Cambridge Public Library
Annual Report FY00

The value of a community’s library is best measured by looking at its users: who uses it and the services they use. A well and widely used library reflects a proper balance of customer friendly, expert staff and quality services.

The users of the Cambridge Public Library and its six active neighborhood branch libraries are diverse in age, ethnicity, national origin, social and economic classes, educational level, interests, and needs. In FY2000 these users accounted for 954,434 loans of library materials, 622,304 adult and 332,130 children’s. They received 61,348 specially reserved loans, including 31,330 items secured for them from other libraries and were offered a total of 3,018 programs which drew an audience total of 71,714. They asked 322,056 questions, in person, by telephone, by mail or by internet. Their scheduling of in-house computer sessions rose 19% to 57,218. The seven library buildings were open for their use a total of 17,151 hours, the greatest accessibility of any city of comparable size in the state.

In May the Children’s Room of the Main Library was redecorated and named The John A. P. Good Youth Room honoring the memory of this long-term trustee of the library, recognizing his commitment and love for both youth and the library. In January librarians joined with the family and friends of Helen Nickerson at the Boudreau Branch to commemorate a valued branch patron of many years through the contribution to the branch of a rocking chair and funds for books in her memory.

Administratively, the year’s accomplishments included the revision of the library’s Five Year Strategic Plan, the full implementation of half-year and year-end performance reviews for all employees, and the provision of at least one in-service training session for each staff member. The Library Director and Trustees continued their work with city officials and community members toward the much needed goal of a larger Main Library building, adequate to meet the city’s needs for library service in the new millennium, and it seems that at long last the extended siting decision process is drawing to a close

An ever increasing public demand for Reference Room internet services was answered with the establishment of a separate internet booking area with its own staff and telephone line. An additional work station was also added to help meet this demand, as over 2,000 library patrons a month now use the internet service. Digital video discs (DVDs) became the newest library circulation service. While the video cassette collection will continue to be expanded, the demand for this newer technology is now being met with a growing DVD collection located at the Central Square Branch .

The Central Square Branch surpassed its goal of increasing its circulation by 1,000 loans, having an increase of 2,757 or 4%. Programming at the branch increased by 12% and audience attendance by 10% to 21,518. Over 6,000 users signed up to use the branch’s personal computers. The Literacy Program worked with 29 learners, 17 returnees and 12 new learners, of whom 23 completed the program. The center applied for and received a grant to be used in the new year to produce a booklet of students’ stories. Currently there is a waiting list of 15 persons to join the program

New group users of the Rotary Technology Learning Center included Transition House, Castle School, the Sabre Foundation, the Office for Workforce Development, and the TTT Mentor Program. Reference librarians presented monthly programs on internet skills and developed a new intermediate class in response to patron requests for instruction beyond the basics. A total of 160 training sessions were attended by 1,436 individuals. In the center’s first full year of operation over 4,000 people made use of PC’s during the 3 afternoons a week the center is open to the general public

At the O’Connell Branch circulation rose by 7% and children’s program attendance by 31%. The branch’s Chinese Story Hour for children, unique in the greater Boston area, is flourishing. It attracts a city-wide audience and represents growing interest in the branch’s services by Chinese speaking families.

The O’Neill Branch remained steadfastly open to the public throughout various unforseen exigencies of the Fitzgerald School construction project. Despite interruptions in electricity, heat, and plumbing, a full schedule of adult and children’s programming was maintained throughout the year. Plans for the renovation of the branch and the provision of interim service have been completed and will be implemented in the new year according to the revised construction schedule. This will bring one more library building into full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Throughout the library system children from pre-school to 5^th grade participated in TRACKS!, while 6^th graders and up joined CRUISE!, the summer reading clubs generously supported by the East Cambridge Savings Bank. Altogether 1,054 children read 8,262 books and attended 184 programs. TRACKS offered programs sponsored by the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Science, and the Dance Complex. A park ranger, a veterinarian, a beekeeper, an artist, and a magician were featured among the program presenters.

A ten minute outreach video, produced by library and city cable tv staff, is targeted toward people who are not library users to publicize resources that the library offers to people of all ages. Programs, book collections, and on-line resources are highlighted and in a presentation designed to make all residents feel welcome in the library that exists for them. Book delivery to day-care providers by the library van was initiated and "Family Kits" containing books, audio and/or video cassettes, and suggestions for related activities were created along with "Story Hour" kits for delivery. The kits are also available at the library for all library patrons.

No report of the past year would be complete without reference to the "Harry Potter phenomenon", a delight to librarians and all who wish to encourage children’s reading. Enthusiastic word-of-mouth accounts by enthralled readers of this children’s book series have drawn increasingly larger numbers of habitually non-reading children to experience the joys of reading for pleasure. No book was more eagerly awaited than Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the fourth book. No library event was more popular than the spring "Harry Potter Fair". Even adults have been led to explore and enjoy anew the delights of children’s literature.