1,249 items were added to the Broken Bow Public Library's collection during the 2007-08 fiscal year. Items added include adult, teen and children's fiction and non-fiction books, audiobooks on CD, videos and DVDs.

10,728 individuals used the free public access computers at our library during the 2007-08 fiscal year. This was a 24% increase over the previous year. In addition, those users logged a total of 8,274 hours. A fifth public access computer was added in December of 2007 to assist those needing this service. And, since we have free Internet wireless available, many travelers, students and others in our community with laptops stop in and utilize that service. Over the last five years, we've seen:

• a 16% increase in individuals using the library
• a 47% increase in children's program attendance
• a 38% increase in those attending programs for young adults and adults.

4,580 children and youth were served throughout the year with a variety of programming. The programs include summer reading; after-school activities including "Tuesday Tales," "Wii Wednesdays," and "Story Time Thursdays"; the Friday lapsit programs; book discussions; mobile story time visits to preschools and daycares; and school visits.

1,620 young adults and adults attended events held at the library. Those events included Nebraska Humanities programs "Between Fences" and "One Book One Nebraska 2008" with author William Kloefkorn. In addition, other programs sponsored by the library included presentations by noted authors, art exhibits, travelogues, "Library After Hours" and "Gaming After Hours" for teens, as well as adult and teen book discussions.

110 groups use the library meeting room for continuing education classes for area professionals, civic gatherings, and Scout meetings. This total includes the nearly 40 Mid-Plains Community College classes and testing held in the meeting room. Nearly 375 students were involved in these Mid-Plains activities.

NEWS:

Infrastructure funds were used to replace the lighting throughout the library in late 2007. Not only did the new lighting create a better reading environment, the energy efficient lights have helped reduce our utility costs. Infrastructure funds also were used to purchase end caps for various bookcases throughout the library. The end caps provide the perfect way to create special displays.

Our library participated in One Book One Nebraska and were honored when William Kloefkorn, author of the 2008 selection Restoring the Burnt Child, presented his Humanities program at the library in April 2008. A large crowd was on hand for the program that highlighted his memoirs of growing up in Kansas during the 1940s.

In April 2008, we were notified that our library was selected to receive a National Endowment for the Humanities We the People "Created Equal" Bookshelf grant. As a result, the library received a collection of classic books dealing with equality and aimed at young readers.

We started an Adult and Teen Summer Reading Program in June. This program was extremely successful thanks to the many area businesses who donated weekly prizes.

"Gaming After Hours" kicked off in June 2008. This teen program is held on some Saturdays as part of "Library After Hours." When school started, the program grew to include "Wii Wednesdays," an after-school program. The equipment and games were purchased with a Meridian Library System Youth Services Grant and a donation from Pamida to the Library Foundation.

The library's entryway was made more appealing in August with new paint and decorations donated by Messages.

"Family Fun Reading Night" started in September 2008. Megan Svoboda and Kim Blackburn planned this new program that is free and open to families with children in pre-school through 6th grade. Reading night is held monthly and 14 families are enrolled. This program received the money raised during our local Runza's 6th Annual Great Books for Great Kids fundraiser. The Friends of the Library also help fund this literacy-related program.

• Library card holders 5,165
• Items in collection 26,058
• Books 24,805
• Audiobooks 480
• Videos/DVDs 643
• Magazines/newspaper
• subscriptions 68
• Other 130
• Electronic databases 21(Funded by Nebraska Library Commission)
• Items checked out 42,919
• Library visits 29,136
• Reference questions answered 6,562
• Program attendance 6,200
• Individuals using public access computers 10,728
• Hours public access computers used 8,274

• City of Broken Bow library fund budget $178,325
• Nebraska Library Commission state aid 1,314

       Other:

• non-resident fees/fines 1,607
• MLS youth services grant 500

Total $181,746

• Personnel and benefits $112,027
• Library materials 21,488
• Operating expenditures 14,868
• Equipment 1,950
• Infrastructure 18,165

Total $168,316