We are happy to begin a new fiscal FY21-22 with enthusiasm for new opportunities and confidence of achieving new goals.  The report that follows outlines current administrative matters and ongoing activities which have occurred during the report period.   

Financial Report

Current Reporting Period

Information presented in the current financial report is a statement of resources and expenses for a two-month period ending June 30, 2021.  Operational expenses for the bi-monthly period totaled $15,669.13, and a year-to-date total of $88,287.55, representing a 3.24% increase over the same period for operating expenditures for FY 2019-20.  The charges listed in the report include a charge of $2,000.00 to line item 5240 (VA Database User Fee) for a new online service providing access to a video streaming service (Kanopy) that was processed in accordance with approved budget for the fiscal year.

Salaries and Related Expenses

The amount budgeted for salaries and related benefits for FY 2020-2021 is $284,025, or $23,668.75 per month.  A report reflecting current costs through June 2, 2021, shows a total of $267,578.26 or 94.2% of the total budgeted amount for FY2020-2021.  Monthly salary/benefit expenses for the month ending May 28, 2021, totaled $26,053.76, reflecting the need for additional staffing due to absence of volunteers.

Staff Activities

Colanne Bunting accepted a change in her employment status effective July 1, 2021.  Formerly serving as a part-time member of Technical Services, she has been upgraded to full-time.  Her primary activity is data support and service provided at the main desk.

Mobile Hotspot Lending Service

The library currently has 25 kits which are available for checkout by adult library patrons.  During the period, May-June, each unit was checked out and renewals were requested for each.  In addition to the kits purchased through the Virginia CARES Act Funding, the library has received 20 units on loan that were used by students during the school year.  These units are available only to families with school-age children. During the report period, 5 of these were checked out.

Patrons

The number of active patrons now stands at 10,080. The total numbers of visits recorded during the report period was 2,337, an average of 77.5 a day. This number reflects use of library resources since no programs were sponsored during the report period.  In addition to circulation of materials (1,815), use of computers and printing devices brought many to the library.

Managing Change

The library staff is continuing to develop a roadmap for future interactions with the community, allowing for new opportunities to be stronger and cleverer about how we engage with our community, particularly in utilizing online opportunities.  Our plans were to complete our “guidebook for the future” by June 1^st; however, efforts to create the summer youth program “Tails and Tales” took precedence.  This becomes more critical with the coming change in the county administration since some elements of the plan will be dependent on administrative support. 

Programs

Tuesday, July 6^th was launch day for the library summer youth program.  Following a pattern of previous years featuring a change location, “Tails and Tales” is off to an exciting start, meeting twice weekly at the Put-In Creek Pavilion from 1-3 pm.   On opening day, 23 young people between the ages of 6 and 12 were present to participate in a variety of activities, including a nature walk and presentation by Jim Drummond.  Included in the schedule is a Wednesday event when the very young are invited to the Pavilion for storytime, a program offered at the library throughout the year.

Tentative agreement has been reached with the popular string quartet, Ambrosia, to perform at the library on Sunday, August 29^th at 2 pm.  Having performed at the library in previous years, this group has a large following in the community.