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A list of major accomplishments for 2020 and the introduction of the 2021 budget were highlighted during the year-end meeting of the James V. Library's Board of Trustees recently.
This year, one of the major challenges faced by the library was the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The last minute closure order, the uncertainty of it all, transferring to a remote work environment, developing policies, procedures and guidelines for staff to telework and then return to a safe working environment, were all challenges that tested us in unique ways," Barbara S. McGary, the library's executive director, said in her report to the board.
McGary noted that the staff at the library worked to develop new service models for the delivery of services. They also acted to freeze budgets, reduce hours and significantly reduced the library's workforce in anticipation of the loss of revenue resulting from the pandemic.
The library was able to secure funding through various grants as well as participating in the Paycheck Protection Program, which yielded $277,700 in forgiven loans.
During the pandemic the library had transition to virtual programming earlier in the year when the library was shutdown for in-person use. In the fall, they were able to offer a mix of virtual and in-house services as well as offer curated book collections for outreach programs.
"These innovations developed Facebook virtual programming followings, the rise of the James V. Brown Library YouTube Channel and a tremendous Virtual Summer Learning Program," McGary shared.
One major innovation instituted this year was the development of a holds pick-up service for reserved items where patrons reserved materials online or by phone to be picked up at the library.
McGary said that community response to this particular program has been overwhelming.
"We see a great deal of potential in expanding this service as a goal for 2021 towards an innovative new drive-thru service," she said.
The bookmobile campaign is almost at the halfway point of the funding needed to replace the outdated vehicle, McGary reported with the total now at $224,272.
The library also ended the year with the completion of a digital newspaper archive and the expansion of the archive to include Sun-Gazette pdfs from 2006 onward.
McGary also detailed other accomplishments for the year in professional development, capital and facility improvements and fiscal responsibility this included implementing a new organizational structure to make the library more lean in "efficient ways that will sustain us for upcoming economic downturns while providing for growth for times when funding will be more secure and certain," McGary added.
Looking ahead, in addition for plans to have the library go fine-free in 2021, Mc Gary listed focus goals for the upcoming year. These include implementing a revised organizational structure, design and create fund development activities to expand the library's donor base and to cultivate partnerships in order to provide essential library services, literacy and lifelong learning opportunities to residents of the local community as well as those living in the far reaches of the county. Other goals include researching and developing new convenient services like the holds pick-up service implemented during the pandemic, as well as providing the needed updates and improvement to the facility.
The 2021 balanced budget presented at the meeting totals $2,040,773. It reflects a significant decrease in salaries and wages, of $71,471, due to the new organizational structure positions at the library. By going fine-free next year, the library anticipates a decrease of $14,300 in income for the year.
The library is facing next year with level funding from not only the state district, the state aid from the library system, but also at the county level, funding is slated to remain the same.
In terms of fundraising, the library is hoping that next year will offer a return to a normal gala year, according to Kristin Caringi, CFO and COO at the library. The library gala is the largest fundraiser of the year, featuring popular authors as featured speakers. This year's gala with author David Baldacci was rescheduled to next year.