Item 3C
Southlake Public Library
Board Report – June 2008
Services
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The Southlake Public Library is moving into our busy season, and the annual Summer Reading Club
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begins June 2 and runs through August 16. We have 3 programs a week and kids win prizes for
reading in 5 hour increments up to 35 hours. Local business sponsors the prizes so it is a chance for
our business community to interact in personal terms with residents. Last year we had over 1500
kids participate. We anticipate close to 1800 this year.
School Visits – Library staff visited all the Elementary and Intermediate schools in CISD promoting
the Summer Reading club, and doing a storybook theater and other storytelling. It provides excellent
market penetration when we can reach all the kids in our targeted grades for Summer Reading Club,
which is why we anticipate a growth in participants this year (staff was unable to make it to Carroll
Elementary last year).
The Library received a letter from a young man who attends our storytime that was addressed to
Jesse Ephraim the Youth Services Librarian, and he indicated that he was some enamored by the
storytimes presented by Jesse that he wanted to give back to the library so he sent us three $25.00
gift certificates from Southlake businesses for us to give away as prizes at the Summer Reading Club
– the child is a Keller resident. That is a true measure of the impact the library can have on our kids.
The library is currently displaying art from the Senior Center – the art on display will be periodically
rotated.
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Hours have been well received – The Library opened extended hours on February 4 and they
continue to be well received, particularly the Saturday hours. The consistent opening and closing
hours has made it much easier to remember when we are available.
Grants – Staff continues to work diligently to raise grant money, and have already exceeded the
amount we listed as one of our Key Accountability Indicators for the current FY, but the library is
always looking at ways to further leverage the money we receive from the city in our budget.
Visitor Stats – Year to Date:
Checkouts:
The Library saw a 14% increase in checkouts for April (20,848) and is up 7% (140,068) for
the fiscal year. These increases are following a 3 year period where we saw 200% growth. The Library
has seen a leveling off of new accounts and traffic as we have come closer to the saturation point with
70% of the community holding library cards. We are also reaching maximum limits on our traffic levels
due to space limitations.
Programming:
Storytimes were up 94% over last year in April with 2,691 people attending programs
during the period. The library is up 82% for the FY so far. Youth programming has been very strong
with large increases month after month. The Library was second in the state of Texas last year for
programming attendance for a community our size so it makes the 82% increase all the more impressive
Volunteer Hours:
The library was up 35% in volunteer hours in April with 355.5 hours for the month.
Over 1525 hours have been worked by volunteers this fiscal year in the library, and that is a 37%
increase over last year.
Any questions please contact Kerry McGeath (8384)
Respectfully submitted by the Southlake Public Library Board:
Wanda SchaferLori BurrC.D. PeeblesBarbara Jeppe
Brenda FloresKim RobertsJune Koelker
Southlake Public Library
- Board Report - 6/03/2008 - Page 1 of 1