Happy New Year! I extend my appreciation to all of you for helping your library celebrate another very successful year.
Once again our library was selected as one of the best libraries in the country, ranking 8th of 759 public libraries serving a population of 50,000-100,000 residents. Your library also received a Five Star rating by the Library Journal, the highest ranking available to public libraries. Only 85 Five Star libraries were selected from more than 7,900 public libraries throughout the U.S.
Working together, we rolled up our sleeves and addressed many issues during a very difficult financial year. We reduced our budget by nearly 30%. Some of the cuts were painful, such as closing on Sundays; drastically reducing our ability to purchase new materials; and curtailing staffing. But, with your patience, understanding and support, the library continues to excel.
While we face another difficult financial year, our primary goal is always the same—to furnish our patrons with the materials and information they need, while providing outstanding customer service.
We will continue to do just that, and we look forward to another great year of serving you and your family.