WNPLD 2023 Annual Report

Annual Report FY22-23

A Hub of the Community A patron came in asking if it was true that she could borrow a Nintendo Switch. When the staff said yes and highlighted some of the other items in our Library of Things, she was beyond excited! She told us that she is so proud that her library is becoming a hub of the community and that we are continuing to offer different things to stay with the times!

A Welcoming Environment “We’re new to the area and are just so thrilled to have so many things to bring our toddler to. Thank you for having all these different programs available and being so welcoming to us.”

A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Welcome to Winnetka-Northfield Public Library’s FY22-23 Annual Report! Last year was one of continued recovery from the pandemic and we saw more visitors, program attendees, and circulation of materials than we’ve seen since 2019! The team and I worked hard, and I’m proud to highlight some statistics and information that show how the passion of our friendly, talented staff provided a great experience for you at the library!

Some of our highlights last year include: 1) Strengthening our partnerships with D36, D29, Winnetka Park District, Northfield Park District, the NorthShore Senior Center, Illinois Libraries Present, The Winnetka Historical Society, New Trier Township, and FAN to expand library programs and services.

2) Increasing The Studio’s hours and adding more Studio staff.

3) L aunching our homebound delivery service for patrons who can’t make it to the library.

4) D igitizing the Winnetka Historical Society’s Winnetka Talk collection and securing the rights for patrons to access the collections remotely using their library cards.

5) Beginning work on a project to double the size of the Northfield Library, offering more collections, programming, and spaces for residents.

6) Rebranding and launching a new website.

If you haven’t visited your library in a while, it’s time to stop in! Events include musical performances, arts and crafts, lectures, trivia nights, tech classes, and more. Collections include books/eBooks, audio/eAudiobooks, magazines, newspapers (including digital versions of The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The New York Times), movies, video games, backyard movie kits, and portable hot spots, among many others. Services include research help, book recommendations, homebound delivery, high-speed internet, and tech help for portable devices. Facilities include study rooms, meeting rooms, play areas, greenspaces, sculptures, seasonal plantings, and a three-season garden. With two locations open seven days a week, we have something for everyone!

The team and I appreciate being able to serve you over the last year, and we cherish being one of the organizations that enriches life in this great community! Here’s to another amazing year!

Warmly,

Monica Dombrowski Executive Director

You came back to see us!

Whether it was at one of our two buildings, out in the community, on our website, or at a virtual event, we were thrilled to see you back!

We answered

35,258

of your questions

High Quality Book Suggestions “Melissa, I wanted you to know how much I appreciated your specific book suggestion, The Billion Dollar Spy by David Hoffman. It is one of the best books I’ve read in the last five years. I also have great luck with consistent high-quality suggestions from your Northfield staff.”

Anticipating Patron Needs From a regular patron who visits us each week to read Barron’s in response to finding the magazines placed on his usual table when he arrived, “You folks take such good care of me; I shouldn’t EVER go home!”

YOU VISITED THE LIBRARY 151,371

in-building visitors

259,480 4,057

library visitors

104,052 website visitors

virtual visitors

Over 1/4 million visitors 15.75% increase over FY21-22

YOU USED OUR SPACES Study Room Usage: 3,077 Meeting Room Usage: 349 A Place to Conduct Business Staff helped a patron use a conference room and library laptop to provide witness testimony virtually for a court case.

A Place to Study for Exams During finals week, a student was in search of a suitable study space equipped with a whiteboard, but all the designated study rooms were already in use. Our staff helped her get set up in the Lloyd Room and afterward the student expressed her gratitude and satisfaction, emphasizing that she finds it most effective to retain information when she can visually represent it and use various colors for clarity.

You borrowed materials!

Whether they were physical books, telescopes, movies, literacy kits, or eAudiobooks, there was something for everyone.

There are

9,032

cardholders in our district

Expert Movie Recommendations “Hi, Scott! I’ve got so many other choices thanks to you. Will be stopping in Monday for more suggestions. Started watching Rebecca (love it) and enjoyed the Man Who Knew Too Much, which I had seen many years ago. Thanks again!”

VOX Books are a Secret Weapon “VOX Books are our calming secret weapon at home.

Thank you for having so many of these books.”

YOU BORROWED MATERIALS

483,620

total items borrowed 162,936

110,571

physical adult items

digital items

210,113

physical youth items

Nearly 1/2 million items loaned 7.40% increase over FY21-22

MOST POPULAR THINGS BORROWED

Most Popular Youth Title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

by J.K. Rowling

Most Popular Adult Title Lessons in Chemistry

by Bonnie Garmus

Most Popular Movie The Fabelmans

You borrowed from our Library of Things!

The 21st Century library loans more than just books!

This year, we added our Library of Things and started loaning items for exploring, traveling, gathering, and trying-them-before-you-buy-them.

MOST POPULAR THINGS BORROWED 1. Backyard Movie Kit 2. Nintendo Switch 3. Internet Hot Spots 4. VHS-to-Digital Converter 5. GoPro Hero Camera

Sharing Old Memories One patron used the VHS converter to save a recording of her son’s school play performance that she taped back in the 90s. She then burned it onto a DVD and watched it with her son and his kids when they all had flown in for the holidays.

Library of Things Party A patron used the Library of Things Outdoor Movie Pack to host a Bears watch party for his neighbors!

Exploring the Universe One patron excitedly told me that she was able to spot the moons of Jupiter using the telescope.

You enjoyed our facilities!

Valuable input from patrons and staff, combined with a facility maintenance schedule, resulted in several facility improvements this year.

HIGHLIGHTS: • Purchase of Library Park

• Additional security cameras

• Upgraded self-checkout machines and staff processing equipment

• New adult services desk

• Self-check machine for the Northfield Library • Additional emergency exit door in Lloyd Room • Raised perennial plant beds and landscaping in Library Park

• Upgraded automatic doors • Reconfigured The Studio with additional equipment • New youth services furniture and toys • Additional youth services shelving • Self-service hold shelf for Northfield

Clean Facilities for Gathering ”Our kids really enjoy all the children activities and we are very grateful for the clean facilities.”

You attended events!

We were thrilled to continue offering a robust slate of diverse events for patrons of all ages. We were even more thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed our offerings and the impact they made in your lives!

Virtual Events are a Special Gift “Fabulous Program!!!! So deeply cherished by many, especially those who live in Winnetka. Please keep virtual programming forever! It’s a special gift to seniors, especially those living alone or in facilities - the virtual is possible everywhere! Moms who can’t get a babysitter can enjoy from home.”

A World-Class Library System “We very much appreciate WNPLD & all of the resources available to us.

You have a warm, wonderful & extremely competent staff, and we are so lucky to have such a world-class library system. Thank you!”

A Great Vibe for Storytime “We’re new to this library and you have such a great vibe for storytime!

We can’t wait to come back next week!”

YOU PARTICIPATED IN EVENTS

19,465

event attendance 627 youth events reached

169 Studio events reached

1,219 people

13,400 people

220 adult events reached 4,846 people

106% increase over FY21-22

MOST POPULAR EVENTS OF THE YEAR

Most Popular Youth Events 1. Toddler T-Rex Tea Party 2. Be Our Guest: Read with a Princess 3. Sensory Shenanigans 4. Move and Play 5. Music & Movement

Most Popular Adult Events 1. Making the Movie: Home Alone & Trivia Too 2. Pompeii: From Ashes to Archaeology with Jeff Mishur 3. Explore Winnetka’s Oldest Homes 4. Inaugural Gowns of America’s First Ladies 5. Lost Chicago Department Stores

You were creative in The Studio!

Whether it was attending classes or working on projects, you flocked to The Studio to personalize gifts, make home decor, and preserve your memories in new and unique ways.

MOST POPULAR STUDIO EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1. Engrave a Planter Box 2. LED Nightlight 3. Create a Personalized Journal with Cork Fabric 4. Engraved Recipe Cards 5. Engrave an Eco-Friendly Silicone-Wrapped Water Tumbler

3,087 visits to The Studio and 169 events that reached 1,219 people

Creating Items for Special Occasions A mother came in with a very specific vision for her daughter’s 13th birthday cake. Using acrylic and the laser engraver, we were able to help her create the perfect cake topper for the celebration instead of the patron having to spend a lot of money on a custom order!

Stitching the Way to Savings A patron borrowed a sewing machine to work on mending clothes with her mother at her mother’s assisted living facility.

You visited us out in the community!

Our commitment to being a recognized leader and collaborative partner in our communities led us to explore innovative ways to collaborate with local businesses and organizations.

79 outreach events that met 4,456 community members outside the library walls

PARTNERS Park Districts: The library is proud to partner with the Winnetka Park District, Northfield Park District, and Kenilworth Park District participating in community-wide events like Books at the Beach, Fall Fest, and Market & Music, offering story times to summer camps and residents, and providing books and resources for afterschool programs.

Schools: Through our partnerships with local schools, including District 36, District 29, Winnetka Community Nursery School, and Harkness House for Children, the library regularly provides books and resources for school projects, collaborates on summer reading, offers story times, runs books clubs, and participates in school events like STEAM Night and the Winnetka Community Nursery School Children’s Fair.

North Shore Senior Center: Now in our 16th year, the library facilitates book clubs at the North Shore Senior Center and donates books to the NSSC library.

Alliance for Early Childhood: The library is a long-time supporter of the Alliance, participating in events like the Preschool Summit and Cardboard Design Experience and partnering to curate the Patricia Wroclawski picture book collection at the Winnetka Library.

Illinois Libraries Present (ILP) and Family Action Network (FAN): Our partnerships with ILP and FAN broaden the library’s programming reach presenting high quality speakers, both virtually and in person. Always free and open to the public.

HOMEBOUND DELIVERY SERVICE We now offer delivery of library materials to cardholders who are homebound due to illness or disability, or who are no longer driving. We deliver all types of materials with extended checkouts available. You can specify titles, or have a librarian choose for you based on your preferences.

We refreshed our look!

At the heart of our transformation is you, our valued patrons.

We’ve reimagined our identity with your needs in mind, aiming to convey that the library offers so much more than just physical books. This led us to embark on a rebranding journey, one that embodies our commitment to providing a diverse array of resources and experiences.

Our new tagline, ‘Discover Something New,’ extends a warm invitation to our community members. It encourages everyone to explore the boundless possibilities that await them at the library. So, step inside and embark on a journey of discovery with us!

NEW WEBSITE We enhanced the accessibility and user-friendliness of our website to make your online experience with us even better. Here’s what we’ve added: Streamlined Navigation: We’ve revamped our navigation, making it smoother than ever before. Quick links ensure effortless exploration of our content, so you can find what you need in a snap.

Improved Calendar Tool: Stay in the know about our upcoming events and activities with our newly designed calendar tool. It’s your one-stop source for all the latest happenings at the library.

Brand-New Youth Services Page: We’re thrilled to introduce a dedicated page catering specifically to our young patrons. It’s a place where young minds can explore, learn, and grow.

Book Recommendations: Looking for your next great read? We’ve got you covered with a wealth of new book recommendations.

Whether you’re into fiction, non-fiction, or anything in between, you’ll discover something that piques your interest.

NEW BRAND: LOGO, TAGLINE, & COLOR PALETTE

You saved money with your library card!

The Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District is the heart of our community—a vibrant hub that brings people together while also delivering significant savings of both time and money. It’s a place where lives are enriched, and individuals discover joy and purpose.

Saving Money and Space “…You always find what I need and if you don’t have it on your shelves, you perform your library magic and pull it from thin air! Thank you for saving me money and bookshelf space!”

Stitching the Way to Savings A patron borrowed a sewing machine to work on mending clothes with her mother at her mother’s assisted living facility.

HOW MUCH MONEY ARE YOU SAVING BY USING YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY?

Individual cardholders saved an average of

$763.02 last year

Childrens Books Borrowed

$299.88

Meeting Room Use (per hour) $19.16

Adult Books Borrowed

$192.59

Computer Use (per hour)

$11.94

eBooks Borrowed

$82.62

Magazines Borrowed

$10.52

Audiobooks Borrowed

$44.58

Adult Programs Attended

$10.07

Childrens Programs Attended $32.19

Databases Used

$8.22

Reference Assistance

$27.33

Music Borrowed

$1.69

Movies Borrowed

$20.97

Interlibrary Loan Requested

$1.26

Cost savings per cardholder was calculated for the July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 period by using the ALA Library Value Calculator, which can be found on our website at www.wnpld.org/node/5859.

+ Free Wi-Fi + Free Restrooms + Free Water + Free Climate Controlled Spaces

YOUR 2022 PROPERTY TAX DOLLAR Using an example property tax bill of $20,000, a District homeowner would pay $536 per year for library services, which equals 2.7% of the tax bill.

39.45% K-8 School Districts 26.00% New Trier High School District 12.48% Villages/Townships 0

20

6.92% Cook County

40

60

80

5.05% Metropolitan Water Reclamation District 4.33% Park Districts 2.99% Oakton Community College District 2.68% Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District 0.10% Mosquito Abatement

Newfound Appreciation ”I have a newfound appreciation for municipal government and all the amazing things the library offers beyond just books.”

100

FY22-23 OPERATING EXPENSES FY22-23 Operating Expenses

Budget

Actual

Personnel*

53.0%

$2,137,350.00

$2,061,550.00

Materials*

14.7%

$592,000.00

$590,571.00

Capital Improvements/Maintenance

14.1%

$568,380.60

$484,955.00

Administration

6.4%

$257,528.00

$248,033.00

Information Technology

6.2%

$251,869.40

$261,114.00

Utilities

2.3%

$94,000.00

$89,814.00

Programs/Events

2.2%

$87,250.00

$86,687.00

PR & Marketing

1.1%

$47,000.00

$46,250.00

TOTAL

100%

$4,035,378.00

$3,868,974.00

*According to Serving Our Public: Standards for Illinois Public Libraries, Personnel costs should account for up to 70% of the Operating Budget and Material costs should account for a minimum of 8-12% of the Operating Budget.

FY22-23 OPERATING REVENUES FY22-23 Operating Revenues

Amount

Property Taxes

90.2%

$3,946,043.00

Interest

3.1%

$136,025.00

Kenilworth Library Services Contract

2.9%

$126,501.00

Replacement Tax

2.4%

$105,000.00

Grants

0.6%

$27,250.00

Gifts & Donations

0.5%

$22,500.00

Fees

0.2%

$8,317.00

Miscellaneous

0.1%

$1,011.00

TOTAL

100.0%

$4,372,647.00

768 Oak Street Winnetka, IL 60093

POSTAL PATRON

Library Board of Trustees Melissa Mitchell, President Ranjini Shankar, Vice President Sarah Munoz, Treasurer Thomas Sundell, Secretary Travis Gosselin Deborah Vandergrift Matt Kinnich trustees@wnpld.org

NON-PROFIT ORG. ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 85 WINNETKA, IL