Fort Smith library activity up in 2009
by March 3, 2010 1:59 pm 64 views
Visits to and items checked out of the Fort Smith Public Library increased 4.3% and 5.9%, respectively, in 2009.
The library system, which employs 36.5 full-time and 55 part-time employees at the main library and the three branches, also reported in its 2009 report that computer use was up more than 22%. The library’s expenditures in 2009 was $2.584 million.
Library Director Jennifer Goodson said the 2010 goals include:
• Completing construction of the coffee shop;
• The near-total replacement of the carpet at the Main Library;
• Continued expansion and promotion of Library2Go;
• Continued expansion and promotion of the library’s online database offering downloadable audiobooks and eBooks free to library cardholders;
• Promotion of the 24/7 availability of more than 40 online databases, many of them in full text, available free to cardholders; and,
• Continued emphasis on quality programs for children, teens, and adults.
“I’m especially excited about a new program we’ll be introducing during National Library Week in April. We’ll be purchasing a Nintendo Wii gaming console and associated games and accessories with grant funding, and will hold a program focusing on Wii activities targeted to senior adults,” Goodson noted in an e-mail interview with The City Wire.
Following is the 2009 report from the Fort Smith Public Library.
2009 Strong for Fort Smith Public Library, Despite Challenges
More than 465,000 people visited the Fort Smith Public Library in 2009, checking out more than 526,000 items. The number of items checked out increased 5.9% in 2009 over the year before, and customer visits increased 4.3%.
Other measures of library utilization also saw significant increases in 2009. Computer use was up 22.9%, meeting room use was up 12%, and the number of requests library visitors made for information or assistance was up 17.5%. A total of 6,730 people filled out a library card application in 2009, an increase of 5.4% over the year before.
Library director Jennifer Goodson attributes the increases to several factors. She said many individuals are looking to stretch their dollars in light of today’s economic challenges, and they have discovered that with free books, videos, programs, and computers, the public library can help. She said library staff also focused extra efforts in 2009 on helping customers with job-related needs, providing information and resources ranging from resumes and interviewing skills to tracking down job openings and applying for positions online using library computers.
Goodson noted that while books are still central to the public library’s mission, today’s library is very different from public libraries of the past.
“We work hard to offer something for everyone,” she said. “Whether it’s books, DVDs, magazines, computers, wi-fi, or a really great program, we think there is something of interest to everyone at the public library.”
The Fort Smith Public Library Board of Trustees noted the success of the past year in conjunction with the annual performance review of library director Jennifer Goodson.
“The Board expressed its appreciation to Jennifer for her service and leadership in 2009,” Library Board President Chris Benjamin said. “We commended her once again for her direction of Public Library resources, staff, and services. We have confidence in her continued leadership.”
Benjamin noted that 2009 was a challenging year for the public library as utilization and demand for library resources increased but some funding sources fell short of estimates.
“Financially, the library’s property tax receipts and sales tax income came in lower than anticipated,” he said. “However, with conservative spending and some mid-year cuts, the library was able to end 2009 positively, without needing to tap reserve funds to balance the budget.”
Benjamin pointed to the library’s new Library2Go downloadable audio and ebook database as a popular new service introduced in 2009. He said the Library Board also is looking forward to the April opening of the coffee shop in the Main Library. The coffee shop construction is being funded by donations and will be operated by Sweet Bay. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the library.