REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Mathews Memorial Library
Bette Dillehay, Director
May 13, 2014
This report is intended to provide the Chairman and members of the Board of Trustees with a report of activities during the period April 8 – May 13, 2014.
The library staff was pleased to welcome Senator Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr., to the library on April 14th. A note was later received from Senator Lewis expressing his appreciation for the time taken to provide a tour of the facility. In his words, "It is a great facility and a testament to the great commitment to community which exists in Mathews."
Financial Report
Operational expenses for the report period totaled $9,054.91. Current year-to-date expenses total $87,775.65, which is a 33.2% increase over the previous year-to-date. The total cost of books and related items was $5,550.85, including $1,570.00 for annual renewal of an online news database.
Unencumbered funds total $35,262.28, of which $19,159.35 are approved budget funds and $16,102.93 in Grants/Donations, which includes donations/reimbursements of $1,189.54 during the report period. The library was pleased to receive a donation of $350.00 presented by the Mathews Woman's Club toward the purchase of the art display track placed in the H. Bland Hudgins Wing. A small plaque acknowledging the gift will be placed on display.
Through April 2nd, salaries and related benefits totaled $183,818.26. The budgeted amount for FY 2013-2014 is $255,487.00. Unencumbered funds total $71,668.74. The total for the latest period ending April 30th ($19,639.55) is approximately the same as the previous report period.
Grant Requests
Two grant requests were prepared and submitted to the Mathews Community Foundation. The first was on behalf of Coalition4Kids to obtain support for the Brain Busters afterschool program. This request for $5,233 received partial funding of $1500 which will go toward paying for afterschool transportation.
A second request to fund the library digital scanning project was not funded.
Patron Update
With 31 new patrons added in April, the total number of patrons is 10,583. Along with visitors, they made 4,921 visits to the library. Overdue items were up 27% during the report period; however, this is not considered an alarming number.
Spring Programs
Adult. Programs planned for adult library patrons included both successes and disappointments. The first, and biggest disappointment, was the opportunity offered by the library to attend a program featuring Myra Angelou, poet and author, which was cancelled by The College of William and Mary due to illness. On April 24th, Richmond Times Dispatch columnist, Bill Lohman and photographer, Bob Brown, provided an evening of high entertainment in discussing their recently published book, Back Roads – People, Places and Pie Around Virginia.
The collage exhibit of Mathews native, Emma Lou Martin (nee Marchant), was the initial art display. Her exhibit opened on May 8th and will close on May 30. The opening included a reception and talk about her works, "Gifts of Nature."
Youth and Teens.
It was reported to you in April that the library would sponsor a program to recognize and honor teens who have exhibited outstanding leadership qualities in one or more fields of endeavor, including: education, sports and community involvement. The source of information regarding teens is the Gazette Journal. An event entitled "Who Are They?" took place on Tuesday, April 22nd at 3 p.m., It included a panel discussion by teens representing each leadership field and was followed by refreshments in the courtyard. Attendance was good, especially assisted by the participation of the entire Mathews crew team and the Youth Leadership Group.
On April 23rd, twenty-three young people out of the forty-two registered between the ages of 6 and 14 once again embarked from the library on an annual fantasy trip. This year the journey took them to Ireland where they learned about that country's history and culture.
May Program
May is Small Business month. It will be recognized at the library by a Friends-sponsored luncheon and presentation by Michael Swiderski, "Building a Small Business – a Big Task." Mr. Swiderski, who owns, Storybound Construction, Inc., is a former college professor who taught business management. The event will take place at noon on May 23rd at the library. Reservations are requested.
Summer 2014
As we look toward summer, event planning is taking on a sense of urgency. We once again plan to host Soothin' Summer Sounds, with two performances already booked. Carol McCormack and other staff members are hard at work on the summer youth programs including the annual Highland Games on June 20th and the annual summer youth program with the theme, "What If," to occur during July.. It will follow the usual 4-day a week schedule.