Blog Post
Amended Executive Order Preserves Library of Michigan Yet Funding for Statewide Library Services Remains Threatened
by aadl-news
On Wednesday afternoon, Governor Granholm issued an amended Executive Order Abolishing the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries. The amended Executive Order does eliminate the Department of History, Arts and Libraries, but it preserves the administrative functions of the Library of Michigan, including retaining the Library of MI by name with a staff person to be designated as State Librarian. The amended Executive Order also emphasizes the importance of statewide resource sharing and services administered by the State Librarian and the Library of Michigan. The Ann Arbor District Library commends and thanks the Governor for acknowledging the importance of the Library of Michigan and its functions to the citizens of Michigan. We would also like to recognize and thank the legislators involved in advocating for this amendment, and all of the citizens who contacted elected officials to request a reconsideration of the original Executive Order issued in July.
Unfortunately, the funding required by the Library of Michigan to continue providing statewide online database access, MelCat Interlibrary loan, and Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped services at the levels offered today is not appropriated by this Executive Order, nor is it guaranteed. Funding for these services is allocated in the state budget process as State Aid to Libraries.
Please read Governor Granholm’s Amended EO and consider contacting your State Senator and your State Representative to advocate for funding of State Aid to Libraries at the current level of $10 million.
Josie
Blog Post
AADL Library Services Threatened by Governor's Executive Order to Abolish State Library
by aadl-news
On July 13, Governor Granholm issued an Executive Order abolishing the Department of History, Arts and Libraries, as part of her effort to reach a balanced budget for the next state fiscal year. It is understood and accepted that hard decisions must be made, and that all departments of state government should be expecting to find savings and efficiencies.
It is not clear how abolishing the department dedicated to promoting Michigan history and the arts, and supporting all libraries in Michigan will result in significant savings; the Governor has indicated that there is an unfunded plan to move the collections to repurpose the State Library building. Library services, when separated or isolated from a larger system, and placed in a bureaucratic environment, will wither.
How will this proposed plan affect you? The State Library administers the services of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. AADL is a sub-regional service provider and has been since February of this year. The plan as proposed moves the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped from the Library of Michigan to the Commission for the Blind. It is not clear if any funding will follow the move, and the Commission is facing the same cuts as all other state departments and agencies. If services from the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped statewide are to remain stable and funded, the Governor, and our legislators, should be made aware that the proposed move is a threat to its existence.
The Library of Michigan also administers the group purchasing of databases that are made available to all libraries statewide for reduced costs. Any library cardholder or Michigan citizen with a valid driver’s license can access those databases from anywhere in the world. If the resources of the Library of Michigan are dispersed or eliminated, and if the State Aid to Libraries allocation is reduced, then access to these databases will disappear. Only the larger, most affluent communities will be able to consider locally funding these resources. Even at AADL, continuance of the currently available set of resources will not be possible.
The very popular statewide interlibrary loan program via MeLCat is also administered through the Library of Michigan, and paid for through a match of State Aid allocation with Federal funds. Each $1.00 of state funding for this service is matched with $.50 of Federal funding, and the total to fund this statewide delivery service is in the millions of dollars. This service is also threatened if the Library of Michigan is abolished, and State Aid is reduced.
It is an irony that in a time when all are calling for efficiency, resource-sharing, consolidation of services, and collaborations to save and find money, a state institution that has led statewide programs that work for the benefit of all Michigan citizens, and which help to provide the critical tools needed for our workforce to reinvent itself, is threatened because someone has the very uncool and uninformed notion that libraries are obsolete.
The Ann Arbor District Library opposes Executive Order #2009-36, and supports funding of State Aid to Libraries at the current level of $10M.
Josie
Please consider contacting your State Senator and your State Representative.
Blog Post
Traverwood Branch Is Open
by aadl-news
I wish to thank everyone who was inconvenienced by the closing of Traverwood for your patience and support. The floors are done, and they are beautiful, too! The branch re-opened this morning, August 28, at 9:00 AM.
We have backdated the returns at Traverwood to avoid fine accrual, but if after returning material you find accrued fines on your account, please call the Renewal Line at 327-4219 to have the fines removed.
Josie
Blog Post
Traverwood Branch to be Closed August 20-27
by aadl-news
The wood floors at Traverwood Branch are being sanded and sealed, and the work begins on Thursday of this week. We apologize for any inconvenience the closing of the branch will cause you and your family. After closing on Wednesday, August 19th at 9:00PM, all remaining items on the hold shelves at Traverwood will be moved Downtown, and will be available for pick up on Thursday. Hold requests for Traverwood will be available Downtown until the branch reopens on Friday, August 28 at 9:00 AM.
The return slots on the north side of the building will remain available and open, but the return bin in the garage will be unavailable during this week. Computer classes scheduled for this week at Traverwood will be relocated or rescheduled. Staff will contact those who have registered about changes in location or time.
We appreciate that this notice is short, and we do apologize. Thank you in advance for your patience. Please consider exploring other AADL library locations. They will be open regular hours and some very cool and smart people are working in them. They will enjoy helping you.
Josie
Blog Post
Traverwood Branch Reopens at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, August 11
by aadl-news
The Traverwood Branch will open at 10:00 AM, an hour later than usual today, Tuesday, August 11, due to an unexpected maintenance situation. We apologize for the inconvenience. All other locations will open as scheduled at 9:00 AM and will close at 9:00 PM.
Josie
Blog Post
Traverwood Branch Closed Due to Power Outage
by aadl-news
The Traverwood Branch closed at 4:00 PM today, Tuesday June 23, due to a power outage. The branch will remain closed until 9:00 AM on Wednesday, June 24.
We apologize for the inconvenience. All other library locations are open.
Josie
Director
Blog Post
It's Humid in the Downtown Library
by aadl-news
Two air handlers, circa 1958, are being replaced in the Downtown Library. Fresh air is not being pushed through the older portion of the lower level, or the 1st and 2nd floors so it is muggy and sticky inside the Library. We apologize for the inconvenience, and are doing all that we can to cool those spaces down. There are no operating windows in the Downtown building, so we are limited. However, the front doors are opened at 7:00 AM and are left open until closing.
If you are circa 1958 or earlier, you can remember, as I can, a time when this was the normal summertime condition in all buildings!
The work is scheduled to be completed within the next week or two. We are hoping for a cool spell.
Josie
Blog Post
AADL Celebrates 5 Star Ranking in Library Journal Survey of Public Libraries
by aadl-news
The Ann Arbor District Library is one of the top libraries in the country, according to a new survey by Library Journal, America’s Star Libraries, published in its February 15 issue. Of the 7,115 libraries evaluated for the report, only 256 (3.5 %) received stars for their achievements. AADL was one of ten of 88 libraries nation-wide in its budget bracket (libraries with an annual budget of $10M – $29.9M) to receive the highest possible overall ranking of 5 stars. In Michigan, 376 libraries qualified for evaluation, with only two receiving stars - AADL with its 5-star ranking, and Canton Public Library which earned 3 stars in its budget bracket.
The survey was based on data reported to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for fiscal year 2005-2006 and since this data was collected, AADL’s service statistics have continued to rise. Traditionally, many public library decision-makers have focused on circulation alone as the performance indicator for a successful library. Today, the full range of services now includes electronic access, facilities use, and programming.
The inaugural LJ Index of Public Library Service, sponsored by Baker & Taylor's Bibliostat, is based on 2005-2006 data for:
• circulation transactions per capita, including checkouts and renewals;
• visits to library buildings per capita;
• computer sessions per capita;
• program attendance per capita,
as reported by local libraries to their state library agencies and compiled by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Top libraries are organized into star tiers, much like the Michelin guide, for example, with five, four, or three stars. Libraries are scored in relation to other peer libraries based on total operating expenditures rather than on community population.
These numbers and this ranking reflect YOUR use of YOUR public library. Enjoy!
AADL STATISTICS AND INCREASES
Based on the data reported to IMLS in fiscal year 2005-2006, AADL, with a service population of 155,000 had:
• 34.3 circulation transactions per capita
• 9.1 visits to library buildings per capita
• 1.6 computer sessions per capita
• 0.3 program attendees per capita
Since 2005-2006, growth has continued at AADL:
• Annual circulation transactions have increased 57% to 8,173,534
• Visits to library buildings rose 16.5 % to 1,642,078
• Computer sessions increased 6% to 259,338
• Event attendance increased 14% to 52,891
With an equally expanded projected service population of 165,000 AADL now boasts:
• 49.5 circulation transactions per capita
• 10 visits to library buildings per capita
• 1.6 computer sessions per capita
• .3 program attendees per capita
For more information about Library Journal’s 'America’s Star Libraries', visit the index at libraryjournal.com.
Josie
Blog Post
Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled @ AADL
by aadl-news
Today, February 2, the Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled @ AADL opens across the library system. As a designated sub regional library of the National Library Service, AADL will serve all residents of Washtenaw County who are unable to read standard print either due to blindness or physical disability. Approximately, 500 persons are currently registered, but we believe that thousands are eligible, and we are hoping to see this service expand.
NLS is administered through a national network of cooperating libraries with the mission “that all may read”. The service provides a free library program of Braille and audio materials to eligible borrowers in the United States through postage free mail. This service was mandated by Congress through the Pratt-Smoot Act of 1931 and remains a service of the Library of Congress.
Please call 734.327.4224 for more information about eligibility, applications, and services.
Josie
Blog Post
AADL Wins Award....Thank you!
by aadl-news
The Ann Arbor District Library has received a 2008 Voice of the People Award presented by the International City/County Management Association at its annual national conference on Sept. 21 in Richmond, Va. and we want to say, "Thank you!".
The award is a result of positive responses received from more than 1,000 City of Ann Arbor residents who shared their opinions of local services and amenities when the city conducted the National Research Center Inc. National Citizens Survey™ in 2007. Ninety percent of residents polled rated their quality of life as “excellent” or “good.” Furthermore, Ann Arbor residents rated their District Library more favorably compared to how residents of other jurisdictions rated their own public library services in the 2007 survey.
To win the Voice of the People Award, the rating for service quality must be one of the top three among all jurisdictions who surveyed their residents in 2007. Honorees must reside in the top 10 percent overall among the over 500 jurisdictions in the National Research Center database of citizen surveys. For more information on The National Research Center Inc., visit http://www.n-r-c.com/services/nationalcitizensurvey.html.
From the 1866 founding of the Ladies' Library Association to the 2008 opening of the new Traverwood Branch, the Ann Arbor District Library has continuously provided library collections, services and programs to the Ann Arbor community located within the boundaries of the Ann Arbor Public School District. The existence of the Ann Arbor District Library assures public ownership of print collections, digital resources, and gathering spaces for the citizens of the library district. We are committed to sustaining the value of public library services for the greater Ann Arbor community through the use of traditional and innovative technologies.
Thank you to the citizens of the Library's district who live within the City of Ann Arbor who took the time to take this survey!
Josie