REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Mathews Memorial Library
Bette Dillehay, Director
January 8, 2019
This report is intended to provide the Chairman and members of the Board of Trustees with a report of activities during the period November 13-January 8, 2019.
About the Board
We are pleased to welcome Jim Pavik as the incoming vice-chair for the Board of Trustees. We also welcome the return of Steve Wilson as chair and Reed Lawson as secretary.
Financial Report
Current Reporting Period
The current financial report is a statement of resources and expenses for a two-month period ending January 8, 2018. Operational expenses for the bi-monthly period totaled $23,601.60. Expenditures for library supplies (Acct. 6014) were higher than usual (current YTD $1,830.65), reflecting purchase of items to support the numerous activities associated with Deck the Hall programs.
Current unencumbered operating funds total $78,470.44. Included in unencumbered operating funds is $550.00 donated to the library – Mathews Ruritan $500.00 and $50.00 Willie/Ellen Anderson. It also includes $14,542 the amount of the C4K Leadership Grant. Subtracting this grant from the unencumbered amount leaves a total of $63,928.44.
Salaries and related expenses
No report has been received of expenses for salaries and related benefits through the report period of January 8. However, as of December 1, 2018, for the first five-month period in FY 2018-19, salaries and related benefits totaled $101,524.40, averaging $20,305 per month. The total amount budgeted for salaries and related benefits for FY 2018-2019 is $272,955 or roughly $22,746 per month. Of the total budgeted amount, $74,129 is allocated for benefits.
Patrons
The patron count for the library has, for some years, exceeded the county’s population. This continues to be the case; however, it was recently determined that it would be feasible to eliminate those patrons whose membership had been inactive (expired) for five or more years. As a result, the number of patrons now stands at 9,567. Of that number, roughly 75% are adult, 17% juvenile and 8% young adult. Obscured by the deduction is the number of new patrons (44) added during the report period.
Personnel
Carol Owens of Mathews was selected to fill the position to provide additional resources in the youth services area supervised by Carol McCormack, also a part-time staff member. Ms. Owens, while not trained in library services, is enthusiastic about the opportunity and has experience in working with youth. She has begun online training to increase her effectiveness as a member of the youth staff.
The staff once again showed great agility when called on to return numerous trees and 32 containers of holiday decorations and supplies to the library attic, an area rather primitive and reached by pull-down stairs. Fortunately, the task was accomplished without mishap.
Programs
No time of year is busier at the library than the holiday season. Staff members take great pleasure in offering the community a variety of programs under the general theme of “Deck the Halls.” This past season was no exception when we recorded the highest participation (280) since launching the series in 2005. Thanks go to the Friends and to those of you who helped make it such a success.
Among other activities, Carol McCormack, Maude Donovan and Greg Lewis teamed up to create a float representing the library in the annual Christmas Parade. The result was celebrated when it was announced that the library float had been selected as the float best representing the theme of the parade – “Tales of Christmas.”