Charles McMorran's blog

December may seem far away, but here at the library we have been working hard on our budget for 2012. This is the budget that we will put forth to the voters in December and what will go into effect July 1, 2012. It raises the question of what do you, our customers, want. In holding the line last year we made significant savings in our operational expenses. Insurance was rebid saving $6,000. Energy expenses were cut by tens of thousands. At the same time we attempted to maintain our materials and programming budgets to provide you with the best and latest. In the current year we have no money for furniture, minimal money for building repairs and only $1,000 for computers and software. If a computer monitor breaks…there goes 20% of the computer budget. Do you want us to patch our infrastructure or replace carpets and such when they begin to fall apart? At what point to do we make major reductions in new books and DVDs purchase? What is an acceptable percentage increase that the voters will approve? Let us start a dialogue by clicking on the comment button below.

E-book readers are still selling fast although the three week delay in ordering a Nook has ended. It is truly a revolution in how we read.Even diehard fans of the paperbound volumes (recently referred to as treebooks) realize the value of having hundreds of titles in one easy-to-carry volume. The readability of the screens has continued to improve with each new rendition of the readers.The technology will continue to improve as time advances, and although I don’t like to predict the future, I believe a whole new line of better, less expensive readers will be announced just before the December holiday season.

The New City Library is joining the revolution in purchasing additional titles just for our customers.We are supplementing the already significant collection of titles purchased by our consortium, the Ramapo Catskill Library System, with ebooks exclusively for New City customers.You’ll find these titles marked with the Overdrive Advantage label. The Library has recently ordered and received 120 additional titles. A few of the added titles are:

The Library’s latest remodeling project is nearing completion. Although we may begin limited use soon, the great unveiling and celebration is scheduled for the morning of Tuesday, March 16, 2010.

This renovation of the desk and front entrance will enhance your library experience in providing welcoming environment with the latest in technology.

Please watch the slide show below and join us on the 16th to see how it all works.

If you have been to the library in recent weeks you know we are getting new front steps. The Library needed to close its front doors in order to complete this project in a timely manner.    Both doors are now open.   The steps will remain unavailable until the handrails are installed.  Please use the ramp and avoid spills by NOT walking through the flower bed. 

Also in laying new sidewalk, the drive through bookdrops were closed over the past weekend.  NO FINES WERE CHARGED on materials returned through Monday morning.  The library is sorry for the inconvenience and hopes you appreciate our beutiful new entrance.

July was a record month for the Library.    All statistical measures exceed anything the library has done previously. Over 68,000 items were checked out.

• Circulation was up 23.4% from June and up nearly 10% over July of last year.
  The number of New Cards issued was up 26%.
  Program Attendance is up 64% over the month of June and up 46% from July of last year.
  The number of volunteers increased 60% and the number of volunteer hours was up 330%.

The New City Library continues to grow as we strive to meet our customer's expections in the materials we buy and the quality of service the staff provides.  We thank all our customers for supporting us.