REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Mathews Memorial Library
Bette Dillehay, Director
September 10, 2013
This report is intended to provide the Chairman and members of the Board of Trustees with a report of activities during the period ending August 13 – September 10, 2013.
Financial Report
Operational expenses for the period totaled $5,542.34, of which $3,314.65 was for the purchase of books and related materials. Grants/reimbursements totaled $1,351.43 for a year-to-date total of $2,526.82. Year-to-date unencumbered funds total $103,919.48, including budget appropriation and grants/donations.
Through the first two pay periods for FY2013-2014, salaries and related benefits total $33,623.59. The latter period ($16,419.14) was reduced by $785.31 over the period ending July 31, 2013 ($17,204.45). This reduction reflected less staff time required in August following the July youth program.
Patron Update
The month of August saw a record number of new patrons with 96 additions, bringing the total number of patrons to 10,300. During the same period, patrons and visitors made 5,270 visits to the library and checked out a total of 1,956 items. Library computers were accessed a total of 990 times which does not include use of the wireless network.
Staff Update
Five interviews out of six currently scheduled for the position of Head, Teen/Adult Services have been conducted. The interview team comprised of Carol McCormack, Jan Mohr, Carolyn Taylor and the library director will compile their assessments using a value-based algorithm to provide a balanced outcome. Several of the candidates are quite promising, and it appears a selection is assured.
Mathews Market Days
The annual September event is always a busy one for the library. This is especially true on Friday when schools close, and many children and young people are in the village. To provide a diversion, Carol McCormack, head of youth services, organized a number of activities, including a scavenger hunt, computer games and puzzles. The highlight of the afternoon was a concert featuring "Now and Then," which attracted both young and old.
Once again, a big draw to the library was the exhibit of quilts displayed by Bay Quilters. The total number of visitors to the library during Market Days exceeded 900.
Plans for Autumn
Staff members are excited about occupying the new wing which we anticipate occurring soon. In spite of the confusion this may create, activities are scheduled for September and October.
Adult Programs. Dr. James Robertson, professor emeritus of history at Virginia Tech and Civil War historian will speak on "What We Have Forgotten, 1846-1861," on Thursday, September 26 at 7 p.m. Sunday tea dances will resume with a fall event on Sunday, September 29 from 3 to 5 p.m.
A series of Tech Zoo programs will occur throughout the fall, beginning with the first event on Tuesday, September 24 at 2 p.m. During these events, different digital devices are discussed and participants have an opportunity to hone their skills or determine whether to invest in a particular device.
Youth. The youth wing will repeat the very popular "Pumpkins on Main!" Families are invited to participate in a variety of events concluding with prizes awarded for best pumpkin in a variety of categories. We are repeating a very successful event which was sponsored by the library in 2012.