HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-09-15; Library Board of Trustees; MinutesI ITEM # 2
MINUTES
MEETING OF:
DATE OF MEETING: September 15,1999
TIME OF MEETING: 4:OO PM
PLACE OF MEETING: Library Board Room
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Karen Gleason Huss called the meeting to order at 4:Ol PM.
ROLL CALL:
Present : Library Board Trustees Gleason Huss, Kamenjarin, Page and
Tarman.
Absent: Trustee Baron
Also Present: Cliff Lange, Library Director
Geoff Armour, Assistant Library Director
Dana Hartshorn, Library Management Analyst
Mig Chaney, League of Women Voters Observer -
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the August 18, 1999 meeting were approved with one correction.
Prior to moving on to the first agenda item, Chair Gleason Huss asked Management
Analyst Hartshorn about the status of the City’s Web Page.
Management Analyst Hartshorn reported that the City has changed their wed host and
that change necessitated some additional programming but that we were expecting to
be up by the end of September.
Trustee Tarman suggested and the Board agreed to trail Item IO, the library tour, to the
end of the meeting today.
MONTHLY LIBRARY DIVISION HEADS REPORTS:
Chair Gleason Huss asked if the custodial staff at Pine School was involved in the
reorganization of the spaces at the Centro.
Assistant Library Director Armour reported that since the City is on the verge of
Library Board of Trustees
Minutes of September 15,1999 Meeting
Page 2
purchasing the property, the custodians are not really involved. The Library staff at the
Centro is doing most of the moving of furnishings and the collection.
Trustee Tarman asked if there were any thoughts of moving the Adult Learning
Program to the new library location.
Library Director Lange responded that there is a possibility that we will move the Adult
Learning Program into the modular buildings located at City Hall once the occupants
move to the new City Building at Faraday, but there are no plans to move the literacy
program out to the Dove Lane address. Ultimately the Adult Learning Program will be
included in the new Cole Library Building when it is built. Library Director Lange went
on to explain that the Governor was about to sign a $350 million bond bill for public
library construction that might help speed up the process for the new building.
Chair Gleason Huss noted some significant changes in the stats from Genealogy as to
Reference questions and in-house usage.
Assistant Library Director Armour reported that there are often significant changes over
any given month for no specific known reason, but that statistics for the year usually
give a more accurate picture of the usage. - There being no further questions the reports were accepted as submitted.
LIBRARY BOARD LIAISON REPORTS:
There were no reports.
PROPOSED LIBRARY MEETING ROOM POLICY:
Library Director Lange reported that the draft policy is still in the City Attorney's office
under review. Assistant City Attorney Rudolph has advised that he will have his
response prepared by September 22"d.
would consider calling a special meeting to review the findings. He is most anxious to
get the policy approved by the Board as well as accepted by the City Council in order to
start booking the facilities.
Library Director Lange asked if the Board
Trustees Tarman and Page responded that they would not be available and Trustee
Kamenjarin suggested that the finalized version be sent to the trustees for review in lieu
of a special meeting.
Chair Gleason Huss asked about the possibility of appointing a special committee to
review the document and report to the Board. - Library Director Lange suggested that they wait until the October Board meeting.
Library Board of Trustees
Minutes of September 15,1999 Meeting
Page 3 -
Chair Gleason Huss asked for clarification on the issues which were of concern to the
City Attorney’s office since the draft policy was patterned after the policy currently used
by the City Park’s and Recreation department.
Library Director Lange stated that he believed it was an opportunity for the City
Attorney’s office to review all policies to bring them to conformance with City Council
policy.
Trustee Kamenjarin asked if the document has revisions that the Trustees be provided
with a red-line copy.
COLE LIBRARY RENOVATION & INTERIM SERVICE PLAN:
Library Director Lange reported that the City Council at the meeting on Tuesday,
September 14‘h authorized us to go to bid on the project. They have already begun to
move shelving out of the fiction room where we will provide the interim services
beginning on September 27‘h.
Trustee Tarman asked if patrons would be able to check out books that were located in
the collection down at the Main Library by requesting them at the interim facility. -
Trustee Page asked if there was a charge for that service much like the charge for
putting a hold on a book.
Library Director responded that there is no charge for that service, and that we operate
a courier service between the two facilities twice a day.
Library Director Lange reported that several measures have been taken to expedite the
project. The furniture is being purchased from the same vendor as provided the
furniture at the new library. Additionally they have built in incentives for the contractor
to finish the project early and extended the hours for the workers. Even so, it is
anticipated that it will still be late January or February of 2000 before we can open. The
fiction room will undergo a remodel once the remainder of the building has been
completed.
GREAT AMERICAN LIBRARIES RATINGS:
The Board was very interested in the article from American Libraries September 1999
issue in which the Carlsbad City Library was rated tenth in the country for communities
of like size. Library Director Lange explained that those libraries in the mid-west receive
a lot of state aid that increases their ratings.
Library Board of Trustees
Minutes of September 15,1999 Meeting
LIBRARY STATISTICS FOR FY 1998-99:
Page 4 -
Assistant Library Director Armour explained that the report was a quick snap shot of
significant items and for comparative purposes shows the previous year. It will be
interesting to note any changes resulting from the opening of the new library as well as
after the Cole is re-opened.
Library Director Lange commented that new library buildings typically cause an
increase in usage by nearly 50%.
VIS UALlZl N G FOR COMPREHENSION :
The board found the essay very interesting. Chair Gleason Huss asked how many of
the current trustees were part of the exercise in translating the story at the Adult
Learning Center. She felt it should be mandatory for all incoming trustees as it was
very interesting and gave one a different perspective on the program.
DIRECTOR'S RE PORT:
Library Director Lange asked the board if they would be interested in having some of
the Library Division Heads give a presentation on the functions and operations of their
areas. c
The Board was in favor of including it as part of the meeting agenda and Trustee
Kamenjarin asked that we begin with Collection Development.
Chair Gleason Huss said she would like to know the step-by-step process that gets the
books on the shelf and Assistant Library Director Armour suggested we schedule
Susan Simpson, the Acquisitions and Collection Development Division Head, on the
November agenda.
Grand Opening: Library Director Lange reported that the staff has been working long
hours in preparation for the event and there were still a good many things to do. There
were over 250 attendees at the Preview Gala.
New Staff - The oral board for the Senior Librarian for the Children's Division at Cole is
scheduled for September 22"d. The recruitment for the Principal Librarian is scheduled
for October 6'h. Additionally there is an internal recruitment for a Senior Circulation
Supervisor position for the Cole.
Sun Newspaper: Library Director Lange announced that the Sun Newspapers had
notified us that their readers had selected the Carlsbad City Library as the outstanding - library in North County.
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of SeDtember 15.1999 Meetina
Page 5
Gallerv: The Fieldstone exhibit has been hung in the gallery over the weekend.
Time Capsule: The time capsule will be installed after the grand opening to include
information on the grand opening and there will be a separate ceremony which will
combine the sealing of the time capsule, the unveiling of the mural painted by Janell
Cannon for the Children’s Library, and the bronze dedication plaque.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY:
Trustee Kamenjarin, reporting for the Friends, said that they are not planning a green
belt book sale this year. They are tentatively planning a sale about the time the Cole
will reopen. In the meantime the bookstore is well stocked and will be open for
business during library hours.
GENEALOGY SOCIETY:
No report.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None. -
ADJOURNMENT:
By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of September 15, 1999 was adjourned at 4:36
PM followed by the Library Tour..
Respectfully submitted,
Cissie SLxton
Administrative Secretary
ITEM # 3
ADULT LEARNING PROGRAM
Monthly Report: August 1999
1. State Library SDecial Grant
Recognizing the current widespread national interest in the literacy skills of adults and children,
the California State Library has designated $1,000 each to every library jurisdiction with a
California Literacy Campaign (begun with State Library grants) program. The money is to be
used to expand library collections on the subject of literacy, for use by the general public.
Materials are to be selected fkom a bibliography prepared by the State Library. In Carlsbad,
materials will be purchased for the nonfiction collections at Cole, New Main, and the Centro de
Informacion.
2. Carlsbad High School Collaborative Literacv Propram
Staff met with Judy Gaitan, Special Education teacher at Carlsbad High School, to plan for the
1999-2000 school year’s collaborative literacy program. Starting September 9, two classes of
high school students (total of 17 students) will be coming with their instructors to the Adult
Learning Program to resume the reading program begun last year. A third class, composed of
Special Education students in the high school’s “functional,” or basic lifeskills, program, will be
using some of Adult Learning Program’s curriculum in their self-contained classroom at the high
school, taught by school staff. At Valley Junior High School, one student will be initiating the
program there in a Special Education classroom.
/c
3. Adult Learning Propram Collection
Plans were made for relocating the Adult Learning Program collection while the current Main
Library is closed for renovation. The materials will be moved to the Adult Learning Program
site and will circulate to tutors and learners, thanks to the support of Centro de Informacion staff,
who will take care of circulation records with their computer. Adult Learning Program staff,
tutors, and learners are very excited about having easy access to the collection so that participants
can see the variety of quality materials and really begin using them. Also, adult learners will be
able to learn about using a library collection, including Dewey Decimal numbers, in an
atmosphere in which they feel comfortable.
Partnershim for ChanPe Guidelines
From 1989 to 1995, Adult Learning Program Coordinator Lynda Jones also worked with the
library’s Partnerships for Change (PFC) program, which resulted in opening the Centro de
Informacion. In response to many requests, the State Library is now preparing a manual,
Partnershipsfur Change Guidelines, based on the experiences of PFC participating libraries, to
help additional libraries use the PFC philosophy, process, and principles to respond to
California’s rapidly changing population. In August, Lynda was an Editorial Advisor for the
project, reviewing and commenting on the draft document, which will be published in the fall.
\
CARLSBAD CITY LIBRARY
CENTRO DE INFORMACION
Monthly Report
August 1999
1.- Children's ProPramming - Summer Reading Program. On August 6*, the Centro
ended the Summer Reading Program with 198 children enrolled. On August 16* at the
City Council Chambers, children from the Main Library and the Centro received awards
and prizes for their outstanding participation in the Reading Program.
2.- Community Partnershim Centro Supervisor Lizeth Simonson, at the invitation of
Eloise Allen, Site Director of the Head Start Program in Carlsbad, gave a presentation to a
group of Head Start teachers. Lizeth explained about the Partnership in Reading and how
the library and Head Start work together for the benefit of the children and their families.
Head Start children regularly attend the weekly bilingual morning and afternoon storycraft
programs at the Centro.
3.- Facilitv Space at the Centro. During the last three weeks of August Centro staff
have been working to create space at the Centro de Informacion for more print and non-
print materials and for the two new computers purchased with FederaVState InFoPeople
Grant. These tasks included moving furniture, dismantling and reconstructing bookcases,
and cleaning. Staff were also preparing materials for the regular bilingual storycraft hours
that will begin the week of September 6th.
4.- Staff Develomnent Committee. As a member of the Staff Development Committee,
Centro Supervisor Lizeth Simonson worked with other members of the committee to
organize the New Library Open House for all library staff. During the Open House library
staff had the opportunity to walk around and familiarize themselves with the new facility.
Maps were provided for a self-guided tour and refreshments were served at the
multipurpose room.
.$ c
'j * <
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT AND ACQUISITIONS STATISTICS REPORT
August 1999
Items keceived
Books - Adult
Main
Branch
Centro
_-------------
subtota 1
Soaks - Chlldren
Main
Branch
Centro
subtotal
Audio - Adult
Audio - Children
video
Total Received
438
270
0
708
24 1
226
0
467
188
4
20
1.387
97
19
43
159
3
0
0
3
18
6
5
19 1
535
289
43
867
244
226
170
-
10
47 72
-17 1,625
1,427
367
25
1,819
352
288
20
660
320
11
193
3.003
B & T = Baker & Taylor
PMSC = Professional Media Services Corporation
c
\ Genealogy & Local History Division
Fiscal Year 1999/2000 Statistics
August 1999
Research activity:
Reference questions
Regstered researchers
Computer users
Circulation
Inhouse usage
Holdmgs:
Genealogy Non-Circ
Genealogy Circ
Microfilm
Wcrofiche
CD
August 1999
1,231
986
145
159
2,670
Added
August 1999
-60
-4
96
0
0
August 1998
1,527
898
232
162
1,775
Added
FY1999/00
to date
-1 96
-5
109
0
0
Activities with the North San Diego County Genealogy Society: -
August 1999 Xugus t 1 99 8
Volunteer hours
Programs
Program attendance
NSDCGS donations
Donated books
68 40
3 4
181 132
n/a $854.00
23 18
FY1999/00
to date
2,479
1,936
279
304
4,534
Added
Fy1998/99
666
61
4,313
8
-24
Total 1999
to date
435
30
1,414
$8,274.05
135
Fy1998/99
15,741
9,523
2,323
1,630
22,868
Total
18,144
873
7,564
119,316
246
Total 1998
538
40
1,705
$14,209.00
260
Location’ ,.
Carlsbad
San Diego County
Los Angeles County
fiverside County
San Bernardino Co
Other California Co
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georga
Hawaii
Idaho
Ihois
Indana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine r ‘aqland
ivlassachusetts
Michgan
Minnesota
Mississippi
rVIissouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshe
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
ohlo
Oklahoma I
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
ras
v tah
Vermont
sc ]range county
/-
August FY
1999 1999/00
203
63 0
18
53
25
12
28
0
0
5
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
3
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
342
1,297
39
103
47
18
42
0
0
16
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
3
1
3
0
3
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
3
2
0
FY
1998/99
1,775
5,828
269
591
514
19
74
1
0
81
2
1
0
1
3
1
2
2
6
2
1
4
5
0
0
18
3
6
4
1
8
0
19
13
0
0
0
5
4
1
9
3
12
4
0
0
0
0
8
12
1
Virpa
Washington
Washington, D.C.
West Virgma
Wisconsin
Guam
B elgum
England
Germany
Ireland
Mexico
Russia
Total
Wyoming
0 1
0 0
0 1
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
986 1,936
6
12
2
1
25
1
0
0
6
2
2
2
0
9,372
,. I
c
I
0 -v cd A 8
City clerk
cii councu 2 6
citv Manoom 1.1
Technical Services Report
August 1999
In August, Technical Services staff added 1,155 new print items and 323 audiovisual
items to the library’s collection. They deleted 1,428 print items and 195 audiovisual
items fiom the database.
Annual statistics for the year ending June 30, 1999, were up from the previous year.
From July 1 through June 30, we added 17,571 books and 5,318 audiovisual items, for a
total of 22,889. The previous year, we added 13, 834 books and 4,074 AV items, for a
total of 17,908. The increase was made possible by an increase in the materials budget
and the filling of a position in Technical Services that had been vacant for several years.
In preparation for the move to the new building, we outsourced the cataloging and
processing of a special purchase ofjuvenile books that will be part of the new main
library’s opening day collection. Staff from Baker & Taylor Corporation, the company
from which we obtain most of our books, cataloged books for us, then posted files of the
cataloging data on one of their servers. Technical Services staff then transferred the files
to the library’s database. after first checking to see if any additional editing is necessary.
After a few technical problems, that part of the process has gone smoothly. Over 800
catalog records were transferred from Baker & Taylor behveen August 23 and August 3 1.
Approximately 400 titles remain to be done. The finished books are being held in a
warehouse and will be shipped to the library the week before the grand opening.
REFERENCE ACTWiTlES for AUGUST 1999 c Reference questions totaled 4,543 during the month of August, a
decrease of 479 over last year. Reserves totaled 1,758, a decrease
of 592.
Online searches totaled 1,360, an increase of 641 over last year.
This figure includes Public Internet Access sign-ups, which totaled
1,311 during the month of August, including 64 Visitors.
Interlibrary loans totaled 79 items received and 48 items were
sent to other libraries.
Also in August, there were 236 questions answered at the Information
Desk.
During the month of August, there were 4 Internet Classes and 1 tour
of the Job and Career Center.
The Reference Selection Committee met on August 5 and ordered
updates worth $1,410 for Main and $629 for Cole. Also $397 was spent
for new Reference materials for Main and $386 was spent for Cole.
Suzanne Smithson attended a Web Committee Meeting on August 5.
There was an EOSi Meeting on August 12 attended by Callie and Char.
r.
A Public Access Computer Committee was chaired by Wendy Sears
on August 18.
Callie attended a Staff Development Meeting and Char
attended a Divison Heads Meeting on August 19.
Callie's Staff Development Committee sponsored a Staff
"Warming" Tour of the New Main Library on August 20 from 330 to 7:30.
Char Kennedy was on Jury Duty from August 24 through August 30.
She was able to get back to work on Tuesday August 31 and closed
down the old Main Library that evening for the move and remodel.
c
,. C CARLSBAD CITY LIBRARY
lune-98 June-99 % Change
CIRCULATION
P
MAIN LIBRARY
Print
Audio
Video
TOTAL:
BRANCH
Print
Audio
Video
TOTAL:
CENTRO
Print
Audio
TOTAL:
GRAND TOTAL:
REFERENCE QUESTIONS
Centro
Genealogy
Children's
Adult
Branch
TOTAL:
MEDINGRAPHICS PROJECTS
Media
Graphics
TOTAL:
HOLDS PLACED
Page 1
51,190 49,408 -3%
7,653 8,220 7%
7,064 6,979 -1%
65,907 64,607 -2%
18,075 19,554 8%
3,515 4,211 20%
2,092 2,142 2%
23,682 25,907 9YO
1,226 1,063 -13"/0
126 119 -6O/1,
1,352 1,182 -13%
90,941 91,696 1 1%)
366 425 16%
1,279 1,207 -6%
1,632 2,140 31%
5,425 5,040 -7%
2,138 2,360 10%
10,840 11,172 3'/0
17 25 47%
45 43 -4%
62 68 10%
2,320 2,539 9%
., dnrlsbad Ci'ty Libmnj Stntistics, coiitinited
PEOPLE COUNT (Daily Average)
*. c June-98 June-99 % Change
Centro
Main Library
Branch
128 100 -22%
1,400 1,394 0%
701 732 4%
TOTAL 2,229 2,226 0%
ATTENDANCE AT PROGRAMSDOURS
96 195
304 479
na 125
419 105
61 96
654 1,395
103'/0
58%
na
- 75%"
57%
113"/0
Genealogy
Branch Children
Centro Adult
Centro ChiIdren
Main Adult
Main Children
4% TOTAL: 1,534 1,596
INTERLIBRARY LOANS
Received by Carlsbad
Sent by Carlsbad
89 100 121%)
86 109 27'%1
NEW REGISTRATIONS
8 28 250%
708 698 -1 O/U
252 323 28%
Centro
Main Library
Branch
TOTAL: 968 1,049 8%
1,734 1,508 -13"/1 ITEMS ADDED
2,187 2,788 27% ITEMS WITHDRAWN
COMPUTER/INTERNET USE
Main Adult
Main Children
Branch
607 1,207 99%
112 182 63%
351 351 0%
TOTAL: 1,070 1,740 63%
RD-F:/Stdhshrs/Stats 6-97 Page 2
,I ‘I CARLSBAD CITY LIBRARY
July-98 July-99 % Change
CIRCULATION
MAIN LIBRARY
Print
Audio
Video
TOTAL:
BRANCH
Print
Audio
Video
TOTAL:
CENTRO
Print
Audio
TOTAL
GRAND TOTAL:
REFERENCE QUESTIONS
Centro
Genealogy
Children’s
Adult
Branch
TOTAL:
MEDIA/GRAPHICS PROlECTS
Media
Graphics
TOTAL
HOLDS PLACED
RD-F/Stntisticr/Stab 6-97 Page 1
50,721
7,806
7,556
47,860
8,032
7,522
-6%
3%
0%
66,083
19,669
3,672
2,332
25,673
1,346
177
63,414
20,896
4,056
2,421
27,373
2,288
128
-4%
6%
10%
4%
7%
70%
-28%
1,523
93,279
2,416
93,203
59%
0%
429 365 -15%
1,433 1,248 -13%
1,450 1,845 27%
5,541 4,823 -13%)
2,116 2,194 4%
10,969 10,475 -5%
24 15 -38%
41 44 7%
65 59 -9%
2,725 2,423 -11%
I
; hsbad dty Libnvy Statistics, continued
.I c
PEOPLE COUNT (Daily Average)
Centro
Main Library
Branch
TOTAL
ATTENDANCE AT PROGRAMSflOURS
Genealogy
Branch Children
Centro Adult
Centro Children
Main Adult
Main Children
TOTAL
INTERLIBRARY LOANS
Received by Carlsbad
Sent by Carlsbad
NEW REGISTRATIONS
Centro
Main Library
Branch
TOTAL
ITEMS ADDED
'E ITEMS WITHDRAWN
COMPUTEWINTERNET USE
Main Adult .
Main Children
Branch
Centrro
TOTAL:
I i RL)-F/StalisUcs/Stats 697 ,
I
Jdv-98 JuIV-99 % Chanve
112 127 13%
1,424 1,281 -10%
728 769 6%
2,264 2,177 4%
145
726
na
93
25
1,517
2,506
120
105
3
677
307
987
1508
2,788
588
208
210
3
169 170/0
864 19%
27 na
333 258%
25 W/O
1,nl 13%
2,069 -17%
102 -15%
108 3%
35 1067%
566 -l6O/0
291 -5%
892 -10%
1,839 22%
3,310 19%
1,223 108~/0
167 -20%
29 1 39%
14 366% -
1,009 1,695 493%
Page 2
I ITEM ## 7
Great American Public Libraries:
HAPLR Ratings, Round Two
A TABULATION OF NEW FEDERAL DATA
SUPPLIES MORE EVIDENCE OF EXCELLENCE
as the weather better before climatologists
invented the wind-chill index or does it just
seem that way? Does a library-rating index change the
value or quality of the service provided, or, like the wind-
chill index, does it just seem that way? Librarianship has always lacked any commonly accepted indicators of what excellence is. Unlike a listing of top-500 corporations that reveal the success of public companies to all, the library and information senices industry produces no intelligible reports that likewise inform stakeholders in-
terested in libraries. Hennen’s American Public Library Rat-
ing (HAPLR) seeks to help change that situation.
Comparisons to the first HAPLR Index
The first edition of the HAPLR Index (AL, Jan., 72-76)
was based on data submitted by each state to the Federal-
State Cooperative System (FSCS) for 1996. This second edi-
tion of the index is based on 1997
early-release data from FSCS as
public libraries using an index similar to those used for rat-
ing cities, colleges, and hospitals. The article received so
much publicity in newspapers across the country that AL
posted the entire article on its Web site for download by
journalists and individuals. The HAPLR Index site at uw.haplr-index.com received more than 5,000 unique
visitors that retrieved tens of thousands of pages in its first
three months.
The article and the index engendered more publicity
than most American Libraries articles. Why the interest? It
is probably because newspapers and their readers love
rankings and winning. It is also because an index number such as the HAPLR Index encapsulates a good deal of quan- titative information in a single number that can be mea-
sured against all others. The HAPLR Index received attention from newspapers,
magazines, and TV stations throughout the country.
An Ohio wire senice noted that “Ohio libraries sizzie!”
In the Akron Beacon Journal, the director of the Twinsburg
Public Library in Ohio, Karen Tschudy, noted: “You always
believe your library is among the best. It’s nice to see some- body prove it. We’re very proud.” Larry Black, director of
Columbus Metropolitan Library was quoted in the Colum-
bus Dispatch with: “lt’s sort of
nice to be at the top of one of those. We were very pleased, of
course, to have an outside orga- Thefirst HALPR Index published on the World Wide
Web in March. The data does not become final until publication by
the US. Department of Education : received attention from . - nization validate our efforts.”
Bexley Public Library was rat-
sometime later this year.
put and nine output measures.
The measures are calculated
from the FSCS. Each factor was
newspapers, maguzines, : and TV Stations
ed number one in libraries
serving between 10,000 and
99,999 people. “Primarily, I
think we have some good man-
agement, and I’m proud of
The HAPLR Index uses six in-
throughout the county- - weighted and scored. The scores
for each library, within a popu-
lation category, were then added to develop a weighted score. The HAPLR Index is similar to an ACT or SAT score with a theoretical minimum of 1 and a maximum
of 1,000. About 90% of libraries in each population
group scored between 260 and 730.
Reaction to the First Edition
American Libraries published the first HAPLR Index (AL,
Jan. 72-76) . “Go Ahead Name Them: America’s Best Pub-
lic Libraries” was a first-ever attempt to rate all of America’s
THOMAS J. HENNEN JR. is administrator ofthe Wauhesha
County Federated Library System in Wisconsin.
what we’re doing,; said Robert
Stafford, Bexley’s library direc-
tor. Stafford credited the General Assembly for providing
revenue for public libraries. Ohio sets aside 5.7% of person-
al income tax receipts for public libraries. Generous state
funding helped give Ohio 17 of the top 60 small libraries.
Five of the top seven libraries serving populations between
10,000 and 99,999 are in Ohio.
In Virginia the Loudoun County Library’s director was
happy to be able to lead into a TV interview with their top
ranking rather than yet another statement on its Internet
filtering lawsuit (AL, Jan. p. 14).
a proclamation to the Darien Library congratulating the
board and staff for its rating. She called the Darien
Connecticut Lt. Gov. M. Jodi Re11 personally presented
Amencan Libraries + September 1999
. . -. _-.---- -.
..
Library “a real gem,” and the many newspaper articles
about the library’s rating echoed that theme. Library Di-
rep..r Louise Barry, called the rating, the publicity, and
tI
civic pride.
Don Napoli, director at St. Joseph County Library in
South Bend, Indiana, said to his staff when he got the news,
“This is a big deal! What makes it even more exciting is
that the 15 factors which the study uses to make the com-
parison are the very things that we-you and I and the
library board-have been working on very hard for the past
21 years.”
The December 28, 1998, St. Louis Post Dispatch quotes
St. Charles County Library Director Carl Sandstedt as say-
ing: “It’s not the bricks and mortar, it’s the staff and materi-
als that matter.” He adds, “The underlying data have been
there for years. It’s about time they rated libraries.”
X smiling Ida Nemec of the Plum Lake Library in
Sayner, Wisconsin, is featured on the front page of the
Lahefund Times. The article notes that although a friendly
smile is considered an important part of a quality librar)., it
could not be measured in the HAPLR Index. The ranking
also inspired extensive radio coverage for the library.
The Chatnpaign-L’rbana Ncws-Gazcttc reports that Urba-
na (Ill.) Free Library officials were caught off guard by the
article and the librav‘s ranking and, understandably. were
giddy about it. “We’ve always known that the Urbana Free
1ibrar)e.s statistics were impressive,” libray board President
Michael Stevenson said. “But it‘s great [o have this con-
fir4 by a national study.“
ranked 17 Ohio libraries, including five in Northeast Ohio.
in the top 20 of their respective population categories.
Westlake‘s Porter Public Library was third and Painesipille‘s
Morley Public Library fifth in the 10.000-99,999 categon..
“This is a real coup for the whole state.“ said Twinsburg
Librar). Director Karen Tschudy. Medina County Library
officials were happy not only to make the list, but also to
have been named the 1998 Library of the Year by the
Library jounral.
The Cupertino Scene notes a particularly good year for
Santa Clara County (Calif.) Public Library. Susan Fuller
was named Librarian of the Year by Libth?Joumnf and the
library made the top 10 in the HAPLR Index.
Writing for The State in Columbia, South Carolina,
Amanda Mays cites the Richland County Public Library for
its 2lst rank in the over-100,000 population category.
Library Director David Warren compares their traffic count
to being in the Atlanta airport on a Sunday afternoon. Since
their new building opened in 1993, circulation and visitors
have doubled.
xtenant governor’s proclamation a real source of
ClcveJatid Pfaiii DcaJcr noted that the H.APLR lndex
The structure of the HAPLR lndex
The previous index received many objections and crit-
icisms. Some of the issues are addressed in this article.
The new data from FSCS uses a process known as impu-
tation to assign assumed numbers for many performance
mea‘ s. It would therefore be possible to add more
cateL. .es to the index. Program attendance, video circu-
lation, and children’s circulation are just a few of the
measures urged by readers. Measures of electronic use
7
.American Libraries + September 1999
State HAPLR Rank
386 46
512 18
50 1 22
392 45
49 1 24
510 19
520 15
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana
Iowa
Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
475
41 2
469
344
402
504
537
607
548
563
419
386
449
549
559
463
622
292
505
449
519
477
470
497
452
5 62
446
436
669
449
538
414
448
351
516
328
393
562
446
482
579
42 1
580
539
27
42
29
49
43
21
14
3
11
6
40
47
34
10
9
30
2
51
20
32
16
26
28
23
31
7
36
38
1
33
13
41
35
48
17
50
44
8
37
25
5
39
4
12
Library Name City StatelZIP Population HAPLR
1. Columbus Metropolitan Library Columbus OH 43213 758,012 834 , 7 r 2. Hennepin County Library
0% 4. Baltimore County Public Library 9, 0 1 5. Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library 5: ' 6. Cuyahoga County Public Library
5 7. Salt Lake County Library System
1 3. Montgomery County Dept. of Public Libraries
-$ 8. Dayton and Montgomery County Public Library
9. St. Louis County Library 1 ' 10. Fairfax County Public Library
Minnetonka
Rockvi I le
Towson
Indianapolis
Parma
Salt Lake City
Dayton
Ladue
Fa i rf ax
MN 55305 j
MD 20850
MD 21204
IN 46206
OH 44134
UT 84121
OH 45402
MO 63131
VA 22033
689,744
813,100
708,500
7 70,684
585,673
590,130
508,500
886,684
906,300
820
796
784
772
735
72 1
71 7
692
687
1. Johnson County Library
2. Santa Clara County Free Library
3. Saint Charles City-County Library District 2 4. Dakota County Library
4. Prince William Public Library System
o 6. Denver Public Library
9 . 7. Toledo-Lucas County Public Library 5: 8. Richland County Public Library
Q,
Q,
I
0
9. Allen County Public Library
10. Stark County District Libraw
N
Shawnee Mission
San Jose
Saint Peters
Eagan
Prince William
Denver
Toledo
Columbia
Fort Wayne
Canton
KS 66201
CA 95112
MO 63376
MN 55123
VA 22192
CO 80204
OH 43624
SC 29201
IN 46801
OH 44702
307,634
380,030
2 5 5,066
287,321
2 7 6,900
497,007
452,691
289,839
300,836
253,213
867
826
809
795
795
791
78 1
774
753
744
~
1. Naperville Public Libraries N a pervi I le 1L 60540 100,422 889
2. St. Joseph County Public Library South Bend IN 46601 167,477 856
01 3. Schaumburg Township District Library Schaumburg IL 60194 124,773 844 2 4. Loudoun County Public Library Leesburg VA 20176 108,300 83 1
Fredericksburg VA 22401 18 1,100 82 1 N 5. Central Rappahannock Regional Library
o 6. Boulder Public library Boulder CO 80306 114,712 80 1
m
d
I
0 7. Chesapeake Public Library Chesapeake VA 23320 177,900 799 $ 8. Beaverton City Library Beaverton OR 97005 108,351 797
9. Porter County Public Library System Va I para is0 IN 46383 113,109 783
10. Ramsey County Public Library Shoreview MN 55126 221,249 778
r
I 1. Westerville Public Libraw Westerville OH 43081 55,660 896
2. Newport Beach Public Library
Q, 3. Lower Merion Library System e . 4. Lakewood Public Library
5. Waukesha Public Library
o 6. Iowa City Public Library
7. Corvallis-Benton County Public Library 2 . 8. Cleveland Heights-University Heights PL
9. Wheaton Public Library
I
0
Newport Beach CA 92660
Ardmore PA 19003
OH 44107 Lakewood
Waukesha WI 53186
Iowa City IA 52240
Co rva I I is OR 97330
Cleveland Heights OH 441 18
Wheaton IL 60187
69,100 886
58,003 875
63,433 871
78,751 857
78,435 852
75,500 848
66,956 839
51,441 839 I 10. Carlsbad City Library Carlsbad CA 92008 68,200 838
Jamestown NY 14701 34,681 869
Lexington MA 02173 29,108 864
6. Urbana Free Library Urbana IL 61801 36,383 857
OH 43551 25.61 1 857
American Libraries September 1999
2. Hays Public Libra
3. Porter Public Libr
10. Acton Memorial Library
StatelZIP Population HAPLR
Bexley OH 43209 15,636 926
Wadsworth
Dover OH 44622 13,845 875
Orrville OH 44667 10,768 874
Greenfield IN 46140 11,657 872
Staunton VA 24401 24,500 - 866
Brown Deer WI 53223 12,526 864
Acton MA 01 720 15,983 856
1. Twinsburg Public Library
2. Wright Memorial Public Library
3. Delphos Public Library
ui 4. Williamson Free Public Library a! 5. Decatur Public Library 3 8 7. Bridgeport Public Library
6. Mary Lou Johnson-Hardm County Distrkt Library
8. Worch Memorial Public Library
9. Kirtland Public Library
10. Dorcas Carey Public Library
Twinsburg
Oakwood
Delphos
Williamson
Decatur
Kenton
Bridgeport
Versailles
Kirtland
Carey
OH 44087
OH 45419
OH 45833
NY 14589
IN 46733
OH 44326
WV 26330
OH 45380
OH 44094
OH 43316
9,02 1
9,150
9,695
6,540
8,642
8,216
6,739
5,784
7,815
5,542
887
881 .
874 1
873 1
873 1
871 j
N
1. Hagerstown-Jefferson Township Public Library
2. East Syracuse Free Library
3. New Glarus Public Library
4. Falconer Public Library
5. Beme Public Library
6. Centerburg Public Library
7. G A R Memorial Library
8. Desert Foothills Library
9. Haxton Memorial Library
10. Vineyard Haven Public Library
Hagentown
East Syracuse
New Glarus
Falconer
Berne
Centerburg
West Newbury
Cave Creek
Oakfield
Vineyard Haven
IN 47346
NY 13057
WI 53574
NY 14733
IN 46711
OH 4301 1
MA 01 985 AZ 85331
NY 14125
MA 02568
3,331
3,343
2,731
2,653
3,559
4,468
3,930
3,076
3,312
3,171
939 :
908
88 3
879 '
876 1
866
867 j
859
2. Lynnville ~ Public Library Lynn3 le
3. Coin Public Library Coin
toland ~
Takotna
Grekw ich
American Libraries September 1999
TX 78746
IA 50258
VT 05860
IA 51234
SD 57231
IA 51063
MN 55767 ._ MN 56572
IN 47562
MN 56573
1,726 885
1,748 876
1,395 876
1,790 875
1,172 867
1,207 860
1,605 858
1,897 857
1,475 854
2,204 . . 853 '
WI 53006
* 1A 50153
IA 51636
NY 13431
AK 99675
NY 14521
NY 12834 w1 53939
TX 78113
WI 54560
I 777 89 1
A 393--%r 883
278 874
456 867
46 865
660 865
230 863
570' .. .;I856
716 854
,576 . 845
.. ... . .. . . &I- .^.i .I;- ., . . ’ ~
were also urged but are still not possible with the cur-
rent FSCS data. In order to retain consistency from one
version to the next, these suggestions have been resisted.
The weighting of factors and categories chosen remains
the same as in the last index.
The data on electronic and Internet access is simply not
available at present. Should the index include Internet ac-
cess, electronic measures, and more up-to-date data? Defi-
nitely it should. When the numbers are available, future
versions of the HAPLR Index will incorporate them.
Square-footage numbers would be extremely useful for
comparison, but the data are not currently included in
the FSCS data. When they are, the HAPLR Index will in-
clude them.
Weighting the factors
Many measures could be extracted from the available
data. The question is how the factors should be weighted.
For instance, is the number of volumes per capita more im-
portant than periodicals per capita? Collection turnover is
important, but is it more or less important than reference?
Members of the PubLib listsen. on the Internet were que-
ried on this issue. The responses-though limited in num-
ber, considering the thousands of subscribers-were useful
in deciding on the weights to assign to each factor. The
weighting amounts, from three to one. are listed on the
HAPLR Web site (see sidebar). When calculating a compos-
ite score for each libray, the factors were weighted as indi-
cated. Cost per circulation, visits per capita, and re\renue
per capita were each given three times as much weight as
the lowest rated factors. Note that cost per circulation \vas
rated from lowest to highest. All other measures are scored
high to low.
It might be said. that for the HAPLR Index. a 95th-per-
centile score was a “grade” of A. while a fifth-pcrcentile rat-
ing was an F. The HAPLR Indes score is a composite
average that can be compared to the score of all other pub-
lic libraries.
Population numbers
Population numbers are always problematic. The US.
Federal-State Cooperative System had no choice but to ask
states to make some rather arbitrary assignments of popula-
tion. The population served by a library often extends be-
yond the population of the community that established it
and provides its initial support. Left to their own devices.
libraries would undoubtedly claim wider service territories,
that, when added together, would far exceed the total pop-
ulation. Hence, the FSCS had to insist on states making as-
signments of population that are arbitrary.
Consolidated county and regional library systems are
more prevalent in some states and regions than in others,
skewing some population data. In some areas libraries may
be serving residents that are nominally in the territory of
another library. Depending on the demographic makeup of
the state, there will be inconsistencies in population assign-
ment. So, a word of caution is in order. Mileage stickers on
new cars carry the disclaimer that “your mileage may vary,”
depending on the driver and driving conditions. Depending
on the actual population of your library service area, “your
HAPLR Index rating may vary.”
Population categories
Four population categories were chosen for the first edi-
tion of the HAPLR Index. The categories changed at 2,000,
10,000, and 100,000. This did not correspond to the 10 cat-
egories used by the FSCS data collectors for most other re-
ports. The HAPLR Index has been revised to parallel these
categories. However, the top two categories, over 500,000
and over 1,000,000, were consolidated into one because the
top category did not have enough libraries for meaningful
rankings by itself.
Circulation emphasis
One of the more vehement criticisms of the first rankings
was their emphasis on circulation. Some argue that a library
with a research role should not be compared directly to a
popular materials center. But circulation has been used as a
rough measure of library use for a century. Eliminating it
from a public library rating index would not be a credible
step. Only 40% of the HAPLR Index is sensitive to circula-
tion. That does not seem an inordinate amount to this author.
Conclusion
to quen seasoned professionals in all 50 states and ask
them to rank libraries in randomly selected counties with
no rcference to thc HAPLR Indes rankings. These rankings
would then bc compared to the results of the HAPLR rank-
ings. This \vould help to determine nhether or not the In-
des does. in fact. identify excellent public libraries on the
basis of statistical data alone. At present there is anecdotal
verification from a number of system libran personnel and
libran users that have a good knowledge of libraries in
their area, but substantive research uould enhance the
credibility of the Index.
Some argue that because we have not measured some
things. such as electronic use, or because we cannot mea-
sure other things. such as excellence in research or true
population served. we should compare nothing at all.
While the author rejects that position, he adds that num-
bers alone can no more tell you everything about a truly
great libran than the wind chill index can tell you about a
truly cold day. There is definitely more to the quality of life
than just the average wind-chill factor-just ask anyone
from northern Wisconsin. There is also more to quality
library service than the HAPLR Index rankings; jii>t ask an):
librarian or librar) user. 0
Eventually further research is needed in this area. I hope
FOR MORE INFORMATION ._ ” >, ,_. ”< __.. UL.& 7:. * Hennen’s American Public Library Rating Index
Home Page (haplr-index.com). The author has a home
page on the World Wide Web with further information
on the rankings and scoring for libraries. It also includes
ordering information for individualized ratings for
public libraries. * Federal-State Cooperative System (nces.ed.gov/
surveys/public.html#contents). Nationwide public library statistics are collected and disseminated annually
through the Federal-State Cooperative System for public
library data.
American Libraries September 1999
I ITEMt9 ~
I.
VISUALIZING FOR COMPREHENSION
by Lynda L. Jones
When competent readers read a novel, a newspaper article, product instructions, or a tiistory text,
their eyes are perceiving printed symbols, which their brain then turns into sensory images,
usually pictures. The result is like watching a movie playing in one’s mind. In fact, the
competent reader can actually rerun the movie in the brain, quite apart from seeing the words on
the page. The brain has stored the sensory images, which can then be retrieved when needed. It
is these images that allow the brain to comprehend and remember and to think critically about
what has been read.
For many people, this visualizing, storing, and retrieving of images happens automatically. They
are only consciously aware of the process when, for example, they read a book and then see the
movie made fiom the book; they are disturbed when the visual image on the movie screen
doesn’t match the visual image their mind formed while reading the book. For other people,
though, visualizing, storing, and retrieving images does not happen automatically. These people
can see and even say aloud every word on a page, but when they get to the bottom of the page,
they have gotten little or no meaning from the words. Their eyes have seen the printed symbols,
but the brain has not converted the symbols into mental pictures. In addition, each word has
usually been read as an individual word, but the overall connection between the words--the
meaning of the whole-has not registered. When the literal meaning of a passage is missed,
higher level thinking skills, such as drawing inferences, is almost impossible.
Fortunately, for those whose mental pictures are vague, infrequent, or nonexistent, training
exercises can be done to help them develop this skill. The critical activity is to connect words
with pictures, or the spokdread word with the sensory visual image it represents. The exercises
require at least 2 people and can be done in a small group. The tutor may read aloud a
descriptive sentence; for example, about a woman sitting under a tree looking at a river. Each
person in the group draws the scene, using crayons, markers, or colored pencils. Each person
then shares their picture with the group, describing it in words. The group compares the pictures
to the passage read aloud to see if all the details were included and to note what details were not
in the passage but created by individual listeners (e.g., blond or brown hair, weaxing a dress or
slacks). Other exercises include having one person (or group) describe a picture aloud to another
person (or group), with the listeners then sketching the picture they hear described. As skills
develop, exercises become more complex, growing fiom word imagery (e.g., ball, apple) to
sentence imagery (e.g., The red apple fell on the green grass) to paragraph imagery (e.g., about a
group of fiiends picking apples while having a picnic).
c
One major benefit of all the exercises is the expansion of participants’ vocabulary. Questioning
by the tutor and student-to-student is essential and leads to precision. For example, are the
fiends young children or older adults? For people who do not visualize automatically, it is
necessary to use a step-by-step methodology that the person can then repeat whenever needed.
One such methodology is the use of “structure” words to guide questioning, visualizing, and
verbalizing. Structure words, in a methodology developed by Nanci Bell of the Lindamood-Bell
Clinics, include “what,” “size,” “color,” “number,” “shape,” “where,” and, at a more advanced
level, “movement,” “mood,” ‘%background,” “perspective,” “when,” and “sound.” Structure
words force precision in imagery, vocabulary, visualizing, verbalizing, and, ultimately,
comprehension and thought.
c
Handouts: Visualizing for Comprehension 09/03/99
,’!
..- SUMMARY OF KEY LIBRARY STATISTICS
Items checked out
Reference questions answered
Total books held
Videotapes checked out
Daily average library attendance
Program attendance (adults & children)
Displays and exhibits
Holds placed
Items added
Items withdrawn
New library cards issued
Items loaned to other libraries
Items borrowed from other libraries
Summer Reading Club participants
I
FY 1998-99
1,073,213
144,46 1
234,302
121,890
2,383
17,784
49
29,034
17,937
16,059
12,565
1,036
1,206
1,781
1,090,776
140,099
236,977
108,760
2,215
22,047
45
28,794
22,889
18,086
12,124
1,247
1,169
1,745