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22 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday April 23, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday April 23, 2008 - 27 2007 ANNUAL REPORT 2007 Highlights Message from the Chair of the Library Board On behalf of the Oakville Public Library Board, I am proud to report to you on your outstanding library system. Exciting changes took place in 2007, with the appointment of a new Board, a new CEO and the opening of a new neighbourhood branch in Clearview. The Board takes great pride in the library's commitment to community life. Our services continue to evolve as the needs of the community and technology change. Whether you are at the library in person, over the phone or via the Internet, we are committed to delivering the best service to Oakville. As we are celebrating our successes, we are also embarking on a strategic journey that places us at the leading edge of the library community. Thanks to you, here are just a few of our successes in 2007: · · · · · · Opening of the Clearview Neighbourhood branch The Summer Reading Programs (4,426 participants) The Battle of the Books (324 participants) The "Every Child Ready to Read" program The Teen Writing Contest and Teen Wiki New Book Nooks at River Oaks Hub and Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre · Oakville Images ­ Genealogy and local history the digitization project · Business Resources ­ seminars and online resources · Multi-language circulation (Hindi, Spanish, Chinese, Tamil, Urdu, Italian and Polish). As the Oakville population grows the library must focus on our strategic goals and our vision " Bringing People and Ideas Together". It is a powerful strategy to make Oakville all that it can be. "You cannot help someone to climb a hill without getting closer to the top yourself" (General H. Norman Schwarzkopf). Our success is your success. While we were very sad to say goodbye to Eleanor James as our CEO after 36 years of service with the Library, I would like to thank her again for the legacy she has left behind. This organization will be a much emptier place without her but I know that Lori Sims, our new CEO will carry on in the extraordinarily high standards of OPL. I need to acknowledge all the staff who have served our library system with professional skill, commitment, and friendly smiles each day. To them I extend the Board's thanks for a year of successful service to Oakville. In reviewing the year, this only skims the surface of all that took place and the enrichment that was our benefit. Again, thank you for the opportunity to work on your behalf as chair of the library board and I look forward to the experiences yet to unfold in 2008. To inspiration, discovery and learning!! Yours truly, www.opl.on.ca Where people and ideas meet events keep OPL at the forefront of innovative ways to help people access information and build community relationships. "I think Oakville library is set apart from others by its child friendly approach and inviting atmosphere" Rachael Widdowson, Oakville Clearview Branch Opens it's Doors! Teens Get Read-y! After identifying the need for continued support and promotion of Teen Services in our Strategic Plan (2007-2011), new programs and initiatives for teens and their unique needs were developed. In particular, a partnership with the Oakville Youth Development Centre (OYDC) culminated in the opening of the Book Depot in July. We provided teens with books, topical DVD's and relevant magazine subscriptions. An open Teen Wiki, created and monitored by the Teen Advisory Group (TAG) was launched in April and is accessible from OPL's homepage. These developments offer the services and support needed for teens to become engaged with learning and growing both academically and socially. Like the Write2Xpress competition, these also serve as appropriate outlets for teens thoughts and emotions. Our 2007 Donors Endowment Fund Tom and Janet Alton Family Fund Nicholas and Elizabeth Avery The Richard & Barbara Birkett Family Fund Harry and Joanna Blair Melissa Cameron Margaret Cleverdon Robert and Patricia Decker Rosemary Ferguson Dr. and Mrs. M. L. Hair Rebecca Hartlen and Steven Wood Eleanor James Janice Kullas Maria Moeller David and Anne Murdoch Gordon and Lyn O'Reilly Kathryn Palmer Margaret Perschy Marian Petelycky Danny and Margaret Ponn Jack and Janet Shirley Bruce and Barbara Norman Norwest Electric Ltd. Brian and Rosemary O'Halloran Brian O'Marra Oakville Honda Omron Dualtec Automotive Elecronics Inc. Peter and Joyanne Pellier Marian Petelycky Gary and Lee Preston Deborah Pustai John and Marilla Rapp Gail Richardson Dale and Betty Richmond Margaret Ripley Dr. Maureen and Orest Rudzik Tanya Rumble Sandra Rumfeldt Shelley Saunders Lori Sims Joan Slingerland Mary Beth Smith Shirley and Max Spear Judi Starkey Evelyn Taggart Gordon Tai Ling Guo TD Canada Trust The Altruists of Oakville The Community Foundation of Oakville The Lockhart Family The Sprott Foundation Kenneth and Audrey Thomas Cynthia and Fred Thorpe Todd's Your Answer Ltd. Rosamond Vanderburgh Jacqueline Walsh Stanley and Mary Whiteley Nancy Williams Heather Wilson Gordon Wittman Harry and Nellie Wogden Dianne Woodruff Barry and Angela Wylie Voortman Cookies Jim and Suzanne Yager AudioBooks for Customers on the GO Enriching the library's full spectrum of services, the `Libraries on the Go' website, offering free downloadable audio books was launched in March. This is a joint partnership of the Oakville and four other Public Libraries to establish a shared virtual collection of digital audiobooks for their communities. This service allows customers to access their favourite titles online and even download them to CD or a supporting Customer mobile device. In offering this serv"I commute a lot and the ice Oakville Public accessibility of libraries Library is showing on the go and their range our commitment to of downloadable audio developing our books makes my comcollections to meet mute bearable ­ thank the changing needs you Oakville Library!" Anthony Murphy, of the Oakville Oakville community. Statement of Financial Activities Year Ended December 31, 2007 REVENUE Town Grants Provincial Grants Federal Grants Library Generated Revenue Total Revenues $7,473,781 $182,453 $10,328 $618,388 $8,284,950 Donors Maria Robinson Board Chair 2007 We organized many events this year and our efforts were well received by the greater community. Our Diane Rinehart Customer author visit even made the front "I continue to use the pages of the library for both my chilOakville Beaver! dren and for my daughters co-op pre-school. The Hosted by OPL, library is also a meeting Diane Rinehart, place for us mums while an internationally Public Library Week the children while away acclaimed jour2007 was celebrated their time in a safe, fun nalist, spoke of with many libraries and educational environ the foundation across Ontario by holdment." Joanne Pretsell, `Give Girls a ing events and promoMother, Oakville. Chance'. The tions to raise awareness charity, coof how libraries offer founded by access and connectivity Rinehart is to the world around us. focused on enhancing the Public Library Week 2007 kicked off education opportunities of women, both on October 14th with Oakville Public in Canada and in the rest of the world. Library's Customer Appreciation Day. The Green was the theme for our big day was dedicated to all customers who spring event, `Green Gardening Day' have shown their support and valued the which took place at libraries resources and Central Branch in May. It services throughout the Customer was a chance for memyear. Customer bers of the public to learn Appreciation Day also "As a newcomer to Oakville all about the latest ideas served to attract and the library soon became an in environmentally friendly celebrate new cusessential part of our weekly gardening with lots of tomers who are just activities and helped to inteadvice from two of beginning to discover grate us into life in Oakville." Canada's most recognized Caroline Coughlan, mother, all the joys of our Oakville gardening writers. These library! On Saturday November 10th 2007, residents at Clearview were thrilled to see the opening of their highly anticipated Clearview Neighbourhood Branch. The branch was opened by Mayor Rob Burton, in the presence of our CEO Eleanor James, Council members, OPL board members, staff and community representatives. The Mayor cut the ribbon to mark the opening of this service and added "It feels good to be able to play a role in bringing local library service to the easternmost area of our Town". Consultation with the community of Clearview provided the input needed to design this type of library branch to suit the needs of the residents. EXPENDITURES Human Resources Collections Operating Supplies Purchased Services & Util. Interest on Long-term Debt Transfers to Town of Oakville Transfer to Endowment Fund Total Expenditures $6,199,011 $734,269 $230,181 $1,023,681 $0 $46,472 $6,574 $8,240,188 $44,762 $0 $0) ($56,581) $11,819 $17,119 $5,300 NET REVENUE New Debt Issurance Long-term Debt Principal Repayments Decrease in Non-financial Assets Increase in Fund Balance Fund Balance, beginning of year Fund Balance, end of year OPL Events of 2007 Public Library Week Shows Appreciation to our Customers Eleanor Turns the Page With the closing of the year, Eleanor James, our much respected CEO took the opportunity to retire after an impressive 23 years as OPL's leader. It is this amazing service to Oakville Public Library and its community that was celebrated by colleagues, staff, associates and friends as they wished her well for the future. Throughout Eleanor's leadership of OPL, there have been many developments, improvements and expansions, leaving behind the legacy of a strong organization filled with staff who have vision and a passion for discovery. Our new CEO, Lori Sims is well equipped to lead our library through a new era and she is excited carry on the high standards that define the Oakville Public Library. The Diane Rinehart photo was supplied as a courtesy of the Oakville Beaver. The Oakville Public Library Endowment Fund at December 31st, 2007 is $188,845. The fund is managed by the Community Foundation of Oakville. 91% 7% 2% Our 2007 Board Members Maria Robinson (Chair) Councillor Tom Adams Jean Baylis John Burkus Councillor Mary Chapin Chris French Elaine Fung Brett Herrington Anna Larson Margaret Perschy Marian Petelycky Trish Aitchison American Women's Club of Oakville Margaret Anderson William and Marjorie Arnold Frances Ballantyne Bank of Montreal A. Baumann Jean Baylis Boston Pizza Robert Brooks Susan Brown Ross and Lynda Bryant Ann and John Burkus John Caird Barbara Caldwell Gail and Hartley Cargo Robert Cartotto Alicia and Tony Cestra Alison Christilaw and Doug Emerson Nancy and Clive Coombs Brenda Cotterill Glenn, Marnie and Graeme Courtney Judy DeMone Lyne Des Forges Michael and Midge Des Roches D'Orazio Infastructure Group Patricia Elwell Robert Farquharson John Fasken Susan Ford Friends of the Oakville Public Library Roni Gallagher Kay and Roger Gaynor Genworth Financial Canada Get It Write Nesta Gordon Dan Gregory Lisa Guimaraes S.C. Halwa Charles Harris Sharon Hawley Brett and Lisa Herrington Kenneth and Mary Hester Jean and Eric Holock Dorothy and Ernest Hughes Robert Hyde and Maria Robinson and Family Ian Martin Limited Frank Invidiata Ann Jones Donald and Catherine Kenndy Mary Ketcheson Lea Koiv Elsie Kossatz Anna Larson L.M. & Sons Janitorial Ltd. Frank and Azniv Lochan Blair and Libby MacAulay Azar Malek Frances and Steve Mantle Jean Mason Mattamy Homes Limited Frank and Ruthanne McAuley Ann McCulloch Aileen and Bill McGaw Barbara McLauchlin V. Odette McLeod David McNutt Victor Milligan Moen Inc. Paul Mooradian Alexander Morgan - Sun Life Financial Dave and Anne Murdoch Jean Murray My Special Nanny/Little Scholar Childcare Network Cabling Service Limited Gifts In Kind Bookers Bookstore Chudleigh's Farms Circus Chocolates Goodlife Fitness Hamilton Naturalists' Club Harper Collins Canada Ltd. H.B. Fenn and Company Home Depot Key Porter Books lululemon athletica Lunatic Adventures Inc. Mad Hatter Toys & Games McArthur & Company McDonald's Restaurants Melfort Cottage Bed & Breakfast Murron's CabineTree Oakville Place Oakville Price Chopper Panago Pizza Random House of Canada Limited Simon & Schuster Canada Starbucks Coffee Canada Victoria's Linen & Lace YMCA of Oakville In Memorium Bob Aitken Louise Cartotto Robert Clark Peter Cotterill Skin and Mary Dewar Mary Dunn Jim Gallagher Irene Gooch Alan Harley Elizabeth Harrison Paul Heron Norman James Ted Larson Shirley Mosley Terry Pitts Pam Purvis Kitty Ramsay Gerald Saunders W.M. Sculthorpe Richard Stephens Robert Sutherland Lorna Thompson Donald Waugh Barbara Wilkins Margaret Wood Every effort has been made to provide an accurate listing of our donors. We apologize for any errors or omissions that may have occurred. THE OAKVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY WISHES TO THANK ITS VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR VALUABLE TIME AND SERVICES.