Library Annual Report - 2014 10/01/13 - 09/30/14
During this fiscal year 963,888 community members used our six
libraries. The use of our resources reached the highest count ever
(3,520,111), yet our per capita expenditures were only $18.97 versus the
State averages of $27.87 - nearly a full third less. Our Internet/Wi-Fi
use increased by 25%, while the use of our virtual resources increased
by nearly 65%. Over 57,000 community members of all ages attended
library programs throughout the year. Our library web pages are the most
frequently used of all the County sites. More than 26,000 hours were
contributed by volunteers, the equivalent of 12 full-time employees.
Awards, Recognition, & Innovations – FLA Betty
Davis Miller Youth (2013), FLA Library Innovation (2013), FLA Maria
Chavez Hernandez ‘Libraries Change People’s Lives (2014), Manatee County
Employee Of Month for May 2014 – Ava Ehde, Library Manager, Storybook
Café at Rocky Bluff, Second Edition bookstore at Central, Book Ends
bookstore at South Manatee Branch, Three Nooks: Administration building,
Utilities and GT Bray, New email notification service, two graduates of
the Sunshine State Library Leadership Academy, 12 graduates of the MC
Leadership Academy, One Disaster Training graduate, Linda Sell appointed
Volunteer Reception Center Coordinator. Updated public computer area,
Self-Check-out Service.
Community Support – Bi-monthly Job Seekers programs,
Business Incubators, Social Service Referrals, Creative Aging series,
STEAM as core of all library programming, computer and technology
training, health, Veteran’s and human needs programming, music and art
programs, partnerships with local non-profits, local author and
illustrator visits, Supervisor of Elections (voter registration and
polling location), publishers, artists, authors, businesses, schools,
and government.
Social Media and Links – Flickr, YouTube, Pinterest,
Facebook for adults and teens, Speaking Volumes, NextReads – readers
advisory, Historical Image files.
Coming Soon! – Online bill pay, point of sale, apps,
video tutorials, new contests, Senior Academy, literacy alliance,
renovations, creative space,
Library provided resources
Use of resources: 3,520,111 (busiest year ever!)
Internet/Wi-Fi usage: 440,482
Virtual resource use: 1,734,892
Catalog logins: 255,441
New Cards: 15,220
Interlibrary loans: 4,311
Collections & Special Collections
Total collection: 453,280 items including Genealogy, Eaton History,
Opera, Literacy, Fiche/Film, Large Print, Early Childhood Literacy,
Spanish language, Manga and Anime, Movies and music, and eBooks/eAudios
Research & Reference services
Visits: In Person – 963,888, Virtually – 104,447
Answers found: 371,612
Technology aid: Internet, tablet, software, eReader, smart phone drop- ins and classes
English and ESL Support (research and computer classes plus conversation clubs in Spanish)
Right Service Florida to provide comprehensive collection of aid resources
Programs & Outreach
57,393 attendees at 2,192 In-house programs
9,255 attendees at 311 Outreach programs
Mana-Con: over 1600 attendees; Recycled Dreams Fashion Show: 250 attendees; Touch a Truck: 225 children
Digitization & Technology
59,871 checkouts from our virtual collection (eBooks, eJournals, eAudio, streaming music and video).
1,314,440 uses of virtual resume assistance, foreign language tools,
car repair, genealogy, medical and travel guides, business directories
and investment tools.
31,472 items were borrowed by 11,578 customers using our new Self-Checkout Stations
Volunteers
Library volunteers offered 26,180 hours of assistance at all locations (equivalent to 12 full time staff members)
Grants & Partners
MC Schools, MC Historical Societies, Realize Bradenton, Village of
the Arts, South Florida Museum, Transitions, Sheriff’s Youth Ranch,
Toastmasters, Rising Stars, Supervisor of Elections, METV, VIVA Florida
500, SCORE, MTI, ITT Tech Interns, Hernando De Soto Historical Society,
and Library affiliations – TBLC, ALA, FLA
Supporters
Board of Trustees
BOCC Representatives
Library Foundation
Friends:
Braden River, Central, Island, Palmetto, Rocky Bluff, South Manatee
Libraries continue to provide the traditional services they
have offered for over a century in America, advising and inviting
generations of readers to discover the love of books and reading. But
today’s libraries do much, much more:
v Manatee County Libraries spend less than $19 per capita locally
while the state’s average per capita expenditures for library services
come close to $28.
v Librarians train the public on basic internet use, computer
literacy, and assist with Kindles, laptops, phones, and pads. They also
support literacy with school visits, participation in community events,
partnerships with community agencies, creation exciting programs for
both children and adults, offering interesting guest speakers, seeking
grants, offering book signings, creation of video tutorials, purchase
and cataloging new books and materials, and providing compassionate
customer service.
v Wi-fi is available in all of our locations, along with over 100
internet workstations, including social service computers at which
citizens can apply for government assistance, create a resume, and seek
job leads.
v eBooks and eAudios can be checked out through our virtual library
from the comfort of your home or office. Magazine articles, business
information, language instruction, auto repair data, educational
testing, genealogy research, and much more are also available 24/7
through the library’s web page. Patrons can communicate via our
interactive social media outlets, make suggestions for purchase, book a
meeting room, search our catalog, enter contests, and get a suggestion
for their next good read.
v Homework, research, and referral services are provided in person, phone, email, and live chat via Ask-a-Librarian.
v The library is a neighborhood space for displaying arts and crafts,
offering a spot for community gatherings, providing a table for
tutoring, or for just enjoying the beautiful views.
v Our fee-free meeting rooms are popular feature at all of our
facilities. They are in almost constant use by a variety of local
nonprofit groups and government agencies, from homeowners associations
and hobbyists to Manatee Technical Institute and social service
coalitions for instruction and self-improvement.
v We offer opportunities to the public to help us fulfill our
mission. Volunteers put in the equivalent hours of 12 full time
employees this year. Our Friends groups fund programs and operate our
book stores and sales. Citizens serve on our Library Board and the
Library Foundation as well.
v The library regularly visits farmers markets, school open houses,
festival and fairs – including Snooty’s birthday party at the museum -
to register new borrowers for library cards and promote our services.
v The library hosts blood drives, coordinates food and clothing
drives, and distributes donated books to several social services
including the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, the Health Department, and
the Transitions Center.
v Special collections include a comprehensive genealogy collection,
the Eaton local history library, Spanish language materials, large print
books, literacy guides, audio visual formats including the portable
Playaway mp3 players, young adult books, and magazines and newspapers.
v Literacy Kits have been researched and compiled to assist parents
in teaching the basics of literacy to their young children through
interactive manipulatives, books, and activities.
v Our citizens can obtain easy access to government documents through our depository collection and online sites.
v And there is more to come: Creative spaces to enlighten the public
about new technologies, business incubator programs that match mentors
with new small business owners, blogging, additional computer classes, a
redesigned public computer area at Central Library, a comprehensive
youth area to engage and encourage the creativity of local youngsters
and a new streaming movie service.
Revised 11/22/2014