ANNUAL REPORT 1998

HIGHLAND COUNTY DISTRICT LIBRARY

at

HILLSBORO ,GREENFIELD, LEESBURG,  LYNCHBURG

and

STATE LIBRARY OF OHIO BOOKMOBILE stops at:

BELFAST, BUFORD, CARMEL, DANVILLE, MOWRYSTOWN, NEWMARKET, NEW PETERSBURG

RAINSBORO, ROCKY FORK, & SINKING SPRING

Highland County District Library

10 Willettsville Pike

Hillsboro, Ohio 45133

937-393-3114

FAX: 937-393-2985

Computer Catalog: 393-0657

Or 981-5177

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

FRED YOCHUM, President

KAY MCMULLEN, V. Pres.

DELMA FAIRLEY

STEPHEN HUNTER

GEORGE ROUSH

SUSAN SHARP, Sec/Treas.

CRAIG TURNER

JUDITH B. LINDLEY DIRECTOR

EMILY EVANS CLERK TREASURER

HIGHLAND COUNTY DISTRICT LIBRARY

ANNUAL REPORT

1998

GROWTH in service and programs offered to Highland County residents are indicated by our annual report statistics this year.   Items checked out have increased 15% over last year to books, videos, books-on-tape, computer and music CDs and cassettes. The percentage increase in circulation over 1990 is 176%. We attribute this increase to being open longer hours and offering more materials, services and programming to our patrons.

Our four libraries in Hillsboro, Greenfield, Lynchburg and Leesburg serve an estimated population of 38,385.   20,852 registered patrons use the libraries. Per capita use is 10.2 items.

Our Greenfield Branch staff deserves special recognition for an increase in circulation of materials 27.9% this year and and 26% in 1997, more than any of our libraries. Margaret Magee attributes this exciting increase to extra programs, reading programs and community support and involvement.

The bookmobile serves the southern third of our county with 2 stops monthly at 10 locations and 13,098 items checked out.

Fax, telephone and e-mail allow us to be constant touch with each of our libraries and our patrons. Interlibrary loan allows us to borrow books for our patrons which we do not own.

Brenda Fisher, our Computer Services Librarian, received two LSTA technology grants this year totaling $21,181. With those funds, the library purchased a Lap-Top Lab and projector to be used for staff and public training. Forty-six training sessions for computer related training were offered in 1998.

Laura Wain received a $1000 programming grant from the Ohio Arts Council for the purpose of bringing Cynthia Taylor's White Oak Basketmaking exhibition to the Hillsboro library during the month of June.

Joining our staff as Assistant Director this past June, Jennifer West has worked in many positions familiarizing herself with our library system and documenting many of our procedures. She is leading the book discussion group in Hillsboro and has provided much assistance to our Lynchburg Branch in addition to assisting the Director.

We mourn the loss of a valuable Board of Trustees member, Ralph Phillips, who represented the Greenfield area of the county. Stephen Hunter of Greenfield will serve out his term on the Board of Trustees.

The Numbers:

Main Library, Hillsboro, Ohio, with branches in Leesburg, Lynchburg, Greenfield. County Population: 38,385.

Circulation of 394,564 is an increase of 15% over 1997. .. .an increase of 176% over 1990.

Per capita circulation is 10.2 items, an increase of 1.3 items over 1997.

System Circulation:        381,466

Hillsboro                213,664       Approx. 56% of total           12.7% increase

Greenfield                85,469       Approx. 22% of total           27.9% increase

Lynchburg               47,534            Approx. 12% of total              15.6% increase

Leesburg                  34,799         Approx. 9% of total             4.2% increase

Bookmobile             13,098

Adult circulation is roughly two-thirds of total. Juvenile circulation is roughly one-third of total.

Bookmobile service: We provide bookmobile service of 2 stops monthly at 10 locations in the southern third of the county where population is sparse. They circulated 13,098 items in 1998.

Interlibrary Loan services provided to us by Southeastern Ohio Regional Library System,
provided by the State Library of Ohio and some of the SWORL libraries.
ILL loaned: 165                               ILL borrowed: 2,439

We own about 130,809 books and audio/visual materials. We have added about 20,000 books in 1998.

Registered borrowers:                                          20,852

Hillsboro                     12,040

Greenfield                   4,580

Lynchburg                    2,645

Leesburg                       1,587

PROGRAMS

System Adult:         128 programs                           Attendance:        4,653

Children:                                                               Attendance:      10,165

Hills boro:

Adult:               50 programs                                                302

Basket Open House                                  3,000

Children:         160 programs                                       3,065

Headstart program -18

Hills & Dales

Little Lamb Preschool

Elementary classes

Total program attendance                                          6,367

Greenfield Branch:

Children:        318 programs

4 scheduled programs/week

Young Adult Board (YAB)

Headstart storytimes (4-5

classes per week)

Other programs

Classes

Total children attendance                   4,481

Adult and YAB                                                                    364

Total attendance                                                     4,845

Leesburg Branch:

Youth:                                                                                 956

Adults:                                                                                 457

Total attendance                                                      1,413

Lynchburg Branch:

Youth:                                                                               1,663

Adults:                                                                                 530

Total attendance                                                  2,193

The Libraries:

HILLSBORO

Considered the hub of the Highland County District Library, the main library at Hillsboro has registered 58% of the patrons of our libraries and has a circulation of 56% of the total for the system. Space allows us to house about half the library materials and a complete reference collection.

Fax, telephone, and e-mail allow us to be in constant touch with the Leesburg, Lynchburg and Greenfield branches, supporting them with supplies, materials and answers to some reference questions. Our Ameritech Dynix Library System connects our four libraries so that library staff and customers know where all our materials are located and whether they are available for loan at this time.

Books, videos, music and other materials are purchased, processed and cataloged at Hillsboro before being distributed to the branches.

We are a place for study, research, investigation and browsing among current books and information of the day. Magazines and newspapers may be read in our quiet area or checked out for reading at home. Researching family or local history is a popular activity at Hillsboro.

The OPLIN (Ohio Public Library Information Network) provided by the state of Ohio in early 1997, continues to offer research databases and the Internet. The variety of information available continues to be outstanding and well-regarded.

The most colorful area in our library is the Children's Department, serving parents and youth up through grade six. The scenery changes with the season as our staff decorates for special events, holidays and the seasons. The collection is also fresh and changing with current books, videos and tapes purchased continually.

Our storyhour continue to grow in popularity, serving children from the age of two up. In addition to an expert storyhour staff, guest speakers bring different aspects of the community into the library. Headstart and other groups visit for additional storyhours. A new storyhour for 6 to 10 year olds has been added, bringing the number of storyhours to 6.

In addition to our regular programming, the following guest speakers appeared: Natalie Latimer, naturalist; Kurd Latimer, park ranger; Stories-R-Us Storytellers; Jerry Ballard, Water Safety - Division of Watercraft; Puppet Show, Ruby Doherty; Children's Book Week; Bedtime Storyhour; Block Party - Kick Off for Summer Reading Program; Read Across America on Dr. Seuss's Birthday in partnership with the schools.

The big project for 1997 in the Children's Department was the assembling of 200 storyhour kits for use by our staff and to be reserved and checked out by any licensed day care facility, preschool or elementary teachers for use in presenting storyhours to children of the county. These kits have been enormously popular in 1998.

A staff of 17 full and part-time people combine many talents to operate our main library and provide support services to our branches:

Children's Dept.: Joan Anderson, Tammy Skoufalos, Rosalind Engle, Betty Daugherty, Nancy Slater.

Adult Dept.: Donna Stout, Anna Lou Chaney, Shirley Foster, Laura Wain, Jennifer Williams, Erma Gibbs, Mary Jane Kibler, Mindy Juillerat, April Posey, Jennifer West, Holly Culbreath.

Computer Services: Brenda Fisher

GREENFIELD BRANCH LIBRARY

1998 has been a very busy and exciting year at the Greenfield Branch Library. Our circulation figures were up to 85,469 (an increase of 28%). Our program attendance figures were also up at 5,079. Our busiest times of the year would have to be Summer Reading Program in June and July and our Season's Reading Christmas Club in October through December. We had 338 children, 108 teens, and 93 adults who took part in our Summer Reading Program. The theme this year was "Drop anchor in a good book". For the first time this year, we decided to have a fall/Christmas reading promotion. We had 175 children, ages 3 to grade 6, participate in our "Season's Reading Christmas Club". The children read about 8,000 books during this 2 month period. For each 5 books that a child read, he was given $1 in "Merry Money". On December 5, we opened the "Christmas Club Gift Shop", and the children could then use their "Merry Money" to buy gifts for parents, sisters and brothers, or themselves. It was lots of fun!

Our YAB (Youth Advisory Board) teens presented several programs this year. The largest was the "Charlie Brown Christmas" performance on December 15. 130 children and adults enjoyed an evening of fun entertainment.

The businesses, schools and people of Greenfield are generous, and really care about their community. We enjoy working together as a team with our community to make it a better place to live.

Margaret Magee

Staff: Margaret Magee, Branch Manager, Darlene Karnes, Debbie Wise, Carol Walls, Leone Bihl, and Vickie Everhart.

LYNCHBURG BRANCH LIBRARY

The new building has now been open for over 2 years, and checkout totals have increased by another 15.6% Residents have enjoyed reading newspapers and magazines in a comfortable environment, meeting in our meeting room, and the library now has the only copier in town.

In 1998, the Lynchburg branch expanded its services to young people in two directions. We started a Mother Goose storytime for toddlers and their caregivers that meets every Wednesday night, and we started programming for teens. We also began a new Volunteen program for those in grades 6-8 who wish to donate their time and creativity to the library. Volunteens helped this year in many ways; decorating the library, summer reading registration, shelving videos and helping younger kids with crafts are examples.

Staff: Gloria Dragoo, Branch Manager, Elaine Williams, Children's Librarian, Rosemary McLarty, Carol Frost.

LEESBURG BRANCH LIBRARY

The Leesburg Branch Library continues to serve a growing number of patrons while anticipating it's move to a new location down the street. Circulation has increased by 4.2%.

The Leesburg branch had a special 4th of July program where a local P. O. W. and other war veterans were invited to have a round table discussion that was well attended by 22 participants. A Marine veterans gave all present a small American flag.

Craft programs for adults seem to be the most popular. 1998's favorites consisted of: a reclining snowman by IN Stitches of Wilmington, a Ring of Rosies, spice wreath, and snowman by The Picket Fence, and Holiday gift bags! Everyone, young and old, enjoyed the Steamboat program this summer and Ruby Doherty's ventriloquist program in the fall! We also had Rose Merkowitz for a terrific program called "Left Brain-Right Brain", and John Dimes did a spring program on Landscaping Your Home.

Brenda and Mindy's computer program had 12 enthusiastic participants.

For young people our Quilting classes were well received as well as our Beanie Baby Bash and our Beadie Buddies! We had clowns, Kurd Latimer did an excellent program on owls and Karen Adams gave a super Scuba Diving presentation for our summer reading kick off! Everyone enjoyed our Thanksgiving program done by Greenfield's YAB's!

The RRR - Relax, Read and Review group has met regularly each month to discuss their favorite book or author. Every other month they have chosen to all read the same book so they can review intensely! This group consists of 8 ladies who attend regularly and have become close by sharing their feelings through books!

We at the Leesburg branch participated in the village's annual Luminaria night where the entire village lights luminaria candles. We had an open house serving popcorn, cheese balls and crackers, coffee and punch. The entire staff works to decorate the library for Christmas and serve at this event which served between 160-200 people. We especially appreciate Leon Lindley for manning the popcorn machine and Judy for helping at the punch table as well as greeting our many guests. It's a wonderful community evening.

Staff: Carol Gustin, Branch Manager, Barbara Smalley, Erin Williamson, Rebecca Howard, and Louise McKamey.

The Programs:

Dawna Jo Kiesling of the OSU Extension Office continues to present Family Nutrition Programs, booth-style in each of our libraries each month. She offers new ideas, recipes and samples of nutritious foods and snacks to all who attend the library that morning or afternoon. This program is well-received and the staff also look forward to her visits.

The AARP provided volunteer income tax advisors to the elderly and low-income families at each of our branches during February and March.

LEESBURG ADULT PROGRAMS:

A total of 297 attended our adult programs. 4th of July round table discussion, Adult craft programs (reclining snowman by IN Stitches of Wilmington, a Ring of Rosies, spice wreath, and snowman by The Picket Fence, and Holiday gift bags), Steamboat program, Ruby Doherty's ventriloquist program, Rose Merkowitz's "Left Brain-Right Brain", and John Dimes' "Landscaping Your Home". The RRR - Relax, Read and Review book group meets every other month  Brenda and Mindy's computer program had 12 enthusiastic participants.

GREENFIELD ADULT PROGRAMS:

Head Start, Underground Railroad, "Dorothy" reading program, Tax Aide program, Railroading, Sammy Sail Saver, Art and Poetry Awards, Gramma and Grins, Herbs, Vets Night, Kurd Latimer, Mental Health Group Tour, Clownmania, Magic Show, Swim Party, Herb Garden Tour, Amish School Tour, Africa, Sports History, Beginning Computer Class.

LYNCHBURG ADULT PROGRAMS:

Mystery Dinner, CPR Certification, Calligraphy, Wildlife Habitat Workshop, Demonstration of Dynix System, Digging For Your Roots - Beginning Genealogy, Hand-Sewn Angels, Learn to Crochet in Two Sessions, Special Touch Breast Cancer Awareness, Wilmington College Collegium Musicum, and "I've Never Touched a Computer Before".

HILLSBORO ADULT PROGRAMS:

Black History Month Celebration, 1 program; Computer training by Brenda Fisher in Microsoft Excel and Word - 46 programs; Career workshops; Baskets of Appalachia and History of Baskets - Cynthia Taylor; Poet's Voice, January-April, 4 programs; "Bookies" book discussion,  meetings; Grant Writing by Kurt Simon, 1 program; Sharon Draper, speaker (planned with SSCC), 1 program.

ARTISTS:

Deborah Hennison, Professional Artist Evelyn Pierson - Professional Artist
Sandy Pence - Professional Artist
Sharon Becker - Non-professional Artist Jean Malicoat - Non-professional

EXHIBITORS:

Cynthia Taylor - Ohio Arts Council - Professional Traditional Basket Weaver. Display of White Oak Baskets.

Harewood Heritage - Black History Month - genealogy, biographies, and exhibits of family heritage.

Jennifer Williams, photographs

AUTHORS:

Sharon Draper - "National Teacher of the Year"

Dr. Donavan - Author of "Life of the Amish". Professor at Ohio State University.

OTHER DISPLAYS:

Black History Month Display (Afro-American Research Council)

Casper Collins display (Highland County Historical Society)

Book Display (Highland County District Library)

Bell Festival/Bell Family display (Highland County Historical Society)

4-H Club Display (Gina Early, Advisor)

Highland County District Library birthday

School Display (Diane Jolitz)

Handcarved Santas (James Evans)

Antique Santa Christmas cards (Evelyn Tom)

Antique toys and books (Joan Anderson and Anna Lou Chaney)