2010
annual report
2010 was a busy and successful year for the library. Take a look at how we engage our team, enhance your experiences and continue to grow our customer base, all key elements of the library’s strategic plan. Click here to view a special message from Executive Director Melanie Huggins.
WE’RE LISTENING WORKING TO MAKE YOUR LIBRARY BETTER
A user survey was conducted in May 2010 to investigate visitor dynamics, evaluate staff and facilities, and assess general attitudes toward the library. We identified areas where we can work to make your library experience even better!
THE WORLD OF INFORMATION
GETS PERSONAL AT THE LIBRARY In response to our customers we are:
Providing a wider variety of materials Welcoming food and drink in all locations Expanding and renovating library locations where we can Expanding program offerings at all locations To prove we’re listening to you, we’ll be working on these areas and more and making changes you suggested. We’ll also continue to gather feedback from library customers to ensure your RCPL experience is a great one.
EXPANDING OUR HOURS In January 2010, the Southeast Regional Branch started offering Sunday hours. Since then, thousands of customers have been welcomed into the library. The Eastover Branch also expanded hours in 2010 and is now open on Tuesdays.
ENHANCED EBOOK COLLECTION In 2009, the library had less than 1,000 titles. By 2010, the library had more than 4,500 titles available for download – an increase of more than 266 percent from 2009! Your library is eReady! Download today at myRCPL.com.
OUTREACH TO CHILDREN REACHING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
“Growing Readers outreach program definitely enhances our preschool program. It makes my job as a teacher so much simpler. Most of all, the children benefit from the books all day long. ” - Epworth Early Intervention Center
“We’ve seen a tremendous impact on our children from the librarians visits and the donation of books. Our toddlers are using more words and our preschoolers are ready for public school. This funding inspires our children and opens up a new world to them and especially those who are limited to experiences.” - St. Naomi Child Development Center
In Richland County, one out of four children entering first grade is not ready to learn at grade level. The library plays a key role in school readiness for children under age five. More than 15,000 families were reached through our outreach services and thousands more with storytimes at all locations.
Job Center AT RCPL THE NUMBERS
Since June 2010, library staff members in the Job Center have assisted more than 4,500 people in job searches. In just over six months in 2010, RCPL computers were used more than 33,000 times for job-related tasks. A grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation allowed the library to expand access to computers at all locations by 106 percent, and add the Job Center at the Main Library. Since opening in June 2010, library staff members have assisted more than 5,000 people in job searches.
CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORIES PUTTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK
A MILLION THANKS “RCPL was extremely helpful. The wonderful staff provided expertise in preparing a resume. I am truly grateful for their help today. I will never forget them…a million thanks!” - Barbara
JUST ONE BREAK “Being a member of AARP, I found a job through RCPL, which was quick and made me feel that someone cared about putting older people to work that want to work. With the way the USA is now, I’m glad that I have a job (“Just one break”) making good money. Thank you.” - Charles
THE LIBRARY FORGIVES AND FORGETS
To remove barriers and welcome customers back to the library, the library held Forgive & Forget, a fine amnesty week in 2010. Customers who brought in a gently used book for the Friends of RCPL had all of their library fines waived and were welcomed back to the library!
AMNESTY | THE NUMBERS
9,300 + 19,100 +
people PARTICIPATED
ITEMS DONATED FOR FRIENDS’ BOOK SALES
1,600 +
ITEMS OVERDUE / CHECKED OUT RETURNED
1,700 +
NEW OR REPLACEMENT library cards issued
AMNESTY | YOUR STORIES
A customer was embarrassed that she could not pay her $20 in fines. She said she had to choose between food, electricity or the library fine. She was grateful to RCPL for allowing her and her family access to the library once again. .....................................................................................
A woman owed $80. She had been out of work for nearly two years and was seeking a teaching position in the Columbia area. The librarian told her about the job services that RCPL offers, including the Job Center at the Main Library, and gave her information to take home. She was unaware of these services, and thanked us even more - leaving with a big smile on her face! .....................................................................................
One older gentleman said he owed more than $30. He brought in a copy of an older hardback novel to settle his fines. A librarian then helped him locate two books on diabetes. Now he was able to check out books to help him learn about and manage his medical condition.
LIBRARY INNOVATORS AND AWARD-WINNING AUTHORS
We brought library innovators and award-winning authors to this community continuing to inspire residents. Nearly 50,000 people enjoyed a variety of programs offered at the library in 2010. In addition, 20,000 children, teens and adults participated in the library’s annual summer reading program. Jack Gantos | Featured speaker at 2010 A(ugusta) Baker’s Dozen: A Celebration of Stories
WE ASKED OUR FACEBOOK FANS TO COME UP WITH 50 reasons TO VISIT THE LIBRARY. HERE ARE SOME OF THEIR SUGGESTIONS.
WE’RE Social
Joe Roberts “It is the single-best use of your tax dollars!”
Tuckerae: I started @myRCPL’s #summer reading challenge today! First on my long list is Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin! Perfect day for reading! Knowitall: RT@myRCPL: Got eBooks? Stop by the Cooper Branch today for a Gadget Gallery from 11:30 - 2! Learn how to download eBooks & more for free Quitecontrary0: Visited the Cooper branch of @myRCPL since moving to forest acres. Cozy! going back tmmr 4 daughter 2 sign up for summer reading at 3. PH_Foundation: Cool RT @columbiasc: Did you see Matt Lauer w/his eco-friendly @myRCPL bag on @todayshow? Our library is #kindofabigdeal!
WHAT YOU ARE TWEETING ABOUT
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Stevebenjaminsc: I encourage everyone to take advantage of @myRCPL’s Summer Reading Challenge. Great program!
Alexis Lucille “To visit the children’s room and open up your child’s imagination!” Eric Reber “To appreciate a beautiful architectural gem.” Stevie Libra Allen “So the grand girlies can play with the puzzles and arrange the stuffed animals around tables for tea parties.” Kristopher Davis “So you can read books, and rent movies for free all summer!” Briana Timmerman “Free books on tape for long trips!” ..............................................................
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Share your experiences and get updates on all library happenings at twitter.com/myrcpl and facebook.com/myrcpl.
In 2010, the library had more than 2.5 million visits to the 11 locations throughout Richland County. The library's website, myRCPL.com, had more than 2 million hits from customers placing holds, checking events and downloading, eBooks, movies, music and more.
MYRCPL.COM YOUR DIGITAL LIBRARY
The library’s website is used more than 200,000 times per month and we want to make your experiences even better. We’ve created a Virtual Services team that is charged with revamping the website and making it the most useful for our customers.
WE LOVE OUR FRIENDS The contributions of the Friends of RCPL have enabled the growth and expansion of services that have made RCPL a leader among libraries. From author events to the quarterly book sales, the Friends of RCPL support the library and raise awareness throughout the community.
FRIENDS | THE NUMBERS
80,000 + In 2010, the Friends of RCPL raised more than $80,000 to support the efforts of the library.
Have you joined? Memberships start at $25. Join today at myRCPL.com/friends.
FINDING COMFORT IN THE LIBRARY
Four years ago, Columbia resident Cynthia Byrd’s life changed forever when her 20-year-old son, Brandon LaVar Byrd, was killed in a car accident. But she and her family found comfort in raising money for the library, an organization that her son and her other children have valued. In 2010, Byrd reached her goal of raising $17,500, dedicating the meeting room at the St. Andrews Regional Branch and a tree in the Main Library’s Children’s Room to Brandon. The library changed their lives. Have we changed yours?
FOUNDATION | THE NUMBERS
The RCPL Foundation works to increase financial support so the library can broaden and diversify its ability to serve the citizens of Richland County. Visit myRCPL.com/foundation for ways you can contribute.
In 2010, the number of Foundation donations increased by more than 50% and the dollars more than doubled.
50% +
Leadership RCPL Leadership RCPL develops and retains future library leaders by giving them opportunities to learn about team building, decision making and problem solving. Since 2007, more than 50 staff members have completed the program.
Rewarding STAFF FOR EXCELLENCE
“The reason this library is so successful is because of the staff, and I want to give them opportunities they otherwise might not have.” - Ginger Shuler, former Chief of Youth Services It is in this spirit and in her honor that the “Outside Over There” award was created. As a result, Sarah Graham of the Northeast Regional Branch was awarded the opportunity to visit the DeGrummond Children’s Literature Collection at the University of Mississippi and the John C. Campbell Folk School where internationally known paper artist Beatrice Coron lead a workshop.
BRIGHT Ideas Bright ideas are suggestions for enhancing the customer’s experience by creating efficiencies, improving operations, implementing new services or changing the way we do business. In 2010, more than 160 bright ideas have been submitted and 85 percent have been or are being implemented.
One of the best and brightest in 2010: Quincy Pugh, Main Library, suggested we provide a bike rack at the Main Library. The bike rack was installed promoting our website, and several locations now have bike racks.
Rewarding STAFF FOR EXCELLENCE
The Helen Ann Rawlinson Leadership Award, named for former RCPL Deputy Director, recognizes a staff member who exemplifies exceptional leadership qualities. The 2010 recipient was Diane Luccy, Job Center Manager. Diane is “a leader not because she is a supervisor but because of her vibrant personality, hard work and determination,� according to her nomination.
STARRED REVIEW We also launched Starred Reviews that encourage staff to recognize other staff members for going above and beyond. More than 150 staff members have received starred reviews in 2010.
Leading THE LIBRARY
BOARD OF Trustees Kirby D. Shealy III | Chair John D. Baker | Vice Chair Gloria Graham Boyd | Secretary Robert E. Gahagan | Treasurer
Nathaniel A. Barber Jack Godbold George C. Johnson Rox W. Pollard Jr. Alethia P. Rearden Ida W. Thompson
Trustees are appointed by Richland County Council and serve in unpaid positions.
State Aid $606,577
OPERATING BUDGET | FY 2010
Receipts
TOTAL: $30,962,197
miscellaneous $1,301,735
designated funds, fy09 $9,474,385 County appropriation $19,579,500
materials $3,695,583
operations $4,078,086
personnel and related expenses $12,795,145
operations reserve $10,393,383
Disbursements TOTAL: $30,962,197
CIRCULATION AT ALL LOCATIONS
Main LIBRARY ................................................. 1,985,603 THE LINK, Ballentine ................................... 157,567 Blythewood BRANCH ...................................119,024 John Hughes Cooper BRANCH ................ 292,057
TOTAL CIRCULATION SYSTEMWIDE
4,125,654
Eastover BRANCH ............................................ 24,866 North Main BRANCH ..................................... 107,326 Northeast REGIONAL BRANCH ................ 244,708 Sandhills BRANCH ....................................... 420,733 Southeast REGIONAL BRANCH ................ 359,846 St. Andrews REGIONAL BRANCH ............... 284,108 Wheatley BRANCH .........................................129,816
IN-HOUSE PATRON USE SYSTEMWIDE
6,543,914
LIBRARY USE
2,449,563 visits TO THE LIBRARY SYSTEM
ACTIVE BORROWERS
89,352 NEW REGISTERED BORROWERS
24,081
TOTAL REGISTERED BORROWERS
197,526 CUSTOMER REQUESTS FILLED
2,259,647
RESOURCES AT YOUR LIBRARY
120,000
electronic databases, catalogued photographs, microforms, maps, cd roms 95,669
80,000 60,000
20,000
1,144,189
Audiocassetts, videos, dvds, cds, videogames, playaways 109,802
100,000
40,000
TOTAL books IN COLLECTION
ebooks, magazines, newspapers 21,938
RICHLAND COUNTY PUBLIC
LIBRARY
inspire. inform. entertain.