ANNUAL REPORT
JULY 1, 2008 – JUNE 30, 2009
LIBRARY BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE
This year saw the reappearance of water leaks in the building. Heavy storms in August caused seeping in the same spots which have not leaked in years. Hall Building Corp. arrived with an aerial lift in November and painted a sealant on the bricks over the entire building. The leaks have stopped again. It seems that sealant will have to be applied periodically.
The major building issue for the year was the power generator for the building which failed to support the fire pump during testing. It was six months of back and forth before the problem was resolved. Maintenance of the HVAC system was challenging, as always, this year requiring numerous repairs.
All things considered, ‘2 City Hall Plaza’ is still an attractive building on the Rahway skyline and the new residents of the second floor – Anlar, LLC Construction have outfitted a very polished office suite and seem very pleased with the neighborhood. They are seen frequenting the Rahway Cafe at the Rec Center. They are also applying for library cards.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees focused on three critical issues this year; union negotiations, re-establishing the Friends of the Rahway Public Library, and responding to the city’s reduction of the library’s allocation through a salary deferral program for library employees. Board members provided leadership and put in vast amounts of time to steer these important issues toward reasonable resolutions. In April, the Board met for a special planning meeting and invited the Mayor to discuss the state and city economic woes in order to understand what lay ahead for the library. In June, a bargaining agreement was reached which reflected the new reduced circumstances. Additional deferred salary (10 days) is put in place for fiscal year 2010. The newly formed Friends group held their first meeting in April and is working on plans for activities and beginning the process of incorporation. I extend my gratitude to the Board members for sharing the burden of these very challenging issues.
LIBRARY OPERATIONS
In September, the library budget was reduced by around 8% as the flagging economy hits Rahway. Many steps were taken to cut costs. The Reference Services Manager resigned for personal reasons in December and was not replaced. The responsibilities were shifted and another manager assumed a new level of responsibility. Other positions were frozen. A centralized reference desk was established eliminating the two department desks. It piloted for a few months but was confusing to the public and was discontinued. Printing fees and fines were increased on February 1st following a weekend amnesty. Security guard services were reduced.
The Rahway History Room hours were cut. Purchasing of books and materials were reduced. Some needed repairs or upgrades to equipment were delayed.
COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
The Library participated in the ‘Literacy Links’ initiative with Literacy Volunteers of Union County and other libraries, which developed an online registration and referral form for inquiries about literacy services. Our staff was trained in how to use the form to register people that come into our library instead of referring them to Plainfield. We continued a strong relationship with Rahway schools sharing many reading incentives and partnering for programs. Private daycares came for regular visits this year. In the spring we hosted an exhibit by the daycare children at the library – ‘Our Community’. The Library partnered with The Arts Guild, the Recreation Center, the YMCA, and UCPAC to print a combined cultural calendar quarterly which is very attractive and reached a wide audience. The Library’s meeting room is a very much in demand venue for organizations in Rahway and Union County and the many meetings and programs help people know what is going on. Improvements were made to the library’s website which allowed more interaction and services; such as email notification of overdue materials.
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
‘Jazz Cafe’ was a popular series done in the fall for First Thursdays.
The ‘SEE Exhibit’ was held in October at the library for the fourth year running since it moved from City Hall. The photographs taken by the students are always a beautiful and interesting display.
Reference Service was an important focus this year. Four additional reference workstations were added. Staff is expanding their skills in job searching resources and e-government. Many older people don’t know where to start in completing forms online. Book related programs for adults, teens and children continued to be popular with library visitors.
IN CONCLUSION
Use of the library continues to increase, even as resources decrease.
The economy is not ‘out of the woods’ and people are turning to the library. Library visitors increased 10%, registered library cards increased 8%, circulation of materials increased 9%, and the use of library computers increased 58%. The Board and Staff of the Library are maintaining a high level of library service in the face of cuts and the public is responding by streaming through the front doors.
Come in. Find out.
Gail Miller
Library Director
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Terry Benjamin
Paula Braxton
Margaret Cilia
Elizabeth Jotz
Gisselly Petraroia
Kenneth Pushko
Melinda Rachlin
William Rack
Vanessa Rozzelle
STAFF
Abella, Mary Ann – Library Assistant
Armstrong, Travis – Library Associate
Bode, Donna – Senior Children’s Librarian
Carson, Sandra – Library Assistant
Caverly, Nancy – Supervisor of Accounts
Dowzycki, Kenneth – Assistant Director
Fabiano, James – Librarian
Giffert, Olga – Library Associate
Grant, Beverley – Supervising Library Assistant
Iovino, Elizabeth – Senior Library Assistant
Jack, Gary – Senior Building Maintainer
Lesniak, Mark – Senior Librarian
Marlowe, Carol – Senior Librarian
Miller, Gail – Library Director
Nelson, Anne – Office Assistant
Neumane, Shirley – Library Assistant
O’Mahoney, Patricia – Principal Library Assistant
Patel, Brinda – Library Assistant
Richter, Cheryl – Library Assistant
Roszkowski, Doris – Library Associate
Schabel, Melissa – Principal Librarian
Servedio, Frances – Senior Library Assistant
Singleton-Holmes, Geraldine – Supervising Library Assistant
Solenske, Jennifer – Library Assistant
Strohm, Mark – Senior Building Maintainer
Thorne, Lauren – Library Assistant
Toth, Candace – Library Associate