Director's Corner

December 2012

For many traditions, December is a season of giving –to family, friends, worthy causes and those in need.   The Northland Public Library Foundation is a 501(c)3 that is charged with raising funds from the community to enhance our existing services. 

During this month the NPL Foundation will be conducting their end of year mail campaign and a “penny war” conducted in the building.  These fundraising efforts will permit Northland to add lending kiosks at 2 locations in our communities (Ross Community Center and Baierl Family YMCA), improve availability of bestsellers, e-resources and other formats and continue to provide varied opportunities for lifelong learning. 

 

On behalf of the Northland Public Library Board, Administration and staff and the NPL Foundation Board- Best Wishes for the Holiday Season.

 

 

  

Director's Corner

OCTOBER 2012

 

Each household in the 5 communities which directly support Northland spend $3.75 per month for Northland Public Library.  In the past few years studies in Wisconsin, Florida, Colorado and Pennsylvania have demonstrated that for every dollar a community invests for library service, 4 dollars are returned to the community through:

·       Library staff who buy groceries, visit dentists, repair cars, etc. in the community.

·       Library purchase direct services such as plumbers and supplies.

·       Libraries are anchor stores.  Studies have shown that when folks go to the library, they spend about $20.00 at other places, just as part of the trip.

Supporting Northland Public Library is a smart investment.   

DIRECTOR’S CORNER

Storytelling – something we all do almost daily without thinking about it – describing your day at work or at school, telling friends about a fun vacation, passing on family stories to your grandchildren or telling your preschooler your version of the home invasion by that pesky blonde.  Northland’s annual family event – the Three Rivers Storytelling Festival on August 10 and 11 features a number of special tellers who will share a wide variety of stories.  You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and generally enjoy yourself as you participate in an enduring tradition and the first form of social media.  Northland can also help you shape and share your personal story with other featured programs in August including Indian cooking and how to use Linked In for networking and job searching.  

Director's Corner

I have always thought fondly of June. When I was a child, June signaled the end of the school year and the beginning of, what seemed at the time, a long, long summer. As an avid reader, June was also the start of the Summer Reading Club at my local public library and provided an unneeded excuse for indulging in my favorite sport. Little did I know or care that what I viewed as fun and enjoyable was actually helping me maintain the literacy skills that provide the foundation of all other learning. Evidence from many studies in North American and Europe demonstrate that participation in summer reading programs result in improved reading skills.

Northland continues the tradition of supporting the continuing development and maintenance of basic literacy skills through its Summer Reading Clubs –and not just for children. Find out more about our summer reading activities for children, teens and adults in the newsletter as well as our website http://northlandlibrary.org/. Summer Reading – just one of the connections your public library provides to serve a real-life community need and to support a critical skill that all need to succeed in all aspects of our lives.

Director's Corner By Sandra Collins

Did you know that Northland Public Library and all public libraries in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have a stake in the state budgeting process?

Each qualifying public library receives support through the Public Library Subsidy. State aid accounts for 10% of Northland’s income for 2011. The subsidy received in 2011 reflects a loss of $164,000 in state funds since 2009, resulting in a reduction in the amount of books, DVDs, magazines and other resources that Northland can provide for your use. While Governor Corbett’s proposed 2011-2012 budget does not increase the Public Library Subsidy, it does sustain it at its current level. Considering the next state budget will include deep cuts in many worthwhile services, the Governor’s proposal to preserve current funding levels for library services is welcome news.

In the coming weeks, it is important for library advocates to speak up in support of the library portion of the Governor’s budget proposal. Please contact your State Senator and State Representative to ask for their support of the library funding levels recommended in Governor Corbett’s budget and Governor Corbett to thank him for recognizing the importance of libraries by preserving library funding in his proposed budget.

Contact Information:

Senator Jane Orie jorie@pasen.gov La Casa Blanca 9400 McKnight Rd Suite 105 Pittsburgh PA 15237

House – District 30 Randy Vulakovich rvulakov@pahousegop.com 1407 Mt. Royal Blvd Glenshaw PA 15116

House – District 16 Robert Matzie matzie@pahouse.net 537 Bayne Ave Pittsburgh PA 15202

House – District 21 Dom Costa www.pahouse.com/dcosta click on “Contact” 6808 Greenwood St. Suite 2 Pittsburgh PA 15206

House-District 20 Adam Ravenstahl www.pahouse.com/ravenstahl Click on “Contact”

House- District 28 Mike Turzai mturzai@pahousegop.com 125 Hillvue Lane 1st Floor Pittsburgh PA 15237

Director's Corner by Sandra Collins

The summer is just zipping by as usual – August is upon us and soon children will be returning to school. Northland will feature several special activities before the end of summer that focus on connecting families:

• Join us for lunch at our annual Hot Dog Day, Thursday, August 5, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hot dogs, chips, soft drinks, juice and Rita’s Italian Ice will be available for a reasonable cost. Just look for the tent on our south lawn.

• The Three Rivers Storytelling Festival follows on August 6 and 7. Featuring nationally recognized storytellers, including Pittsburgh’s own Joe Wos, the festival is a fun activity for all ages. Friday daytime tellers will feature stories for children 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday’s tales begin at 10 a.m. and end at 6 p.m. and feature 2 different tellers every hour on 2 stages. Evening story concerts on Friday and Saturday begin at 7:30 p.m., with ghost stories featured at a late night concert on Friday. For those interested in learning more about storytelling, workshops will provide the opportunity to learn from the master tellers. All programming, except the workshops, are free and you can attend as many as you want.

• The Northland Public Library Foundation is holding a Family Fun(d)raiser at Wildwood Highlands on Saturday, August 21 during normal park hours. The event will feature Freddie the Fire Engine, the Gymagic bus, raffles and a silent auction. A car cruise, with various prizes is scheduled from 5 to 8. Northland will receive 20% of all proceeds from food, tokens and attractions if those visiting the park that day present a Northland coupon to the cashiers. Coupons are available at Northland or on our website at www.northlandlibrary.org. All proceeds will benefit special library programs and services such as our bookmobile service and online tutoring program.
Please come and celebrate with us.

Director's Corner by Sandra Collins

Representatives of the 45 public libraries in Allegheny County have spent the last 2 months visiting with our state representatives and state senators to share the following message:

• Libraries received a 21% cut in basic operating funds (State Subsidy for Public Libraries) in 2009-2010.

• Reimbursement for nonresident use (Access PA) was eliminated in 2009-2010.

• Online resources (Power Library) available through both public and school libraries were cut in half. In 2009-2010.
For Northland this meant a loss of $121,000 in direct funding. Countywide the loss in basic operating funds was $1.7 million plus an additional half million in support of the delivery system (how you get items from other county libraries). Add on the loss of electronic resources through and it is clear why libraries have been forced to reduce hours, eliminate staff and cut back on purchasing resources. In Northland’s case, staff benefits were reduced, open positions have not been filled, a hiring freeze is in place and the books and materials budget was cut by 38%.
You can help by contacting your state representative and senator to:

• Advocate for a minimum of level funding in the State Subsidy line.

• Advocate for the restoration of at least $3 million in the Library Access line to restore Power Library resources.

State Senator
Jane Orie – District 40
La Casa Blanca
9400 McKnight Rd.
Pittsburgh PA 15237
412-630-9466
jorie@pasen.gov

State Representatives
Robert Matzie-District 16 (FP&Ross)
1240 Merchant St.
Ambridge PA 15003
414-565-3569
www.pahouse.com/matzie click on “Contact”

Adam Ravenstahl – District 20 (Ross)
3689 California Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
717-787-5470
www.pahouse.com/ravenstahl click on “Contact”
Dom Costa – District 21 (Ross)
6808 Greenwood St. Suite 2
Pittsburgh PA 15206
412-361-2040
www.pahouse.com/dcosta click on “Contact”

Mike Turzai – District 28 (BW,FP, MAR,MCC)
125 Hillvue Lane
Pittsburgh PA 15237
412-369-2230
mturzai@pahousegop.com

Randy Vulakovich – District 30 (Ross)
1407 Mt. Royal Blvd.
Glenshaw, PA 15116
412-487-6600
rvulakov@pahousegop.com

Director's Corner by Sandra Collins

Give us your best excuse ---why your library material was returned late in 25 words or less. Northland will celebrate National Library Week, April 11-17, 2010. As part of the celebration we’d like to hear why those books were late – in your most creative way. In addition to the essay contest (yes, there will be prizes), there will be special programs, tours, a library scavenger hunt for all ages, a sidewalk sale in the Book Nook, children’s activities and a special fundraiser to aid mobile libraries delivered via camel in Kenya. All designed to illustrate Northland’s role in encouraging and enabling a lifetime of discovery and learning and to showcase what your public library provides to the communities it serves. You will find a schedule of events at www.northlandlibrary.org or go to our Facebook page.

Director's Corner by Sandra Collins

NORTHLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY –CONNECTING COMMUNITIES

Northland Public Library was founded in 1968 to provide public library service to residents of Bradford Woods, Franklin Park, Ross Township and the Town of McCandless. Marshall Township joined the founding communities in 1986. Residents of the 5 member municipalities voted to provide funding to Northland through their local property taxes. With Northland’s acceptance of Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) funding in 1998, reciprocal borrowing privileges were extended to all residents of Allegheny County (even if their municipality did not support a library).

Approximately 59% of Northland’s income for 2010 will come from the member municipalities, about 12% from state aid, 20% from the Allegheny Regional Asset District and 9% from self-generated income (late fees, book sales, room rentals.)
The formulas used to determine the level of state aid and RAD funds are based on the population of our designated service area and maintaining local financial support. If one of our supporting municipalities elected to withdraw their membership in the Northland Public Library Authority, the resulting effect on our services and programs would be catastrophic since Northland would lose not only that community’s financial support, we would also lose a percentage of both RAD and state funding resulting in, at a minimum the loss of a quarter of our budget. Northland would exist, but certainly not at the same level as today – the cuts in state aid that all public libraries experienced for 2010 has resulted in a 6% reduction in our budget – bringing about a 38% reduction in our books and materials budget (we will be purchasing fewer titles and fewer copies) and changes in staff benefits.

The drop in our income which would result from the loss of a member municipality such as Ross or McCandless would be much more drastic- hours open would need to be reduced, staff size reduced, children’s and adult programming reduced, number of computers available for public use cut, more losses to our books and materials budget. In addition, the residents of the withdrawing community could lose their access to some Northland services.

Due to the cuts in state aid in 2010 neighboring libraries have instituted the types of service cuts, Northland’s users would experience if a member municipality elected to withdraw. Sewickley Public Library has drastically reduced hours, including closing on Fridays. Shaler North Hills and Northern Tier have also reduced open hours. At a time when the use of our resources has grown dramatically (10% increase in items borrowed, 41% increase in visits to the library between 2008 and 2009), such cuts would certainly affect residents. The withdrawal of one municipality (and the resulting loss of services) could result in the withdrawal of other (or all) communities as well. This will mean the end of Northland as we know it.

Director's Corner by Sandra Collins

Each day, on average more than 2000 items are borrowed from Northland that are used to meet the educational and entertainment needs of our users. These are difficult economic times and with a 38% cut in our books and materials budget there will be a corresponding drop in purchases for the collection in 2010. Every empty space on our shelves is a lost opportunity to enrich our customers’ lives by informing, entertaining and sharing knowledge with them.

You can help create a richer library experience for the children, teens and adult users of Northland through our Memorial and Honor Book program which fills shelves with new books (and other formats, if you desire). You can specify a subject, age level, format or leave the choice to Northland’s collection development staff. A special bookplate recognizing the honoree and the donor is placed in each item and we will notify the recipient or recipient’s family of the honor.

You can donate online at www.northlandfoundation.org, pick up a memorial/honor donation form during your next visit to Northland or mail your donation (checks should be made out to NPL Foundation) and memorial/honor information to Memorial/Honor Books, Northland Public Library, 300 Cumberland Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237 or call 412-366-8100 for additional information. Thank you for your generosity.

Director's Corner by Sandra Collins

As outlined in last month’s message, Northland’s 2010 budget will be 6% less than that of 2009. What does this reduction in our income mean for Northland’s users?

• The amount budgeted for purchase of books and other materials for the collections (CDs, DVDs, audio books, online databases, etc.) will be $190,100 as compared to $307,438 in 2009. We will be purchasing fewer titles and fewer multiple copies and waiting time for items on hold will most likely increase. Donations to our books and materials budget will be accepted gladly.

• Late fees on books, magazines, CDs, and audio books will be increased to $.25 per day as of January 1, 2010. Late fees on videos and DVDs will remain at $1.00 per day.

• Rental fees for the use of our meeting rooms by businesses will increase as of January 1, 2010.

• Rental fees for the use of our meeting rooms by nonprofits when their meeting is not open to the general public will increase as of January 1, 2010.

• A rental fee for nonprofit groups that are not based in nor have members living in one of Northland’s supporting communities will be instituted as of January 1, 2010.

• A longer period of time between check in of items and reshelving of items.

• Available technology maintained at current levels – no additional computers for public or staff user and new technology added.

There is some good news –Northland will be able to maintain its hours of service to our communities and the Northland Library Foundation has agreed to provide funding for the bookmobile service to Ross Township and Marshall Township. Please be assured that Northland’s staff is committed to providing quality service to our supporting communities.

Director's Corner by Sandra Collins

The Fall season is always an interesting time of the year for Northland. By September 16th of each year the Northland Public Library Authority Board is required to adopt an operating budget for the following calendar year. The Board adopted budget is then sent to the elected boards of the 5 supporting municipalities, who have 60 days to adopt or reject it. Those municipalities – Bradford Woods, Franklin Park, Marshall Twp., Town of McCandless and Ross Twp. – provide approximately 56% of Northland’s funding. Northland receives about 34% of its funding from the RAD and state aid. The remaining 10% is self-generated (late fines and other fees, book sale revenues, grants, etc.).

Due to current economic conditions, the budget planning process for 2010 has been an interesting process.. The 2010 budget adopted by Northland’s Board of Trustees includes:
• No increase in funding from the 5 supporting municipalities,
• A 13% increase RAD funding,
• A 38% decrease in state aid and related state funding,
• A 30% decrease in self-generated revenue.

The result is a 2010 budget that is 6% less than 2009 and like everyone trying to cope in the changing economy, that loss of more than $141,000 will bring changes. The reduced funding causes:

• A hiring freeze through December of 2010.
• The bookmobile stops in Ross Township and Marshall Township will end as of December 31, 2009.
• A 38% decrease in the amount available to purchase books and materials in 2010.
• A 21% decrease in the library technology budget
• Reductions to some employee benefits.

On the other side of the picture, the community’s use of Northland in 2009 has risen dramatically when compared to 2008. Visitors to the building increased by 6.7%, items borrowed increased by 11%, attendance at programs and classes increased by 15%, computer use by 8.5% and assistance with research increased by 25%.

Director's Corner by Sandra Collins

It’s that time of year again – the beginning of a new school year for students of all ages. Northland provides resources and support for students of all ages – whether enrolled in a formal program or pursuing their own plan for lifelong learning.

• Northland Tutor/Tutor.com is an online tutoring program for students in K-12, college or adult education programs. Tutors may be accessed daily from 3 to 10 p.m. on any library computer or, with a Northland Library card, from any location through www.northlandlibrary.org and clicking on Northland Tutor. Just log on, specify grade level and subject and get help in anything from 3rd grade math to putting together a resume.

• Northland Tutor/Tutor.com Skill Center provides access to resources for subject areas for K-12, college and adult education. You can access practice standardized test such as the SAT, GRE, GED, worksheets for elementary school math, and many other sites related to subjects taught at all levels. The Skills Center is available 24/7 at http://www.northlandlibrary.org/ and clicking on Northland Tutor.

• Children’s & Young Adult Department staff can provide assistance in choosing material in a variety of formats to support your child’s formal school work, has copies of the textbooks used in elementary school for North Allegheny (for those days when books are left at school), and assistance in choosing reading material appropriate to your child’s reading interests, age and reading level. The collection is designed for children and young adults to age 17.

• The Adult Services Department staff can provide assistance in choosing material in all formats for to support college level work and independent learning. Many online databases are available through http://www.northlandlibrary.org/ and staff is available to help by email, phone or in person.

Just a few of the many ways Northland is connecting our communities.

Director's Corner by Sandra Collins

We have reached a critical time for library funding in Pennsylvania. As noted in an earlier message Northland Public Library receives 56% of its funding from the 5 municipalities of Bradford Woods, Franklin Park, Marshall. McCandless and Ross, approximately 16% of our funding comes through state aid.

Governor Rendell’s budget for 2009-10 proposes a 2.3% cut in state support for local library services. The larger impact for is a 10.6% proposed cut in funding for online databases and other online services provided to Pennsylvania residents through their public libraries that an individual library such as Northland would have difficulty funding on its own.

Since the Governor’s budget proposal was disseminated the Senate Republicans have passed a 2009-2010 budget that would cut state support to public libraries by 50% and eliminate all funding for online databases. Access to many business, health, full text magazine articles, automobile repair manuals and other information sources would certainly be lost altogether. No individual library will have the resources needed to pick up the databases on their own.

You can help by contacting your local legislator to thank him/her for their past support of public libraries and ask her/him to help develop a budget that includes state funding for libraries equal to this year’s (FY2008-09) funding. We realize the reality of added budget pressures during a recession. But, like other public libraries, Northland has seen a growing need for library services precisely because of the recession. We are asking for level funding in order to meet some part of the rising demand for access to computers, training classes, current books and publications and other materials.

On behalf of Northland, thank you to those who have already contacted our legislators. Your support is appreciated – but if you have not had the chance to share your thoughts, please take a few minutes a drop a short note to your State Representative or Senator.

Northland’s State Legislators:

· Senator Jane Orie 9400 McKnight Rd. La Casa Blanca Suite 105 Pittsburgh, PA 15237 412-630-9466
· Rep. Mike Turzai 125 Hillvue Lane Pittsburgh PA 15237, 412-369-2230
· Randy Vulakovich 1407 Mt. Royal Blvd. Glenshaw, PA 15116 412-487-6607
· Dom Costa 1808 Chislett St., Pittsburgh, PA 15206, 412-361-2040
· Don Walko 3880 Perrysville Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15214, 412-321-5523, Robert Matzie 1240 Merchant St., Ambridge, PA 15003, 412-761-1701

Director's Corner by Sandra Collins

Where will you be the week of April 12 to 18? If you answered Northland Library, congratulations you’ll be participating in National Library week, sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA). Libraries across the country will join the celebration and this year’s theme, “Worlds Connect @ your Library” describes Northland’s mission very succinctly.

In honor of National Library Week, register for a membership today. A borrower’s card gives you access to a collection of books, CDs, DVDs, videos, audio books, downloadable resources as well as online resources and services such as Northland Tutor.

Northland Public Library provides services from the founding by our supporting municipalities (Bradford Woods, Franklin Park, Marshall Township, McCandless and Ross Township) for the benefit of their residents.

Director's Corner, by Sandra Collins

Did you know that Northland provides access to tutoring to students of any age, in just about any subject? Our online tutoring service Northland Tutor is open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week, every day of the year (except Christmas, New Year’s and Easter). Whether you are in kindergarten or college, writing a resume or just can’t remember how to calculate the square footage of carpet needed, someone is available to help. Just log into Northland Tutor from http://www.northlandlibrary.org/ and click on “Northland Tutor” – select your grade level (K-12, college or adult) and subject and ask your question.

You can log in at Northland, from home or any other site with Internet access. You will need a Northland borrower’s card if accessing Northland Tutor outside of the library. The service is available to all residents of communities within the North Allegheny and North Hills School Districts. All tutors are certified and have been through background checks through Tutor.com, the service provider.

We are able to provide Northland Tutor through the financial support of the Northland Public Library Foundation, Praxair Corporation and Magoo’s Bar and Bistro. This is just one of the many ways Northland supports the lifelong learning efforts of our communities.

Books I’m Reading:The Autobiography of Henry VIII by Margaret George
The Main-Travelled Road by Hamlin Garland
The Ape Who Guards the Balance by Elizabeth Peters
The Scold’s Bridle by Minette Walters.

The Director's Corner, by Sandra Collins

These are unsettling economic times for people. In order to save money, we’re clipping coupons and cutting back on buying things. We’re also taking advantage of discount cards, making sure we save money on groceries, clothing and other necessities. In times like these, there’s not much room for entertainment or items considered unnecessary.
Northland Library has the best discount card of all: a library card. Consider this: a trip to a major bookstore, where you might purchase two best-selling novels, a CD and a DVD, could run you about $75.00 or more. A night out at the movies for a family of 4 could cost $30-$40. Now think about making the same trip to Northland Library, stocking up on bestsellers, CDs or DVDs, attending a foreign film or participating in a conversation salon. What will this run you? Not a dime. It’s all free to use because the communities which support Northland (Bradford Woods, Franklin Park, Marshall Township, McCandless and Ross Township) have elected to use a portion of your municipal property tax to support Northland. During these tough times, using Northland Library is practical and economically smart, as well as fun. Make sure you take advantage of Northland Library today. If you don’t have a library card, get one. You have already made an investment in Northland; its resources are here for all.

The Director's Corner, by Sandra Collins

As we move towards the beginning of a new year, I wish to say Thank You to:

• The communities of Bradford Woods, Franklin Park, Marshall Township, McCandless and Ross Township for their continued financial support of Northland Public Library. The 5 communities provide 56% of our funding and Northland could not operate at the level it does without their joint effort.

• The members of the Northland Public Library Authority Board –Jason Bragunier (Marshall Twp.); Daniel DeMarco (Ross Twp.); Jane Hopey (Franklin Park); John Murtagh Jr. (McCandless) Paul Parobeck (Ross Twp.) Cynthia Potter (McCandless); and Sheryn Trickett-Lammers (Bradford Woods) who volunteer their time to ensure library operations are efficient and meet community needs.

• The volunteer members of the Northland Library Foundation Board and Sara Jane Lowry, the Executive Director of the Foundation who raise private funding through grants and donations to supplement Northland’s budget for special projects. Northland is able to offer Northland Tutor, an online after-school tutoring service because of their efforts.

• The many community volunteers who aid in providing library programs and services by assisting in the Book Nook, working at the Three Rivers Storytelling Festival, updating community directories and similar activities.

• The 88 employees of the Northland Public Library who do a phenomenal job.
They have handled more than 1,000,000 loans in a year, reshelved those borrowed items and in 2008 will add more than 27,000 new items to the collection. They provided programs attended by more than 14,000 people and answered more than 92,000 reference questions.

The Director's Corner, by Sandra Collins

As reported in the New Republic (April 9, 2008), the Schipol International Airport in Amsterdam, Holland made a fascinating discovery. In an effort to deal with an ongoing problem in keeping the men’s rooms clean, an economist on the airport staff suggested a novel solution. An image of a housefly was etched onto the bowls near the drain on each urinal. Spillage decreased by 80%- -just by providing a target at which to aim. Northland Public Library is currently working on a strategic plan which will outline the target it will need to aim for during the next few years and will provide a map for us in developing our programs and activities to better serve you. The targets have been defined through information obtained from the various library stakeholders – the elected officials of the 5 municipalities Northland serves, the North Allegheny and North Hills Schools, library users, the Northland Library Board, the Northland Library Foundation and library staff. We want to make certain that Northland will continue to be an institution that is important to the residents it serves. Ah, the power of a housefly.

The Director's Corner, by Sandra Collins

Welcome to Northland’s blog. You’ll need to bear with some of us old folks who are tiptoeing into the use of new technology – but my staff has finally dragged me kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. Northland is all about connections –connecting you to books – to information – to learning –to the world and to our communities-to each other. Our blog is another tool designed to connect Northland to you and vice versa. Important connections for Northland are:

• Our memberships in the Allegheny County Library Association and the Electronic Information Network which has made the collections of all 44 libraries in Allegheny County available to you.

• Our participation in Access Pennsylvania which has made the collections of participating libraries throughout Pennsylvania and the P.O.W.E.R (Pennsylvania Online World of Electronic Resources) databases available to you.

• Our monthly Conversation Salon which provides a forum for discussion of topics of interest to those attending.

• Storytimes for children, ages 6 months to 5 years, which lay the foundation for lifelong learning.

• Computer Classes for adults of all ages that provide connections to the world of technology.

How does Northland help you make connections?