2015 ANNUAL REPORT ANTWERP - MATTAWAN BANGOR BLOOMINGDALE COVERT DECATUR GOBLES LAWRENCE From the Director “Great things are happening at the Van Buren tribunal judgment. The new revenue will aid us in District Library.” This unofficial slogan is reflective restoring the materials budgets back to appropri- of the work being undertaken to create a more ate levels, and it will also enhance services to dynamic library that meets the needs of our branches in Bangor, Bloomingdale, Covert, communities in the areas of new programs and Gobles and Lawrence by adding a sixth day of services, expanded children’s activities and an service in mid-2016. Property tax values are on increase of digital offerings. the upward swing; however, VBDL’s funding is also dependent on State Aid and Penal Fines, According to the Pew Center for Research recent which vary from year to year. The recent legisla- study Libraries at the Crossroads, a majority of tive reduction to personal property taxes will also Americans recognize their local libraries as places affect our revenue beginning in 2017. The library that should support local education, embrace board continually has to balance a need to new technologies, and provide spaces for read- improve the library versus the reality of running a ing, studying, working and programming. VBDL tight budget and cautiously planning against made improvements in each of those areas in future funding threats. 2015 by significantly increasing technology train- ing opportunities, offering more arts and cultural Great things did indeed happen at the library in programs, teaming up better with local schools, 2015, and there is much yet to come in the near and by analyzing our circulation trends and future with more convenient open hours, more collection configurations in order to make adjust- popular book and audio-visual additions, and a ments to space usage. growing number of requested programming ideas. Please see the highlights from 2015 on the Van Buren District Library is supported at each following pages. location by a caring and generous force of volun- Carol Nelson & Denise Campagna teers and Friends of the Library members. Last Thank you, year’s book sales, summer reading program Ryan Wieber 2015 EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR activities, and word-of-mouth promotions were DIRECTOR successful because of the special dedication and Library Director Ryan Wieber announced in December that Carol Nelson (above left) and Denise attention given by our volunteers. Campagna were the recipients of the 2015 Librarian of the Year Award due to their dedication, enthusiasm VBDL’s statistics from 2015 reflect a nationwide and passion for their work, the library, and ultimately, the patrons. Customer Service downward trend in circulation of printed books, Nelson, who started as a Bangor Branch clerk in 2004, was credited with the ability to please patrons and an increase in digital checkouts, and an upward Award Winners fellow co-workers by exhibiting a consistently gracious and caring attitude. “Carol takes pride in serving surge in the library as a WiFi hotspot. New mate- Van Buren District Library recently awarded its others,” Wieber says. “She makes everyone who walks through the door feel welcome and important. rials acquisitions took a hit as revenue decreased, 2015 Customer Service Awards to Frank Kucharski, She is dedicated, dependable and an excellent representative of the library’s mission.” however a push was still made to provide more delivery driver, Decatur; and LaDonna Golden, copies of popular items. Our website experienced Assistant Branch Librarian, Covert. Both were Campagna, having earned her second Librarian of the Year Award, was recognized for instilling in the a major makeover in terms of design and recognized for their commitment toward providing Lawrence community her enthusiasm and passion for library programs and services. “Denise’s passion for content, and the library’s overall marketing plan the library shines through every day,” Wieber says. “I know I can always count on her to make the right became more active in 2015 with added staff a welcoming, comfortable and creative library decisions, energetically promote the library and provide a healthy, fun and rewarding staff environment.” hours and attention to consistency in promoting environment. Kucharski and Golden both have worked for VBDL since 2004. Wieber credited Campagna with making the Lawrence Branch a true community center by offering library news and activities. programs such as the Reader’s Café, Graphic Novel Club, Tai Chi, high school art exhibits, photography Financially, the library had the good fortune of Their special designations were announced at a contests, author visits and more. the district’s voters approving an additional .20 staff luncheon in December, where they received Each recipient received a certificate of appreciation and monetary gift from the Friends of the Van Buren millage for ten years, allowing VBDL to recoup a certificate and monetary gift from the Friends District Library. some of the significant hit from a power plant tax of the Van Buren District Library. 2015VOLUNTEERS Marianne Abbott Judy Fusko Martha Merriam Helen Rivers Bonita Suter Janet Abshagen Bette Glindemeyer Donna Mills Faith Rogers Connie & Steve Talsma Julie Aguilar Libby Godwin Janelle Moelaart Lily Rozeveld Anita Thomas Gerald Anderson Phyllis Graham Grace Montague Cheryl & Rich Rumery Kim Thompson Anne Arthur Alan Grossmann Chloe Orton Celia Schipper Jon Towne Cindy Athey Sandy Hanson Laura Othralik Shawn Schipper Imani Tunstall Sandy Augst Jeff & Theresa Heaton Margarita Pantoja Gina Schipper Christopher Turk Bitsy Becker Jan Hellenga Fabiola Pantoja Eric Schultz Betty Usrey Joyce Beedie Wesley Hemenway Ashley Parr Paul Schultz Sandra Valentine Dan & Olivia Benson Darren Hemenway Lydia Peterson Jami Schultz Jennifer Valentine Kathy Bisek Richard & Mary Ellen Melissa Piontek Linda Seaman Marilyn Vana Cindy Boven Hemenway David Podolak Paula Sipes Rick Vreeland Mary Broekhuizen Loretta Hiemstra Frank Popp Katie Siple Corinne Wade Ann Brown Pauline Hoadley Wayne & Marcia Potter George Skoropad Zach Waters Jim Brunet Loraine Houseman Pastor Cliff Radtke Charles Smith Eric Waters Micki Burns Elaine Hovenkamp Larry & Edna Ralston Anne & Melinda Snider Mary Webster Sal Campagna Catherine Hulin Linda Read Darlene Spalo Jodi Wesaw Malana Chan Dennis & Wayne Barb Reits Mary Spencer Debbie Woodard Candy Chapman Hurlbut Wayne & Marilyn Rendell Judith Stockpole Luanne Wright Lisa Chin Kim Ingalls Heath Ricks Carolyn Stuckum Melissa Zagrzebski Ana Chin Bob & Karen Jensen Ron Ritchie Marlene Suter Winnie Zimmerle Dec Clement Velma Johnson Kris Colgren Dee Jorgboyan Julie Collard Natalie Kelley Diane Corradini Cailin Kessen Charlette Cruse Clay Kessen Megan Curtis Terra Klein Bruce Cutting Dawn Kobreek Bertha Denemy Marylin Konkle Phil DeYoung Beuna Kraak Miranda Diaz Gloria Krogel Sheri Dick Olivia & Jodi Kuiper Jim Drake Ron & Liz Kurzmann Karolyn Drenth Cindy Kusmack Ginny & Ron Drogula Roger Leduc Sue Dunton Rick Leestma Wendy Estrada Betty Markel Ginny Field Phil & Linda Marshall Ann Flora Lydia McDaniel Nancy Ford Barb McKeeby Linda Fruin Karrie Melvin Ray McAdams LOCAL HISTORY Family history resources normally found in larger, metropolitan libraries are conveniently located in Webster Memorial Library’s Toni I. Benson Local History and Genealogy Room, named after its longtime and beloved organizer. It is home to a wealth of unique research materials centered on Van Buren County and southwestern Michigan. Genealogists come from near and far to utilize the indexes, microfilmed and Ana Chin digitized newspapers, maps and BLOOMINGDALE photographs, and expert, personalized Former school teacher Ana Chin is familiar with big city life, growing up in Chicago and help that have made the collection living in San Francisco for many years. For the past five years, however, the current a respected and valuable resource Bloomingdale area resident has fallen in love with the Bloomingdale Branch Library. To her, for the beginner or experienced the library “is a magical and joyful place, and a town center for meeting other residents.” researcher. Ana and her family are avid readers and participants in all things library. Her happiness Pictured on the right is Ohio resident comes from voluntarily leading story times and introducing children to the world of read- Ray McAdams during a 2015 visit while ing. “I love to see the joy in kids’ faces when they hear a story or create a craft.” Ana also researching his Van Buren County participates in the quilting club and leads a women’s coloring group. She appreciates the ancestors. interaction between the women in her groups and enjoys initiating discussion topics. “The library is a very stimulating place and has the ability to reach and help many people.” patron stories VBDL MISSION > To provide equitable access to a world of resources, reading, and lifelong learning. 2015HIGHLIGHTS Redesigned and Revamped Website Library Employees of the Year: Carol Nelson and Comic Con Event Denise Campagna Dueling Pianos Concert at Lawrence Customer Service Award of 2015: LaDonna Golden and Frank Kucharski Friends of VBDL Chicago Untouchables Tour 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Michigan Blood Drives Van Buren County Great Start Birthday Book Club “Every Hero Has a Story” Summer Reading Program Internet Users Group Legos Clubs Teen Photo Contest at Lawrence Van Buren Reads Loreen Niewenhuis’ Underground Railroad in Southwest Michigan “A