2,001 items were added to the Broken Bow Public Library's collection
during the 2008-09 fiscal year. Items added include adult, teen and children's fiction and non-fiction books, audiobooks on
CD, videos and DVDs.
11,404 individuals used the free public access computers at our library during
the 2008-09 fiscal year for a total of 8,696 hours. And, because we offer free Internet wireless, we have
many from our community, as well as people traveling through our area, who stop by daily to use that service.
In December
2008, we completed the conversion of our catalog, circulation, and report records to the new Destiny software program.
This program allows us to have all the library's resource management under one server and also allows people to access our
catalog online either in the library or remotely. In addition, people with valid library cards can access their accounts
online.
We were part of a group purchase of online EBSCO databases in early 2009. With these
databases, the library offers our patrons free online access from our website to an auto repair reference center, a home improvement
reference center, and a hobbies/crafts reference center.
Over 6,400 children and youth were served throughout
the year with a variety of programming. The programs include summer reading; after-school activities--"Tuesday
Tales," "Wii Wednesdays," and "Story Time Thursdays"; Friday lapsit programs; mobile story
time visits to preschools and daycares; and school visits.
Nearly 1,110 young adults and adults attended events held
at the library. Those events included the Nebraska Humanities Chautauqua film and book series, Nebraska author Ladette
Randolph's book reading, art exhibits, "Library After Hours" and "Gaming After Hours" for teens,
as well as adult and teen book discussions.
NEWS:
Broken Bow was
accepted as a “Read Aloud Community” in January 2009 thanks to an application submitted by Assistant
Library Director Megan Svoboda. The designation recognized that Broken Bow was committed to reading aloud to children of all
ages and the Library received a $250 mini-grant as a “Read Aloud Community.” That money was used
to help with Family Fun Reading Night activities.
The library hosted the Book and Film Series preceding
the Nebraska Humanities Council Chautauqua that was held over five days in Broken Bow in June. Discussions on books and films
dealing with Bright Dreams, Hard Times: America in the Thirties were held from January through May.
Over 125 individuals attended the three book discussions, while nearly 90 people attended the film, Grapes of Wrath,
at the Tiffany Theater on June 15th.
“Wii Wednesdays,” an after-school program for children in 3rd grade
and older, received a second Wii gaming system in March 2009 thanks to a donation from KCNI/KBBN.
In
April 2009, we were notified that our library was selected to receive a National Endowment for the Humanities We the
People “Picturing America” Bookshelf grant. As a result, the library received several classic books for
all ages on the theme of “Picturing America.”
Members of the Library Board, the Library Foundation Board,
Library staff and Mayor McMeen met with a representative from the USDA in June to discuss grants and funding
available for library addition and renovation.
Megan Svoboda, Assistant Library Director, was one of 30 library
employees from across Nebraska selected as a participant in the 5th Nebraska Leadership Institute in July.
The Institute provides future library leaders a development opportunity to examine their own leadership styles and gain knowledge
and skills for effective leadership in a changing environment.
“Be Creative @ Your Library,
” the 2009 summer reading program far surpassed our expectations and the numbers broke
all previous summer reading records! 231 children registered for the program, 136 recorded their
reading time for a total of 2038 hours (that equals nearly 85 days) and 61 children were
grand prize winners. And, 111 Broken Bow individuals and businesses generously donated prizes and money to the program.
The second year of Family Fun Reading Night began in the fall. This successful program, involving
15 families and 45 people, is funded by the Friends of the Library and grants.
Broken
Bow Public Library Facts and Figures 2008-09
- Library card holders 5,654
- Items in collection
26,058
- Books 24,749
- Audiobooks 1,366
- Videos/DVDs 460
- Magazines/newspaper subscriptions 70
- Other
135
- Electronic databases 25 (21are funded by Nebraska Library Commission)
- Items checked out 43,366
- Library
visits 30,484
- Reference questions answered 6,559
- Program attendance 7,620
- Individuals using
public access computers 11,404
- Hours public access computers used 8,696
Revenues
- City
of Broken Bow library fund budget $159,827
- Nebraska Library Commission state aid 1,189
Other:
- non-resident fees/fines 1,849
- Read Aloud Nebraska mini-grant 250
Total
$163,115
Expenditures
- Personnel and benefits $119,847
- Library materials 20,543
- Operating
expenditures 19,547
- Equipment 693
- Infrastructure -0-
Total $160,630
