REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Mathews Memorial Library
Bette Dillehay, Director
June 11, 2013
This report is intended to provide the chairman and members of the Board of Trustees with a report of activities during the period May 14-June 11, 2013.
Financial Report
Operating expenses for the report period totaled $7,582.67. Year-to-date, expenditures total $73,475.25, a 34.1% increase over the previous year. Based on library financial records, unencumbered operating funds total $20,872.20. Operating expenses from the present through June 30 are estimated at $13,000, which includes software and equipment to be used for digital collections management ($8,000).
Information maintained by the Office of the County Administrator regarding salaries and related benefits was received for the period ending June 4, 2013. Total expenses to date are $188,398.53 or 82.1% of total budget ($229,726), with $41,327 remaining. The average monthly total is $17,260; however, expenses for the current period totaled $15,791, virtually unchanged over the previous month.
Personnel
Head, Adult/Teen Services Position
On Friday, May 31st, an interview team comprised of Carol McCormack, Carolyn Taylor, Jan Mohr (youth wing volunteer) and Bette Dillehay interviewed finalist, Deborah Ward, for the position. Deborah had previously been interviewed via Skype. Following the meeting with Deborah, it was the consensus that she lacked sufficient experience to adequately fill the position. A second finalist, Denise Gammon, declined a follow-up interview, indicating her unwillingness to move to the area. While the absence of a successful candidate is disappointing, efforts are underway to re-advertise the position with the goal of filling it as soon as possible.
Patron Update
The total number of patrons as of Friday, June 1st, was 10,154, a 6% increase over the same period in the previous year. Patrons and others visiting the library totaled 4,838 down 2.32% from the same period 2012.
The number of patrons subscribing to library electronic services continues to grow. The total number of users stands at 345 who, during the month of May, checked out 205 eBooks through OverDrive and Freading, 54 audio books from OneClick Digital and 63 music selections.
Programs
The library is fortunate, through the generosity of the Friends who provided $7,275.00 in funding, to be able to offer adult and youth programs during summer 2013. They include Soothin' Summer Sounds, the annual Highland Games and the July youth program, "Celebrate Our World."
Adult Programs
The first highlight of June will be an event featuring Richmond Times-Dispatch political journalist, Jeff Schapiro, on the 20th. Jeff has covered Virginia's Capitol and campaigns for nearly three decades. His columns are published on Wednesdays and Sundays with a video column each Thursday. He can be heard each Friday at 8:33 a.m. on WCVE radio. Jeff's insight into Virginia politics and knowledge of State government promises to provide an informative and entertaining event.
It is also exciting to report that 2013 Soothin' Summer Sounds will be launched on June 27 at 7 p.m. with the appearance of a traditional Celtic music group, Poisoned Dwarf. The program is the first of four programs in this year's series, "Sounds From Around The World."
Youth Programs
Once again, Scotsmen of Mathews (and beyond) will lend their hands to make our Highland Games a great event. The Games will be held this year on June 21st at the Piankatank Ruritan Center, beginning at 9 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon and prizes awarded.
Plans are nearly complete for "Celebrate Our World," a month-long program for children and young people ages 6 to 14. Following the usual format, lemonade lecture speakers include a professor of geography from the University of Mary Washington, the head of the mapping department at the Library of Virginia, an architect, and a VDOT civil engineer. Discovery Day trips include Richmond with visits to the Library of Virginia and the Capitol, the Mariners' Museum and Mount Trashmore.