Annual report

2006

mountainside public library

            2006 was a remarkable year for the Mountainside Public Library. Circulation use increased significantly. Service hours expanded both literally, by opening on Wednesday nights, and virtually, with round-the-clock access to new electronic databases and subscription web sites. New programs and special events were offered. Interior space was redesigned for increased functionality. Design elements were introduced to make the environment more pleasing. In all, an integrated effort throughout the year focused on attracting and serving Mountainside residents.

            Overall circulation increased 7.9%, with an additional 6113 items checked out, which nearly doubled last year’s increase of  4.3%, +3166 items. This singular increase accounts for 7.3% of total circulation during the year and additional use is reflected in many areas of the collection.

            Circulation of adult books rose 4.2% while young adult books surged 52%. Children’s book circulation increased 3.8%, a gratifying turnaround from the decline in 2005. Collections worth noting include:

                        Adult new books, +2.5%

                        Adult fiction (older titles), +1%

                        Large Print Circuit, +64%

                        Large type (our collection), +37%

                        Interlibrary Loans, +22%

            Continuing previous trends, circulation of audiovisual materials continues to soar. Media use overall rose 14%. Breakdowns include compact discs, +94%; audio books on CD, +20%; DVDs, +27%. The extraordinary popularity of DVDs is better reflected in their count; 24,186 were checked out in 2006. DVDs alone comprise 61% of all audiovisual use and 29% of the library’s total circulation. Audio books on cassette dropped 50% and videocassettes, -51%, due not only to lack of new materials in these formats but also to declining use of older formats.

            Other use patterns were as follows:

            Library Collection (by materials)     Library Users (by age)             Library Users (by locale)

            Adult            63%                       Adult            84%                 Resident         87%

            Juvenile        33%                       Juvenile        14%                 Non-resident  13%

            Young Adult  4%                        Young Adult  2%

            Efforts toward better space planning were made throughout the year and resulted in many improvements. A full wall of shelving featuring a mix of new children’s materials was installed at the entrance to the room, mimicking the best practices of the retail market. Other children’s room changes included a custom computer table comfortably allowing for additional computers; retrofitting the picture book and easy reader shelving to provide sixteen more shelves in the same floor space; and an open compact disc cabinet for browsing. Among alterations in the adult section were attractive new reading tables; shelving to display large print books in a convenient location for seniors; new seating for the Internet network; and additional compact disc browsers tripling the space for future growth. Modifications were also made to the newspapers display, reference collection, magazines, NJ collection and other areas through improved placement and more pleasing display elements.

            Technology advancements in 2006 were wide-ranging. The Library Board determined to proceed with a major upgrade to the original Dynix system which provides integrated circulation and cataloging functions. Future migration to the Horizon platform will be cost-effective, reducing the need for replacement servers and lowering the annual maintenance costs, while also shifting responsibility for server management and technical issues from library staff to SirsiDynix personnel.

            Completed projects include two more workstations in the children’s room, one Internet and one Early Learning Station for preschoolers, increasing the total to five. In the adult area MS Office Suite was installed on all workstations, giving uniform and increased applications to the entire network. Wireless capability was strengthened to a reliable level in the meeting room for presentations and classes.

            Several online databases were added in 2006. A generous grant from the Union County Freeholders to all area libraries provided the New York Times Historical Newspapers and two genealogy resources. DearReader.com, an email book club was added and currently has 86 members. For children, Tumblebooks, an interactive web site featuring read-a-loud books with sound and animation was added in August. Book views since total 561. General Internet use, while difficult to quantify, is obviously one of the library’s most popular services. A snapshot of the six reference area workstations only logged 11,682 user sessions.

            Grants totaling $17,092 provided funding for several unique projects. A Watts Mountainside Community Foundation grant provided for the installation of theatre equipment in the meeting room, a DVD projector, full-size screen and surround sound speakers. With CD and radio capability, a new laptop with wireless projection and a wireless microphone, library staff, guest speakers and community groups will be able to further expand the room’s potential. A Karma Foundation grant provided a desktop color copier enhancing the library’s marketing efforts. Digitization of the local newspaper from microfilm is now complete through 2005 thanks to grant funding from both the Watts Foundation and the Union County Division of Cultural and Heritage Affairs. This valuable resource has been uploaded to the Local History web page, is available online in the library and offers researchers an electronic search function for quick access to specific articles.

            Programming, both traditional and unique, is a highlight of the library’s services. In 2006 featured events were the outdoor Patriotic Music Concert celebrating July 4^th and the Friends’ first Artists’ Showcase. Community groups at the library included the Rotary Club’s Bicycle Collection and a volunteer planting day by young people from a local church to spruce up the gardens.  Other programs hosted speakers about D-Day, the Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra and the DaVinci Code. For children, special events featured a Peter and the Wolf program, Magical Songwriting, a Drawing Graphic Novels class and a variety of animal visitors for the Summer Reading Program. In all, the library sponsored 122 programs attended by 858 adults and 1500 children.

            Members of the library Board of Trustees attended meetings throughout the area including the NJLA Trustee Institute; Infolink’s “Trends in Libraries”; and the annual reception sponsored by Libraries of Union County Consortium. Much time and effort was spent researching the Board’s position as an independent authority as State regulations came into conflict with the Municipality’s intentions.

            By coincidence, at the end of 2006, both professional staff members, Miriam Bein, Library Director, and Linda Corona, Public Services Librarian, resigned their positions. During their combined 32 years at Mountainside, they brought welcome change and an energized atmosphere of public service to the library. Under the Board’s guidance, new staff members with fresh ideas will further the Mountainside Public Library’s reputation as one of the best community libraries in New Jersey.