OUR MISSION SUMMER READING PROGRAM Recent Improvements To strengthen our community through lifelong learning with access to varied collections, • Archives catalog online for Summer Reading Program 2019 programs, and assistance with digital literacy. researchers to browse, Jan. 2019 Each year the Niagara Falls Public Library participates in New York State Summer (https://nflh.libraryhost.com/ ) Reading Program. For 2019, the theme was A Universe of Stories and the Niagara Falls he theme of NFPL services is a vision to build a stronger • In partnership with the Niagara Falls Heritage Area, Public Library had 130 children participate in our “Read and Bead” challenge. Upon community. We are looking forward, planning the directive registering, participants received a chain; time spent reading earned whimsically shaped beads to add to the chain. Tof library services. comprehensive, multi phase inventory of Local History In a January 2020 nationwide Gallup poll, Americans visited their In addition, through generous support from the Friends of the Library and Nioga Library System, we hosted a collection, Phase 1 - May local libraries more frequently than attending the movie theater. On 2019, Phase 2 began in June 2020 family entertainment series that included Dave and Kathleen Jeffers “Make Space for Reading” Show, Checkers average, U.S. adults took 10.5 trips to a local library in 2019, twice the Inventor’s “Back to the Moon Show” and a weekly family film series on Friday afternoons. We offered weekly as many times as going to a movie, theatrical event, or visiting a • Continued Digitization of local history items national/historic park. With this increase in usage, coupled with a through RBD grants and Senator Ortt Bullet Aid story hours for preschoolers and summer fun clubs with space-related STEAM themes for grade school children; need for electronic services, the NFPL is looking towards the future, monies. Ongoing Nioga Library System’s Grigg-Lewis Foundation interns presented a series of STEAM workshops and story times. envisioning a future Main Branch site to meet our citizen’s needs. • Introduction of ‘borrowed’ reusable bags We wrapped up the summer with a comedy juggling show presented by Gravitational Bull. We were pleased to In 2019, I am proud to share that we supported US Census preparation • Library Forward Committee to better address have 427 participants take part in the summer programming series for children and families. efforts with trained staff to answer census questions. We partnered future funding and location of the library, including with Niagara Falls Heritage area to select Historical Associates, from architect visit Rockville Maryland, to undertake a comprehensive inventory and • Receipt of Cataract House hotel register pages Summer Reading Program 2020 assessment of our local history collection from a highly competitive (June 15, 1837- September 29, 1840) Our program, Imagine Your Story , has gone mostly online. We are utilizing RFP in January 2019. In May 2019, archivists arrived completing • Receipt of Niagara Catholic collection (Niagara Phase 1 of our project, Phase 2 is projected to begin in early Summer READsquared to present an online method for tracking reading – children Catholic, Bishop Duffy, and St. Mary's yearbooks, 2020. Thank you to Sara Capien and Christine Bacon for NFHA photographs etc.) can earn digital badges, unlock mini-games and readaloud books, and take for their support. A new security camera service has been planned part in learning missions using the software. We’re also offering a low-contact paper reading log option, and all for installation in Spring 2020 to better enhance safety in both our • Receipt of Orrin E. Dunlaps’ mason sword, and a buildings. In July 2020, library architects from Butler Rowland Mays handwritten speech, manuscripts and photos children can collect physical badges for their reading, as well. We are presenting online story times created by Architects visited our city to meet with stakeholders to examine • Digitized NF City Directories (1911-1923) and now staff through our website and social media channels, curbside and online programs for teens and adults, and moving forward with a new library edifice. through the support of the Friends of the Library, we are presenting a Virtual Summer Program created by Emmy- entire collection can be found on ( https://nyheritage. NIAGARA FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNUAL REPORT As we respond to our ever changing global pandemic world, org/contributors/nioga-library-system-niagara-falls- winning children’s entertainment team Page Turner Adventures. Each week has a new and exciting theme, such NFPL services have evolved as well. Staff and visitor safety being public-library ) as “Imagine Your Adventure Story”, and includes daily videos to entertain paramount, we managed to keep the library services open, despite • Digitized Niagara Gazettes (1854-February 1916) - and inform. Programs include craft and science instructional videos, shows, the closure of our buildings. NF citizens were able to telephone available online by end of 2020 interviews with authors and illustrators, virtual field trips and more. It will book requests and then pick them up from the front door. Reference • Libraries Mean Business Initiative, ongoing certainly be a summer like no other, and we look forward to continuing to serve questions were emailed. Programming became virtual. A helpful • Partnered with US Census to prepare for the 2020 community resource website evolved. Wifi was accessible in our our patrons utilizing every available channel! parking lots. population count • Installation of a new 82 inch television screen in the Friends of the Library gave out free books. PK registration forms were auditorium for events CONTACT US available for pick up at our front door. • Purchase of a new portable audio speaker system for Professionally, I finished up my tenure as Treasurer with the Public auditorium events Library Services section of the New York Library Association (NYLA). • Hosted the Veggie Van during Summer 2019 Niagara Falls Public Library LaSalle Branch In November 2019, I completed my Library Leadership and Management • Sewing Programs Main Branch 8728 Buffalo Avenue Academy program with NYLA. • Ukulele Programs 1425 Main Street Niagara Falls, NY 14304 Niagara Falls, NY 14305 (716) 283-8309 I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the (716) 286-4911 www.niagarafallspubliclib.org Library Board for their guiding efforts, to our staff for the dedicated www.niagarafallspubliclib.org [email protected] 2019 service, to our local government and various stakeholders for working [email protected] with me to create betterment in our NF community. PATRON POSTS We continue to view the future with a dynamic lens, moving the library forward to build a stronger Niagara Falls community. BOARD OF TRUSTEES PATRON POSTS Sincerely, Mr. Carmen Granto President Ms. Noreen Hill Treasurer Mr. Don King Secretary Sarah Potwin Executive Library Director Dr. Mukhles U. Rahman, PhD Trustee Mr. Don’ta Myles, Trustee Dr Chandra Foote, PhD Trustee Mrs. Sarah Potwin Executive Library Director

have enjoyed the various classes offered by the library. They open us to new ideas and a chance to meet new people. I — Cindi LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT WHAT WE OFFER FINANCIAL D E TAI LS PATRON STORIES • Monthly Drop-in Social Security Q and A NFPL graciously acknowledges t has been yet another busy year for the Niagara • NYS Health Marketplace navigators during enrollment season funding through the City of Niagara "The library means everything to me because where else can I Falls Public Library. • Notary service at both branches go that offers everything from an unlimited amount of reading, Falls, Town of Niagara, County of computer access, fun activities to do with kids, and so much • A shared Nioga library catalog with access to over 1.2 million Our many Children to Adults Programs continue items from the collections of 22 member libraries of the Nioga Niagara and New York State. more available to the community for the total amount of zero Ito be well attended. Our Librarians continue to develop Library System with the ability to reserve requested items and dollars!!!" very creative programs that are tied to learning and free delivery to your home library - Donna M., a LaSalle patron enriching experiences for our citizens. From traditional • eResources for newspapers and magazines, NFPL library card LIBRARY USAGE storytimes for toddlers to sewing and knitting programs allows you digital access to Hoopla, Zinio digital magazine LIBRARY BUDGET “I used the curbside pickup on July 2. When I learned that the and paint nights, our offerings are both educational, downloads and Overdrive No. of items in collection library was open for browsing, I jumped on my bike and came Fiscal Year 2019 entertaining and open to all free of charge. Local history • Civic flash cards for naturalization tests Adult books 85,156 right over. My eyes filled up with tears - seeing staff again, has been dynamic in their grant writing efforts to aid the Revenue Amount • Wifi, Copier, Fax, Scanning Children’s books 33,342 browsing the shelves again.” preservation of historical items. Library Charges $20,000 Other Library materials 141,480 - Patty , Main patron • Printing photograph quality images from our local history Most notably, services beginning in Spring 2020 have evolved in this collection, for a nominal cost Sale of books and other revenues $8,575 No. of library holdings in collection 259,978 global pandemic world. While the library buildings are closed by • Community meeting space, including a 250 seat auditorium Friends of the Library $7,000 No. of items added to collection in 2019 17,264 Executive Order, the NFPL services remained open, our two branches • Engaging programs for all ages No. of eBooks 9,580 GRANTS were of the twelve libraries open in the State of New York. Library System Grants $275 staff created a helpful COVID-19 website listing community resources, • Computer tech skills for adults through BTOP program City of Niagara Falls $1,813,302 No. of eMagazines 166 educational links for parents to entertain children, as well as demos NYS SAM grant (Thank you, Assemblyman Angelo Morinello) $50,000 • Children's computer coding classes Town of Niagara $1,667 No. of library visitors 202,483 of our librarians performing music, crafts, and storytimes. Staff also • Large Print materials, print magazines Orin Dunlap Trust - Phase 1 inventory $9,000 sanitized the library buildings by wiping all shelves, shelf reading, and County of Niagara $65,000 No. items circulated 234,542 • JAWS program and large Orin Dunlap Trust - Phase 2 inventory $50,000 applied social distancing measures to keep visitors healthy. Virtual Central Library Aid (CLD) $98,000 Adult books 44,767 reference and telephone requests for items from the shelves occurred, screen computer terminal for internet access for those with Children's books 23,566 Niagara Falls Heritage Area - Phase 1 inventory $10,000 allowing for curbside pick up since March 2020. State Library Aid - LLSA $21,000 Other physical materials 166,209 visual challenges Niagara Falls Heritage Area - Phase 2 inventory $50, 000 Fund balance $140,397 No. of eBooks downloaded 33,240 We welcome two new board members, Mr. Don’ta Myles and Dr. Chandra Foote to our library board of trustees. • Online writing and poetry Western NY Library Resource Council - groups Total Revenues $2,175,215 No. of Inter Library Loan materials received 9,505 Health Information grant $1,000 I must stress that this is YOUR library. If there is something which you wish to see at the Library, please let • Sewing, knitting and craft groups No. of Inter Library Loan materials Western NY Library Resource Council - us know and we will work hard to provide and meet your needs as our resources allow. We have our financial provided to other libraries 16,980 Regional Bibliographic Databases (RBD)grant $9,310 challenges in 2020 and beyond, however, smart spending and strict control of expenses will be the main focus • Select state and federal tax forms without hurting all we offer. I would like to invite you to feel free to attend a board meeting to learn about our Expenses Amount No. of website visits 124,006 Western NY Library Resource Council - • Access to a world class local history collection which included Access and Innovation Grants $10,000 challenges. Remember, our services to the Library as a board is a service to you as members of our community. but is not limited to ; Salaries $847,085 No. hours open per week Main 60 / LaSalle 32 Nioga Library System - Summer Reading $300 Sincerely, Niagara Falls daredevils, Love Canal trial info, obituaries for Library Materials $200,000 No. of reference questions answered 26,149 genealogy research, Carborundum, DeVeaux School, Historic Nioga Library System - Family Literacy $200 Hotel registries, Dunlap photo collection etc. Library Operations $137,424 No. of public computer sessions DEMCO/ Axiell travel grant (in kind travel expenses) $1,500 • Downloadable ebooks and audio titles from Overdrive Equipment $9,500 Main 18,362 / Wireless at Main 8,807 and Hoopla LaSalle 4,780 / Wireless at LaSalle 5,023 NYS Library Construction Grant (repair of Lasalle Boiler) $14 ,000 Carmen Granto Building and maintenance President, Board of Trustees and utilities $217,983 No. of NFPL cardholders 32,347 NYS Library Construction Grant (repair of Main HVAC) $ 163,000 Niagara Falls Public Library Employee Benefits (Active) $493,876 No. of adult programs offered 194 Friends of the Library $7,000 PATRON POSTS Post-Retirement No. of adult program attendees 1,498 Benefits (Retirees) $269,297 No. of youth programs 218 DONATIONS & MEMORIALS Total Expenses $2,175,215 No. of youth program attendees 4,164

NYS SAM grant (Thank you, Assemblyman Angelo Morinello) $50,000 Audit completed in July 2020 by Chiampou, Ms. Wendy Dimet Memorial Fund (restricted) $125 000 Travis, Besaw and Kershner. Available for viewing upon request. Dr. Karolyn Smardz Frost and Dr. Judith Wellman - Cataract House Hotel register pages In kind Mrs. Susan Bulla - Orrin E. Dunlaps’ mason sword, handwritten speech, manuscripts and photos in kind