REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Mathews Memorial Library
Bette Dillehay, Director
November 15, 2022
The report that follows outlines current administrative matters and ongoing activities that occurred during the report period.
The staff is pleased to join the Board in welcoming Mr. Quartel who was recently appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve a four-year term beginning October 26, 2022. We look forward to working with him and benefiting from his vast experience and knowledge.
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 October 31, 2022. Operational expenses for the report period totaled $8,773.59. During this report period, the library received the grant funding of $4,000 from the Public Library Association to support our efforts to boost digital skills for all members of the community.
The financial report continues to reflect monthly charges payable to Verizon supporting the WiFi program making offsite Internet access possible for patrons. Although charges were to be reimbursed to the county through a Federal Emergency Connectivity Fund providing up to $18,495.75, none has yet been allocated to the library account. Monthly charges average $2,000. Future funding will be provided by the county as part of its recently awarded broadband fund.
Salaries and Related Expenses
The amount budgeted for salaries and related benefits for FY 22/23 is $331,238 or $27,603 per month. The current financial activity report reflecting the amount spent as of October 31, 2022, shows a total of $117,452.78 or approximately $29,363 per month.
State Aid
The Library of Virginia has announced that all public libraries receiving State Aid must submit data for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2022 no later than December 2nd. This extensive collection of data, in addition to other factors, is the basis for the library receiving State Aid funding.
Patrons
The number of active patrons now stands at 10,587. In addition to circulation of materials (2170), use of computers and printing devices continues to reflect community needs bringing citizens to the library.
Library Staff
For the second time, Ms. Carol Owens has resigned her position as part-time associate in the youth services section of the library and accepted a position with the county school system. While we will miss the skills she brought to the position, we have begun the task of filling the position.
Public Library Association (PLA) Grant Award
The library was one of 160 public libraries nationwide chosen to host their digital literacy workshops. A series of workshops will be offered in person and/or online through March 2023. The workshops were launched with a class on basic computer skills on October 11th. The initial workshops, taught by Greg Lewis, head of technology and assisted by staff member Colanne Bunting, are offered weekly through November 15th. To date
attendance totals 43 with a median of 10 students per class. Response has been very positive, and plans are to repeat the program in early spring.
Projects/Programs
Late summer and fall were filled with numerous activities at the library. Primarily focused on youth, the staff was pleased with the response to these activities which included:
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra horn quartet held a youth/family concert at the library on October 12th Funding was provided by the Community Foundation. The audience of about 40 included young and mature patrons. The library offered the program as a “Subs n‘Symphony”: event with Subway sandwiches offered preceding the concert. A similar program is scheduled for December 3rd.
Dictionary Project. Each October, the library visits the 3rd grade class at Mathews Elementary and presents each student with a dictionary. This year marked the 18th time such a program has been offered to the students.
Saturday afternoon on October 29th found nearly 100 children and parents descending upon the library prepared to celebrate Howl-a-Palooza. Following games, crafts and refreshments, the attendees were led by staff members on a Trick or Treat parade through the village. This, too, is an annual event at the library and is also supported by the Mathews Main Street Committee who encourage merchants and shop owners to welcome the “ghosts and goblins.”
Focus on the Archives The library is recognized for its extensive collection of archival materials and associated services. It chose to celebrate Archival Month 2022 by offering a special workshop on searching the library’s collection of microfilmed newspapers, as well as digital newspaper databases and subscription databases. In addition to the workshop, a tour of the Chesapeake Room was offered, highlighting the extensive collection housed in this area.