Sample statistical reports for the first two months of 2010 regarding Westchester Public Library’s varied collections, the patrons who access them and how often what types of materials are being borrowed, were reviewed Thursday.

WPL director Phil Baugher said the reports are an example of the types of information that can be customized and retrieved from WPL’s Polaris system.

Members of the Library Board heard Baugher detail that 35 percent of the 72,594 transactions logged were loans of DVDs demonstrating the popularity of that collection.

At both the Thomas and Hageman libraries, WPL has a total 184,293 items in nearly 50 categories. There are 11,256 DVDs and year-to-date through March, various titles among them have been circulated 38,830 times.

Board member Claire Jolie asked if Baugher uses the circulation statistics to determine where to spend more money on acquisitions. He replied yes, but when considering DVDs they can be checked out for three days only so the turnover is much faster than for a book.

Board member Drew Rhed said he was encouraged to see the percentage of audio books being borrowed. Baugher said it’s a popular way for teens to “read” a book, but all ages are checking them out.

WPL has 437 audio books in the MP3 player format alone.

The largest collection is adult non-fiction hardcover books totalling 38,795 items followed by 21,026 juvenile non-fiction hardcover books; 18,902 adult fiction hardcover books; 16,322 picture books; 15,359 adult paperbacks; and 10,530 audio CDs.

As of March 15, unexpired registered borrowers using WPL’s resources number 13,583 patrons at Thomas in Chesterton and 1,036 at Hageman in Porter.

Hageman continues to post strong circulation. While it was down by nearly 4 percent at Thomas last month, at Hageman it was up 78 percent over March, 2009. Baugher credited Hageman manager Suzi Chomel and her staff as well as an increase in funding for Hageman materials and more visitation due to the new Wii gaming system installed there.

Baugher said adult computer use at Thomas has increased 6 percent this year. He cited a recent study that reported a third of Americans 14 years of age and older now use public library computers.

Baugher said he and Children’s Department manager Merribeth Paunicka are proceeding with a pilot program this summer to help tutor First Graders who might need reading assistance. Degreed educator Pam Waters will serve as program coordinator, assess the students and provide tutoring.

WPL is working with Duneland School Corp. superintendent Dirk Baer, who has agreed to allow the library to contact teachers to help reach out to parents of students who might need extra help.

Initially 16 students would be tutored one-on-one, and if successful Baugher said it’s hoped volunteer tutors could be added to assist more children in the future. “One of the primary functions of public libraries is to provide literacy education so I believe the program might prove to be very beneficial.”

Also new to the Children’s Department, Baugher said, is the popular teepee there that’s now become a volcano. “It’s the kind of thing that keeps changing and in the future it could be a tree house.” There’s a new dinosaur area in one of the windows as well.

Released was the list of Family Film Series movies to be shown Fridays at dusk starting June 11 though Aug. 13 in Thomas Park in downtown Chesterton. The movies, all rated PG, are preceded at 7 p.m. by a variety of traditional music concerts; they and the film series are partially funded by the Chesterton-Porter Rotary.

Baugher said one of the films selected this year is in 3D so he purchased 3D glasses for distribution in the park. In the event of rain the concerts and films take place in the nearby Library Service Center.

In other business, no one commented during a public hearing on WPL’s proposed Capital Projects Fund Plan. The Library Board forwarded it to the Westchester Township Advisory Board for a second required hearing April 21.

Although several projects are outlined, Baugher said he’s retained a consultant and recommended proceeding soon with supplemental cooling for the computer server room and the public-access computer rooms due to overheating.

The director said WPL is in a strong financial position with $5.4 million in all accounts and banks, but he perfers to be conservative rather than overextended.

Baugher credited administrative assistant Celeste Bradford for her excellent work regarding WPL’s bookkeeping. The library recently was audited by a field examiner for the State Board of Accounts for 2008 and 2009; only two minor comments resulted.

Absent Thursday were board members Vern Odom and Sharon Robbins.

Posted 4/9/2010