June 2008 Library Report

                   QUARTERLY REPORT

                    GUSTAVUS PUBLIC LIBRARY

                     JUNE, 2008

4.                        GRANTS:

5.                        I.  “Steps to Automation” #1 ILC (Inter-library Cooperation) Grant:

A.                       Kate Boesser completed the cataloguing she was hired to do. She catalogued 7137 items in total. Kate is currently volunteering to catalog some of the new items.

B.                       The new laptop computer purchased with ILC grant money is up and running with the new “card catalog”. Patrons are amazed to find that most of the books in the library can be found in the newly established database.

C.                       The ILC grant final Report is due September 1, 2008

6.                        II.  “Next Step to Automation” #2 ILC Grant :

7.                        Another ILC was applied for and received. This grant will enable us to complete the cataloguing of the library materials and automate the front desk. This will also help streamline the check in and out of library materials and expedite the filing of overdue items.

8.                        NOTE:  A Non-Code Ordinance will be needed to get this new funding into the FY09 budget. The line items include: $4,278.00 salaries and wages, $750.00 Equipment, and $300.00 for supplies for a total of $5,328.00

9.                        III.  Rasmusson Foundation Grant:

10.                    With funds from the Rasmusson Foundation, the library has purchased $2,000.00 worth of new children’s books, including Alaska’s Battle of the Books recommendations.  The grant also funded $1,000.00 worth of educational DVDs, including many from the PBS collection. 

11.                    E-rate funding:

12.                    E-rate is a federal funding program for public schools and libraries to help defray long distance phone costs for internet access.  Gustavus Public Library’s grant monies will most likely be decreasing from 90% to 80% per fiscal year. This means the library will need to find funding that may not have been budgeted for in the FY09 budget.  Our library’s e-rate is dependent on an audit of the Chatham School District qualifications.  Right now we are awaiting an audit on Chatham School District to see if we qualify for the higher funding rate. The employee at Chatham SD who did the e-rate paperwork is gone, so it is difficult to find more on this information. Meanwhile the library may end up receiving the lower rate.  The  E-rate folks will let us know their final determination of our funding rate

FUNDRAISERS:

13.                    Bricks Fundraiser:

14.                    22 bricks have been ordered for the library entryway by people and some businesses. These brick are being shipped this week.

15.                    Burgers & Desserts Fundraiser:

16.                    On May 15th, the library raised $1,450 net from the Burgers and Desserts fundraising event.  Thanks to Anne Gibson and Jaenelle Manchester for organizing this event, and also to Joe and Janet Lassiter and Tim Gibson for grilling the burgers, Marilyn Jackson and Sharon Waguespack for managing the kitchen, Rita Wilson for taking money and others who helped.

17.                    Golf tournament Fundraiser:

18.                      On June 21st, the 10th annual Ladies Golf Tournament fundraiser will take place.  Tee off time @ 10am at Fairweather Golf Course. Dinner @ 5pm at Mary Hervins’.   Reservations are still available.  Call Mary or the library to sign up!  

19.                     

20.                    PROGRAMS:

21.                    Summer Reading = “Catch the Reading Bug @ the Library”:

22.                    Our new summer reading employee, Sarah Conarro, is off to a great start.  At the second Wednesday program on June 11th,  we had 15 preschoolers, 26 elementary kids, and 2 Jr/Hi kids in attendance.  There were also 19 adults in attendance for a total of  62 little and big people inside the Gustavus Public Library. 52 items (48 books/ 4 movies) were checked out after storyhour.  If you want to see some positive fun, come and partake in the scene. Sarah is the artist who oversaw the mural project for the school gymnasium.   Her artistic talent and expertise in working with the children are a great asset to the summer reading program this year.  This summer reading program is funded through a grant from Chatham School district and funds from the City of Gustavus, as well as from donations from folks in the community.

23.                    Reading Buddy Training will take place on June 23rd at the library.  We are still needing a few more buddies to read with a young student.  Interested parties should contact the library.

24.                    Reading Gameboard  thanks to businesses in the community, children in the summer reading program can received prizes for reading this summer.  For every hour of reading each week, kids can receive a clue which will lead them to a business or office in the community.  Kids also receive a free book for every 2 weeks of reading.

25.                     EMPLOYEE TRAINING:

26.                    Both library employees, Sylvia and Elise, traveled to Anchorage in May to attend a week of training for Small Libraries conference.  This was funded by a grant from the Alaska State Library. 

27.                    PROGRAMS IN THE LIBRARY:

·              Nate and Abigail presented slide shows of their trips far and wide.

·              AWARE used the library to raise awareness about domestic violence and

·              host a viewing of the documentary “Searching for Angela Shelton.”.

·              National poetry month was celebrated with two poetry readings.

·              A scientist from NOAA gave a program on climate change and its affect on the oceans, especially in the Arctic. 

·              Upcoming programs

28.                    There are three talks planned for the next quarter:

29.                    1.  Lea will speak about polar bears in June

30.                    2.  Poet Mike Burwell will give a reading in July

31.                    3.  The documentary “Eating Alaska” by Sitka resident Ellen Frankenstien will premiere in Gustavus in September.

32.                    4.  Story Corps Project:

33.                    Our new employee, Elise Pepple, has contacted the folks from the Story Corps project, who will be in coming to Juneau this summer. Elise has arranged for the Story Corps recording equipment to be sent out to Gustavus this summer.  StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit project whose mission is to honor and celebrate one another’s lives through listening.  Since 2003, tens of thousands of everyday people have interviewed family and friends through StoryCorps. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to take home and share, and is archived for generations to come at the Library of Congress.  Folks are encouraged to come in to the Gustavus library to record a story or interview a friend or family member.  These recordings will be archived at the Library of Congress and some of the stories may be aired on the weekly NPR radio broadcast.  Stayed tuned for more information