FY2005/2006 Annual Report

The following report covers the time period of July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006.

Library Usage Highlights

Highlights of library usage statistics:

• Library patrons visited the library this year a record 253,579 times
• A record 3,355 patrons registered for library cards this year
• Total circulation is up by 8.4% -- record 543,422 items were checked out
• DVD checkouts have increased by 31.2%
• Total Music CD checkouts have increased by 8.1%, including an 19% increase in Children's CD checkouts
• Circulation of Adult books increased by 3% this year, while circulation of Young Adult books increased by 14.3% and Children's books by 15.5%
• Total reference and information transactions increased by 17.3%, including a 15% increase at the Adult Services reference desk, an 31% increase at the Children's reference desk, and a 13% increase at the Information Desk in the Circulation Department
• Total program attendance increase this year by 26.3%, to a new record of 41,869 attendances
• Library website (www.wauclib.org) visits increased by 42% usage also hit an all-time annual record of 182,925 online visits involving 268,574 page views
• Online visits to the library-sponsored Wauconda Area Community Website (www.waucondaarea.info) increased by 142% to an all-time record of 159,068 visits
• Online renewals of materials done by patrons themselves hit an all-time high of 19,745 for the year

Library Usage Statistics: FY0405 Compared to FY0506

	FY0405	FY0506	% Change
Population Served*	22,036	22,036	0
Total Active Borrowers**	17,397	16,636	-4.3%
Total Information Transactions
Adult Services Department	38,737	44,714	15.4%
Children's Services Department	43,228	56,757	31.3%
Circulation Department	121,814	137,486	12.9%
Library Total	203,779	238,957	>17.3%
Reference Transactions
Adult Services Department	22,404	23,172	3.4%
Children's Services Department	15,885	46,565	112.4%
Circulation Statistics
Adult Materials Loaned ***	333,390	300,926	-9.7%
Children's Materials Loaned ***	168,046	242,496	44.3%
Library Total	501,436	543,422	8.4%
Interlibrary Loan
Items requested and received by our patrons from other libraries	4,137	4,707	13.8%
Items request by and sent to other libraries for their patrons	3,618	3,516	-2.8%
Program Attendance
Adult Programs	11,096	13,652	23.0%
Children's Programs	21,148	25,752	21.8%
Non-Library Meeting Attendance	904	2,465	172.7
Library Total	33,148	41,869	26.3%
Internet Usage
Library website page views	256,368	268,574	4.8%
Circulation by area of residence
Wauconda	272,890	275,615	1%
Island Lake	122,285	125,391	2.5%
Port Barrington	15,512	17,776	14.6%
Portens	8,971	8,456	-5.7%
Orchard Hills / Liberty Lakes	5,235	13,370	155.4%
Outside of library district	76,326	83,035	8.8%
Circulation by age group
Adults (18+)	328,430	351,667	7.1%
Teens (14-17)	24,499	23,148	-5.5%
Child (5-13)	59,580	67,033	12.5%

*  Population figure is based on the 2000 Census.  Actual population has 
    increased, but exact figures are not known at this time. 

** New criterion: number of registered card holders used within Fiscal year

*** New criteria: more specificity (i.e. children's DVDs and CDs now counted separately

Administration

• Further increases in all library materials and program budgets in order to enable continued upgrading of all collections and attract more library patrons
• Coordinated the final payoff of the 1996 library building bond, refunded at a lower interest rate, resulting in a total net savings to taxpayers of $196,000 over the remaining 11-year term of the debt.
• Staff institute day at library focusing on cultural diversity sensitivity and team-building
• Established a new secured web page for use by the library's trustees, designed to improve trustee access to library information, policies and documents
• Application for and receipt of $18,900 “Creative Use of Libraries” grant for establishing new
• e-book and e-audiobook services, including iPods and eBook devices for checkout
• Established ePay system for secure online payment of fees, fines, and donations
• Trustee training sessions were presented at regular board meetings.  Topics this year included family literacy, tax increment financing, and demonstrations of library tools such as the PC Reservation system, iPods, and wireless laptop computers.
• Library Director served on the NSLS NorthStarNet Policy and Planning Advisory Committee
• Library Director served on the Cultural Diversity Committee of the United Partnership for a Better Community
• Revised or established policies:
  • Personnel Policy (confidentiality statement and deletion of donated sick time policy)
  • Circulation Policy (confidentiality statement and reciprocal borrower restrictions)
  • Internet Usage.
  • Meeting Room Policy

Public Relations (See also School Outreach and Outreach to the Business Community, below)

• Promotional campaign: Wauconda Area Library was named NSLS 2005 Library of the Year (North Suburban Library System).  Promotional benefits and campaign noted in Public Libraries, the primary trade journal serving public libraries nationwide.
• "A Great Day @ Your Library" September 24, 2005, celebrating the "Library of the Year" award and Library Card Sign-Up Month -- record attendance of more than 1,500 people.
• Worked with the United Partnership in development of programs promoting cultural diversity, and community outreach to teens and seniors
• Worked with the United Partnership for a Better Community in planning Family Literacy Classes -- a truly innovative and collaborative program involving the College of Lake County, the Wauconda Park District, School District 118, and the Wauconda Area Library, made possible by Congressman Kirk's FIRST program ("Families Involved in Reading Stories Together").
• Most successful Library Card Sign-Up Month and business partnership to date, with 597 new card registrations and 110 participating businesses
• Established a new, improved community website -- www.waucondaarea.infoa community portal providing web pages loaded with information, a community calendar, photographs, and links pertaining to or of interest to the the communities of Wauconda, Island Lake, Lake Barrington, Port Barrington, Lakemoor, and Volo, including unincorporated Wauconda Township. 
• Established new website for the United Partnership for a Better Community -- www.unitedpartnership.org
• Co-hosted the most successful Annual Friends Book Sale to date, earning more than $4,000 for the Friends of the Library
• Continued distribution of a periodic library e-newsletter to more than 2,300 library patrons with active email addresses
• Web-based annual report promoting the library’s many accomplishments
• Welcome Packets including free pen for all new patron
• Booth and library program at Wauconda Business Expo
• Three editions of FOCUS, the library newsletter, including full-color 8-page format, were distributed to more than 12,000 households and businesses throughout the library district. 
• Patron Appreciation Reception and daily "Coffee Hour" during National Library Week
• Food for Fines program accepting food donations in lieu of overdue fines
• Voter registration service
• Notary Public service

School Outreach 

• All the programs initiated last year have been continued, and several new services have been initiated or are in the planning process
• Family literacy classes partnership with WHS, CLC, and the Park District; expanded programming for ESL students and Hispanic students, and several important online academic databases. 
• Library website featured the school district’s “Show Them What You know” campaign, promoting parental and community support for students taking ISAT and PSAT exams in march and April
• Acquisition of required textbooks from local area schools for a centralized School Textbook Collection in both the adult and children's reference departments of at the library
• Improved ESL resources, including addition of a bilingual reference staff member and automatic web-based translation of the library website
• Hosted New Faculty Visit
• Hosted School Librarians Breakfast
• Attended school librarians meetings at Curriculum Office
• Hosted visits to Children's Services Department for District 118 5th Grade classes
• Hosted behind-the-scene tours for District 118 3rd Grade classes
• Hosted library visits for Messiah Lutheran preschool classes
• In cooperation with District 118’s bilingual team, the library welcomed ESL families and conducted tours of the library
• Library presence at Curriculum Nights at Dist. 118 schools during September
• Library presence at Family Reading Night at the Wauconda Grade School

Outreach to the Business Community

• Worked with Wauconda and Island Lake Chambers of Commerce to promote their programs Community Website and Community Calendar
• Library Card Sign-Up Month (September, 2005) business partnership with 122 participating businesses.  The library promoted these businesses in print and on the Internet.  In return, the participating businesses provided free or discounted products or services when customers showed their library cards.
• Participated in Wauconda Chamber Expo
• Worked with Wauconda Women in Business Council in initial formation of the group, providing meeting space with amenities
• Provided meeting space for Wauconda Chamber Industrial Alliance (CIA)
• 2-page article in the Wauconda Chamber Community guide
• Inclusion in the Island Lake Chamber map of Island Lake, promoting the library and the Wauconda Area Community Website
• Attended Wauconda Economic Development Committee meetings
• Attended Wauconda Chamber's Main Street Group meeting

Library Facility and Grounds

• Replaced carpeting in Genevieve Lincoln Community Meeting Room with carpet tiles for more cost-effective maintenance
• Parking lot was seal-coated and re-striped
• New large white pines was planted, replacing one which had died
• Repaired front stairway

Adult Services Department

The Adult Services staff presented 178 programs for adults and 81 programs for young adults.  Included were 31 computer classes, 56 sessions of adult book discussions, 14 sessions of young adult book discussions, 11 concerts, 36 feature films, 2 bus trips, 25 instructional programs for young adults and 53 informational and instructional programs for adults.  These programs were attended by over 13,652 young adults and adults for an increase of 23% over last fiscal year.

Free weekly tax assistance to individuals over the age of 55 was offered by two experienced AARP volunteers during tax season in 2005.  Over 265 people took advantage of this program held in the Quiet Study Room.  Extra sessions were added to accommodate the volume of requests.

Highlights of reading programs included:

• Summer Reading Club 2005---Superheroes: Powered by Books!
• Winter/Spring Reading Club 2006—Warm Up with a Good Book
• Summer Reading Club 2005—X Marks the Spot!  Reading Adventures Begin @ Your Library
• Big Ticket coupon booklet sponsored by the Daily Herald
• Read and Win with Abe: Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award for Grades 9-12
• Rebecca Caudill Book Club for Grades 6-8

Highlights of Young Adult Programs included:

• DDR Electronic Game Spot (Dance Dance Revolution)
• Hispanic Heritage Craft Celebration
• Teen Fall Film Festival
• Library After Hours Teen Performance Café
• Civil Air Patrol Rocketry
• College 101:  Facts about Financial Aid, Selecting a College Major
• Anime and Manga Art Mania
• Rooks and Books Chess Club
• Snack and Study Nights for High Schoolers
• Drop-In Crafts: Beaded Earrings, Magnet Holders

Highlights of Adult programs included:

• Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
• Harvest Cooking with Chef Dave Essau
• Caribbean Cooking with Trader Joe’s
• Daniel Burnham Speaks on the Columbian Exposition
• Wine-ology 101
• War Letters:  American History Brought to Life
• Golden Age of the Pharaohs with Dr. James Breasted
• One Minute Stress Management for Moms
• For What It Is Worth with Karl Gates
• Networking, Interviewing and Marketing Yourself

COMPUTER CLASSES

Nearly 300 adult patrons attended introductory computer classes held in the lower level Wireless Lab.A contracted computer instructor for H.S. District 214 Community Education taught introductory classes for the Computer; the Internet; Web-based E-mail; Digital Camera; Microsoft Word; Microsoft Access; and Microsoft Excel.

GRANTS

Three grants were awarded to the Adult Services Department. 1) The Family Reading Grant in the amount of $2,000 was awarded by the Target Corporation to increase participation in family reading programs in libraries.  This amount was applied to the Adult Services Department’s Summer and Winter Reading programs.  2) The Wal-Mart grant in the amount of $1,750 was awarded to both purchase library resources to enable the Hispanic community to learn, speak and write English, and to learn to use computers. This amount was applied to the purchase of two major Hispanic multi-media resources, Inglés sin Barreras, and Computación sin Barreras.  3) The ‘We the People Bookshelf: Becoming American’ grant was awarded to the library by the collaborative program of the American Library Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities, that encourages young people to read classic books and explore themes in American history, culture, and ideas. The bookshelf of fifteen patriotically themed books aimed at third graders through high school was chosen by the NEH in consultation with the Association for Library Services to Children and Young Adult Library Services Association.  This bookshelf was centrally displayed during U.S. patriotic holidays with red, white and blue lights and banners and a digital picture frame of early immigrants to the U.S.

PUBLICITY AND MARKETING

The Wauconda Area Library e-news was created as an online newsletter for library patrons to highlight current library programs, activities and resources, to offer helpful consumer, research and community information, and to report the latest library-related trends in informational technology.  Adult Services staff made significant contributions to content creation, design and layout for various issues during the year.

REFERENCE AND RESEARCH

To expand reference and research service to both students and the general public, Culture Grams and SIRS Discoverer were added to the library’s collection of online subscription databases. These included Thomson Gale’s Contemporary Authors, Contemporary Literary Criticism, Dictionary of Literary Biography, General Reference Center Gold, Student Resource Gold, and Testing and Education Resource Center.  Novelist, for reader’s advisory, tutor.com (Live Homework Help,) Brain Pop, an animated educational resource, and World Book online were continued.  Two Proquest genealogy databases, Ancestry.com, and HeritageQuest, were continued along with the Daily Herald online and Physician’s Desk Reference.  The business and residential database, Reference USA, was upgraded with remote access.  Record Information Service, a compilation of business foreclosures, bankruptcies, new homeowners, and new business owners, as reported by Illinois county courthouse filings, was continued.  Single user in-library databases were also continued including Morningstar, Value Line, Consumer Reports, Publishers Weekly, and Statesman’s Yearbook.

Informational requests phoned into the Reference Desk increased by 25% while lengthier reference requests phoned into the Reference Desk increased by 10%.  In-person informational requests increased by 38%.  A total of more than 44,714 requests were made to the Reference Desk staff, an increase of 15% over the last fiscal year.

SCHOOL OUTREACH

School outreach services continued with the annual jointly sponsored financial aid program with Wauconda High School; additional Snack and Study nights for students during exam weeks; increased staff presentations at the local district schools, such as Open House nights and high school lunch hour visits; increased student field trips to the library for general and YA Departmental tours such as the Boys Read Group from the Wauconda Middle School Special Education Class and the Summer School Success Celebration, which included a multi-media environmental presentation, natural snacks, and the creation of rain sticks to celebrate the completion of summer school.  Numerous bookmarks, bibliographies, flyers, booklets, posters and signs created by YA staff were distributed to students, teachers and school library media specialists either at the schools or during library tours.

LITERACY/HISPANIC OUTREACH

Literacy circulation statistics increased by 37% due to 1) the posting of library  posters at local grocery stores, restaurants, churches and the laundromat; 2) the posting of more bilingual signs and posters from community organizations and institutions, including nearby Ela Public Library and College of Lake County, 3) staff marketing more heavily to the ESL instructors and students at Dist. 118 Community Education classes; 4) increased ESL presentations at the library; and 5) posting events on the NSLS World Language CoP.

A First Time Home buying program offered in Spanish and many tours of the library and its services were offered.  The Enciclopedia Hispanica, aimed at the Hispanic population, was purchased for the Spanish non-fiction collection.  A Polish language collection was developed to address the needs of the growing local Polish population, as well.

COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT

The Adult Services Department staff continued a vigorous weeding of the Adult and Young Adult collections.  Technological change in various audiovisual formats necessitated the purchase of CD audio books in place of cassette audio books, and DVDs in place of VHS formats.  At the same time gaps in subject coverage were filled by purchasing titles listed in professional reviewing resources, purchasing titles of significance requested by patrons, and adding valuable donated items.  As a result, 8955 YA and Adult items were added to the collection and 7884 items were withdrawn.

The Fiction Collection of the Adult Services Department was expanded with the addition of 36 inch long shelf units onto the end of each Fiction range.  The New Periodicals Reading Area was reconfigured with the removal of the large, central newspaper display unit and replaced with a group of acrylic wall display racks, which allowed for greater visibility and ease of access for patrons.  The Young Adult Area was expanded with additional displays, signs, and a display table to promote various areas of the collection.

CIRCULATION

Notable increases in the circulation of Young Adult materials included a 14% increase in YA resources overall including a 16% increase in Non-Fiction and a 42% increase in graphic novels.

Notable increases in Adult print materials included a 5% increase in Adult Fiction, a 6% increase in Mystery, a 27% increase in Large Print, and a 30% increase in Religious fiction.   As previously mentioned Literacy had a 37% increase which included all formats.

Audiovisual increases included a 47% increase in Fiction Audiobooks in CD format, a 27% increase in Non-fiction Audiobooks in CD format, a 28% increase in Fiction DVDs and a 49% increase in Non-fiction DVDs.

Children’s Services Department

USAGE OF CHILDREN’S COLLECTIONS

The circulation of Children’s print materials (139,060 items checked out) increased overall by 16%, with impressive increases in several notable areas: Spanish books (+210%), easy readers (+20%), picture books (+18%), and board books (+24%.)  Usage of Children’s audiovisual resources increased substantially: CDs (+19%) and DVDs (+40%.)  Two hundred book displays and audiovisual resources displays were created to make elements of the Children’s collections more accessible, and thirty-one bibliographies were developed to promote various high-interest components of the Children’s print collections.  Several collection maintenance projects were undertaken to remove old, inaccurate, and damaged resources in the following collections:  juvenile nonfiction, board books, series, and periodicals.

REFERENCE SERVICES

The Children’s reference desk was extraordinarily busy this year, handling 56,757 requests for information, reference, readers’ advisory services, and equipment assistance – an increase of 31% compared to last fiscal year. 

COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT

At the end of the fiscal year, the Children's collection contained 46,285 items: print resources (38,498), AV resources (7,600), and specialty collections, including kits, puppets, and teacher bags (187.)

OUTREACH TO SCHOOLS

Outreach services to elementary schools and preschools increased substantially.  Forty-seven teacher book bag requests, encompassing ninety-four separate topics, were filled to support curricular units.  Forty-four classes of students came to the library on field trips, and the Children's librarians visited forty-three classes at Messiah Preschool, Transfiguration School, ETC Preschool, Creative Playtime Center, and Young Scholars Preschool to present thematic storytimes. The Children's staff planned and presented Summer Success Celebrations (consisting of a special storytime for the younger students, interactive booktalks for the older children, and library tours and take-home prizes for both groups) for 71 students who attended summer school in 2005.  In addition to developing two issues of the library's newsletter for educators, The Teacher Connection, the Children's staff published a newsletter, The Book Report, for kindergarten through fifth grade students.  Distributed monthly to over 2,200 students in both public and private schools within the library district, The Book Report provided detailed information about exciting library programs, highly acclaimed resources, and special events for children and families.  The Children’s Services staff created a new program, B.L.A.S.T. (Bringing the Library And Students Together) to encourage third through fifth grade students to use their public library for their informational, educational, and recreational interests and needs.

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

The Children’s Services staff presented 368 programs for children, which included 145 sessions of preschool and baby storytimes, eight reading programs, six book discussion clubs, and numerous special events and activities for children and families.  Attendance at children’s programs totaled 25,752, an increase of 22% compared to last year.  Some of the highlights include:

• 2005 Summer Reading Club: Superheroes – Powered by Books
• 2006 Summer Reading Club: Voyage to Book Island
• Big Ticket Reading Project sponsored by the Daily Herald
• 2006 Family Reading Club: Reading in a Winter Wonderland
• Grow a Reader
• Library’s Open House
• A B C: After Baby Comes
• 1 2 3: Look At Me
• Computer Classes
• Pocket Circus
• World of Reptiles
• Barefoot Hawaiians
• Book Nook
• National Children’s Book Week
• Movies for Children
• Mother Daughter Book Club
• Parent Son Book Club
• Book Brunch Bunch
• Willy Wonka Party
• Harry Potter Party
• Destination: Fact Exploration
• Preschool Halloween Party
• Polar Bear Picnic
• Monarch Book Club
• Rebecca Caudill Book Club
• H.E.R.O.E.S. Book Club
• Graphic Novel Gang
• Survivor Book Club
• P.J. Storytime
• Drop-in Crafts
• Mother Daughter Crafts
• Teddy Bear Picnic
• Enchanted Tea Party

Children's Services staff attended various library workshops, seminars and institutes as part of their continuing education, and they participated in a number of Children's Services networking groups to exchange information and share expertise.  Highlights include:

• NSLS - "No Girls Allowed: Building a Father Son Book Discussion Group;" "Library Programming with Graphic Novels, Anime and Manga"
• SLS - Friends of the Library Workshop
• LACONI - "Morphing Into the Future: What's New in Technology PLUS Special Collections" and "Dress for Success"
• Lincoln Story League
• Library Volunteers Coordinators
• YLA Managers
• YLA Programmers
• Wauconda Area Library Staff Institute

Additionally, a member of the Children's Services staff presented a program at the annual conference of the Illinois Reading Council in Springfield, Illinois.  Based on the popular children's book discussion group that this staff member developed at the Wauconda Area Library, the Book Brunch Bunch, the presentation provided educators with engaging methods to enhance the literary explorations of intermediate students.

Circulation Services Department

	FY0405	FY0506	Increase
Total check-outs, check-ins and renewals	943,910	1,015,891	9.6%
New library cards issued	3,298	3,355	1.7%
Information or service transactions	121,814	137,486	12.9%
Fines collected	$38,958	$45,398	16.5%
Voters registered	225	235	4.4%

• Circulation staff assisted many patrons with the FlashScan self check out machine, resulting in a record number of users (8,714 patrons checked out 25,964 items – up 70% from the previous year).
• E-Pay: With the assistance of the Illinois State Treasurer’s office and the Administration Dept., patrons were able to pay library fines & fees, pay for Friends of the Library memberships or make donations thanks to E-Pay. Since its inception, forty-one E-Pay transactions have been recorded totaling $817.45.
• Food for Fines – During the holiday season, the Circulation Department administered the Food for Fines program. The library was able to recover many delinquent items and this also helped to replenish the local Food Pantry.
• Library Card Sign Up Partnership:  A record 122 businesses partnered for the annual Library Card Sign Up. Five hundred ninety-seven (597) new patrons were registered, thanks in large part to the September ‘Library of the Year’ celebration as well as school visits, open house table registrations and outreach to new residential areas during September.

Library Automation and Technical Services

• Installed PC Reservation, the best-reviewed PC access and session management software available, ensuring more effective  management of and more equitable public access to the library's computer workstations.
• Established new e-book and e-audiobook services (MyMediaMall and NetLibrary), including pre-loaded iPods and eBook devices for checkout
• Added four wireless laptop computers (six are now available) for checkout and use within the library
• Managed (with Dynix) the setup of the SIP interface needed for MyMediaMall and NetLibrary.  I continue to download the MARC records (now totaling approximately 4,500 titles) for these items.
• Made necessary preparations for replacing main servers for library's integrated library system (ILS).  Servers were replaced in July, 2006, with new state-of-the-art computers.
• Created new Item types and collection codes for YA periodicals and Polish language books.
• Created the new Anime DVD collection
• Continued weeding of CD collection and re-labeling of collections with larger type labels.
• Withdrew 7,833 items from the collection.
• Added 11,757 new items to the collection.
• Repaired approximately 2,000 items.

Net Growth of the Library's Collection After Weeding Old Materials

	FY0405	FY0506	% change
Books	86,159	90,083	4.6%
Periodical subscriptions	533	554	3.9%
Videos (VHS and DVD)*	13,971	13,818	-1.1%
Audio Recordings (Audiobooks and Music CD’s, and CD-ROM's)*	12,147	11,450	-5.7%
eBooks and eAudiobooks	0	3,700	n/a
Total holdings*	113,282	119,605	6%

*Net totals are lower because of "weeding" outdated, unused items

Financial Highlights

Library Receipts by Source	FY0405	FY0506	% Change
Tax Revenue	2,411,606	2,547,170	5.6%
Per Capita Grant (State of Illinois)	27,545	27,137	-1.5%
"Creative Use of Libraries" Grant	n/a	18,950	n/a
Developer Impact Fees	35,641	25,164	-29.4%
Gifts and Donations	999	5,887	489.3%
Fines and Fees	54,576	61,651	13%
All Other Receipts	106,504	100,731	-5.4%
Total Revenue*	2,545,633	2,725,039	7%*
Library Expenditures by Category
Salaries and Wages	1,015,763	1,147,769	13%
Employee Benefits (Insurance, Pension, etc.)	276,024	316,244	14.5%
Printed Matierals	140,634	157,429	11.9%
Videos (VHS and DVD)	32,222	39,074	21.3%
Music CD's	9,970	8,319	-16.6%
Audiobooks	11,392	13,285	13.6%
Automation	151,603	100,200	-33.9%
Maintenance and Supplies	124,173	135,952	9.5%
Utilities	53,915	59,696	10.7%
Building Bond/Mortgage	410,120	425,793	3.8%
Other	233,278	289,132	23.9%
Total Expenditures	2,459,094	2,692,893	9.5%