REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Mathews Memorial Library
Bette Dillehay, Director
January 13, 2015
This report is intended to provide the Chairman and members of the Board of Trustees with a report of activities during the period November 10 – January 13, 2015.
Financial Report
Operational expenses for the report period totaled $15,735.47. Current year-to-date expenses total $41,579.86. Unencumbered funds (not including salaries and related benefits) total $67,005.23 of which $56,470.14 are approved budget funds and $10,535.09 in Grants/Donations.
Through December, 2014, (which includes December payments) for the first six months of the current fiscal year, salaries and related benefits totaled $113,452.77 or 44.4% of the budgeted amount for FY 2014-2015 ($255,556.00).
The Library experienced unprecedented generosity from members of the community during the last weeks of December when $1,000.00 was received in donations. These funds have been transferred to the Office of the County Treasurer and appear in the current report of operating expenditures.
Facilities Update.
A "smart board" authorized for purchase by the Friends of the Library has been received and will shortly be available for use. To increase its usefulness to the library, it is mounted on a mobile device.
The move to relocate the archives/history staff is underway and should be completed by month's end.
Patron Update
The current number of patrons is 10,906. So close to our end-of-year goal of 11,000!
Personnel Update
Amy Hudgins, part-time staff support in Teen Territory, is registered in a para-professional certification course and is currently in her second semester of work. Becky Barnhardt is also registered for online classes in archives management.
Plans are underway to advertise for candidates to fill the open full-time position. The position will be listed, Head, Adult Services, its original designation. Carol McCormack will continue to serve as Head of Youth Services, overseeing the youth wing and teen territory, supported by part-time staff members, Mike Fisher and Amy Hudgins. Weekend coverage is provided by existing staff, temporarily supplemented by Samantha Franklin.
Programs
The holiday programs were very well received. We were especially pleased with the response to the teen program featuring a dramatic reading of "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus," followed by an open house reception. Santa Claus made two visits to the library to meet with both young and middle school children. Many of the teens also appeared to welcome his appearance.
The library-sponsored bus trip to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts was also a success with 30 people who enjoyed lunch and a guided tour of the Forbidden City exhibit.