Activity continues to remain strong at Westchester Public Library’s Thomas
branch in Chesterton.
According to Library Board president Vern Odom, “Last Sunday I was in here
and this building was packed for a Sunday. You couldn’t squeeze another
person in here. It was a madhouse.”
Public service units --- each an individual opportunity to serve a patron
--- are up 10 percent this year to 221,841 PSUs through March, the biggest
jump coming in wireless-access usage.
Circulation year-to-date is up just over 14 percent at Thomas compared to
2008 while circulation at Porter’s Hageman Library dipped again although its
program attendance rose by 122 percent.
But with the joint jumpin’ at Thomas, WPL library director Phil Baugher
reported Thursday that five additional Internet workstations have been
ordered there as well as one more Early Literacy workstation for children,
new to WPL recently and a big hit.
Coming soon for circulation is a new collection of language lessons on USB
flash drives to supplement the current lessons on CD-Rom.
The busy library and hard economic times has generated some stress lately,
said Baugher, which board member Karen Nash said is the case in most
business sectors.
WPL is planning a series of upcoming programs intended to help patrons
better survive the economic downturn. “We’ll have a variety of things
scheduled to help people stretch their dollars,” according to Baugher.
He announced WPL is researching the library’s possible particpation in the
national Safe Place for Kids program; efforts are being made to expand the
program locally.
“This is something that seems to be picking up more momentum than I’ve seen
in the past,” he noted. “There’s a big push to get as many involved as
possible.” Hageman also would take part as a place where a child in crisis
can come, feel safe and be referred to the appropriate agency depending on
the situation.
Both furnaces at Hageman have been replaced, and the new air conditioning
units have yet to be installed; a roofing crew has removed stone ballast
from the Thomas roof and work will continue there weather permitting.
In other business, the Library Board conducted a hearing on the proposed
2010-2012 Capital Projects Fund plan with no one from the public commenting.
By a 6-0 vote with member Keith Davison absent the plan was approved and
forwarded to the Westchester Township Board for consideration.
Library Board member Rick Hokanson participated in the vote after WPL
attorney Terry Hiestand advised that although Hokanson’s term has expired,
the Porter County Council has not acted on the vacancy so Hokanson can
continue to serve.
Baugher said WPL received tax distributions from Porter County totalling
$641,829. With $4.6 million in all WPL funds including current investments,
he was authorized to invest up to $1 million more.
Legislation in SB 348 that could have meant big changes for Indiana
libraries including WPL now appears dead, said Baugher, although the Indiana
State Library next week is presenting a plan for new standards for Hoosier
public libraries.
Announcements included the April 17-19 Friends of the Library book sale at
Thomas with AV materials still available, and the April 19 Appraisal
Luncheon at the Library Service Center to benefit the WPL-operated
Westchester Township History Museum.
Assistant WPL director Jane Walsh-Brown, who also serves as museum curator,
next month will receive a R.O.S.E. award in recognition of service
excellence to the public. The award is a joint presentation of the
Convention Recreation and Visitor Commissions in LaPorte and Porter
counties.
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