Annual Report 2015

2015

report annual

Indian Trails Public Library District

From the

Director and President

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Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized.

- Daniel Burnham, architect

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s the library closes the book on 2015, we understand not only the importance of planning, but the necessity of dreaming big. The Wheeling, Buffalo Grove and Prospect Heights communities we serve continue to be the focus of our planning.

In 2015, the library launched several exciting new initiatives with the Big Read One Book One Community and 100 Books Before High School programs being among the highlights.

The Big Read offered the library and its community partners the opportunity to create events featuring Luís Alberto Urrea’s book Into the Beautiful North. This One Book One Community read was an incredible opportunity for our community to come together and share personal stories and experiences related to moving to the United States.

Building on 2014’s successful 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, the library created 100 Books Before High School for middle school students. The program quickly became one of our most popular programs, building on the library’s mission of creating lifelong readers.

As we look ahead to 2016, the library is preparing to launch a major renovation of our facility at 355 Schoenbeck Rd. In April 2016, we will break ground for the renovation, and begin creating a library we believe will be a showpiece in the community. Although the scope of this project is enormous, we will continue to investigate ways to expand our service offerings to our community throughout the year.

Our staff and board understand success comes from learning what our members want and delivering the highest level of experience, whether that is through the materials we order, programs we host or services we offer.

In April 2015, longtime trustee W. Gene Looft retired and Bruce D. Matthews was elected to the library’s board of trustees. Bruce, an engineer, lives in Buffalo Grove with his wife Cynthia Fuerst.

Board of Library Trustees

Wally Salganik President

Louise Barnett Vice President

Don Roalkvam Treasurer

Mary Christel Secretary

Mary Battinus Trustee

Henry Hackney Jr. Trustee

Bruce D. Matthews Trustee

W. Gene Looft Retired Trustee

Thank you for your continued support in making Indian Trails Library a dynamic and vibrant part of this community.

Brian D. Shepard Director

Wally Salganik President, Board of Trustees

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A Year

In Review

3,796 yearly hours

67,010

district population

OPEN

48,472 registered borrowers

72%

of residents have cards

18,191

348,563 yearly visits

1,582

Programs

DOWNLOADABLE TITLES AVAILABLE

37,556

Attendance

165,893

print items in the COLLECTION

79,882

1,124,232

Questions Asked

items checked out

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The

Luís Alberto Urrea author of Into the Beautiful North

BIG READ

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n May 2015, the Indian Trails Library was awarded a Big Read grant of $11,200 from the National Endowment for the Arts to support a community read program. The library’s goals were to actively seek partners that would help strengthen community participation, engagement and partnerships through a One Book One Community read.

Into the Beautiful North by Luís Alberto Urrea, an award-winning Latino author, was selected as the community book for its themes of cultural identity and family.

$30,371 in

matching funds and in-kind donations raised

41 Big Read Thank you for arranging the book club kit for me. My neighborhood book club really enjoyed the book. . . we had a very lively discussion. I am grateful that my library is participating in the Big Read program.

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events hosted

6,112 participants of all ages

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Partners Supporters

We Came to America: Photography Exhibit

Arlington Heights Memorial Library Buffalo Grove High School Buffalo Grove Rotary Club Elk Grove High School Elk Grove Village Library Friends of the Indian Trails Library Foundation for the Indian Trails Public Library District Harper College High School District 214 John Hersey High School Mount Prospect Library National Louis University, Wheeling Campus Prospect Heights Library Prospect High School Rolling Meadows High School Rolling Meadows Library Wheeling High School Wheeling Rotary Club

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Youth Services

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his year the KidZone website was redesigned and a dedicated website for middle school students was launched.

Designed to be more responsive to the needs of our members, teachers and parents, features include:

• Homework Help

• Teacher and parent resources • Event photos • Suggested reading lists • Games and activities

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n September, the library launched 100 Books Before High School, a spin-off of the very successful 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. The 100 Books program encourages teens, grades 6-8, to read 100 books before high school.

Participants receive prizes as they move through the program. Since its launch in September, 159 teens have participated in this popular program.

Mini iPads loaded with early literacy activities were installed in Youth Services.

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Little Free Library

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n September 26, the Indian Trails Public Library District installed a Little Free Library in Willow Trails Park in Prospect Heights. The Little Free Library, a small house-like structure stocked with books that residents can take for free, was donated by a library staff member. Readers of all ages are encouraged to take a book and leave a book to spread the love of reading in the community.

Reflecting Excellence Award

Reflejos, the largest and longest-running bilingual Latino publication in the Northwest Chicago suburbs, presented the Reflecting Excellence Award to the library in October 2015.

The award recognized the library’s efforts in the Latino community through outreach and availability of materials for Spanish speakers.

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Elva Arreola, library assistant, accepts the award from screenwriter Rosa Salazar Arenas

2015 devoted to

renovation

planning

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n 2014, the library began working with Product Architecture + Design on plans for the 2016-2017 renovation at the main building, 355 Schoenbeck Rd. This year saw the finalization of the design, which included adding nearly 15,000 square feet to the building for public use. Private study rooms, a computer lab, creative maker space, expanded program rooms and new furnishings are just a few of the amenities planned.

Library staff worked with architects throughout 2015 to define and refine the building plans so it would meet the needs of our members while providing a welcoming community gathering space.

By December 2015, preparations were underway for the closing of the library and the move to a temporary location in Spring 2016.

For more information and updates, visit itpld.org/renovation

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Renovation Highlights • 14,380 square foot addition • Eight study rooms and one conference room for public use • Dedicated children’s storytime room • Expanded and enclosed middle school area • Maker space and media studios for creative use • Dedicated training lab and teaching space • Expanded program rooms with comfortable seating • New vending and cafe area with seating • 204 member parking spaces, an increase of 46 spaces • Drive-up window for material drop off and pick up • New furniture and seatings, with options for study, conversation and reading

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The Foundation

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n September 2014, the library began the process of merging its three advocacy groups: Children’s Advocates, Friends of the Library and The Foundation for the Indian Trails Public Library District into one organization. The first meeting of the new Foundation for the Indian Trails Library was held in July 2015 with a new board of directors and committee members in place.

Through the tireless efforts of the members of the previous groups, the new group began with a strong base and experience, and a deep passion for the library.

The Foundation began working on a fundraising and “friend-raising” plan in late 2015, as well as an easy way for supporters to make donations online. Plans were also underway to relaunch the Reading Garden program.

2015-16 Foundation for the Indian Trails Library Board of Directors

New location for Reading Garden, southwest corner

Ida Butler, president Richard Rosen, vice president Stephanie Demb, treasurer Tami Trudell, secretary Sheila Anderson, director Rose Johnson, director W. Gene Looft, director Terry Steilen, director Committee Members Don Johnson Allison Leist Darla Stavros

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Foundation Board of Directors

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355 Schoenbeck Rd., Wheeling, IL 60090 www.itpld.org | 847. 459. 4100

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