of 2015

+27% +47% +11%

Increase in books, movies, and music checked out in 2015

+34%

Increase in lifelong learning program attendance: 5,106 youth and adults

+30% +12% +8%

Increase in classroom visits both in schools and at the library

Increase in digital downloads (ebooks and audiobooks) in 2015 Increase in lifelong learning programs: 664 total programs

Increase in volunteer hours at the library: 1,526 total hours Increase in public computer sessions

Bexley Public Library Staff 2015

BEXLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY WHERE CURIOSITY MEETS DISCOVERY

LIBRARIES TRANSFORM BECAUSE SPARKING CURIOSITY IN A CHILD’S MIND LEADS TO A LIFETIME OF DISCOVERY

TRANSFORMING THROUGH LIFELONG LEARNING, EXPLORATION, AND DISCOVERY

BECAUSE SPACES SHOULD SUPPORT A LEARNING COMMUNITY

Bexley Public Library is deeply committed to providing opportunities for lifelong learning, exploration, and discovery for all ages. This commitment is central to our mission and drives much of what we do. In 2015, we provided more programs and served more patrons than ever before. We offered 11% more lifelong learning programs and experienced a 34% increase in program attendance for both youth and adults.

There was hardly a day when the auditorium was not filled with energetic children, curious teens, and engaged adults. From storytimes to current events, from concerts to authors to artists, from history talks to tech classes, Bexley Public Library is dedicated to being the place where curiosity meets discovery.

Lifelong learning is inspired by spaces that nurture the imagination. For the next generation of learners, these spaces must provide room for creative play. Thanks to a generous gift from the Bexley High School class of 1965 in honor of their 50th class reunion in 2015, the library will soon have a newly-renovated children’s play space. This revamped space will feature new paint and flooring, furniture designed to facilitate creative play, and an updated look. This space also will encourage meaningful interaction between children, parents, and caregivers that builds a strong, collaborative foundation for learning and discovery. Access to the space will provide an additional benefit to the more than 200 kids participating in weekly storytimes and the hundreds more visiting throughout the week.

I went to five different schools, but in my 84 years as a library member I’ve learned more at the corner of Cassady and Main than at any of them.

- Bob Duffy

BECAUSE LEARNING HAPPENS ALL SUMMER LONG With over 1,700 adults, teens, and youth participating, 2015 was our biggest Summer Community Read yet. Our super-charged program supported students, educators, and parents by helping students avoid “summer slide” and keeping their minds sharp for a new year of learning. Whole families participated together and hundreds of adults contributed to our community reading goal. Together, we read 11,447 books, a 20% increase from 2014.

As a preschool teacher in Bexley, the library and librarians are an integral part of my weekly curriculum and classroom.

As a parent, it’s a place where I take my children and everybody knows our name, what book we may like to pick up next, how many holds have come in for us, and what new activity they may enjoy playing with in the children’s section.

- Greer Fitzgerald

Stay tuned in 2016 for more updates on renovated spaces that encourage lifelong learning, discovery, and exploration.

The Bexley Library adds a great deal to our family’s life. The facilities are wonderful, only over-shadowed by the warm and wonderful staff. We love Bexley Public Library!

- The Hall Family

TRANSFORMING THROUGH AN UNTETHERED LIBRARY Bexley Public Library is transforming the way that we provide services to our community. While our historic Main Street building will always be our home base, we look forward to taking library services and programs beyond our desks and into our neighborhoods.

In addition to books, of course, I love the art on the walls, the programs, and the community involvement. Three cheers!

- Anonymous Patron

BECAUSE BOOKS CAN’T PEDAL THEMSELVES Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Gledhill Robbins & Talis Group- HER Realtors, the Bexley Book Bike will hit the road in May, 2016. We will be able to register people for library cards, check out books, and bring the library to community gathering spots all over Bexley. This exciting new venture will allow us to pedal our books and services to places like the Bexley Farmer’s Market, The Bexley Main Event, the pool, and more.

Look for our Book Bike on a street near you.

BECAUSE SHARING STORIES BUILDS UNDERSTANDING In 2015, we began bringing a program monthly to local senior independent and assisted living communities called “Sharing Your Stories.” Each month, a library staff member visits Bexley Heritage Apartments, Creekside at the Village, and Kensington Place to discuss topics such as music, cooking, history, & books.

Residents also share their own stories and memories, adding to the richness of our community storytelling. These quickly became a highlight of the month for many residents. The library will build on this success and add two new communities to the schedule in 2016: Bexley Heritage Tower and Sunrise Senior Living in Bexley. We also continue to bring a rotating library of over 200 in-demand titles to these partner communities for residents to enjoy.

BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU NEED A BOOK ON THE GO While we continue to cultivate an expansive physical collection of books, movies, and music, we also have a growing digital collection. With an internet connection on a phone, tablet, or computer, patrons can access thousands of titles from anywhere. Demand for digital books, magazines, music, and movies continues to increase, as evidenced by the 46% increase in digital downloads from 2014 to 2015. New titles are constantly being added with our growing digital services. We are where you need us to be, whenever you need us. To learn more about our digital collection, visit: www.bexleylibrary.org/ ebooks.

I moved to Bexley a year and a half ago. The library has been a blessing and high point of my life here. The library offers so much, the staff is stellar, and the building gracious. I have and continue to spend many happy hours here.

- Anonymous Patron

BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITY’S STORY IS WORTH TELLING The Bexley Collection is an online archive of searchable photos and documents important to Bexley’s past. This collection was made possible by a generous grant from the Bexley Community Foundation. Through partnership with the Bexley Alumni Association at the Bexley Education Foundation, the first items to be digitized were all Bexley High School yearbooks from 1923 to 2005, which are now all searchable online. Through a partnership with the Bexley Historical Society, many more photos and documents important to Bexley’s history will continue to be added to this growing digital archive. Look up old yearbook photos or dig into Bexley’s past by visiting: www.bexleylibrary.org/bexleycollection.

As a Cap student, I am here often looking for books for my class. The staff is always so welcoming and helpful every time I come! Thank you so much!

- Megan

LIBRARIES TRANSFORM BECAUSE WE ARE WHERE YOU NEED US TO BE

Bexley Public Library launched its first-ever Annual Fund in 2015 and was overwhelmed by our community’s generosity and support. These generous donors gave $45,353.81 to support lifelong learning, the untethered library, and immediate facility needs at Bexley Public Library. Thanks to each of these donors:

ANNUAL FUND DONORS

Wayne & Ann Christie Harriet Craig & John McIntyre Karly Depew Leadership Donors George Preston & Jill Elliott Ken & Beth Flower 1924 Founders Circle- $5,000+ Mabel Freeman Bexley High School Class of 1965 Mitch & Kathy Fries Chris & Victoria Giller David A. Greenberg & Susan E. Hodge Literary Circle- $2,500+ Carol H. Griner Michael and Paige Crane Jim & Sue Gross Gledhill Robbins and Talis GroupSonia Hallet HER Realtors Sue Harmon Sarah-Grace Heller Lifelong Learners Circle- $1,000+ Marcia & Robert Hershfield Brent & Dana Adler Lee Hess & Irene Levine David & Barbara Brandt Michael & Huberta Johnson Dumont Jones & Joan Muellerleile Beth Crane & Richard McKee Lisa Keder & William Pohlman First Financial Bank, Bexley Stephen Keyes & Lauren Bonfield Judy & Jules Garel Michael & Nancy Kilbourne Bob Greene Kathryn & Larry Lane Melissa & Frank Ingwersen The Lehman Family Frank & Linda Kass Ronald & Vicki Linville Sarah & Dan Kay Mary Ann & Skip Loeb Jennifer McNally & Michael Flamm Barbara Massie Anne Melvin Alan Michaels Rhonda & Mike Murnane Alan & Carol Radnor Patty & John Offenberg The Jay & Jean Schottenstein Sara & Frank Pfaff Foundation Bill & Anne Porter Susan Williams Phyllis Radugge Barbara & Ron Robins $500 to $999 Sarah Rogers Shirley Adkins Susan Rosenthal Jameson Crane Rachel Rubin Carol Andreae & James Garland Michael & Bev Sapienza Tad & Nancy Jeffrey Jeff & Kim Schellhaas Mary Lazarus Barry Shank & Shari Speer Brandon & Mallory Mitchell Richard R. Snowdon Rocky & Susie Saxbe Bruce & Joy Soll Linda Sinoway & Doug Kelly Louise Swanson The Columbus Foundation William & Katherine Talbott Martin Torch $250 to $499 Jennifer & Eric Wasserstrom Bexley Lions Club Reid & Fran Wasserstrom Lisa Dolin Barb & Rick Weber Sherri Geldin Julie & Bruce Weinberg Herb & DeeDee Glimcher Hugh Westwater Artie & Alisa Isaac Jim Winnegrad & Janice Manheim Lynne M. Jeffrey Michael McGrew Up to $99 Andrew Mills &Jessica Garrett Mills Barbara Abrahamson & Martin Zinkow Shannon & Fred Nelson Catherine Adamescu Robert & Carolyn Peterson Arlene Armstrong Cathy & David Presper Norman Arndt Charlie & Susie Rath Carolyn Asch & Terri Barnett Andrew Smith & Lavea Brachman Chris & Tom Atzberger Ed & Sheila Straub Jean Babbitt Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLP Irving Barkan John Wakelin & Anu Chauhan Adriane & Lawrence Baylis Jeff & Sara Beam $100 to $249 Jason Beehler & Maggie Smith-Beehler Itzhak Ben-David William H. Bellamy Brad & Susie Blair Eileen Birk Constance A. Bodiker Allan & Judith Blair Merom & Judy Brachman Karen & Yoni Blau Eleanor Brandt William & Helen Bluth Jason & Joanne Bryant William Bowman Roger Carroll & Susan Marantz

Steve & Pam Bredemeier Beth & Roy Brown Stephen Brown Elizabeth Buuck Barb Callahan Clare & Michael Ceballos Janina Chadwick Perry Ciccarelli Glenn Cleg Susan Coe Sarita Karmia Cohen David Cohn Catherine & David Conrad Rose Copp Daria DeNoia & Michael Lange Virginia Dewey Luong Dinh Michelle Douglass Hope & Alan Drandoff Jon Dreibelbis & Cheryl Rainford Megan Durham Marcia Early Amy Edgar Marcia & Avrom Epstein Ronald & Joyce Erkis Elizabeth & John Farrar Brian & Lori Feuer Jay Fishman Earl & Margie Focht Brenda Foster Nancy Frasch Susan H. Freeman Charles & Linda Freidenberg Roger & Marilyn Friedman Rachael & Lanier Frush Holt Robert & Laurie Fulford Mr. & Mrs. Shelby Furman Gail Gandal Amy Gewirtz Nathan Gordon Steven & Joanne Grossman Harriet Hackman Beth Hammerstein Samuel & Mary Ann Harachis Joyce Hathaway Brenda Hawks Kate & Ran Hay Shelly Hoffman Dr. Marc & Margery Hollander Timothy & Mary Hopmann Darlene R. Hutchison Christopher Igodan Jr. Kate & Andy Jenks David & Cari Kass Linda Katz & Jerry Hackman John Kean & Mary Lou Karen & Tom King Lucinda Kirk Daniel & Margaret Koons Marilyn Kuchta Edwin Kuehn William Lafferty Carol Lannan Ellen S. Lebson Timothy Leech Alice & Barry Levitin Randi & Marty Lewis David Lincove & Merry Lynne Nancy Lindner

Stanley & Patty Lisska Stuart Mangel & Rebecca Gurk James & Cindy Mangus Matt Manlapaz & Patty Beck Greg & Mary Margulies Roy E. Meiss Lindsey Meissner Gloria Merkel Bruce & Nancy Meyer Jon & Karen Shore Meyer Marlene Miller Bradford & Susan Morgan Michelle & Yuri Murcia Sam Nahem David Nassau Lawrence Needleman Diane Niermeyer Lauren Osgood Pat & Neal Oxman Anne & Bayard Paschall Richard & Susan Petry Bob & Marsha Polster Pamela Pryor Kara & Scott Razek Phyllis Rhoten Samuel & Helen Ribbler Richard & Jean Robbins Brad & Linda Rocco Aaron Rosenfeld & Adele O’Conner Debby & Marty Rosenthal Marcia Rubin William Rubin Thomas & Lynn Ryan Judith Schneider George Schuliger Douglas Segerman & Shana Raisman Gale Shamansky Robert Shook Karen Simonian & David Stebenne Joyce Simson The Smith Family Judy & George Soller Maryann Spatt Mary & Bob Spence John Strang Les & Pauline Swinford Hal Tanenbaum John & Phyllis Tapee Mrs. Robert Thurn Deborah Thyer Beverly Trout Douglas Ulman David & Lorrie Valinsky Steven Vogel Joan P. Wallick & James Wasserstrom Kristen Warren Leslie Wasserstrom Mandy & Bruce Wasserstrom Rayna Weiner Mary Wentz Gwen & Howard Werman Susan & Arnold White Christopher P. Wilkins Gerald & Susan Winer Barry Wolinetz Jan & Linda Zupnick 31 Anonymous Donors

2015 General Fund Revenue Public Library Fund (State) — 50% $1,473,720 General Property Tax — 44% $1,303,792 Gifts & Grants — 4% $112,313 Investment Interest, Fines & Fees, Etc. — 2% $46,488

2015 General Fund Expenditures Public Service & Programs — 42% $1,127,658 Collection Development & Processing — 23% $623,178 Facilities Operation & Maintenance — 12% $307,071 Information & Technology Services — 6% $171,073 Business Administration — 14% $360,812 Transfer to Building & Repair Fund — 3% $75,000

2015 STEWARDSHIP Total General Fund Revenues (2015): $2,936,312 Total General Fund Expenditures (2015): $2,664,793 State Funding 50% of funding comes from the State of Ohio (Public Library Fund), which is 1.7% of the General Revenue Fund. This unstable source of income is at 1996 levels for Ohio libraries.

Levy Funding Bexley passed a local property tax levy in 2013 that made up 44% of revenue in 2015. The library is committed to extending this levy as long as possible through careful stewardship of both public and private dollars.

FY 2010

FY 2011

FY 2012

FY 2013

FY 2014

FY 2015

General Fund Revenues

$2,240,218

$2,346,662

$2,183,125

$2,215,301

$2,819,000

$2,936,312

General Fund Expenditures

$1,922,813

$2,017,525

$2,056,366

$2,082,417

$2,544,101

$2,664,793

THE FRIENDS OF BEXLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Through their membership and bi-annual book sales, the Friends of Bexley Public Library gave $10,840 to the library in 2015.

Their generous grants support the annual Summer Community Read and staff training, development, and appreciation, among other initiatives.

To support the work of the Friends, consider becoming a member.

Membership also gives you early entry into their book sales, where you can find thousands of books at unbeatable prices.

To learn more, visit: www.friendsofbexleypubliclibrary.org

2015 GIFTS & GRANTS General Fund Gifts & Grants Annual Fund Gifts: $45,354 Other General Fund Gifts Nancy White Memorial Gifts: $2,754 Other Gifts: $2,729 Bexley Community Foundation Grant for Digitization Project: $21,433 Marilyn P. Ayers Fund at The Columbus Foundation (Planned Gift): $40,043 Total: $112,313 Other Funds Gifts & Grants Friends of the Library Grants- $10,840 Gifts to Named Funds- $150 Gifts to The Columbus Foundation Endowment Fund- $309

GIVE TO THE LIBRARY

If you would like to support the Library in 2016, there are a few ways that you can give.

Give to the 2016 Annual Fund and support lifelong learning, untethered services, and facility improvements at the library. Your gift will make an immediate impact.

Take advantage of tax benefits and make a planned gift to the library. To learn more, call (614) 545-6942 or email kflower@ bexleylibrary.org.

Give to our Endowment Fund at The Columbus Foundation to help us build a sustainable future.

To give, visit: www.bexleylibrary.org/give.