Library Board of Trustees Look Ahead to 2012

Developing new ways to bring in additional funds for the borough’s will be a main priority for the new year, Library Board of Trustee members said Wednesday.

Following a discussion regarding recent challenges which included the,  the Trustees also spoke of next steps towards moving forward into the new year while also reflecting on the many successes of the previous year.

The trustees stated that in addition to working together as a board they will also work as individuals to find ways to help bring in more funds.

Board of Trustees President Lisa Traina raised the idea of a program that was brought to the board’s attention by the Friends of the Library. The library will develop a magazine subscription gift giving program in which patrons wishing to give a gift to the library can do so via a magazine subscription.

Traina explained that budget cuts have caused the library to cut back on many of its subscriptions over the past few years and this program would help replenish the library’s magazine stock.

Library Director Mimi Hui stated that the library has already received its first donated magazine subscription thanks to Mayor Rose Heck who donated the Oprah Magazine to the library.

Hui shared a power point presentation highlighting statistics from the 2011 year that show many achievements including reaching its highest circulation number to date – 121,887. Hui stated that this total circulation number for the year showed a 2 percent increase from the previous year.

Statistics for the month of December showed a very minimal increase which Hui said is attributed to the library no longer having hours on Sunday. Overall numbers for the year would have likely been even higher had they been able to keep the library open on Sundays those last few months, Hui said.

Total library card holders to date is 5,437, Hui reported, adding that it is her goal to see every person in Hasbrouck Heights as a library card holder. She said she has been working with the school district through Dr. Mark Porto, superintendent, to arrange to have library card sign-ups for elementary school students to continue the collaboration between the schools and the public library. Mickey Macchio, of the Friends of the Library, suggested that they consider starting signing up students as early as Kindergarten.

Hui shared some of the upcoming programs the library staff will offer to the communty including a three-session E-Reader 101 course to help those learn more about these technological gadgets. Library staff will help patrons get started with their E-Reader and learn how to download ebooks from the library's catalog. The program will be offered Mondays, Feb. 6, Feb. 13 and Feb. 27 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. An introduction to Tai Chi course will also be offered in the coming months.

As part of the board of trustee’s annual reorganization meeting, the trustees conducted elections of its executive board members. Once again Lisa Traina was voted in as president, Patricia Link will continue on as secretary and Dr. Burnett Eglow will once again serve as treasurer.