NOTES BETWEEN FRIENDS
Friends of the Olympia Timberland Library — 8th and Franklin
Olympia, WA
August / September 2003

Page Turners Meet June 6

Page Turners is a book discussion group which meets at the library on the first Friday of the month from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Two non-fiction books about Alaska were selected for May. Passage to Juneau by Jonathan Raben is a tale of his journey in a small boat through the Inside Passage. Looking For Alaska by Peter Jenkins is about his 18-month sojourn in Alaska and the people he meets. Attendees can pick just one book to read and discuss. On June 6, members will meet to select the books for next season.

VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION TEA IN JUNE

Volunteers will be honored at the Olympia Library on June 22nd from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Georgia Munger, a board member, will make a presentation on children’s books. Coffee, tea, and cookies will be served. Those invited should enter by the side door facing Adams Street.
Highlights of Board Meetings of March 11 and April 8

The Board congratulated Cheryl Heywood, Olympia Library Manager, for receiving the “Green Tree Award” from the Timberland Regional Library for outstanding service and support of staff.

Winnie Olsen, Jennifer Elden, Patti Trimm and Mary Campbell have assembled scrapbooks and filed papers for the Friends of the Library.

Wanda Hedrick displayed the Emergency Kits recently purchased for the library by the Friends. They include such items as first aid kits, hand cranked radios and walkie-talkies, emergency food, all purpose tools, butane lighters, duct tape, and long lasting candles. The kits will be stored in staff offices.

President Jean Finely reported on the Friends Forum meeting at Centralia College. The theme was “Telling Our Story.”

The Board gave approval to the purchase of extra shelving for the library. The cost was less than expected.

Timeline
By Winnifred Olsen

1996-Timberland libraries are offered “net surfing” with sites for all family members.
1997-An audio scanner was purchased to read to the blind.
1997-A $14.7 million bond issue for a new library on No. Capitol Way near the Farmer’s Market failed to reach the required 60% approval level. Led by Jim Burri, the campaign netted 57% approval.

The Fall 2003 sale will be October 4th and 5th.

LIBRARY USE UP IN 2002

Cheryl Heywood, Olympia Library Manager, reports that library use is increasing at the same time revenue to support the services is decreasing. User statistics, ( figures are rounded off), for 2002 compared to 2001 include:

  • Circulation increased 10%;
  • Number of patrons entering the library is up 15%;
  • Overall collection is up to 165,000 items;
  • Reference inquiries decreased 14% (Many inquiries now go to the Regional Library and patrons are being taught to use the Internet);
  • Internet use increased by 11%;
  • Program attendance is up 22%.

A recent patron survey revealed the following reasons for coming to the Library:

93% - check out books or other items;
72% - research
42% - use a computer
45% - read newspaper or magazine
14% - meet friends

Patrons were enthusiastic about the express checkout, the staff, and the library in general.