Bracebridge Public Library Annual Report 2015

BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC
LIBRARY
Annual Report
2015
The Bracebridge Public Library is an
essential community hub
providing everyone with
materials and experiences that
open minds,
explore our world,
inspire discovery,
entertain and
foster lifelong learning.
94 Manitoba Street
Bracebridge, On P1L 2B5
(705) 645-4171
www.bracebridgelibrary.ca
BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................................................ 1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................. 2
OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................................................. 3
CIRCULATION AT THE BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY (BPL) ........................................................... 4
REGISTRATIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 6
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT .................................................................................................................. 6
RESERVE SYSTEM ..................................................................................................................................... 7
INFORMATION & DIGITAL SERVICES ....................................................................................................... 7
TECHNOLOGY............................................................................................................................................. 8
BEAVER CREEK - MEDIUM LIBRARY (BCM) ............................................................................................ 9
CHILDREN’S SERVICES ........................................................................................................................... 11
VOLUNTEERS ........................................................................................................................................... 13
REVENUE .................................................................................................................................................. 14
2015 FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED) ............................................................................................ 14
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2015 ............................................................................................................................... 15
BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD ............................................................................................. 19
BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY STAFF............................................................................................... 19
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BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Library Board hopes the reader of the Bracebridge Public Library’s 2015 Annual Report will obtain a
broad understanding of the value of the Town’s library through the figures and narratives used. This
summary has been prepared to provide a briefer overview of some of the key issues reported.
Growth continues at the Bracebridge Public Library. Circulation at the Library includes material
signed out or used in the library, use of databases available online through our website, and items loaned
to other libraries. This year saw increases in the use of materials available in the Library as well as
electronic resources. Our Children’s Department programs also had a successful year with 5,539
participants, approximately 1,500 more than last year. More adult special events were offered this year
which were enjoyed by 235 attendees, significantly higher than the 37 who attended special events in
2014. Book Club, Writers’ Circle, Internet training and other events totalled an additional 519 attendees.
A graph showing circulation from 2005-2015 reflects positive growth. (Pages 3 & 4)
Knowledge is a mainstay of civilization. Before, during and after one’s formal education, the library is
there to provide access to knowledge. To achieve this supporting role, it is important that we have highly
skilled and well-trained Librarians who provide information and digital services. The broad knowledge and
abilities of our Information & Digital Services Librarians enables them to tackle a wide variety of topics,
including the many and evolving technological devices that people bring to the library as they seek
assistance with their operation. 2015 saw a 3% increase in the number of assists given by our Librarians
for queries dealing with wireless and Internet use. (Pages 7 & 8)
Libraries continue to evolve. Since so many people are turning to the latest technology for information,
it is only logical that libraries, which have been in the information business for decades, should be among
the forefront. We encourage and support the many ways technology has caused our services to evolve.
Collections are continually changing to replace or enhance the formats that promote literacy in all its
forms. Audio books on CD replaced books on cassette, and the audio MP3 Playaways may someday
replace the books on CD. While some thought that ebooks would rapidly replace print material, their
popularity appears to be leveling off and remain a supplement to print collections. (Pages 8 & 9)
Beaver Creek - Medium Library. The Bracebridge Public Library has had a contract with Correction
Services Canada since 1998 to provide library services to the inmates at the medium security institution.
Within security parameters, we model the public library with the hope that released inmates, who have
developed a sense of familiarity with a public library’s resources, will seek out their community’s library. It
should be noted that this contract will be terminated as of March 31, 2016. (Pages 9 - 11)
Children and Youth programs at the BPL saw phenomenal growth this year. While figures are one
way to measure the effectiveness of our Children’s Department, the best measure can be described by
the following scenario in the Bracebridge Library: A five year old boy was in with his mother to select
some books. He announced that “reading is boring”. The Librarian took the opportunity to ask him what
he liked to watch on television and ended up showing him some of the many books we have about
superheroes. This was the catalyst to developing a new reader who now checks out 5-7 books whenever
he is at the library. (Pages 11 – 13)
Donations reflect community support. Each year we are fortunate to receive donations from many
patrons. In 2015, we were also very pleased to receive a donation from the Pittsburgh-Muskoka
Foundation; Browning Island Cottagers’ Association; Spinning Reels (a local movie club); and the Friends
of the Bracebridge Public Library. (Page 14)
The Bracebridge Library is a place to go to explore and discover; to relax and find entertainment; to
connect with others or find a quiet refuge; and foster lifelong learning. The “highlights” identify the many
ways the library achieved this in 2015. (Pages 15 - 18)
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BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
OVERVIEW
“The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.” Albert Einstein (physicist)
Once again, the Bracebridge Public Library’s Annual Report contains numerous charts and graphs that
give a numerical measure of the library in our community. Most importantly however, is the narrative that
describes the way people use this very public facility. The numbers don’t tell the complete story. One
person may come into the library, find the item they want, check it out and leave, all in a matter of
minutes. Another person may come in and use the public computers for any number of reasons, not
check out any library material, but having stayed for an hour.
As a knowledge centre, technology centre and most importantly, a community centre, there are a myriad
of ways to use this facility. How does one quantify the value of the library to the lonely senior, or a person
of limited means who finds a sense of inclusion by spending time in the library, or the parent who learns
positive ways to interact with their child and perhaps finds the library to be a respite from, or support for,
their daily challenges?
The Bracebridge Public Library’s 2015 Annual Report is intended to provide a broad understanding of the
value of the Town’s library through both figures and narratives.
The collection resources generate the bulk of the year’s activity on a per item basis and have traditionally
been used to measure the library’s accomplishments each year. The chart below shows the use of
resources at the Bracebridge Public Library (BPL) and Beaver Creek - Medium Library (BCM). These
resources, which include material signed out or used in the library, use of databases available online
through our website, and items loaned to other libraries, saw a 6.4% increase over 2014.
YEAR
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Circulation BPL
107,919
113,120
112,622
109,430
110,840
Circulation BCM
16,503
14,951
12,927
14,668
15,364
In House BPL
4,202
5,224
5,173
5,526
6,966
In House BCM
1,721
1,451
576
325
314
Electronic Resource
7,181
9,024
14,307
21,319
27,513
137,526
143,770
145,605
151,268
160,997
1.5%
4.5%
1.3%
3.9%
6.4%
TOTAL
% Difference
A variety of programs also provide data that measure the Library’s goals. Our Children and Youth
Services Department programs had a successful year with 5,539 participants. This is commendable
considering our small children’s area and a single staff member responsible for the bulk of the activity
planning and presentation. Without a designated program room, we have been hesitant to provide adult
programs in space that would necessitate closing access to specific collections for patrons. However, we
st
feel this is a lost opportunity to show people what libraries in the 21 century really offer a community
beyond the traditional book-lending. Subsequently more adult special events were offered this year
which were enjoyed by 235 attendees, significantly higher than the 37 who attended special events in
2014. Book Club, Writers’ Circle, Internet training and other events totalled an additional 519 attendees.
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BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
CIRCULATION AT THE BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY (BPL)
Circulation at the BPL increased by 1% this year. The average monthly circulation was 9,237, while the
daily average was 368.
Circulation counts reported are for materials being checked out but do not include those same numbers
being checked in. Circulation staff also register new patrons, collect fines and fees, and resolve patron
circulation queries, among other duties. They are front-line workers who contribute to a positive library
experience for a wide range of clientele. Exceptional service skills are required particularly when dealing
with the collection of fines.
As can be seen by the graph below, the Library continues to be an essential community hub.
CIRCULATION 2005 – 2015
July and August continue to be our busiest months with the influx of summer residents and patrons using
the library more during vacations. We can generally expect an average of about 2,500 more items
circulated in each of those months. While January, February and December generally have the lowest
circulation, it was an anomaly to see May as the third lowest in 2015. This was due to the 2-day closure
of the main collections area in May for carpet replacement. There were other surprises this year with
June and September showing significant increases over 2014.
The graph below shows that the Library experiences peak utilization during the summer months of July
and August.
MONTHLY CIRCULATION FIGURES 2015
BUSIEST TO SLOWEST
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2015
2014
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BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
Tuesdays and Wednesdays continue to have the top circulation totals for the year. The fact that
Mondays exceed the circulation of Thursdays, in spite of being open fewer hours in the day and the 6
days closed for statutory holidays, is a testament to the busyness of Mondays. Mondays and Saturdays
once again had the highest hourly rates in spite of having the fewest hours of operation. Sundays reflect
online renewals and saw no percentage increase in 2015.
The graph below shows that the Library experiences consistent utilization during the week.
WEEKDAY CIRCULATION FIGURES
The chart below summarizes the average items per hour circulated by staff during the week:
Day of the
Week
Items
Circulated
Per Hour
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
N/A
44
39
Wednesday Thursday
37
31
Friday
Saturday
37
41
Afternoon circulation continues to be slightly greater than mornings, with 45% and 43% respectively.
Evenings remained the same as 2014 with 12% of the total circulation. This makes evenings the ideal
time to present adult programs when the collection space is less likely to be busy.
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BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
REGISTRATIONS
Every year we see new residents coming to the library to get a card. This year, new patrons registered
dropped 5% from 2014, for a total of 934.
Our statistical reports monitor usage among residents of Bracebridge and the District of Muskoka, with
adults being the primary user group.
The following table shows the percentage of circulation by patron. We saw an increase in circulation of
materials among adults in both Bracebridge and District of Muskoka residents. These were offset by a
slight drop among Bracebridge children and more notably among non-residents. Circulation by user is
only a close approximation as we need to be aware that situations, such as parents using their child’s
card to sign out their own selections and vice versa, affect the results.
Among the age categories, we also have cottagers in those statistics. While these seasonal patrons are
in a minority, we continue to spread the word of their eligibility, as taxpayers, for a free library card and
the great resources available to them. Their circulation represents only 4% of our total, but they are
responsible for almost 4,500 items circulated, primarily over the 2 summer months.
Geographic Location of Patron
% of Circulation in 2014
% of Circulation in 2015
Bracebridge - Adult
74.8%
76.4%
Bracebridge - Child
7.6%
6.7%
1%
1%
Nipissing University Student
0.1%
0.1%
Non-resident
2.3%
0.2%
District - Adult
13.7%
15%
District - Child
0.4%
0.5%
District - Young Adult
0.1%
0.1%
Bracebridge - Young Adult
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT
According to our database reports, 6,359 items were added to the BPL collection in 2015. This figure
does not include electronic databases and ebooks because they are not catalogued as part of our inhouse collection. Print materials accounted for 85% of the roughly 6,500 items acquired, with audio
visual, including music CDs and DVDs, at 15%. The average cost of print material is $18 per item and
$22 for audio visual material, and range from $15 to $85 for ebooks.
An analysis of what we spent in selected categories versus the circulation for these categories helps to
identify collections that need more attention to meet the circulation demand. Of course, one cannot
simply manage library collections based on the circulation; for example, if we were to spend only 1% of
our budget in young adult material to match current circulation, we would not be able to keep up with the
latest publications, resulting in a stagnant collection that would likely see circulation drop considerably.
In 2015, we removed about 2,500 more items than we added. Some of the increase in deleted items is
due to a reassessment of our Reference collection. Libraries recognize the availability of quick
information via the Internet, one of the key functions of traditional reference material. Limited space in
our fiction collection has necessitated the use of storage boxes in the Carnegie section.
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BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
The table below summarizes 2015 acquisitions as a percentage of the budget compared to percentage of
circulation.
Category
% of Budget
% of Circulation
Adult Collection
51%
45%
Young Adult
5%
1%
Children's
15%
19%
Audio Visual
22%
32%
Magazines
7%
3%
The Adult collection continues to be the highest circulating category at 45%. While fiction will continue to
lead the way, our readers are fairly consistent with their non-fiction interests. History continues to have a
strong lead as the most popular. The arts saw a 200 item increase over the year, perhaps not
unexpected in a community with many artists.
Printed material offered by the Children’s collection continues to surpass the circulation of audiobooks or
DVDs in that department.
RESERVE SYSTEM
In addition to being able to reserve Bracebridge Library materials for pick-up, patrons have the benefit of
the Inter-Library Loan (ILLO) system. The ILLO system is the medium for reciprocal borrowing
agreements among libraries and enables us to satisfy the individual interests and informational needs
among our patrons beyond our own collection. Patrons enjoy the ability to put an item on hold either from
home via our website, or at the library with or without staff assistance. The number of items reserved and
checked out by our library patrons was up significantly this year at 8.3% above 2014. As with last year,
half of these reserved items were brought into the library via ILLO. Our Inter-Library Loan Coordinator
processes requests coming for BPL patrons from other libraries, as well as BPL items going out to and
returning from other libraries.
The following table compares 2015 to 2014 reserve activity.
Location
2014 Reserves
2015 Reserves % Increase Monthly Average
Bracebridge Public Library
4,153
4499
8.3%
375
Inter-Library Loan
1,433
1472
2.7%
123
Total
5,586
5971
6.9%
498
INFORMATION & DIGITAL SERVICES
"He's like Super Librarian, y'know? Everyone forgets, Willow, that knowledge is the ultimate weapon."
from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Knowledge is a mainstay of civilization. The public library plays an important role in supporting
knowledge along with our education system. Before, during and after one’s formal education, the library
is there to provide access to knowledge. It is free and there are no tests!
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BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
To achieve this supporting role, it is important to ensure highly skilled and well-trained Librarians who
provide information and digital services. Each of our Librarians has a professional library designation and
many years of experience. The breadth and depth of their knowledge enables them to tackle a wide
variety of topics, not the least of which is the many and evolving technological devices that people bring
to the library as they seek assistance with their operation. 2015 saw a 3% increase in the number of
assists given by our Librarians for queries dealing with wireless and Internet use.
An example of how our Information Librarians assist patrons is the situation when a gentleman visited the
Library and requested some help with local villages in and around Bracebridge. What he really wanted to
know was where places used to be. The Information staff was able to identify those that still existed or
had been amalgamated, and their locations.
The following table summarizes 2015 information requests compared to previous years.
YEAR
In Person
Telephone
Directional Beaver Creek
Email
Total
2015
4,849
465
1647
143
129
7,233
2014
5,103
486
1270
154
171
7,184
2013
5,868
650
1210
157
217
8,102
TECHNOLOGY
Since so many people are turning to the latest technology for information, it is only logical that libraries,
which have been in the information field for decades, should be in the forefront. We encourage and
support the many ways technology has caused our services to evolve.
Collections are continually changing to replace or enhance the formats that promote literacy in all its
forms. Audio books on CD replaced books on cassette, and the audio MP3 Playaways may someday
replace the books on CD. While some thought that ebooks would rapidly replace print material, their
popularity appears to be leveling off and remain a supplement to print collections. Our video games
continue to see increased circulation as more people become aware of the collection.
Integrated Library Systems (ILS) provide management of the patron database, inventory control,
cataloguing and acquisitions of materials, as well as search and retrieval functions. This technology has
been of great assistance to libraries as an aid in collection management. Online databases have come a
long way over the past two decades, but still provide reliable research data including health-related
issues, consumer information, genealogy and career resources.
It is sometimes a challenge to keep up with the fast pace of technological changes, but the Bracebridge
Public Library Board supports a budget that enables the provision of electronic resources and the
continual updating of hardware and software required to achieve this. Each year we generally upgrade 5
or 6 staff and public computers as warranties expire.
While we are beginning to see an increase in the number of people who bring their own laptops to use the
Library’s wireless access to the Internet, there is still a significant amount of use of the PCs that are made
available to the public. One gentleman had been using a lot of business files on a USB stick. Somehow,
he had created dozens of multiple copies of the same files, and had no idea if they were all the same, or
how to delete duplicates. Some were in Excel, some in Adobe, and some Word, and he needed to keep
one of each. (Staff explained to him the difference in the software.) One of our public computers was
used to display the files from his USB stick. Staff showed him how to order the files to pull together the
sets of duplicates and taught the patron how to delete a single file at a time, and also how to delete a
block of files. He was extremely grateful to have help figuring this out, as he found that he had over 10
copies of every file.
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BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
The public computers are occasionally reserved to offer a group workshop on various helpful topics, but it
is becoming apparent that most of our seniors prefer the one-on-one assistance provided by our Internet
Trainer.
In 2014, we were fortunate to receive an Industry Canada grant for a Youth Intern, and a Seniors
Community grant to supplement the hours of our regular short-term trainer. We were greatly dismayed
this year to discover that the criteria for these two grants had changed and we were no longer eligible.
Subsequently, we went from 412 patrons receiving assistance last year, to 177 in 2015. While there are
some continuing education programs available in our community that teach computer literacy, it is
obvious that the library meets a need and that the public think of us as a source of information, including
computers.
“E-resources” which include databases and ebooks, made up 14% of the collection budget. This is a 2%
increase over 2014. E-resources rose 4% to represent 20% of total collection use (not including materials
used in-house). Ebook use actually diminished again, from 52% of e-resources to 42%. In 2015, ebooks
made up 8% of the total circulation, which was a very slight drop of 0.5%. Unlike our physical materials
available for circulation, e-resource use is not affected by weather or events happening at the library
building.
The following table compares the number of users of technology provided by the library over three years.
Year
Database Use
Public PCs
Wireless Use
Ebook Use
2015
16,029
9,571
3,199
11,484
2014
10,198
10,086
2,285
11,121
2013
6,211
10,610
2,016
8,096
BEAVER CREEK - MEDIUM LIBRARY (BCM)
The Bracebridge Public Library has had a contract with Correction Services Canada since 1998 to
provide library services to the inmates at the medium security institution. This is a unique partnership in
Canada’s correctional system, and one which we feel is important to the re-integration of the inmates into
society. Within security parameters, we model the public library with the hope that released inmates, who
have developed a sense of familiarity with a public library’s resources, will seek out their community’s
library.
The BCM Library continued to show its popularity among the inmates in 2015 with an 11% increase in
circulation in spite of the library being closed to the inmates for 2 weeks while new flooring was installed
and several days for security lockdowns. Correction Services Canada budget cuts also resulted in a
reduction of hours for the first 3 months of 2015. An expansion of the medium security facility in 2014 has
brought in more inmates, with some frequent readers among them. The average monthly circulation was
1,280, while the daily average was 66.
Unfortunately, Correction Services Canada has suffered budget cuts that have not allowed for updating
the small collection for several years now. As a result, the inmates rely more heavily on the collection at
the Bracebridge Library. Inmates made extensive use of our reserve system, requesting almost 16.5% of
circulated materials, a sign of a limited collection.
For the second year, magazines can no longer claim the “highest circulating” material, dropping one more
percentage point to 24% of circulation. Fiction was also 24% which is only half of the more popular nonfiction material (including magazines) which represents 50% of total circulation. Circulation of non-fiction
books dropped by 2% to be 26% of total circulation. Since the inmates do not have access to DVD
players, unless they are scheduled for a personal family visit, we do not see the same high use as
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BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
Bracebridge patrons. Half of the audio-visual circulation comes from requests for music CDs from the
Bracebridge Library. BCM does have a small collection of books on CD, a format that received 2% of the
total circulation. The 1% for children’s material comes from a small collection, which is available for
personal family visits.
The following table summarizes the type of material in circulation at the Beaver Creek - Medium Library.
Material Type
% of Total BCM Circulation
Adult Non Fiction
26%
Adult Fiction
24%
Magazines
24%
Inter-Library Loan
6%
Audio Visual
19%
Children’s Material
1%
The Library at Beaver Creek - Medium provides a popular recreational activity for the inmates, and after a
weekend of no access to the library, it appears the inmates are anxious to get back for new material on
Mondays, as this continues to be the highest overall circulation day. Wednesdays provide the lowest
circulation because the library is closed in the afternoon while the library staff attends to administration
duties and supervises the weekly cleaning.
The chart below shows the percentage of circulation activity by day of the week.
WEEKDAY CIRCULATION PERCENTAGES
The chart below summarizes the average items per hour circulated by staff during the week:
Days
Items
Circulated
Per Hour
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
N/A
13
10
Wednesday Thursday
17
- 10 -
12
Friday
Saturday
8
N/A
BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
The Library is generally open to the inmates for 5 ½ hours each day; Monday to Thursday with afternoon
and evening hours (Wednesday evenings only), and daytime on Fridays. Each residential unit is allotted
a 2 hour time slot each week on a set day. The chart below shows the increased circulation at 3 p.m.
when all units are given access.
The chart below shows the number of items circulated by hour of the day.
CHILDREN’S SERVICES
(Submitted by Caroline Goulding, Children & Youth Services Librarian)
Children and Youth programs at the BPL saw phenomenal growth this year. Program attendance was up
30% over the previous year’s figure. Multiple programming areas saw participation increases of 40-58%
over 2014 including, Pre-school, After-School, and Summer Programs.
This year also saw the introduction of new programs and sessions at each age level, including the
implementation of new teen programming.
Pre-School Programs
344
896
Tales for Twos
Story Hour
The Pre-School programs saw a marked increase in program
attendance in 2015. Compared to 2014 attendance figures
Tales for Twos saw an increase of 44% and Story Hour of
49%. The programs were offered in four sessions throughout
the year. The increased attendance at Tales for Twos
necessitated the addition of a second weekly program during
the Fall Session. The growth in Story Hour attendance is
likely attributed to the development of new partnerships. The
advent of all-day kindergarten had led to a steady decline in
Story Hour attendance. To counteract this decline in 2015 the
Children & Youth Services Librarian began visiting daycares
to offer Story Hours. Additionally, bi-weekly Saturday Story
Hours were offered, though they saw low participation.
Two programs are utilized to facilitate outreach in schools.
Read to Succeed for Grade 4 as well as Class Visits for K-3. Read to Succeed saw a drop in participation
from 2014, with only 157 students taking part in the program. Work is being done to revamp the program
in the hopes of increasing participation next year. The number of students participating in Class Visits
saw a modest increase this year with 1,193 total attendees, 17% higher than last year. Accommodation
was made in Fall 2015 in order to offer this program in a way that did not interfere with strike actions by
the Trillium Lakeland District School Board’s teachers. The grade range offered for these class visits
expanded this year with the inclusion of Grade 3 classes.
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BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
One program area which saw one of the highest increases in
attendance was the After-School programs at 58% higher
than 2014. LEGO Club was offered after school in the fall and
proved incredibly popular. It was made possible through
donations of LEGO from community members as well as a
generous monetary donation from the Friends of the Library.
LEGO Club is responsible for 53% of the growth in
attendance. The rest of the growth came through increased
participation in previously offered after-school programs,
which include the Tuesday After-School program, Game On!,
and Lemonade Club.
After-School Programs
317
236
415
LEGO Club Grades 1-3
In 2015 the Library offered the Forest of Reading program in
Grades 4-8
partnership with the Ontario Library Association. The Blue
Spruce program for kindergarten to grade 2 students and
Silver Birch programs for grade 3-6 students were offered. There were 6 children registered. This
program is also offered at local schools and is in direct competition for readers with the very popular
Battle of the Books.
The Library participated in the TD Summer Reading Club program, the theme of which was “Play”. This
theme was used to brand the Readopoly game board and registration cards. There were 125 children
registered who played the game 579 times over the summer, which was comparable to last year.
Summer Activity and Special
Programs
52
124
157
88
96
Movies
Ages 6-9
A number of weekly activity programs were offered during the
summer including twice-weekly programs for children 6 to 9
year olds and once-weekly programs for youth 9 to 13 year
olds. This summer saw the debut of the LEGO Club which is
an all-ages program. It was responsible for 64% of the growth
in attendance at our summer activity programs. The total
number of participants in these programs was 341, an
increase of 40% from last year.
In addition to the activity programs, a number of special
programs were also run including weekly movie showings.
The Library had a number of special guests in the summer
including Nancy Hunter, magician IncrediBrent, and Early
Literacy Specialist Sandy Inkster. Quinn Salverda was hired
as a summer student with the assistance of a federal youth
grant.
Programs were offered for P.A. days, the winter break in December, and spring break in March. Programs
and included theme based activity days, movies, special guests, button making, LEGO, and art
workshops. March Break was extremely busy with 172 children participating in programs throughout the
week. Ontario Public Library week was celebrated with a week of themed activities.
The library participated in several programs in the community including Books for Brunch, Family Literacy
Day, and the District of Muskoka program Get Ready for Kindergarten. The Library booth at the
Bracebridge Fall Fair also marketed our Children’s programs.
Two new types of special programming were offered this year. The first type was book-themed scavenger
hunts offered periodically throughout the year. This program saw high levels of enthusiasm from children
participating. The second new special program offered was an after-school “coding” class. The first
session of this class was offered in the fall of 2015. It was run by a high school student, Skylar Fitchett.
This exciting new program is intended to help develop STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Math) skills.
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BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
A number of new teen initiatives were begun this year. The Library offered its first teen movie night.
Another new program was a question board in the Teen Area, which allowed for interaction between
teens and the Library. A question was written on a large sheet of paper and posted on the bulletin board
in the teen section; a marker was left for teens to respond. This new program saw a great deal of
creativity and positive interaction. It was developed based on a session that the Children & Youth
Services Librarian attended at the 2015 Ontario Library Association Superconference. The third new
initiative launched this year was the teen blog, Beyond Books. The Library has offered a blog in the past,
however, the purpose and design of the blog was heavily retooled before launching in the fall. The
purpose of this new blog is to offer an online space for the teens of Bracebridge to have their voices
heard. Posts are moderated by Caroline Goulding, the Children & Youth Services Librarian and Sue
Ronson, Circulation Clerk. They can include anything from book, video game, or music reviews, creative
writing pieces, art and photography, or original music. The blog can be accessed at
www.byondbooks.wordpress.com.
The total participation in children’s and teen library programming for 2015 was 5,539. The following bar
graph compares the attendance at programs between 2015 and 2014.
Comparison 2015 to 2014
Total Participation
Programs
2014
2015
While all these figures are one way to measure the interest in our children’s programs, the best measure
can be described by the following scenario in the Bracebridge Library:
A five year old boy was in with his mother to select some books. He announced that “reading is boring”.
The Librarian took the opportunity to ask him what he liked to watch on television and ended up showing
him some of the many books we have about superheroes. This was the catalyst to developing a new
reader who now checks out 5-7 books whenever he is at the library.
VOLUNTEERS
The value of an organization can be affirmed by the number of people who seek out volunteer work in
support of that organization. The Bracebridge Library receives frequent offers of volunteerism from the
public and we are happy to make use of their services whenever possible, whether it involves the Visiting
Library Service, helping with our Statistics Week, or high school students achieving their 40 hours of
community work. We are very fortunate to have the 60 member Friends of the Library group who
fundraise to provide money for expenditures outside our budget limits and who support the Library in
other ways as well.
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BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
REVENUE
A library in the middle of a community is a cross between an emergency exit, a life raft and a festival.
They are cathedrals of the mind; hospitals of the soul; theme parks of the imagination. On a cold, rainy
island, they are the only sheltered public spaces where you are not a consumer, but a citizen, instead.
Caitlin Moran (British author and journalist)
Library patrons as citizens rather than consumers, puts the library in a different position when it comes to
revenue. While our mandate is to provide free access to library materials and to keep programs
accessible to all by not charging admission, the Bracebridge Public Library does generate some revenue
from a variety of sources which made up 19% of our 2015 budget. Revenue which we generate on our
own includes library fees and fines ($13,223), and printing and Internet fees ($5,676). Donations and
miscellaneous fundraising makes up a portion of our revenue as well. Money from sales of the Library’s
books that have been weeded from the collection brought in $860.
The Friends of the Bracebridge Public Library continue to be a very helpful source of funds which they
generate through book sales and special events. In 2015 they donated $2,373 that went towards the
addition of a Value Calculator on the Library’s website, the purchase of a quad-fold display board with a
carrying case, some much needed pieces for our LEGO collection and 2 Wii controllers. This included
$500 from Telus on behalf of one of their employees who won the opportunity to donate to a charity of
their choice and selected the Friends. Large print books were purchased as requested by the donor.
Donations were exceptional in 2015, in large part due to the Pittsburgh-Muskoka Foundation which sent a
cheque for $2,982. Each year we are fortunate to receive donations from many patrons. In 2015, we
were very pleased to receive donations from the Browning Island Cottagers’ Association ($200) and the
Probus Club of Bracebridge ($100). Other patron donations totalled $1,448, some of which supported
library collections.
Once again, Spinning Reels (a local movie club) supported the library, with a very generous donation of
$2,500 going toward the purchase of DVDs for our collection. We selected many of the titles which the
group showed throughout the year.
Using the Statistics Canada’s 2011 census population for Bracebridge of 15,409, the cost of library
service this year was about $50.00 per capita for the taxpayer.
2015 FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)
The following is a summary of the 2015 financial activity.
Revenue Source
Amount
Expenditure Areas
Tax Levy:
Town of Bracebridge
Staffing:
$776,342
Salaries & benefits
External Grants & Other:
Province of Ontario
Amount
$582,602
Operations & Capital:
$36,696
Library resources
Government of Canada
$6,975
Beaver Creek contract
$69,148
General Operations
Fees, fines, donations,
fundraising
$34,235
Capital projects
$19,462
Library reserves
$35,000
TOTAL REVENUE
Building maintenance
$103,292
$923,396
TOTAL EXPENSES
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$17,398
$165,642
$923,396
BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2015
Today’s library has evolved from being a warehouse of books (albeit, well-loved) to the ultimate
community centre that is accessible by everyone regardless of age, gender, education, physical abilities
or financial situation. It is a place to go to explore and discover; to relax and find entertainment; to
connect with others or find a quiet refuge; and of course, foster lifelong learning.
The Library’s Strategic Plan was updated this year with 6 goals to provide guidance for fulfilling its role in
the community:
Goal #1: Meeting the Community'
s Need for a 21st Century Library
Goal #2: The Library as a Community Hub
Goal #3: The Library as a Knowledge Hub
Goal #4: The Library as a Technology Hub
Goal #5: The Library and the Community
Goal #6: Funding for Present and Future Library Projects
The following highlights identify the many ways the library achieved this in 2015.
Presenting the need for an expanded library to the community was one of our major goals. Using the
Expansion Promotion PowerPoint that was presented to Council in the fall of 2014, we invited the public
to learn about the Library’s needs and plans for the future at monthly sessions in the Library, and went
out into the community to make presentations at several Probus and Rotary Club meetings, Daphne’s
Drop-in Centre and a couple of local church community breakfast meetings. While the community groups
enabled us to reach large numbers, it was really the smaller in-house sessions that garnered the best
discussions of what the future holds for the Library. The viewers at all the sessions were noticeably
supportive of the Library’s plans for expansion.
These presentations not only described the Bracebridge Library in the future, but they informed the public
of the many activities currently happening. The Library’s booth at the annual Fall Fair is also a great
opportunity to speak to many locals, cottagers and visitors about the Bracebridge Library specifically and
public libraries in general. There is always someone who is unaware of how libraries serve their
communities today. One elderly local, who was introduced to the Playaway audiobooks at the Fair, came
into the Library the following week to register for a library card and check out one of these devices.
Other special events included coffee, donuts and playing Wii
games to celebrate Seniors’ Day, the Friends’ Annual
Strawberry Social, a Midnight Madness book sale outside the
Library, and Tall Pine Tales presented by the writers’ groups
from Haliburton, Baysville and Bracebridge libraries. Local
author Yvonne Heath spoke about her book Love Your Life to
Death, and encouraged attendees to talk about death with
family and/or friends before we find ourselves having to deal
with the loss of a loved one or our own demise.
Our Book Club and the BPL Writing Circle group are monthly
activities aimed at the adult and young adult demographic. At
one of the Writing Circle meetings, the group made a special presentation to the Library of a book and
plaque in memory of Melody Richardson, our former Writer-in-Residence.
Speaking of demographics… a survey was undertaken in June to get an idea of the demographics of our
library patrons. A total of 622 patrons were counted. The results indicated 32% school-age, 26% seniors
(60+) and 42% for 19 – 59 years old. This is interesting since many believe that seniors make up the
majority of library users. The top single age categories were 13% for 19-29 years, 12% for 60-69 years
and 11% each for infants/preschoolers and 40-49 years. We will be conducting another survey in 2016 to
see if time of year is a factor in the results.
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BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
Regardless of the age, our library patrons frequently express their satisfaction with our services. It was
nice to receive some very positive comments from a tax-paying cottager about her experience at the
library. In reference to service provided by Information staff, Cindy Buhne and Mary Armstrong, she said
that “Nothing was too complicated for them.” She needed assistance with a legal issue, and while staff
do not provide legal opinions, they were able to provide the information needed.
During some inclement weather, the Library experienced a power outage but we remained open and did
manual checkouts until the power returned. One of our patrons took the opportunity to submit a letter to
the local paper describing his experience at the Library that day, saying “The library had become an
important, central part of the community. People were drawn to it; it was a place of comfort, of
welcoming, of knowledge. Libraries hold an aura of wisdom and even though the librarians didn’t really
have any more insight into the situation than the rest of us, it was the way they delivered their responses
that seemed to calm people down.” Bracebridge Examiner Nov 19
Power outages seem to be a regular occurrence in Muskoka but it was the spring melt that kept staff
watching for any leakage from our new roof. A problem with one of the skylights was fixed with no further
issues in spite of some heavy rainfall. Unfortunately, we were discouraged to find signs of dampness in
the back storage room of the Carnegie section. It was suggested by the repair contractor that we will
need to have work done to improve the drainage on the outside of the building.
While repairs to the structure of an aging building are
expected from time to time, we were pleased to have the
carpet in the adult and young adult sections on the upper
level replaced to match the carpet in the Carnegie section
on the other side. The section was closed for 2 days, which
was less time than expected due to the shelves being
moved with the books intact. With some new matching
furniture, the upper level is starting to look more cohesive.
In the 2014 budget, the province announced the provision
of $10 million over three years, to help public libraries better
meet the needs of Ontarians by improving IT resources.
The fund was intended to help libraries improve and expand Internet and wireless services, develop userfriendly websites, enhance collection development with new technology, such as e-books, and encourage
innovation and research.
Bracebridge Public Library followed these guidelines and used their 2015 fund allotment to make
enhancements to their website to make it more accessible on various mobile devices. Other purchases
included a television installed in the lobby to provide an electronic display of library events and services,
and a projector to make public presentations via computer and show movies for special events. Users of
the Library’s FREE ebook collection will be pleased to hear that funds have also been used to purchase
ebook titles specifically for Bracebridge Library patrons, beyond the current Ontario library-wide shared
collection available on the Bracebridge Library’s website www.bracebridgelibrary.ca. A new electronic
device was also purchased to assist with staff training, as they keep up with the many new devices for
which library patrons ask for operating help.
Ontario Public Library Week events (October 19-24) were well-received. High
school student Skylar Fitchett started a program that week on HTML coding
that enables website creation. We initially offered the program to students, but
had several adults asking to join. This was a 9-week program.
Our Mystery Night was a big hit enjoyed by participants and staff alike.
Participants followed clues around the library to determine that Hattie Dickie,
Librarian from 1915-1934, was the answer to “Who is haunting the library?”
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BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
Our Appreciation Tea gave an opportunity to thank the many people who have supported the Library by
volunteering or by a financial donation. Mayor Graydon Smith was on hand to offer thanks on behalf of
the Town. We also began a series called “A Night in the Cloud”. Reg Fitchett volunteered his time to
present the latest trends in computing, including cloud technology. Mr. Fitchett was very flexible and finetuned the content of the sessions to meet the interests of the participants. We closed the week of special
programs with our first presentation in our new Armchair Traveller Series. Julia Reinhart, Gravenhurst
Library CEO, showed slides and spoke about her trip to Switzerland and Austria. What was very
interesting and positive about the week’s adult events was that most of the participants were not our
regular program attendees.
The festive season kicked off with the Library staff and a few Friends of the Library walking in the Santa
Claus Parade. The parade theme this year was Be a Gift to the World which provided us with many
options. Staff chose to focus on the gifts of character that can be learned by reading certain books, the
titles of which were displayed on gift boxes worn by staff.
Staffing changes generally have a trickle-down effect. This year we saw the departure of part-time
Library Assistant, Eha Eljas from Beaver Creek at the end of August and she was replaced by part-time
Page, Julene Jones, who had worked at the prison library several years earlier. The Page position was,
in turn, filled by newcomer Debbie O’Blenes
While staff are well-aware of the value of the library to the community, it is sometimes difficult to see the
end result of their assistance. The following story shows one of the many ways the library remains
relevant today:
A gentleman came in asking to use a computer to purchase a snowmobile pass for Family Day weekend.
He had just been to the Yamaha dealer who said it was a snap to do online in just a few minutes. (The
permit office was closed.)
He told the Information Librarian that he wasn’t very familiar with using computers. She helped him log
on to the site; fortunately he had the website address. The first thing he had to do was set up an account,
with an email address. He didn’t have an email account because he doesn’t have a computer. Staff
walked him through setting up a gmail account, then through setting up the account at the snowmobile
trail site, which involved going back into his email for password instructions. Finally, staff helped him
complete the trail permit process, and to download and print his permit. All of this took 40 minutes but he
went away very happy.
Many organizations assume that everyone has both a computer and an email, which we frequently see is
not the case. This is an excellent example of how we support businesses. This gentleman quite possibly
rented the snowmobile at Yamaha, gassed up locally, and ate at a local restaurant. The Library did its
part in ensuring this.
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BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
The following pictures highlight several key activities during 2015.
Class visits to the Library
The magic of Incredibrent
Teen Summer Reading
Contest winner
Family Literacy Fun Day
Library “ghostbusters” at Mystery Night
Mystery Night Event
Following clues to solve the mystery
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BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
The members of the Bracebridge Public Library Board for the 2014 to 2018 term are.
Arlie Freer, Chair
Councillor Chris Wilson, Council Representative
Anthony Barker
Terry Henderson
Mary (Lynn) Jacob
Carol Anne Robinson
Dorothy (Pat) Schofield
Robert Taylor
BRACEBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY STAFF
The members of the staff of the Bracebridge Public Library in 2015 were.
CEO/Chief Librarian
Cathryn Rodney
Reference Librarians
Mary Armstrong
Cindy Buhne
Ruth Holtz
Library Assistant/Office
Manager
Carolyn Dawkins
Children’s Services
Coordinator
Caroline Goulding
Inter-Library Loan
Coordinator
Nancy Beasley
Circulation Clerks
Sue Ronson
Trudy Vincent
Sharyn Wilson
Pages
Chris Boorman
Julene Jones (Jan - Sept)
Debbie O’Blenes (Sept – Dec)
Lynn Stewart
Beaver Creek – Medium
Library
Eha Eljas (Jan – Aug)
Sherry Fish
Julene Jones (Sept - Dec)
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