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Home My WebLink AboutMemo - Mail Packet - 4/5/2022 - Poudre River Public Library District - 2021 Report To The CommunityWe explore new ways to connect and engage with our community. CURIOUS We dream big and embrace change. We seek inventive ways to make a difference in people’s lives. INNOVATIVE We create opportunities for people to belong. We celebrate and reﬂect the diversity of our community. We are dedicated to free and equal access for all. INCLUSIVE We serve the community with integrity, excellence, and transparency. We are stewards of our community’s trust and tax-funded resources. ACCOUNTABLE REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY REFLECTING OUR VALUES Even as the Library District navigated changes throughout 2021, we never lost sight of our values and the reason why we do this work each day. Our commitment to our community creates libraries that are dynamic, socially-responsive community centers. It’s impossible to mention every example of how Library District values are reﬂected in our daily work, but we wanted to highlight some of the activities, partnerships, and services introduced in 2021. We foster networks and relationships to strengthen the entire community. COLLABORATIVE LIBRARY DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Diane Lapierre executive director Ken Draves deputy director & harmony library manager Eileen McCluskey old town library manager Currie Meyer council tree library manager Amy Lyons finance manager Mark Huber it and facilities manager Irene Romsa community outreach manager Tova Aragon collections manager Katie Auman communications manager Sabrina Strømnes human resources manager Fred Colby president Matt Schild vice president Corey Radman secretary / treasurer Becki Schulz member at large Joe Wise member at large Vacant member at large Vacant member at large LIBRARY LEADERSHIP TEAM CURIOUS Curious people welcome surprise and change in their lives. They try new things, seek out new people and perspectives, ask questions, and pursue unique solutions. The Library District embraces curiosity as a means of learning and as a way of enhancing our library services. We continually ask ourselves how to improve the library experience for our community. In 2021, answers to those questions presented opportunities to enhance in-person and digital experiences and create welcoming spaces for the community to use and enjoy. • Launched the redesigned and improved My Poudre Libraries App • Reconfigured shelving at each library to increase accessibility and improve browsing • Upgraded systems and made interior design improvements at Harmony Library • Renovated areas of Old Town Library including the lobby, the Friends of the Library Nook, and reading and work areas “When I moved to Fort Collins 15 years ago, one of the first things I did was get a library card! It was so important to me to have a place to find books, resources, and community... I’m so grateful for our library system and the programs that they offer to Fort Collins. I couldn’t imagine the Fort without it!” COLLABORATIVE The old adage is true: We are stronger together. In 2021, the Library found even greater strength of service by collaborating with local partners, organizations, and individuals to make an impact. • Our partnership with the City of Fort Collins improved digital access and equity by providing Chromebooks and personal Wi-Fi hotspots for checkout. • We partnered with Larimer County Workforce & Development to provide digital skills training to job seekers and access to the Northstar Digital Skills learning platform. • Early literacy and family engagement were the focus of partnerships with Downtown Fort Collins, Front Range Village Shopping Center, and Front Range Community College which allowed us to create Story Stroll activities and other family-friendly programs. • Large scale community events like Fort Collins Book Fest and Día de Muertos take a village to produce. We worked with dozens of partners to foster literacy and learning and Letter from the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear Poudre River Public Library District Community, It is with great pleasure that I am able to introduce the 2021 Poudre River Public Library District Report to the Community and also introduce myself as the new Executive Director of the District. 2021 was a year of transition for the District as staff continued to navigate through the challenges of providing service during the pandemic, planning for new leadership, and continuing to provide innovative, collaborative, and inclusive programs, collections, and access to resources. As we look to 2022 and beyond, the library will be “turning outward” to hear from voices across the district to help us develop new plans and services that foster an informed, inspired, and connected community where everyone belongs. Diane Lapierre Executive Director THANK YOU We appreciate the many individual and organizational donors whose support allows us to enhance library programs and collections. Individuals and organizations donating $100.00 or more: Jean Bosch Chrissy Brogdon Dingeldine Craig M. Chester Clothes Pony and Dandelion Toys Aparna Das-Caro Paul and Rosemary Eide Lori and Danny Feig-Sandoval Steve Foster GALS Denver Mary C. Hanna Julee and Jim Holden Peggy J. Ingram Chris and Wei Kain Anne and Bruce Macdonald Marty and Scott Marsh Sean McDonald and Laura Stretch Vincent Murphy Panorama Eye Care, LLC Jane Parker Tara Parr Judith J. Plows Wayne Schrader Laurie Sitzman Nancy Starling Ross Allison Stevens Barbara G. Stretch Jane Subenvol Mr. and Mrs. David Wakefield Lawrence L. Webber Madison West celebrate community, culture, and heritage, including Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, The Gardens on Spring Creek, Colorado State University Libraries, La Familia / The Family Center, and the Health District. INNOVATIVE Innovation is reflected everywhere at the Library District: in providing unique services, anticipating and meeting community needs, thinking creatively, and bringing forward programs. The Library felt a heightened urgency to deliver innovative services and try new things in 2021. Innovation is the key to continually meeting community needs and expectations for a world-class library. • Introduced monthly credits for free printing, copying, and scanning for library cardholders • Collaborated with the Larimer County Alternate Sentencing Department to hand out monthly Take-and- Make kits for at-home learning and creativity and more than 300 “Back to School” kits to local students • Worked with mentors, volunteers, and Alianza NORCO to host U.S. citizenship classes and study groups, helping dozens of individuals prepare for and pass the naturalization test and interview • Distributed more than 9,000 free books through our all- ages “Free Books for All” community program • Assisted the Latinx community with COVID-19 vaccination signups and health information using the Spanish phone line • Added to the collection new educational items like Launchpad tablets, children’s puzzles, and the Scholastic Teachables digital resource “I’m starting to come to the library and using your awesome computers and quiet rooms resources. I’m in my 60s and not as computer savvy. I applaud the library for providing very friendly and patient and kind, helpful staff to not demean my lack of knowledge but show me with kindness the workings of things. Makes me want to be here and feel connected not only to computers but people here.” INCLUSIVE Embedding inclusion in library decision making and public service demonstrates respect and value for staff and our community’s individual needs. The District advanced our work around equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), partnering with Think Again Training and Consulting to guide our efforts. We started in early 2021 analyzing our internal work environment, policies, and staff experiences. Throughout this time, we were able to implement initial changes to various internal operations such as removing gendered language from policies and revising job descriptions. The Library will embark on a larger EDI action plan in 2022 after reviewing and prioritizing the consultant’s report and recommendations. In the last quarter of the year, our EDI work turned outward, asking community members about their experiences at the libraries related to programs, collections, services, and facilities. We anticipate receiving the consultant’s report on the community survey results mid-year and will create an action plan based on the recommendations. “I want to thank you for your citizenship classes! I just passed my interview and was naturalized! ACCOUNTABLE As a publicly-funded organization, Poudre Libraries is committed to being good stewards of the money entrusted to us. Yet, being accountable goes beyond just working within an annual budget and being transparent in our spending and reporting. Our work in 2021 included other significant projects that highlight our financial, civic, and social accountability. The District and Board of Trustees embarked on a process to hire a new executive director to replace David Slivken who retired in November 2021. The process included a nation-wide search and opportunities for staff and community members to provide feedback on three finalists. The Library District had another successful year applying for grants to support community programs and services and expand opportunities for community learning and connection. Grantors and Organizations • City of Fort Collins Fort Fund • Colorado Creative Industries • Community Foundation of Northern Colorado • The Paterson Family Private Foundation • Lilla B. Morgan Endowment Fund • Maximus Foundation • Poudre River Friends of the Library • Poudre River Library Trust • WESTAF TourWest BOOKS & MATERIALS Totalcirculation2,353,711 Items checked out (print, media, eMedia) Wireless users47,706 33,152 In-library computer user sessions Database sessions550,932 Total Cardholders People welcomed through the doors 440,220 137,561 Type of Items Checked Out Physical 1,647,666 Digital 706,045 1,510,241 Physical 320,048 Digital 1,190,193 COMPUTER USAGE PEOPLE & PROGRAMS Interlibrary Loan/Prospector Operating & Capital Revenue Property Taxes........90.80% Speciﬁc Ownership...7.30% Investment Income..-0.50% Donations.................1.20% Intergovernmental Grants.......................0.70% Miscellaneous...........0.20% Fines & Fees.............0.30% Total........$11,991,197.53 Operating & Capital Expenditures Personnel................57.40% Contracts................24.40% Books & Materials ..13.30% Supplies....................2.90% Capital Outlay..........2.00% Total..........$9,996,874.60 FINANCIALS Please note that these are unaudited ﬁnancials. Loaned B orro wed 52,470 items 37,557 items 368,202 Holds placed Items in Collection 90,027 Programs held Volunteers 238 Hours Worked 2,206 Library website page views 1,783,765 My Poudre Libraries App sessions (May – December)150,478 In-Person 692 programs Virtual 436 programs Virtual In-Pers on Program attendance 16,442 people 2,246 people 1,128