Library Board Considers Adjusting Hours
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
The Warsaw Community Public Library Board, acting on the recommendation of library director Ann Zydek, gave its authorization to modify the hours of operation.
Zydek said a recent utilization study showed more hours were needed early in the week and less were needed near the weekend.
The proposed new hours will be 9 a.m to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
"Our records show that early in the week is when we have our heaviest usage," Zydek said. "This revised schedule will allow us to have a majority of our staff here at the times of our heaviest usage, without having a lot of split shifts," she said.
Zydek added the revised hours do not include any Sunday hours because the library's budget cannot support the additional hours.
"We really need to have public input on the desire for Sunday hours and a willingness to pay for the additional costs," she said.
In other business, the board began discussion in preparation of the 2000 budget.
According to board president Irv Lindemuth, the board will seek to increase the library's budget by approximately 7 percent.
"We're thinking that seeking a 7 to 7.5 percent increase, with an eye of getting a 5 to 6 percent increase in the 2000 budget," he said.
Some of the key projects the board will hope to fund from the increase include providing additional security during the evening through closing, redesigning the current wheelchair lift to a normal elevator and purchasing chairs and tables for meeting room C.
Board member Larry Chamberlain said the board should also seek some corporate sponsorships to provide the funding of some of those projects.
"Maybe we should market to some of the corporations in the community," he said. "A lot of these companies want to contribute to the community and will do so when provided with a detailed list of projects, with the associated costs, and a request that we would like their assistance in funding a portion or an entire project."
Chamberlain said he would help the library staff draft a solicitation letter.
Chamberlain also said he was very pleased with the most recent report that the number of registered library patrons increased by 2,452 over 1998. As of the end of May, the library had 17,297 borrowers. At the end of May 1998, the library had 14,845 registered borrowers.
"I'm just amazed. There's been an increase in total borrowers from 1998 to 1999," he said. "And there's a 60 percent increase in the number of borrowers from 10 years ago."
Finally, the board approved a 6 percent pay increase for Zydek, following an executive session reviewing her performance during the last year.
""We recognize Ann for service above and beyond the call of duty, and we have recommended that we give her a 6 percent merit pay increase," said board member Ruth Jones, who headed the review committee. [[In-content Ad]]
The Warsaw Community Public Library Board, acting on the recommendation of library director Ann Zydek, gave its authorization to modify the hours of operation.
Zydek said a recent utilization study showed more hours were needed early in the week and less were needed near the weekend.
The proposed new hours will be 9 a.m to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
"Our records show that early in the week is when we have our heaviest usage," Zydek said. "This revised schedule will allow us to have a majority of our staff here at the times of our heaviest usage, without having a lot of split shifts," she said.
Zydek added the revised hours do not include any Sunday hours because the library's budget cannot support the additional hours.
"We really need to have public input on the desire for Sunday hours and a willingness to pay for the additional costs," she said.
In other business, the board began discussion in preparation of the 2000 budget.
According to board president Irv Lindemuth, the board will seek to increase the library's budget by approximately 7 percent.
"We're thinking that seeking a 7 to 7.5 percent increase, with an eye of getting a 5 to 6 percent increase in the 2000 budget," he said.
Some of the key projects the board will hope to fund from the increase include providing additional security during the evening through closing, redesigning the current wheelchair lift to a normal elevator and purchasing chairs and tables for meeting room C.
Board member Larry Chamberlain said the board should also seek some corporate sponsorships to provide the funding of some of those projects.
"Maybe we should market to some of the corporations in the community," he said. "A lot of these companies want to contribute to the community and will do so when provided with a detailed list of projects, with the associated costs, and a request that we would like their assistance in funding a portion or an entire project."
Chamberlain said he would help the library staff draft a solicitation letter.
Chamberlain also said he was very pleased with the most recent report that the number of registered library patrons increased by 2,452 over 1998. As of the end of May, the library had 17,297 borrowers. At the end of May 1998, the library had 14,845 registered borrowers.
"I'm just amazed. There's been an increase in total borrowers from 1998 to 1999," he said. "And there's a 60 percent increase in the number of borrowers from 10 years ago."
Finally, the board approved a 6 percent pay increase for Zydek, following an executive session reviewing her performance during the last year.
""We recognize Ann for service above and beyond the call of duty, and we have recommended that we give her a 6 percent merit pay increase," said board member Ruth Jones, who headed the review committee. [[In-content Ad]]