Annual Report, 1997

LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES - 1998

• Mrs. Pam Brady, President
• Mr. Tony Frosino, Vice President
• Ms. Margaret Buckley, Corresponding Secretary
• Mr. John Donovan
• Mr. Donald Gould
• Mr. Kumar Maharaj
• Mrs. Dorothy Mundt
• Mr. Ralph Esposito, Liaison, Gates Town Board

The Library Board of Trustees is the governing body for the library. They approve the library budget; all personnel appointments and library policies; monitor library expenditures; represent the town residents to the library and the library to the townspeople. Trustees are appointed by the Gates Town Board. All trustees must be Gates residents and each serves a five-year term in a volunteer capacity. The Library Board meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month (2nd Wednesday of December) at 7:00 p.m. All meetings are open to the public. Agendas are available from the Library Director a week before the meeting.

New or Expanded Services

• Permanent display established at Tinseltown (changed weekly) to promote the library

Spring

• Visibility of cassette collection improved, with locking cases

May

• Books to Babies program started

July

• Reviews by You: book review group of older elementary age reader

• Server installed as backbone for new LAN system

Summer

• Community Focus Group began work on developing the 2nd long range plan for library

September

• Childrens’ vertical file in service

• Began circulating CD-ROMs for all age levels

• The Millenium and Beyond - the library’s 2nd Long Range Plan adopted by the Library Board

Mission Statement

Recognizing its role as a major informational, recreational, and educational resource in the community, the Gates Public Library will continually respond to the needs of its patrons of all ages and backgrounds. Further, it will increase its efforts to gain new users in the Gates community and attempt to anticipate the evolving needs of the multi cultural community.

By offering open access to its wide array of materials, services, programs and external resources, Gates Public Library will continue to be an enriching influence in the lives of Gates citizens.

Long Range Goals: 1997 Achievements

• Regular staff training; many librarians attend state library conference

• Performance evaluation process for most employees completed

Goal 2: Develop system to evaluate library programs and services to meet community needs

• All 1996 programs and services were evaluated in 1997

• In house use of library materials study completed in October

• High level of customer satisfaction evident from 1997 National Library Week surveys of library patrons

Goal 3: Increase Gates community participation in library

• New Gates residents mailing continued

• Library Link (Director’s column) continues to earn public praise

• Internet demonstrations given for various community groups

Goal 4: Review and establish priorities for utilization of finite resources

• Ongoing as necessitated by annual budget process. Fiscal support for traditional library services adjusted to cope with increased technology costs

Goal 5: Diversify and expand new funding possibilities

• Various alternate fund raising proposals explored by staff

Goal 6: Plan for optimum utilization of facilities

• Handicapped bathroom grant successful by year’s end

Goal 7: Establish On-line Public Access Catalog (OPAC) in library

• Staff continues public classes on use of Internet

• Office LAN in place by fall 1997; will be backbone for Everyone’s Catalog/Graphic access to Internet in 1998

Gifts and Memorials Received in 1997

The Library Board encourages your gifts and donations to the library.  Look for our gifts brochure at the entrance to the library or call the Library Director. 

• Jennifer Zarpentine in memory of Gail Ramsay 
• Emery & Jude Hanscom in memory of Gail Ramsay 
• The Myers Family in memory of Gail Ramsay 
• Paul, Karen, Dena & Joanna Alberti in memory of Gail Ramsay 
• Staff of Gates Public Library in memory of Gail Ramsay Rochester 
• Aerie #52, Fraternal Order of Eagles for large print book purchases 
• Paul & Judy Schojan in memory of Helen Taff 
• David & Joan Egan in memory of Helen Taff 
• Dietlinde K. Payne in memory of Helen Taff 
• William & Katherine Woodard in memory of Helen Taff 
• Arthur W. Taff in memory of Helen Taff 
• Linda M. Hawkins in memory of Helen Taff 
• Rita L. Bettin in memory of Helen Taff 
• Monica T. Meyer in memory of Helen Taff 
• Isabel H. Hawkins in memory of Helen Taff 
• George A. Mourtzikos in memory of Helen Taff 
• Jack & Kathryn Hart in memory of Helen Taff 
• Staff of Gates Public Library in memory of Faith Lawler 

Also, the Library Director donated the funding for Gates Public Library's Employee of the Month recognition program. 

When money is donated for a gift or memorial, the donor, or the next of kin, suggests an appropriate topic(s) and Gates librarians make the actual title selection after comparison with the library's collection. When the book is received, a memorial book plate is inserted in the volume, the title inscribed in the library's Gift Registry and the next of kin are notified that the book is being held at the desk so they may be the first people to borrow the book. With this procedure, donations are personalized to serve as an appropriate memorial and to complement the library's collection. 

Horatio Gates Memorial Fund
Thanks to the Town of Gates Bicentennial activities, the Horatio Gates Memorial Book Fund was established in 1977. Only the annual interest from that fund can be spent and only on materials of American historical interest. The fund's name originates from the Revolutionary War General for whom the Town of Gates is named. The fund provides a small but a steady source of revenue for the library. In 1997, John C. Chadbourne contributed to this fund. Interest from this fund provided the library subscription to “American Heritage” plus 7 books on American history. 

Gates Amita Book Fund
Beginning in 1982, the Gates Amita Club has contributed to the creation or enlargement of the Gates Amita Club Memorial Book Fund to purchase titles of interest to the Italian-American community of Gates. The principal is invested and only the interest is expended. The Amita Club has also regularly contributed to the purchase of Italian language videos. In 1997 enough interest was earned to purchase 5 books and one video. 

Freislich Fund
In September 1988, the Gates Public Library Board of Trustees voted to establish the Freislich Fund from the many donations received in memory of founding Library Board member, Eleanor Freislich, and her husband, Kenneth. The Freislich Fund was established to honor an outstanding Gates Public Library employee or to facilitate a library employee's furtherance of his or her formal education. In May 1997 two Annual Freislich Awards were presented at the annual meeting of the Friends of the Gates Public Library. Desk Aide, Mike Steele, who is pursuing his college education while working part time for the Gates library, and full time Library Clerk, Susan Saylor, who took a Windows ‘95 course, were presented the awards. 

Owellen Fund
 In 1995 long time library volunteer, Jack Owellen, left a bequest to Gates Public Library to purchase library materials (in his memory) on medicine, U.S. Navy, baseball, golf and travel. In 1997 enough interest was earned to purchase 2 books in Mr. Owellen’s name. 

Open Hours Fund
In fall, 1997, thanks to a generous donation of $10,000 from the Friends of Gates Public Library, a community ground swell of fiscal support for maintenance of 1998 service hours materialized and, by year’s end, the majority of funding needed. 

Library Use 1997

Library Programs, 1997

Library Hours in 1997

The Library was open 62 service per week in 1997.

• Monday through Friday, 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
• Saturdays, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

The drive up window was open...

• For pickup, renewals, etc. Monday through Friday, 3:15 pm - 8:45 pm
• 24 hours a day for returns

Library Holdings 1997

*Reflects 8,871 volumes added and 8,222 volumes discarded.

Non-Print	1997
Recordings (Compact Discs, LP's, Cassettes)	4,761
Videocassettes	4,977
Totals	9,738

Grand total of holdings**: 147,740

Total additions in 1997: 13,404

**Also in total: magazines (bibliographic volumes), electronic subscriptions, framed prints, pamphlets, instant cameras, CD-ROMs, software, microfilm, portable smoke detectors, and visual aids for sight handicapped print items.

Public Funding - 1997

Other Library Services, 1997

• Business/Investment Sources and N.Y.S. Consolidated Law Services
• Community Information (town, school, etc.) and Local History
• CD-ROM Magazine Index with some full text; also online access to Infotrac
• Out of town telephone books
• Internet access (text only)

OUTREACH SERVICES:

• Book Talks or Speakers on any library related topic

EQUIPMENT FOR PUBLIC USE:

• MacIntosh LCII and one electric typewriter
• Copiers: print, microfilm and microfiche
• Readers: microfilm and microfiche

MEETING ROOM FOR NON-PROFIT GROUP USE:

• Literacy tutor meeting space provided

PUBLICATION:

• Gates Human Services Directory (updated annually)

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

• For adults and young adults

Other services may be available through Gates Public Library from the Monroe County Library System (MCLS), such as, interlibrary loan or from the State Education Department, such as, Talking Book Service for the Blind.

Volunteers, 1997

BOOK MENDERS: 

• Elizabeth Bianchi
• Katharine Cliff 
• Jean Gruet 
• Ann Imburgia 
• Jeanie Kulp 
• Fran Melton 
• Ruth Poole 
• Jean Sexstone 

PAMPHLET FILE

• June Dray 
• Julia LoMaglio
• Ellen Roe

• Marian Corcoran: Gates Local History 
• Mary Cronin: retrieving old order cards 
• Joseph Doles: Video Evaluation 
• Alice Ingram: Juvenile vertical file
• Jo Musso: Collective biography project
• Ellen Roe: Business directory
• Rob Schwartz: Special projects
• Gwen Spence: Dunn Tower cards
• Joann Tatusko: Gates Local History
• Marion Thompson: Business file, order cards
• Ethel Walzer: Denewing books

OTHER SPECIAL HELPERS: 

• Dianne Bell
• Kenneth Georger
• Audrey Hannon
• Alice Harris 
• Dent Harris 
• Dorothy Himmelsbach
• John Himmelsbach
• Sandy Kilbury
• Joan Lukus
• Jennifer Ogrodowski
• Gail Renehan

Staff 1998 

* = Full Time Employees 

Librarians:

•  Susan Swanton - Library Director* 
• Judy MacKnight - Assistant Library Director* 
• Nancy Blanda - Adult Services Librarian for Collection Development 
• Chantel Smith -Internet/Technology Librarian* 
• Mary Jo Smith - Children Services Librarian 
• Donna Peasley - Children Librarian* 
• Heidi Jung - Young Adult/Adult Services Librarian* 
• Charles Lockwood - Audio Visual Librarian* 
• James Montione - Library Assistant* 

Support Staff 

Business Services:

• Sandy Kilbury - Senior Library Clerk* 
• Donna Andolina - Library Clerk 
• Linda Ianni - Library Clerk* 
• Gail Renehan - Library Clerk 

Circulation Services: 

• Debbie Shanker - Senior Library Clerk* 
• Chad Cunningham - Library Clerk* 
• Diane Sochia - Library Clerk 

Technical Services: 

• Joan Lukus - Senior Library Clerk* 
• Pushp Bansal - Library Clerk* 
• Jude Hanscom - Library Clerk* 
• Angie Meyer - Library Clerk 
• Susan Saylor - Library Clerk* 

Data Entry Operator:   Paula Blackburn 

Cleaner:  Jaclyn House 

Library Pages: 

• Dianne Bell 
• Jaryn Finch 
• Christina Fosberg 
• Christina Georgiou 
• Jaclyn House
• Caroline Landers 
• David Landers 
• Angela Liu 
• Jenny Oehler 
• Maureen Olszewski 
• Christine O’Riley 
• Erin Quartley 
• Carol Rappa 
• Alicia Sofia 
• Albina Tacy 
• Wai-ka Tong 

Desk Aides: 

• Paula Blackburn* 
• Mellisa Chinnock 
• Jennifer Firpo 
• Jane Garling
• Marlene Hayes 
• Rebecca Kapica 
• Christine Newcomb* 
• Louise Pilger 
• Dawn Poplawski 
• Mary Ricci 
• Kate Sherman 
• Kathy Sochia 
• Mike Steele 
• Jessie Tocco 
• Justin Vibber