2011 Annual Report
Mission
Omaha Public Library (OPL) strengthens our community by connecting people with ideas, information and innovative services.
Vision
Omaha is a vital and vibrant city, with OPL as an essential catalyst, collaborator and connector.
Core Values
• Service excellence • Integrity • Innovation • Community engagement • Equal and inclusive access • Staff talent
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2011 Annual Report
Libraries change lives. Libraries serve as dynamic, vibrant community hubs where creativity and ideas are born and nurtured, and where individuals can connect with ideas and information. As community needs evolve, libraries respond to ensure that everyone has the resources needed to navigate our ever-changing world. 2011 was a tremendous year at Omaha Public Library with the launch of a new vision and strategy focusing on local partnerships. While we continue to serve in traditional ways, we have also strengthened our emphasis on collaboration with businesses, organizations and agencies. Together, we work towards the common goal of making Omaha a great city in which to live, work and play. Our strength and success come from ongoing public and private support that enables our libraries and staff to provide services ranging from literacy education to job search assistance. The everyday stories we share within this report are a testament to our commitment to you. Thank you for helping to make OPL a truly valuable asset to Douglas County and Omaha residents. Omaha Public Library Foundation Friends of Omaha Public Library Omaha Public Library Board of Trustees
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A scene from Welcome to the Library
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2011 Annual Report
Welcome to the Library Reaching out to diverse audiences
Immigrants to the United States with little or no English-speaking skills may have difficulty understanding what a free lending library is, let alone how to use one. Omaha Public Library created a seven-minute video to explain the basics of a library in seven languages: Somali, Swahili, Burmese, Sudanese-Nuer, Arabic, Karen and Spanish. Available at omahalibrary.org, on YouTube and for checkout, “Welcome to the Library” is designed to help people understand the benefits that libraries offer—assistance with language and literacy skills, computer classes, Internet access, and job search and résumé tips. The video premiered at a celebration event hosted at South Omaha Library. Participants enjoyed ethnic foods, entertainment and crafts. Most importantly, they learned that OPL welcomes people from all backgrounds and invites them to open their world by using the many resources available to them. The International Center for the Heartland, Lutheran Family Services, the Nebraska Library Commission, Omaha Public Schools and Library staff partnered together in this crucial step toward reaching non-English speaking members in our community.
OPL welcomes people from all backgrounds and invites them to open their world. 5
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2011 Annual Report
Finding a Voice
What is it like to be a homeless person? person? Why are people homeless? homeless? What are homeless people doing in in the theLibrary? Library? Homeless library patrons make use of the Library in the same way we all do—to findlibrary resources anduse jobs, something newway to read, talk with Homeless patrons thelocate Library in the same as everyone friends Facebook on the computers. These are no else – toand findcheck resources and jobs, talk with friends andpatrons check Facebook different in that respect, andno yetdifferent the words sometimes with on the computers. They are in that respect,associated and yet the them be discouraging. wordscan sometimes associated with them are discouraging. In order to help dispel stereotypes, encourage tolerance and put a face to homelessness, OPL collaborated with UNMC CollegeofofNebraska Public in collaboration with University Health’s ServiceCollege Learning and the Siena/Francis House Medical Center ofAcademy Public Health Interprofessional Serviceto host the “Finding a Voice” Works by artists Chris Leetthe and“Finding Jeremiah Learning Academy andexhibit. the Siena/Francis House, hosted Neal were displayed in theChris Michael Gallery Neal at W.inDale a Voice” exhibit by artists LeetPhipps and Jeremiah the Clark Michael Main Library. Both men were formerly homeless and found sobriety Phipps Gallery at the W. Dale Clark Main Library. Both men were and independence art.sobriety The artists that by sharing formerly homeless through and found and hoped independence throughtheir art. stories, otherthat homeless people be other empowered to find theirwould voices They hoped by sharing theirwould stories, homeless people and start new journeys. be empowered to find their voice and start new journeys. During an opening reception and discussion panel, more than 150 individuals were asked to share one word that came to mind when they thought of homelessness. As they leftasked that evening, sameword question They were to share the another to the was like the transformation represented in the art by samerepeated. questionMuch as they left that evening. Much like the transformation Leet and Neal, shiftand in audience members’ perspectives from represented in there the artwas by aLeet Neal, there was a shift in perspectives aoftone of hopelessness to that the audience members fromofa inspiration. tone of hopelessness to inspiration.
Hopelessness to inspiration—Empowerment Inspiration—be empowered to to find their voice voicesand andstart startnew newjourneys. journeys. 3 7
NorthSide Ballers 2011 championship team
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2011 Annual Report
Village Basketball Alliance NorthSide Ballers overcoming obstacles
As the final seconds ticked down during the last game of the regular basketball season, the NorthSide Ballers team from Charles B. Washington Branch was already looking ahead. Though they did not win a single game throughout the 2011 debut season of the Village Basketball Alliance, they were hopeful that they could achieve more going forward. “You’ve got to stay positive,” said Alonzo Adams, team coach and library specialist at Charles B. Washington Branch. “This is a learning experience. There’s bitter and sweet to this game and to life.” Adams’ sentiments were echoed by team member Nuppy Flowers. “Playing basketball keeps me off the streets and away from bad influences. I don’t care if we don’t win as long as we are having fun.” That’s not to say that victory wasn’t sweet when the NorthSide Ballers made a magnificent comeback and emerged as the league champions during the second season. “They worked hard for it. I’m proud of them,” said Adams. “This is a constructive outlet for youth to exert energy and frustration,” said Adams. “The Library is one of the only places they can do that for free.” “The NorthSide Ballers are a great example of OPL’s role as a center of community engagement and activity,” said OPL Executive Director Gary Wasdin. “Today’s libraries are community anchors and provide more than books.”
“This is a constructive outlet for youth to exert energy and frustration.” - Alonzo Adams 9
Miss Ashley & Miss Nancy of Saddlebrook Branch at Out & About Storytime with patrons Charlie and Sophie
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Summer Reading Program Helping to beat the summer slump
“Summer wouldn’t feel the same without the Library’s reading program,” said Krista Conley. She takes her two children, Charlie and Sophie, to Saddlebrook Branch each year to participate in the programs and fun. “They have reminded me of all the great prizes that they earned… We love it.” Summer Reading Program is a core program of public libraries around the country. It offers events, exciting incentives, and so much more. Study after study demonstrates that kids who read during the summer perform better in school in both the short term and long term. It’s a cure for the “summer slump”—the brain drain that happens with limited intellectual stimulation for two months out of the year. The unique combination of entertaining programs and events with reading and literacy activities is a great reminder that reading is fun! “The summer really boosted Charlie’s reading skills. His associations with reading and the Library could not be more positive,” Conley said. In 2011, SRP had more than 23,800 participants—an increase of 36 percent over 2010.
“Summer wouldn’t feel the same without the Library’s reading program.” - Krista Conley 11
Justin Bainbridge searching for books in the new collection
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High Interest Low Vocabulary What kind of books should a 22-year-old man read?
Most young people in their 20s can read whatever they like, but for Justin, finding books to read at the Library was not very easy. Justin and his family have been patrons at Millard Branch since he was a child, participating in Summer Reading Program and volunteering with the youth services staff. Like most kids, Justin’s interests changed as he grew older, but he couldn’t read at the level suggested for his age. Justin has Down syndrome and reads at a kindergarten to first grade level. “It’s not appropriate for someone his age to be reading ducky and piggy books,” said Kim Bainbridge, Justin’s mother. “We could find books that he might enjoy, but Justin can’t find them on his own using the Dewey Decimal System.” Kim envisioned a section of books at the Library for “high interest low vocabulary” readers, where people with various reading challenges (not just intellectual disabilities) could find books they want to read without having to search for something age-appropriate in the children’s section. Working together with OPL staff, Kim and Justin provided feedback and helped develop the collection which is now available at all 12 branches. It didn’t take long before Kim heard from other parents who were excited about the new selections available to their children. “Many parents had given up,” said Kim. “Now we just need to let them know what is available and continue to increase the number of books.”
“Many parents had given up. Now we just need to let them know what is available and continue to increase the number of books.” - Kim Bainbridge
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2011 At A Glance Items borrowed | 3,148,969
Library members | 233,510
Library visits | 2,401,214
Computer sessions | 921,224
Website visits | 1,460,140
Digital downloads | 55,528
Service 23,812 kids, teens & adults participated in Summer Reading Program
44,512 adults attended a community, civic or business meeting in one of our meeting rooms
151,407 individuals attended a computer class, storytime, or other fun & educational program
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OPL Financials Revenues City of Omaha (General Fund and Keno) Douglas County supplement Omaha Public Library Foundation Fines and fees collected Grants and other income Friends of Omaha Public Library State of Nebraska
$10,458,791 1,108,920 452,779 414,925 317,686 148,000 103,670
$13,004,771
Expenditures Personnel $8,402,172 Books and materials 1,702,208 Facilities maintenance and security 992,955 Other operating expenses 558,889 Technology 486,980 Outreach and programming 80,326 Summer Reading Program 69,000 $12,292,530
City of Omaha (General Fund and Keno) Douglas County supplement Omaha Public Library Foundation Fines and fees collected Grants and other income Friends of Omaha Public Library State of Nebraska
Personnel Books and materials Facilities maintenance and security Other operating expenses Technology Outreach and programming Summer Reading Program
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2011 Foundation Board Nancy L. Wolf President Carol Ebdon, Ph.D. Vice President Tyler R. Owen Secretary James P. Kineen Treasurer Kathleen C. Dodge Advisor Robert H. Berger, CPA Stephen M. Bruckner Dan Kinsella Barbara Kushner Kimberly A. Lubeck Michael J. McLarney Rochelle A. Mullen Bo Ochsner Beth Whited
The mission of the Omaha Public Library Foundation is to raise funds and advocate for Omaha Public Library.
Revenues (including pledges)
$687,385
Expenditures Direct Library contributions $142,250 Library programs, materials and support 310,529 Administration and office expenses 44,235 Development 85,024 $582,038
Examples of OPLF-supported programs
Baby Reads Technology Books and materials Charles B. Washington Branch summer lock-ins Summer Reading Program Designated branch support Afterschool programs Teen literacy programs
Audited financial numbers: A federal grant administered for the Library by the Foundation reduced supported Library program revenue and expenses by $8,678.
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2011 Board Officers Dave Schaal President Judy Harrington President Elect Sally Fellows Secretary Karen Hosier Treasurer John Zipay Advisor/Immediate Past President
2011 Board Members Kay Bashus Sarah Brandon Susan Cipolla Pat Clark Joe Goecke Polly Goecke Jean Hartwell Cathy Hohman Janet Luedtke Florence Nelson Jacki Owens-Johnson Susan Prazen Jeanne Spence Vanessa Timberlake Tim White Evelyn Whitehill Darlene Whitney Elaine Willits
Friends of Omaha Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, grassroots organization dedicated to raising money for the Library, providing volunteers and promoting the Library to the community.
OPL Executive Director Gary Wasdin and the winners of the 2011 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest
Volunteer members raise funds with book sales at W. Clarke Swanson Branch on the first Saturday of each month and every Thursday. They also raise funds through Internet book sales, memberships and donations to benefit the Library, its patrons and the larger Omaha community. In 2011, the Friends provided OPL with more than $145,000. These funds help support important Library programming such as author events, the Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest and Omaha Reads. In 2011, the Friends were invited to bring their book sale to the streets of downtown Omaha for the Summer Arts Festival. A large tent was set up on 14th Street outside W. Dale Clark Main Library. Those attending the festival needed only take a few steps away from the art displays on Farnam Street to find great deals on great books. Learn more about becoming a Friend at friendsomahalibrary.org.
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Financial Gifts
Thank you to all of our 2011 Omaha Public Library Foundation donors! Your gift supports OPL programs and services—helping to change lives through the Library! Memorial & honorarium donors are recognized in our quarterly Connect newsletter throughout the year.
$50,000 & above
Building Bright Futures Peter Kiewit Foundation
$25,000 & above
Anonymous Lozier Foundation William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation Slosburg Family Charitable Trust
$10,000 & above
Deryl F. and Ramona Hamann Richard D. Holland McGowan Family Foundation Fred and Eve Simon Charitable Foundation Sokolof Foundation
$5,000 & above
Best Buy Children’s Foundation Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Foundation Mary A. Holland The Adah and Leon Millard Foundation Nebraska Humanities Council State of Nebraska Runza Restaurants Todd and Betiana Simon
$2,000 & above Joan Gibson and Don Wurster James P. Kineen Sally Kjelson Gilbert H. Litel Jr. Bequest The Owen Foundation (Tyler Owen) William R. Patrick Foundation RBC Wealth Management Stanley and Dorothy Truhlsen Mark and Julie Wilson
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$1,000 & above Ann H. Batchelder Mogens and Cindy Bay Benson Plant Rescue Chipotle Mexican Grill N.P. and Kathleen Dodge Carol Ebdon First National Bank of Omaha Friedland Family Foundation Paul and Oscar Giger Foundation Vic Gutman and Associates Neil and Kate Holstein Richard and Helen Kelley Daniel and Kari Kinsella David and Vicki Krecek Michael and Susan Lebens Jim and Rochelle Mullen National Everything Wholesale (Bo Ochsner) Murray and Sharee Newman Harriet Otis Lewis and Winifred Pinch Dominic and Denise Ring Security National Bank Vale and Peggy Sorensen U.S. Bank Elizabeth Whited Philip and Nancy Wolf $500 & above
Berger & O’Toole, CPAs Barbara J. Bock-Mavis
Stephen and Anne Bruckner Sandor and Rhonda Chomos Maurice Conner Dundee-Memorial Park Association Ruth Fisk Revocable Trust John Heck Bill and Leona Kernen A. George and Sandra Lozier Maggie McMeekin Michael and Deborah McLarney Michael C. and Dana Meyer James and Mary Montequin Ann Rinne David & Anne Rismiller John and Ruth Sage Tobin and Molly Schropp Stephen and Karen Swartz Weitz Family Foundation
$250 & above
Douglas and Cathy Aden Richard and Carol Britten Mark and Teri D’Agostino Stewart and Lisa Dale Nancy Darst Joe and Ruth Erman James D. Fogarty BNSF Foundation Mary Helms Linda Hess Gary and Kristen Hoffman
Milton and Marsha Kleinberg John Larkin David McBride Sharon L. McGrath William and Laura Powers Sandy Price Rotary-Northwest Rotary-Suburban Sylvia Schreiner Susan Stalnaker Union Pacific Fund for Effective Government Bruce and Susan Vosburg Sarah Watson
$200 & above
Bekins Foundation Hal and Mary Daub Joseph R. Drugmand Nancy Grant Sarah S. Haddad David Harding L. Thomas Hood Harold and Clara Hoover James and Mary Jansen Gary Long Judy Maniscalco William March Roland and Jean Mariucci John H. Ransom Max and Karen Rudolph Joseph and Patricia Samson Bryan and Leslie Slone John Vann
$100 & above Judith Albert Jo Anne Amoura Clyde L. Anderson Martha Antonson Terence and Kristina Atkins Marcia Backer Geoffrey Bakewell Marcia Bechtel Michael Berlin Lynn Blagg Marjorie J. Bock Gary Bowen Marjorie Brennan Dale and Tina Broekemeier Cecil and Loree Bykerk Jeanette Capps James A. Carroll Sydney Cate Robert and Susan Chenoweth Patricia Clow Leilani Coe Carol Dale John B. Davis
Virginia Davis Gary De Luna Beverly DiMauro Dundee Garden Club Eve Fisher Thomas R. Gehl Dan and Sarah Gilbert Sanford Goodman and Kathy Bradley Lynn and Cindy Gray Mike and Kathy Gross John and Janis Haggstrom Denham and Helen Harman Roger and Jacquelyn Harned Herbert and Cynthia Hartman Kenneth Heimbuch Donna Hull Vicki Hunzeker Marlene Jennum Joyce Jones Howard Kaiman Helen Kenefick Richard and Cynthia Kiper Joshua Kitchen Michael and Janet Kroeger H. Frederick and Janet Kuehl Jennifer Lane Tom Liefer Lorraine Anne Lienemann Marty Magee Edward and Sally Malashock Eleanor B. Malot Cheryle Manasil James and Patricia Manion Omaha Matrons Women’s Club Sally Mae McFarland Paul and Glenna Meissner Jack and Garnet Miller John and Merrilee Miller John R. Mitchell Monday Book Club Gerald Moore Peggy Payne Carl and Andrea Peterson W. Charles Peterson Oliver Pollak
Neal Ratzlaff Curtis and Gail Reiter Julie Richards Martin and Iris Ricks Stephen Robinson Thomas W. Schleisman Greg Searson Tracy Seymour Shirley Siebler Richard and Carolyn Sieling Joan Silverstrand Richard and Connie Spellman Becky Spencer Peter and Mary Lou Stehr Vance Taylor Austin and Dorothy Thompson Charles and Anne Trimble Omer and Judy Trout Union Pacific Giveplus Program Patricia Vik Brett and Kathleen Wawers Robert Way Eileen Wirth H.R. Woodward Donors below this range are listed at omahalibraryfoundation.org.
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Administration
Branch Managers
Board of Trustees
Gary Wasdin, Executive Director Maggie Tarelli-Falcon, Assistant Director Mary Griffin, Senior Manager - Facilities Deb Barelos, Circulation Manager Judy Brick, Office Supervisor Jody duRand, Business Manager Sarah English, Youth Services Manager Patrick Esser, Technology Manager Emily Getzschman, Marketing Manager Amy Mather, Adult Services Manager Deirdre Routt, Technical Services Manager Linda Trout, Community Services Manager
Sarah Watson, W. Dale Clark Main Library Susan Thornton, Milton R. Abrahams Branch Theresa Jehlik, Benson Branch Wendy Anderson, Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch Evonne Edgington, Florence Branch Gloria Sorensen, Millard Branch Jennifer Jazynka, Saddlebrook Branch Lori Brezina, A.V. Sorensen Branch Norma Pountney, South Omaha Library Rachel Steiner, W. Clarke Swanson Branch Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh, Charles B. Washington Branch Lucy Lewis, Willa Cather Branch
Arun Agarwal Terri Bull Stuart A. Chittenden Sergio Costa James Fogarty Mary Helms Mary Holland Gina Ponce Nancy Rips