November 2011 ~ The Year in Review

As you read this the Holiday Season is fast approaching. I want to first start off by wishing each and every one of you the very best of the Holidays Season and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

As I look back at this last year the library system has undergone tremendous challenges and change and is a stronger organization as a result.

Our Accomplishments ~

We do have many accomplishments to our credit this year.

New Library Structure:

The Library was not immune from the economic downturn which did require our restructuring and downsizing to address a disparity between our revenues and expenditures. With declining Measure B sales tax revenues which had dropped 21% [$3M] and increasing salaries and benefit expenditures [increase of 20% or $2.98M since 2006/07] the Library had to make changes. Using the Goodrich Operational Audit conducted in 2008 as our roadmap, we implemented new models of service in June of this year.

While it has only been six short months, staff have reported that they are enjoying their new assignments and are appreciative of the opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people. Our customers have also indicated that they are happy with our services which remained largely unchanged.

New Library Foundation:

The Foundation for the Fresno County Public Library was incorporated in October. This fundraising organization will differ from the Friends in that it will focus on fundraising for capital projects so that we can continue to support the development and renovation of branch libraries.

New Services and Programs:

In late summer we introduced a new library card design that makes use of the Library’s new logo and tag line, A place to grow. The new colors and design allow us to embark on a re-branding process for all of our published materials so the Library is clearly identified with a unified design on anything produced. We also introduced the New and Now bestseller program and BookFlix for kids. We also added e-books to our collections with our opening collection achieving 100% circulation in the first month…clearly a popular service. On the lighter side of things Kit Fox, the Library’s new mascot arrived in October. Kit was generously funded by the Friends of the Library and will be out and about throughout the community at various events.