Each year I write a annual report on the activities of the library in the past year.  Here is the report for 2009.  2009 was a busy year and 2010 is starting out just the same.  The staff of the library looks forward to serving you in 2010.

WELLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

ANNUAL REPORT

JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2009

Board of trustees                                           Library Staff

Larry Noel, President            Director:  Gene Ann Trant     

David Noe                                        Assistant Director:  Kathy Bornhoft

Mike Steely                                       Library Clerk:  Kim Keiss

Mishie Daknis                                    Library Clerk:  Andrea Bock

Travis Vieira                                                   

Travis Stevens

Jack Brinkhoff

Personnel

The Wellington Public Library has four employees.  Library Director Gene Ann Trant and Assistant Director Kathy Bornhoft are full time employees. Karen Cagle resigned in January 2009, and Kathy Bornhoft was hired as the Assistant Director.  Kim Keiss, the library clerk works 24 hours per week.  Andrea Bock was hired in February 2009, as a library clerk, and works 15 hour per week.  The Town of Wellington funds the Library at 119 staff hours per week.  Total hours open to the public are 42.5. The difference of 62.5 hours is used for staff flex-time and overlapping hours.  The library utilized nine volunteers that worked several hours each on a weekly basis.  Other volunteers were utilized on an as-needed basis for special projects and during the summer reading program.

CIRCULATION SYSTEM

The library utilized the automated circulation system, Sirsi/Dynix Horizon, version 7.3.4. until December 1, 2009, when we migrated to the Koha circulation system hosted by LibLime.  The new system is still administered by the Automated Systems Consortia Colorado (ASCC) and the Colorado Library Consortium (CLiC).  Because the Wellington Public Library converted to Koha as a pilot library we received $3,500 from ASCC.  ASCC received a $200,000 LSTA grant to pay for migration costs for member libraries.  The library’s catalog is available on the Internet at http://wellington.aspencat.info  or at http://wellington.colibraries.org   Because we are now part of a union catalog our patrons are able to easily place holds and request books that belong to the other libraries directly from the catalog.  We are also able to notify patrons by email when they have overdue items and holds are ready for pickup.

EQUIPMENT

There are five computers available for public Internet usage, one computer that is used for the automated catalog that can be used for the Internet if needed, and four staff computers.  We also have one computer purchased with a LSTA grant that that is available for use by patrons with visual impairments.  It has Zoom-Text software installed on it.  All the computers with the exception of one have Norton Internet Security on them.  The remaining computer from the Gates foundation has AVG virus protection.

In December 2009 three new computers were purchased for the library.  In early 2010 they were ready for use.

The library has a wireless hub.  The wireless router serves as the router for the library’s Internet network.

Usage by the public of the fax and photocopier continues to increase. 

FACILITY

We are continually looking for better ways to utilize library space because shelving space for the books is becoming more cramped as the collection grows.  To make the best use of the space we rearrange the collection and weed little used books.

Cleaning of the library is done on a regular basis by the same company that cleans for the town of Wellington.

INTERNET USAGE

Usage of the five public access computers has stayed steady.  There were approximately computer 6,760 users in 2009 compared to 6,283 users in 2008.  The number of computer users in 2009 has increased by 8% from 2008.  The computers are used primarily for educational research, job searches, and word processing.  US Cable is the library’s Internet provider.

PATRON DATABASE

Approximately 85 new patrons were added to our patron database each month and include city and county residents.  Total number of new patrons in 2009 was 1,000 compared 850 new patrons in 2008.  There are now a total of 5,400 patrons in the database.  When we migrated to our new circulation system we deleted approximately 250 patrons that had not used their library cards since 2005.  80% of the card holders are from Wellington and 20% are from the county or are libraries that are part of the interlibrary loan system.

In 2009 there were 37,350 patron visits to the library.  In 2008 there were 33,400 patron visits to the library.  This is an increase of 11%.

COLLECTION AND MATERIALS

Total Holdings in Collection   24,135

New Titles Added                    2,150

Weeded Titles                              550

Total Annual Circulation in 2009       49,390

Total Annual Circulation in 2008       47,900              5 % Increase

The collection was increased by 2,150 new titles.  All areas of the collection had an increase in holdings.  550 items that were lost, damaged, outdated or were not circulating were weeded from the collection before we migrated to the new circulation system.  Total number of materials held in the library collection is 24,135.  The monthly circulation high of 5,715 items occurred in June.  The monthly circulation low of 3,510 items occurred in February.  Total material circulation for 2009 is 49,390 compared to 47,900 for 2008.  This is an increase of 1490 volumes or a 5 % increase.

The library participates in SWIFT, the statewide interlibrary loan program, to provide access to materials that the library does not own as well as loaning our materials to other libraries.  As part of the Koha system we also loan books to the other libraries in the system.  The success of the interlibrary loan service

is dependent on the statewide library courier service.  We contract for the courier service through the Colorado State Library.  The service transports books and materials, correspondence and other mailings to and from libraries in Colorado. 

Materials borrowed from other libraries:  650

Materials loaned to other libraries:  550

PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS

The Wellington Library Friends meet at the library the first Monday of most months.  They continue to raise funds for the library with the large book sale in November and the ongoing used book sale in the library.  In October they sponsored a session with some of the authors of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Empty Nesters.

A library article was submitted monthly to the local newspaper, The North Forty News.  Features in these articles include upcoming events and programs, new book titles, and general library news.  From time to time articles are submitted to the Wellington Weekly.

Preschool story time was held twice a month in 2009.  In 2009 attendance was 350 children and adults.  Library tours were conducted throughout the year for several classes from Eyestone Elementary and Base Camp, the after school program.  Tours and computer instruction were also given to the adult ESL classes that are held at Eyestone Elementary.

SUMMER READING

The summer reading program had 615 children and young adults ages 3-15 signed up for the program. In 2008, 595 children were registered for summer reading.  Prizes were awarded based on time read.  The participants read a total of 5,995 hours.  Kathy Bornhoft did an excellent job of obtaining prizes.  She was able to get many passes and gift coupons donated.  Drawings were held at the end of the summer for the readers that read beyond the required 10 hours.  Four programs were held and approximately 365 persons attended these programs.  Our program presenters were:  local author Gary Raham; a craft fair run by the staff and volunteers; High Country Dancers; and magician Cody Landstrom.  The Wellington Friends of the Library provided cookies for the first summer reading program.

Posters were placed around Wellington to advertise registration and the programs and fliers were sent home with Eyestone and Rice Elementary students and Wellington Junior High students.  Library articles in The North Forty News and the Wellington Weekly also promoted the program. 

The library worked in cooperation with Wellington Junior High to offer students who completed the summer reading program a voucher for “First Locker Choice” privileges.  This joint project has been highly successful as well as popular with the students.  We gave out 110 locker passes.

Additional funding for the summer reading program was received as a grant from the Colorado State Library

PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS/EDUCATION

Kathy Bornhoff attended a workshop on the summer reading program in Greeley that was held in October.  The director attended the annual meeting of the ASCC (the library’s circulation consortium) in Woodland Park in April.  In October the library director attended a two day training session in Castle Rock on the new circulation system.  The director also attended meetings of the Front Range Library Directors, and bi-monthly Library Board of Trustees meetings. 

FUNDING

Total revenue to the library from the Town of Wellington equaled $166,001.  The amount of funding for the library from the Town of Wellington’s General Fund was $139,751.  General Fund Capital Expenditures was funded at $26,250.  Personnel costs including salaries and benefits for 2009 were approximately $116,301.  Other budgeted operating costs associated with purchasing books and other materials, supplies, the summer reading program, equipment maintenance, education and travel, courier service, utilities, and other expenditures total $49,700.  For actual revenue and expenses see the 2009 Town of Wellington budget.

In addition to the revenue from the Town of Wellington General Fund the library receives Library Impact Fees.  Impact Fees for 2009 totaled $6,250.  This revenue from building permits is used for capital improvements and capital purchases. 

The library received a $175 grant for summer reading from the Colorado State Library in February. 

In April the library received a "We the People" grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.  This grant consists of 21 hardcover books and other material with an approximate value of $500.

LIBRARY WEBSITE 

The library continues to use the website that is hosted by the Colorado State Library went.  The Wellington Public Library staff adds and deletes content as needed.  We can add announcements of upcoming events, holiday closures, and other information as needed.  The address for the site is

http://wellington.colibraries.org

PLANS/GOALS FOR 2010

 ·  Increase communication to the public about the services the library   has to offer

·         Continue community outreach and public relations via networking with schools and other community groups, advertising, special programs, and the library’s website

·         Find ways to better utilize space

·         Find ways to creatively use the library staffing to meet increased usage of the library as circulation and patron visits continue to increase

·         Pursue ways to meet the increased need for technology for staff and patrons

·         Organize and make more accessible the historic Wellington newspapers and the local history books

·         Add an open Wi-Fi connection in the library