Burlington Library Association
Library Annual Report Shows Increased Services
November 4, 2003
Public Libraries throughout the State of Connecticut, are wrapping up their final annual reports that have to be submitted to the State by November. Collecting and compiling all the data needed for the report can be a very daunting assignment, but one that has to be done if the library expects to qualify for the Annual State Grant. In Burlington, the statistics illustrate that services and programs were up for the year ending June 2003. The amazing part is that these increases have been accomplished with a per capita expenditure of less than $25.00 per Burlington resident.
The Burlington Library now provides four Internet accessible computers up from one in 2002. In addition, the library now has four Online Public Catalogs since a second catalog was added to the children's department. New software, Office XP Professional, with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access is now available on a workstation in the adult reference department.
The Library sponsored 25 more programs than last fiscal year. Attendance at these programs was up 20%. Children's programs increased by 11%, adult programs doubled, and due to a new staff position, a "youth services librarian", young adult programs are now being offered. Circulation of materials increased by 13 1/2%. Increased staff and volunteers from the Friends of the Library contributed significantly to the growth in services.
Even though usage of the library and its programs has increased, the books and materials budget has not grown at the same pace. The library is able to purchase only a small percentage of the tens of thousands of new titles published each year. They recently began to ask residents to help by donating new books when they are finished reading them; or to add a book to the children's collection by joining the Children's Birthday Club. A wish list of adult titles can be found at the front desk or on the Friends website ( www.friendsburlib.org ). Also, patrons can support the Burlington Library Association, which donates about $15,000 a year to the library for programs, recorded books, and new computers.
Information about these donation programs is available by calling 673-3331.