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ANNUAL REPORT

1999

PAVING THE ROAD TO THE FUTURE

From the Chair

Asking for Directions

Most of us are resistant. We are not lost, but are merely taking the scenic route. We would rather drive aimlessly, passing the same landmarks again and again, before admit defeat and pull into the dreaded gas station for directions.

But what is wrong with asking for directions? They provide focus and orientation, increase efficiency and effectiveness, and set us on the right course.

The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library made its stop at the gas station in 1997 when it initiated a strategic planning process. We asked for directions on the best path to successfully lead the System into the 21st century. Library experts and consultants Aaron Cohen Associates, Ltd. answered with a report advocating reorganization and the enhancement of services.

But, as we all know, there is more than one way to reach a destination. In order to develop the most comprehensive and balanced plan for the Library, we wanted all of our constituencies to be part of the planning process. In 1999, we asked for directions again, presenting the report to trustees, staff and public officials and prepared to embark on a series of meetings in 2000 to collect input and ideas from community members. When all of our avenues are thoroughly explored, we will construct a final work plan to guide the B&ECPL effectively into the future.

In 1999, we gained a first-rate leader able to implement these upcoming directives with tact, intelligence and common sense. Director Diane Chrisman brings stability and integrity to this critical time in our history, and we are confident her strengths and abilities will keep the System moving forward in new and exciting endeavors.

As we pave new roads to the future, there will be obstacles and detours along the way. It may not always be a smooth process, but certainly one filled with promise and opportunity. We will continue to ask for directions in order to provide the highest quality library services possible to those living and working in Buffalo and Erie County. I look forward to the travels ahead and all the new directions they will take us.

Rebecca L. Mahoney, Chair

From the Director

Technology is changing the world in which we live. Shopping for anything from clothes to music to groceries is done with the click of a mouse. Cars can even instruct their drivers exactly how to get where they are going. People work from their homes, hotels and airports miles away from their office through a simple phone line.

The increased convenience and efficiencies the technological revolution brings are exciting and encouraging. Unfortunately, technology also serves to further divide our society between the haves and the have-nots. By providing free and open access to information, the B&ECPL has long given people of all ages, races, backgrounds and income levels an equal opportunity to expand their knowledge. With changes in the exchange of information, it is the Library's responsibility to continue this role into the new millennium, not only by keeping pace with technology, but by proactively delivering improved and innovative library services. It must evolve to meet the diverse and changing needs of the community.

In 1999, the Library made great strides in this evolution. Through the Central Library's new Computer Training Lab, individuals acquired skills that will help them advance and play a vital role in the local economy. Through the System's web site, on-line catalog and electronic databases, accessibility to collections, services and staff expanded globally. Through computer workstations now available at all System libraries, patrons were given the opportunity to learn, grow and explore.

Yes, technology is changing the world, and the B&ECPL will continue to be there well into the future to help guide the way.

Diane J. Chrisman, Interim Director

New Directions

In the final days of 1998, the B&ECPL established its presence on the Internet with its new home page at www.buffalolib.org. The site offers visitors from Erie County and across the world a wealth of information regarding the Library as well as specialized services, such as access to the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC), computer training tutorials and a virtual Reference Desk. During its first full year of operation, the web site registered more than 300,000 visitors. Feedback received from other library systems, patrons and the general public has been extremely positive, and suggestions will be used to further develop and enhance the site over time.

On June 10th, the Central Library's Computer Training Lab officially opened for business with a ribbon cutting, reception and demonstration. The Training Lab features 22 networked PCs for hands-on learning in a comfortable and attractive classroom setting. Public response to the new class offerings has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with capacity booked weeks in advance. The facility, curriculum and instructors consistently earn high marks. Since its debut, a total of 663 persons received training in classes such as Computer Basics, Word and Internet Searching. B&ECPL's technology efforts have been advanced by support from private as well as public investment. Portions of a $425,000 grant from the Gates Library Foundation were dedicated to this project, as are ongoing operational funds from Erie County through the annual B&ECPL budget. With the cooperation of the Library Foundation of Buffalo and Erie County, Inc. support for public access to electronic information technology has been enhanced in many ways, including a $25,000 grant from the Goldome Foundation, a $25,000 grant from the James Cummings Foundation, and a recently reported grant of $100,000 from the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation.

The date-stamped cards that library personnel traditionally tucked into the pockets of borrowed books, magazines and other loaned materials became "extinct" during the month of April. All libraries of the B&ECPL System now offer anyone who borrows materials a printed receipt that indicates not only when materials are due but also the title of each item. To help patrons keep track of their receipts, the Library Foundation of Buffalo and Erie County, Inc. funded the purchase of 100,000 refrigerator magnets which allow receipts to be posted in a convenient and visible location in the home.

The latest in video recording, Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), became available at a number of libraries throughout the System. In addition to the Central Library, DVD collections composed of a wide variety of titles made a debut at the Audubon, Clearfield, Kenilworth, North Collins and Julia Boyer Reinstein Libraries.

In early November, all 52 B&ECPL locations were equipped to provide network access to OPAC, to the Internet and to an array of Microsoft applications that enable patrons to do word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and much more. As 1999 closed, every branch and contract library could offer Erie County residents a consistent level of state-of-the-art technology services scarcely imagined only a year ago.

Delivering Quality Programs

During July, hundreds of children in grades 2-12 from across Western New York were encouraged to read with a pair of tickets to a Buffalo Bills preseason game as the incentive. Participants received one chance to win for every five books they read, with 550 young winners selected to attend the game through a random drawing at each participating library. This effective summer reading program was sponsored by the Buffalo Bills Youth Foundation, United Parcel Service, Just Buffalo Literary Center, the B&ECPL and the Nioga Library System. Defensive End Marcellus Wiley served as an effective and engaging spokesman for this event, visiting area libraries to encourage children and their families to read.

The B&ECPL held its 1st Annual "Battle of the Books" Trivia Contest on August 7th at the Julia Boyer Reinstein Library in Cheektowaga. Throughout the summer, participants in grades 6-9 read up to 6 selected books to prepare for the trivia competition. Participating teams came from the Elma, Depew/Lancaster, Julia Boyer Reinstein, Orchard Park, and Audubon Libraries. During an exciting final round, the Elma Public Library's team of young readers was victorious and had the honor of hanging the "Battle of the Books" plaque in its home library until next year's event.

The national touring exhibition, "Free at Last: A History of the Abolition of Slavery in America," visited the Central Library during Black History Month. Developed by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, this major traveling exhibit traced the debate over slavery in the United States from the framing of the Constitution until its abolition during the Civil War. It included representations of personal letters, documents, cartoons, photographs and broadsides from the Gilder Lehrman Collection, previously unavailable to the public nationally. Also on display were selected items from B&ECPL's prestigious Anti-Slavery Collection and items from "Harriet's Gallery," permanently loaned to the North Jefferson Branch Library by the Harriet Tubman 300s.

Charting the Course

On December 30th, the Board of Trustees of the B&ECPL announced the appointment of Diane J. Chrisman as the Library's new director. Chrisman had served as interim director since former director Daniel L. Walters departed to accept the post of Executive Director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library System in November 1998. Chrisman's role as interim director was successful and productive, having launched the Library's World Wide Web site, introduced Internet access to all of its 52 locations and tackled a number of daunting tasks associated with the Library's strategic planning efforts.

Keeping with its promise to actively solicit community feedback, the B&ECPL Board of Trustees made preparations to embark on a series of 22 public meetings. The meetings are designed to offer the general public an opportunity to express its views on the Library's strategic planning report developed by the consulting firm Aaron Cohen Associates in 1998. The report outlines key recommendations, including fewer, better libraries; a regional approach to organization and service; heightened emphasis on innovative children's programs; and seamless, quality library services not constrained by municipal boundaries. The opinions obtained through the public meetings will be carefully examined and used as input when a finalized work plan is developed in 2000.

Implementation of the barcode conversion project began in 1999. The Julia Boyer Reinstein Library was the first to begin converting from OCR to barcode technology using a relatively simple procedure. Staff scans the OCR label appearing on the pocket of an item using an OCR reader connected to a small printer referred to as a "chameleon." A duplicate barcode label is produced and placed on the upper right hand corner of the back cover of the item. With nearly four million items to convert, the project is expected to take several years to complete. This immense project was undertaken both as a cost-cutting measure and a move to take advantage of technological advances being made in library automation. OCR scanners cost more than twice the price of barcode scanners. Repair costs associated with OCR equipment have become increasingly prohibitive while all research and development rely on barcode technology.

Marking Milestones and Achievements

• In response to community need, the Crane and Dudley Branches in the City of Buffalo joined six other public libraries in offering Sunday hours, effective in January.
• B&ECPL Assistant Deputy Director William A. Miles was cited for years of commitment to excellence in serving the community by Erie County Executive Dennis T. Gorski during February as part of the County's annual observance of Black History Month.
• Hennen's American Public Library Rating Index ranked the Amherst Public Library 12th among 312 facilities serving a population of 100,000 to 250,000.
• Thanks to a major grant from the John R. Oishei Foundation, production of video, audio and on-line presentations were undertaken in 1999 to promote awareness and visibility of the "Milestones of Science" collection of rare editions of major scientific works.
• The Grand Island Memorial Library marked its 10th Anniversary at its present location on Bedell Road with a special event in October. Guests enjoyed tours, games, storytelling, food and more.
• The Central Library's vast government documents collection, one of the oldest in the country, received a 7 out of 7 rating during an inspection by the U.S. Government Documents Depository Library Program in August.
• The North Collins Public Library celebrated the grand opening of its modern 5,700 square foot facility with a ribbon cutting and reception in October.
• On October 21st, the B&ECPL Board of Trustees approved a request from the Town of Collins to construct a new 8,000 square-foot library and a request from the Denio Memorial Library to build a 7,600 square-foot library on November 18th. Both new buildings will replace the current outdated and inadequate facilities.

1999 System Statistics

Administrative Officers

Diane J. Chrisman, Director
Kenneth H. Stone, Deputy Director-CFO
Shirley P. Whelan, Deputy Director-CIO

Financial Summary, 1999

*Of this amount $2,168,195.00 was paid to the Library by the State of New York under the State Aid Program, Local Library Services Aid and Local Services Support Aid and $24,953,953.00 was paid to the Library by Erie County as the share of the County Property Tax Levy designated for Library purposes.

 

1998 System Statistics

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