Director’s Blog

Now more than ever, residents rely on the Westerville Public Library for books, research, internet access, job searches, homework assistance and other critical services they need daily.  In ten years the library has not increased its .8-mill levy, the library’s only local tax support. Westerville is the lowest locally funded library in Franklin County.

State funding for the Westerville Public Library has been cut $1.6 million since the .8-mill levy was passed in 2007.  We are now at 1996 funding levels. State funding will be reduced by an additional $300,000 through 2013.

In the past five years, our library has had to cut staff, reduce library hours by closing Sundays, reduce our book budget by 40%, and defer critical building maintenance. Without the replacement levy, the library will lose 42% of our funding at the end of next year. It’s an additional $3.06 per month per $100,000 of home value.

To offset further losses, the Library Board determined that 2.0 mils is needed to maintain the level of programs and services our community needs.  The Library Board also weighed carefully the options and saw the need for a continuing levy term rather than five-year.  The library simply cannot move forward with the prospect of losing 60% of its funding every five years.  With a stable funding source, the library can plan with certainty and not have to return to the voters for additional funding for at least ten years.

What will the Replacement Levy with additional millage cost?  The new levy will total $61.25 per $100,000 of assessed valuation, or $3.06 per month. Currently, the Westerville Public Library has the lowest funding of Franklin County’s seven library systems.  If successful in November, Westerville would still be the third lowest funded library in Franklin County.

How much will the new levy cost me compared to other communities?

• Worthington          $163/4.8 mils
• Grandview             $144/4.7 mils
• Columbus              $86/2.8 mils
• Average                 $84/2.475 mils
• Delaware                $78/1.0 mil
• Upper Arlington     $62/2.0 mils
• Westerville             $61/2.0 mils
• Bexley                    $46/1.5 mils
• Grove City              $31/1.0 mil

What will we do with the levy funds?

• Reopen and expand Sunday hours of operation.
• Restore the more than 40% in cuts to purchasing library materials since 2007.
• Fill 12 of the 14 open library positions reduced due to state funding cuts.
• Add much-needed parking space.
• Open the Local History Center on Saturdays.
• Replace the aging carpet in Adult Services.
• Improve the Library drive-up window and drop slot.
• Replace the 1955 and 1980 heating and air conditioning systems.
• Offer requested Adult, Youth and Teen programming.
• Update the Youth area.

These are the major areas that must be improved for the library to continue the programs and services you rely upon from the Westerville Public Library.  Our promise to you is that with your help we will accomplish all of this and more.  And, we will continue to be one of the most cost efficient libraries in the country.

All of us at the library ask for your support of the November Replacement Levy.  Help keep our library strong, vibrant and responsive to your needs.  We pledge to continue providing good stewardship and value for the funds that you entrust to us.  As always, I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have.  I can be reached through this blog or by telephone at (614) 882-7277, Extension 2140.

Thank you so much for your continuing support of the Westerville Public Library.

Don

Don W. Barlow
Director

I want to take this opportunity to thank you, our community for another great year. Due to your continuing support, the Westerville Public Library is once again ranked among America’s Best and most cost efficient libraries. The Hennin rankings for public libraries ranked Westerville eighth among libraries serving a population of 50,000-100,000. That is eighth among the 542 libraries in our population category. In addition, your library received a FIVE STAR rating by the American Library Association. Only 35 Five Star ratings were given to America’s 7,402 public libraries, a great accomplishment for our library and our community.

While this was a very difficult year financially, due to the 32% reduction in state funding. We had to make some difficult reductions in library hours, staffing and services. Hopefully, these cuts will be temporary and we can once again open on Sunday’s, purchase more materials for your use and continue the outstanding services you have come to expect and deserve.

I would like to invite you to take a glance at our annual report to see how your library continues to work to better serve your needs.

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.

Want to help the Westerville Public Library win $10,000? We are one of ten finalist in the Playaway: Picture This contest and could be just one vote away from winning!

In order to qualify for the contest, we built a display featuring all of our Playaway audiobooks. (Playaways are MP3 players that come preloaded with audiobooks that you can listen to when you’re on the go!)

Take your favorite authors, from James Patterson to Danielle Steel, with you to the gym, the park, the doctor’s office or even around the house while you’re doing chores!

And don’t forget, be sure to cast your vote now through December 17 for the library’s chance to win $10,000!

(Note: Be sure to turn off your pop-up blocker before voting.)

Wondering how your library can help you find a job? Watch Kitten’s story to learn how she used the library to help her choose a career, create a resume, prepare for interviews and more!

Westerville Public Library has been recognized nationally as a “Star Library” and awarded a 5-star rating—the highest possible—in the 2010 Index of Public Library Service recently released by Library Journal The LJ report scored 7,407 public libraries and identified 258 star libraries nationally – with only 85 receiving a five-star ranking.

Scoring is based on 2008 data from Institute of Museum and Library Services that includes library visits, circulation, program attendance and public Internet computer use. The score is also figured according to annual operating expenditures. Our total score is 2nd best in the country, within the range of over $5 million and under $10 million

2010 has been a rewarding year for the Westerville Public Library. In April, Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings ranked Westerville as the 8th best public library in the nation among those serving district populations of 50,000-99,999.

I wish to thank the hundreds of Library well-wishers who joined in last Saturday’s celebration of the Westerville Public Library’s 80th year of service to the community. As you know, we are passionate about our Library and are committed to the continued success of this great community treasure. The gathering that marked our 80th anniversary and our successes over the past eight decades was a memorable experience thanks to the participation of many individuals.

First, we acknowledge and thank the Friends of the Library organization for their sponsorship of the celebration. Under the leadership of president Arlene Roeder, their devoted and hardworking board provides for Library needs throughout the year.

A highpoint of the festivities was the Westerville Library Foundation’s unveiling of newly engraved pavers ordered by more than 100 individuals and organizations in honor of the 80th anniversary. The Library is humbled by the display of heartfelt messages inscribed in the courtyard and grateful for the leadership and dedication of the Westerville Library Foundation led by president George Pilcher.

We thank State Representative Marian Harris for her kind remarks and presentation of a commendation from the Ohio House of Representatives honoring the Library and praising those who have nurtured and sustained the Library with their commitment to literacy and education over the 80 years.

We are grateful to Kathy Cocuzzi, Mayor of the City of Westerville, for her tribute and presentation of the City Proclamation marking our anniversary and recognizing the Trustees, volunteers and Friends who give their time and talent to the Library.

Finally, the Library’s 80 years of success is a reflection of the forward thinking and enlightenment that has always typified the residents of this community. We thank those individuals and families who treasure their Library and took a moment to wish the Library a “happy birthday,” and we invite everyone to view those recordings and photos on our website.

Thank you for making the Westerville Public Library a center of information and ideas — a place that inspires thought and innovation. For 80 years the Library has served persons of every age, from preschoolers imagining the world ahead at story hour, to senior citizens re-reading the history of their youth.

Don W. Barlow
Executive Director

Dear Westerville Library Patron,
This year the Westerville Public Library is celebrating 80 years of service to our community. We invite you to support the Library and create a lasting tribute by purchasing an engraved brick for the Library courtyard.

An engraved brick or a large paver can place your name and message in stone, celebrate a holiday or important event, and be given as a gift. This is a unique opportunity to extend Father`s Day wishes, applaud a graduate, congratulate newlyweds and more. Interested? More details can be found on the Westerville Library’s Foundation page.

The sale of the engraved bricks contributes to our mission: helping to provide for the current needs of the Library during this time of reduced funding, while building a strong foundation for another 80 years and beyond.

We hope you will attend the Library`s 80th Anniversary Reception, Saturday, Aug. 21. Music in the atrium and a magic show will begin at 1pm, with the unveiling of the newly engraved bricks at 2pm. Enjoy cake and a peek at pictures of the Library through the years, too. Orders placed by July 7 will be part of the unveiling.

Thank you in advance for your continuing support of our community treasure!

Don

Congratulations to the Board and Library Staff! Library rankings have been released for 2010 and once again, the Westerville Public Library is ranked among the country’s Best Public Libraries in the Hennen Library Rankings Index.  The 2010 Edition rates 7,930 public libraries in the United States using the latest federal data.   Libraries are rated, scored and ranked on 15 input and output measures. The Westerville Public Library is ranked 8th among libraries in the 50,000-100,000 population range. This is the 7th time in 10 years that the Westerville has ranked in the top ten and the 12th consecutive year that Westerville has ranked above the 90th percentile, or in the top 10% of all libraries in the US. Again, congratulations to the Library Board, our staff and most importantly congratulations to the citizens of the Westerville Public Library District. Don

Another record year for the Westerville Public Library! I want to give my thanks to a great staff and Library Board. Their energies and dedication have made the library successful through a very difficult financial year! I also want to give a special thanks to the citizens of the library district for their continuing support and library patronage. You make the difference!

For all of the 2009 highlights, check out our Annual Report!