1. Public Library Budget Request
FY 2020

2. Statewide Library Comparisons
Fourth place in Connecticut for total items loaned, behind Greenwich, Stamford, and Fairfield for FY 2018
Our library loaned 11.4 items per capita
Of the total 659,247 items borrowed, 40,766 were ‘e-format’ materials (ebooks, downloadable audio, etc), or about 6% of the total
Of the total 659,247 items we loaned, 195,347 (or 30%) were video formats which put us in 20th place in the State for percentage of total loans in that format
Numbers are from the Connecticut State Library’s “Statistical Profile for 2018”
Pleased 4th; squeaked ahead West Hartford by just a few thousand; like other libraries, and as expected, our video loans are decreasing while book loans remain level or slightly above previous years.

3. Increased variety of programs for adults “Its historic Main Street boasts plenty of eateries and shops, and its local community events include board game nights and a Thanksgiving Day race”
This photo is from the Money mag. Website. Manchester’s historic Main Street boasts plenty of eateries and shops, and its local community events include board game nights and a Thanksgiving Day race. We were pleased to see that the efforts of library staff to initiate and continue to host a WELL ATTENDED board game group for adults was part of the recognition of the range of good things downtown. We know that People want to live in a community that is interesting, vibrant, and seems prosperous, so in addition to providing traditional books and materials for lending, we’ve been upping the types of programmatic offerings for residents who want to use the library in person. We also continue to blend in ebooks and other services for people who don’t always want to drive/walk to one of the library buildings. The number of adults attending library-sponsored programs keeps increasing, just in the past 2 years, it’s gone up 124%; over 3,200 adults last year attended book discussions, author talks, fun craft events, board gaming and similar programs. Last month a resident asked to speak to me because she wanted to tell me that as a retiree who moved to Manchester recently, attending the library’s programs have been the best way for her to meet new people and feel part of the community (I asked her if I could quote her on that). Counting Teens, Children, and the families who attend the all-ages events, the total program attendance was over 25,000 people last year.

4. There are currently 24,533 registered card holders, the highest number ever
While the loaning of physical items from inside the two buildings declined slightly in FY 18, residents borrowing “e-materials” from home increased by 39% last year, to just over 40,000 items (most of the increase was in streaming/ downloadable audiobooks). Our ‘e-materials’ are increasingly acting as a small branch library! For comparison purposes, Whiton loaned out 132,000 items in FY 18
Library public internet computers were used for 42,378 sessions and customers printed over 66,000 pages. Since the 2020 Census will be ‘online,’ and since it is to our town’s advantage to get everyone counted, Library staff are already planning on how best to assist those residents who will use our public computers for that purpose
A few other quick facts: card holders; ematerials; internet computers; Norma for children’s services

5. Update on Children’s Programming
This picture was taken at Squire Village where the library has had a presence for the last four years. We will be at Squire Village again this summer in our efforts to prevent summer reading slide and making connections with school age children and their parents to support literacy needs. We have developed a collection non-traditional materials such as Starling devices, family movie night bags and board games, and Makey Makey kits. Starling devices encourage language development and provides feedback and tips to parents. Makey makey kits are part of the STEM or science, technology, engineering and math trend and the kits allow children to turn items such as fruit or stair steps into a computer keyboard. We have also added a STEAM preschool program which in addition to the science, technology, art, engineering, math aspects also includes art. In addition to our collaboration with Squire Village, other community collaborations include extensive programming with the Lutz Children’s Museum, Tails of Joy READ to the Dogs, Manchester Early Learning Center, Headstart, School Readiness Council, Board of Education and numerous agencies in town all working to support the needs of families with children. I can’t say enough about the commitment of the agency in town that work for the well being of the children and families of Manchester. The library’s focus is always to provide the enrichment materials and activities that families need to provide a literacy rich environment in the home. Reading throughout the year is important but becomes more important for children during the summer months to prevent summer slide. The drop off in reading level known as summer slide is shocking and the library works to prevent that from happening with a very successful summer reading program. Every summer the library runs a popular summer reading program providing family programs, crafts, storytime programs in an effort to bring families into the library and have children reading throughout the summer.

6. Budget Request
There are increased personnel costs, with an existing union contract that includes a 2% cost of living adjustment. There are no anticipated changes in the number of employees
Subtotal for all non-personnel lines of the budget is down slightly, even after accounting for an anticipated increase in the cleaning contract
Per capita spending on our library is below the state average (last year we were in 61st place in CT)
As for the budget request itself, the General Manager’s recommended budget maintains the current level of staffing, with the 3 frozen positions that we’ve been carrying now for some years. The current union contract calls for a 2% C.O.L.A. and the total for all of the non-personnel lines of the budget declines slightly

7. For this final slide, I wanted you to know that due increasingly to changes in How people use their public libraries, cities and counties across the U.S. and around the world continue to build new public libraries. In November, Glastonbury voters approved a library expansion bond referendum. A few weeks ago, Helsinki Finland opened their new downtown public library main building (also extensive branch network) – here are a few photos from their website showing lots of glass, lots of open space, varied seating arrangements for individuals or groups, and even a food court on the main floor.