Board of Trustees Meeting Agenda October 14, 2019 6:00p.m. Location: Community Meeting Room Library Board members, please bring your e-meeting packet with you! Please notify Library Board President Mike English or Lara Lorenzi [email protected], by Monday morning if you are unable to attend the meeting. The meeting will be chaired by Mike English. Mission: to provide access to information and services that address the educational, cultural and recreational needs of the community the library serves I. Call to order, roll II. Public welcome – All general public comments limited to 5 minutes III. Consent Agenda 2 minutes a. Minutes b. Director’s Report c. Youth Services Report d. Adult Services Report e. Development Report f. Circulation Report g. Statistics h. Financials IV. New Business - Discussion Items a. Library Program Policy- Review/Vote- Lara Lorenzi 5 minutes b. Board Descriptions & Expectations-review/edits- Mike English 15 minutes c. Volunteer Handbook Discussion- Lara Lorenzi 5 minutes d. Wage discussion/committee- Mike English 5 minutes e. Other new business 5 minutes V. Old Business – Discussion Items a. WWW Committee updates - Chris Porcelli 10 minutes b. Other old business? 5 minutes VI. Public Comments on Meeting – Limit 3 minutes per person VII. Executive Session Move to Executive Session – to meet with an attorney or other professional advisor to discuss agency business, which, if discussed in public, would lead to the disclosure of information protected by law. VIII. Next meeting Monday November 11, 2019 – /Adjournment
Transcript
Board of Trustees Meeting Agenda
October 14, 2019 6:00p.m. Location: Community Meeting Room
Library Board members, please bring your e-meeting packet with you! Please notify Library Board President Mike English or Lara Lorenzi [email protected], by Monday morning if you are unable
to attend the meeting. The meeting will be chaired by Mike English.
Mission: to provide access to information and services that address the educational, cultural and recreational needs of the community the library serves
I. Call to order, roll II. Public welcome – All general public comments limited to 5 minutes III. Consent Agenda 2 minutes
a. Minutes b. Director’s Report c. Youth Services Report d. Adult Services Report e. Development Report f. Circulation Report g. Statistics h. Financials
IV. New Business - Discussion Items a. Library Program Policy- Review/Vote- Lara Lorenzi 5 minutes b. Board Descriptions & Expectations-review/edits- Mike English 15 minutes c. Volunteer Handbook Discussion- Lara Lorenzi 5 minutes d. Wage discussion/committee- Mike English 5 minutes e. Other new business 5 minutes
V. Old Business – Discussion Items a. WWW Committee updates - Chris Porcelli 10 minutes b. Other old business? 5 minutes
VI. Public Comments on Meeting – Limit 3 minutes per person VII. Executive Session Move to Executive Session – to meet with an attorney or other professional advisor to discuss agency business, which, if discussed in public, would lead to the disclosure of information protected by law.
VIII. Next meeting Monday November 11, 2019 – /Adjournment
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Director’s Report submitted by: Lara Lorenzi October 2019 Library Board of Trustees Meeting Informational Updates:
• I will be on vacation Monday September 30th and Tuesday October 1st. While I’m out of the office Mark Pinto will be the person in charge. All department heads will handle their one departments. I will be available by cell phone in case of an emergency. I will not be checking e-mail while on vacation.
• Our first payment from PASD was transferred mid-September. It will show in next month’s financials. We should get a second payment in November/December.
• Laurie Harvey from Maillie will be at our November 11, 2019 meeting to discuss the annual audit. • A draft 2020/2021 budget to present for review at the November 2019 meeting. It will be good to discuss the budget
and see what changes the board would like to see. • Please remember to bring in 6 bottles of wine or donate $60 for the wine pull for Wine, Wit and Wisdom. Each bottle
of wine should be valued at $10 or more. • I will be attending the November 21st meeting of the Kiwanis. I will be presenting to the club about the library. • I will be attending the Phoenixville Chamber of Commerce Gala on Saturday November 23rd. • We had to ban a patron on October 2, 2019 due to his behavior that was directed at another patron. The patron was
aggressive, verbally aggressive, and he also grabbed her arm and telling her she needed to leave the library. We have banned him for 2 months. We may extend the ban at a later date. If he were to come into the library during that 2 month period, we will ask him to leave and will call the police if he does not comply. All staff have been alerted and a banning letter has been delivered.
Personnel Updates: • We will be looking to hire a new circulation assistant to replace Brian Templeton. In the meantime other employees
have agreed to fill in the available hours. Facilities Update:
• Routine maintenance has been performed by PASD. • Currently still on-going. Some of the lights in the children’s library are being replaced with brighter LED lights. This is
project has been in the works for some time and we are excited to see the lights getting swapped out. The lower level is quite dark and the new lighting really brightens up the space.
• Continual lawn maintenance. • Our security alarm outgoing phone line was cut at some point. On Saturday September 21st, the alarm system stopped
working. PASD was alerted to the alarm panel issues. They came out to the library on Sunday September 22nd to silence the system. The alarm company was out to review the situation and it was stated that the outgoing phone line was not active. PASD was able to reconnect the phone line and the security alarm system and panel are operational.
Statistical updates: Door Count:
• Door Count YTD: o July 2016 –June 2017: 112,448 o July 2017-June 2018: 130,553 o July 2018- June 2019: 124,294 o July 2018-September 2018: 36,195 o July 2019-September 2019: 37,659
This is a 4% increase over the same period last year.
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• Door Count Current month: • July
o July 2018: 13,452 o July 2019: 14,193
This is a 6% increase over last year. • August
o August 2018: 13,008 o August 2019: 12,998
This is a 0 % increase over last year. • September
o September 2018: 9,735 o September 2019: 10,468
This is an 8% increase over last year. E-Material Circulation: (Circulation calculated by patron’s home library.)
• July o E-books: 2,682 o Audio: 1,884 o Total: 4,566
• August o E-book: 2,561 o Audio: 1,744 o Total: 4,305
• September o E-book: 2,314 o Audio: 1,625 o Total: 3,939
Chester County Library System Updates:
• CCLS Trustee Orientation: Saturday, November 2, 2019 from 9am -12pm located at the Chester County Library in the Struble Room. Please register using the link below:
http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=CCLT&curName=2019/11/02_New_Trustee_Orientation If you are a new board member and have not attended the training yet, please consider attending. • In October the Chester County Library-Exton will be installing an outdoor locker system for patrons who wish to
pick-up reserved materials after regular business hours when the library is closed. This will be an express pick-up option and items will only be held in the locker for 48 hours. At the end of that period, if the reserved items are not picked-up, the holds will expire and the patron will need to re-reserve the items. The locker will have its own location name and location code in Sierra so that when a hold is triggered for this location at your library it will print a transit slip with the location name just as would occur for a reserved item for pick-up at another member library.
• Chester County library was awarded the following PaLA Awards • Trustee of the Year: Earl Baker • Library of the Year: Chester County Library
• The 2020 County Coordination Aid budget was approved by the DLM at the October 2019 meeting. Computer updates:
• CCLS will be out in late October to complete updates to all the computers in the library. State Updates: None at this time. Meetings Attended: Date Meeting/Outreach/Training 9/10 Chamber Luncheon 9/12 Weekly mtg. with Mike English Rotary
9/17 Work from home 9/18 HUB at PASD Monthly meeting with Rebecca Krause Monthly meeting with Christine Nicholson 9/19 Meeting with Kurt Kunsch (Phoenixville Federal) and Chris Porcelli Weekly meeting with Mike English Lou Beccaria’s Retirement Party at RiverCrest 9/20 Legislative Breakfast at Chester County Library- Exton 9/23 Meeting with Higher Information Group 9/24 Marketing Training at Henrietta Hankin Library 9/25 Meeting with PASD- Security alarm system and panel 9/26 Meeting with Tamela Luce (PCHF) and Chris Porcelli Rotary 9/27 Meeting at HEART- discussion- White fragility Meeting with Christine Nicholson and Brian Templeton 9/30 Vacation 10/1 Vacation 10/2 Meeting with patron Meeting with Joe Sherwood- Exton Sign DCA budget- Agatha Lyon- Exton 10/8 Monthly meeting with Mark Pinto Weekly meeting with Mike English 10/10 HUB meeting- PASD Administration Building Rotary 10/14 Staff Development Day Training– Henrietta Hankin Branch
Youth Services Report for September 2019 October 2019 Board Meeting
Community Outreach & Partnerships Attended Phoenixville Area School District September Open Houses/Events (R.Krause):
Manavon Elementary School Open House, September 11. Barkley Elementary Open House, September 17. Barkley Elementary, English Language Development Open House, September 18. Early Learning Center First Grade Open House, September 25. Additional attendance at PASD open houses listed in Young Adult Report (below), R. Livsey.
Programming Overview- Events/Programs Held in September
Mr. Dave: Saturday, September 21, 2019, 3:00 PM, All ages & families. A music show featuring old favorites and new songs.
Mathtastic Program: The program is continuing on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 4:00-4:45 PM through December 14. Now for those in 5th and 6th grades to strengthen math skills.
Pre-school Yoga has restarted this fall with a new instructor. Future Events in October
Around the World Safari: Saturday, October 19, 2019, 3:00-3:45 PM, All ages and families are welcome. Meet live animals representing four different continents. Please register.
A Sort-of-Spooky Halloween Story Time: Tuesday, October 29, 6:00-7:00 PM, offering stories, music, and make Halloween Crafts. Costumes encouraged but not required.
Happy Halloween Teen Craft Night: October 29, 4:30 PM, Grades 5-12 with crafts snacks, and music. (See Teen Events below.)
Accessibility Children’s Library Displays:
Themes: Literacy Month, Library Card Sign-up Month, Hispanic Heritage Month (first half), Happy Cat Month, Classical Music & Piano Month, Children’s Good Manners Month, Great Heroes and Founding Figures of Civilizations Month, National Wildlife Day, Grandparents Day, Teddy Bear Day, 911 Remembrance, Constitution Day, Batman Day, Dear Diary Day, and more.
Author/Illustrator Displays: Jack Prelutsky, Jon Scieszka, Anthony Brown, Robert McCloskey, Tomie DePaola, Julia Donaldson, H.A. Rey, Shel Silverstein, Bernard Waber, Stan Berenstain, Eric Hill, Martin Hanford, Arthur Geisert, Paul Goble, Else Minarik, Michael Hague, Alexandra Day, Syd Hoff, Gail Gibbons, Jim Arnofsky, more.
Ongoing: 2019 One Book Every Young Child: Barnyard Banter by Denise Fleming and Not A Box by Antoinette Portis. New non-fiction. We are featuring various magazines along with Playaways and Launchpads.
Classes/Training
Webinars: o Hidden Histories: Highlighting Untold Stories from the Past, August 29. o Where the Wild Things Are: Picture Books for Young Readers, September 12. o New Nonfiction for Fall, September 16, 2019.
Meetings
Circulation Meeting, Phoenixville Library, September 4. World Book representative, September 10. L. Lorenzi, September 18. Children’s Librarian Meeting, September 24 at Chester County Library.
Coverage Assistance at Circulation Desk on as-needed basis. 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten: 159 children currently enrolled. Twenty have completed the program.
Monthly Statistics (Overall totals):
Programs/Activities/Visits Attendance/Individuals Preschool Programs 1-2-3 Learn With Me 7 196 Children/Adults 4-5-6 Active Beehive 3 86 Children/Adults Preschool Other 21 482 Children/Adults Happy Feet Music Class 1 23 Children/Adults Little Sprouts Nature Class 1 PACLC-in-house outreach 1 29 Children/Adults School Age Programs Mixed Ages Family Movie Night- Disney Aladdin, 2019 1 31 Children/Young Adults/Adults (inc. 5 Young Adults) Mr. Dave-music show 1 26 Children/Adults Subtotal –Regular Children’s Sessions 36 901 Young Adults
Young Adult-R.Livsey Dungeons & Dragons 1 4 Young Adults Teen Gaming 2 5 Young Adults/Adults PASD High School Class Visit and Tour 1 22 Young Adults/Adults Subtotal of Young Adults 4 31 Young Adults/Adults
Subtotal of All Programs 40 963 Children/Young Adults/Adults
Visiting Groups without a Program Vocational Tech School Scavenger Hunt 1 10 Young Adults Valley Forge Kinderhouse School 1 18 Children/Adults Subtotal of Visiting Groups 2 38 Children/Adults
Total Programs/Events 42 1,001 Children/Young Adults/Adults
Computer Usage Statistics for September 2019: Internet Stations-Individual Usage:
Children’s: 256 desktop computer users, plus two laptop sessions, 1 hour, 30 minutes, 45-minute average session. Total Children’s users: 258.
Young Adult: 68 desktop users, plus seven laptop sessions. Total Young Adult users: 81 AWE Literacy Station: 549 sessions, 261 hours, 28-minute average session.
September 2019
Youth Adult Report
Program Overview
New school year of programming started on September 9th for the Youth Services Department.
Library Displays Decorated the bulletin board coming into the Children’s Library with a fall theme
Created flyers for the Children’s & Teen Halloween events
Coverage
Coverage at Circulation Desk: on as-needed basis.
Monthly Statistics
Programs/Activities Attendance
Dungeons & Dragons (3) 6 young adults
Teen Gaming (3) 2 young adults
Family Movie Night: Aladdin 5 young adults
Visiting Groups
PASD High School Class Visit & Tour 15 young adults/ 7 adults
Total Programs (6) 28 young adults/ 7 adults
Other Activities/ Programs
Open House Attended
Manavon Elementary – September 11th
Schuylkill Elementary – September 24th
Early Learning Center (Kindergarten) – September 26th
Webinars Attended
Where the Wild Reads Are: Picture Books for Young Readers – September 12th
Early Childhood Expertise Beyond Libraryland: Reading Life Between the Lines: Using Children's Literature for Tough
Conversations About Diversity – September 17th
Coaching in Early Childhood – September 25th
Circulation Meetings
Attended September 4th meeting
Other Planning
Currently planning a Teen Halloween Event for October 29th, as well as planning for an event in February with the
potential to add movie matinees to one Saturday a month.
September 2019 Adult Services Report
Regular Activities • Work weekly passport application acceptance shifts and schedule appointments. • Performed 1 notary act. • Staffed Chat with a Librarian (formerly Ask Here PA) online chat reference service for
one hour 9/10. Meetings/Workshops/Other Events Attended • Attended Circ Staff meeting 9/4. • Monthly meeting with Lara 9/10. • Gave presentation on Library programs and services at PARN meeting 9/24. • Viewed “Cooking Classes without a Kitchen” webinar (on cooking-related programming
for libraries) 9/24.
Upcoming Special Programs/Events • “Collage Art Workshop” with Victoria O’Neill 10/15. • Local Author Book Talk: Mod Betty’s Guide to Philadelphia with Beth Lennon 10/17. • “Blogging 101” with Christine Tarlecki 10/19. • “Open Mic Night for Writers” 10/21. • “Create a Painted Pumpkin Glass” with Laura Grablutz 10/22. • APPRISE Medicare Open Enrollment Assistance 10/23 – 12/4. • Abe Ovadia Jazz Duo Concert 10/24. • Microsoft Excel Basic class with Paul Celentano 10/26. • “A Witch in Time: The European Witch Craze” with Jaan Troltenier 10/28. • “Tai Chi and the Art of Mindfulness” with Mitch Goldfarb 11/1. • “Yoga for Beginners” with the Isha Foundation 11/2. • “The Beauty of Color” photography workshop with Laura Keen 11/2. • “Music of the West African Kora” with Sean Gaskell 11/4. • Sports Collectibles Presentation with Leon Castner 11/11.
Program/Event/Other Planning • Scheduling special programs for January and beyond. • Working on publicity for new Digital Conversion Lab items; will be offering orientation
sessions for the Lab. • Planning to add new community info and reference resource pages to website. • Planning to create author read-alike bookmarks for patrons.
September Passport Application Acceptance Statistics
Appointments 170 Income $7,195
vs. August Appointments 291 Income $13,040
September Computer Use Statistics
Laptop Users 41 Adult Internet Stations Individual Users 931 Mobile Printing Users 24 Mobile Hotspot Checkouts 27 Museum Pass Checkouts 37
vs. August
Laptop Users 63 Adult Internet Stations Individual Users 1012 Mobile Printing Users 22 Mobile Hotspot Checkouts 35 Museum Pass Checkouts 52
September Program Statistics
Program Attendance One-on-One Computer Tutoring appointments 7 Phoenixville Tech Group 18 (4 sessions) Career Success Group 30 (4 sessions) Individual Resume/Interviewing Assistance appointments 5 Mobile Workforce Navigator appointments 12 Legal Outreach Clinic 1 ESL Conversation Group 6 (3 sessions) Books on Tap 12 Phoenix Fiction Writers 12 (2 sessions) Outreach: Phoenixville Senior Center Book Club 9 “Wings for Success” Presentation 9/4 4 “WAR: What Is It Good For? Are Current Baseball Stats Ruining the Game?” 9/5
12
“Tai Chi and the Art of Mindfulness” 9/6 23 “Yoga for Beginners” 9/7 12 “Investing 101” 9/9 21 “Make Your Own Acrylic Painting” 9/10 9 Movie Night: “Rocketman” 9/12 26 Local Author Book Talk: Bruce Mowday: “Stealing Wyeth” 9/16 46 “Beginning Needle Felting” 9/17 14 “An Evening with President Ulysses S. Grant” 9/19 31 “Save-Organize-Share Photo Organizing Class” 9/21 12 “Chiropractic: The Nuts & Bolts” 9/23 10
Outreach: PARN Meeting Presentation 9/24 23 Eric Coyne: Bach Solo Cello Recital 9/26 76 “Facebook 101” 9/28 3 “Monster Movies and Scary Stories for Adults” 9/30 21 Total Program Attendance: 455
2019 Adult Summer Reading Program statistics – 799 books read (6% decrease in participation from 2018) Respectfully submitted, Mark Pinto Adult Services Director
www.phoenixvillelibrary.org | 183 Second Avenue | Phoenixville, PA 19460 | 610-933-3013
Purchase tickets and encourage your networks to attend - Family, Friends, Colleagues, Neighbors
Purchase 6 wine bottles or donate cash to committee to purchase wine bottles on your behalf
Ask for silent auction items - Gift Cards, Experiences, Merchandise, Services
Volunteer at wine pull table
Grants Phoenixville Community Health Foundation $10,000 Approved
Notable Meetings:
Reads & Company - Jason Cadigan WWW Dr. Donald Harrop
Reads & Company – Robb Cadigan Phoenixville Federal Bank – Kurt Kunsch
PCHF – Tamela Luce John Kelly
Schuylkill Township – Edward Mentry Keystone Grant Workshop
Phoenixville Rotary Marketing Workshop
Chamber Luncheon
Legislature Breakfast – Rep. Melissa Shusterman
WWW Sponsor – Larry Way
www.phoenixvillelibrary.org | 183 Second Avenue | Phoenixville, PA 19460 | 610-933-3013
Discover Your Community
Marketing Report Social Media
Facebook - Analytics (September 12th – October 9th)
183 Post Engagement (The number of times people have engaged with the posts through likes, comments and shares and more.)
1,406 People Reached (The number of people who had any posts from your Page enter their screen, broken down by total, organic and promotions.)
214 New Page Follows (The number of new people who have followed your Page broken down by paid and non-paid. This number is an estimate and may not be precise.)
Circulation Report for October 2019
Volunteers:
o Year-to-Date Total Hours of Volunteering: 422.75 hours o Total Hours of Volunteering for September: 139.25 hours o Acquired two new temporary volunteers and two new permanent volunteers. o Drafted a Volunteer Handbook and updated the Volunteer Application
Library Card Sign-ups for September:
o September was Library Card Sign-up Month - Raffled off a $25.00 Petrucci’s Gift Certificate - Each new library card sign up had the chance to receive a ticket for a chance to win the raffle.
o Total Amount of Patron Applications for September: 143 - Online Applications Total: 12
Circulation Staff Continuing Education:
o CPR Training – September 23rd and October 3rd o Staff Development Day – October 14th (I will also be attending) o Possibly found a training on the opioid epidemic. Waiting to hear from the presenter if they are available on
November 6th or the 16th. Meetings:
o Circulation Meeting – September 4th o Staff Development Day Committee Meeting – September 11th o Meeting with Lara – September 18th o Staff Development Day Set-up Meeting – October 11th o Meeting with Lara – October 15th
Circulation Staff:
o Currently looking for a part-time circulation assistant. - Average 4-8 hours per week - Staff have been interested in picking up hours permanently that were available.
Additional Updates:
o Was on vacation from September 30th through October 4th. o Continuing to contact cash register companies. Both circulation desks will eventually require updated cash
The Phoenixville Public Library supports its mission and strategic plan by developing and presenting programs that provide additional opportunities for information, learning and entertainment. Programming is an integral component of the library service. A “program” is a planned interaction between the library staff and the program participants. A program may occur in or out of the library, in person or by technological means by a staff member or other presenter and sponsored by the library.
Ultimate responsibility for programming at the Phoenixville Public Library rests with the Executive Director who administers under the authority of the Library Board of Trustees. The Executive Director delegates the authority of program management to the Director of Adult Services, the Director of Youth and Young Adult Services and staff members whose job descriptions include program responsibilities.
The Phoenixville Public Library utilizes staff expertise, collections, services and facilities in developing and delivering programming. Staff use the following criteria when making decisions about program topics, speakers and accompanying resources:
• Relevance to community needs, issues and interests • Availability of program space • Treatment of content for intended audience • Presentation quality • Presenter background/qualifications in content area • Budget • Historical or educational significance • Relation to Library collections, resources, exhibits and programs
Library programs are planned in advance. Program registration may be required for planning purposes or when space is limited. All library programs are open to the public. A fee may be charged for programs to help offset the cost of materials.
Organizations or individuals who present a program at the library are permitted to promote their product or services during their presentation, provided the promotion represents a very small portion of the presentation and is not the main focus. Authors who come to speak about their books or performers who have recordings of their music may set out their items for sale. Speakers may bring business cards or brochures for attendees to pick up but not handed out.
Professional performers and presenters that reflect specialized or unique expertise may be hired for Library programs. Hiring of a performer/presenter is at the discretion of the employees responsible for programs. The Library will request the following information from an individual or group requesting a Library-sponsored program:
• Name (individual or group), mailing address, telephone and email address • A written program outline/summary, including title, purpose and length of the program and
the target audience • Credentials, resume and experience of the program presenter
• Background history of the presenting group• References• A possible interview/audition• Cost of program• Clearances- Youth and YA programming (PA Criminal Background Check, FBI
Fingerprinting, PA Child Abuse History)
Approved:
Phoenixville Public Library
Volunteer
Handbook
DRAFT
DRAFTIntroduction: Welcome Volunteer to the Phoenixville Public Library! We appreciate your time and commitment and hope you will find your time here rewarding. This handbook consists of policies, procedures, and what the library expects of you being a volunteer. We hope you’ll enjoy being a part of a community driven facility!
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Phoenixville Public Library is to provide access to information and services that address the educational, cultural, and recreational needs of the community the Library serves.
Brief History
The Public Library of Phoenixville began its existence in 1896 when a group of prominent citizens took advantage of a law passed by Pennsylvania legislators making it legal for school districts to own and operate public libraries. At the time, there were no libraries affiliated with the public schools. The School Directors agreed to foster a public library, which was called the Public Library of the Phoenixville School District. The core collection of the new library was formed with a small collection of books donated by Reverend Joseph F. Jannison in the mid 1850’s. Prior to the establishment of the Literary Union, a community library was formed in 1843 called the Phoenixville Library Company. The Company eventually merged with the Literary Union and the Public Library of the Phoenixville School District.
In 1901, the Library trustees contacted Andrew Carnegie, famed steel magnate and philanthropist, who was then actively engaged in bestowing Library buildings on worthy communities in the United States and Scotland. Carnegie agreed to supply a town library and sent architect’s plans along with $20,000. The school Directors purchased a lot of land at the Second Avenue and Main Streets. The new Library building comprised of Avondale Stone and Indiana Limestone with a high covered ceiling was opened to a grateful public in September 1902. Miss Elmira W. Pennypacker was appointed as the first Director in the new Public Library building.
In the 1920’s, the basement, originally meant for storage as refurbished as the Children’s Library with its own access. The upper level of the Library was remodeled at a later date.
In the 1950’s the School District was enlarged to include the adjacent townships of Schuylkill and East Pikeland, becoming the Phoenixville Area School District. Funds from these townships were included in the support of the Library and residents of the entire school district received free library service. Other area residents paid a modest $5.00 per family to use the Library.
DRAFT
Beginning in the 1960’s, the State Library of Pennsylvania provided funding to the Library. The money was tied to an incentive plan which required the Library to hire a professional librarian and expand its collection to 1.5 books per capita.
In 1978, the library joined the Chester County Library System. This is a federated system compromised of 17 libraries. The 1978 contract with Chester County provided $1 per capita annually from the official service area/ Today this figure is close to $25,000 worth of financial support for the Library. The county contract opened the Library to provide free service for all who live, work, own property, or attend school within the county.
In 1987 an addition to the Library was constructed to increase the size of the library adding room to enhance the library collection, offer space for additional seating, and to provide handicapped access to the building. This addition also included new circulation desk areas, office space, and a Community Room available for programs and exhibits.
Library automation was established in the mid-1990’s with the addition of a self-contained computerized card catalogue. The Internet and CD-ROMs were introduced as new search tools for computer access to information. In 1999, the Library came on-line with the Chester County Library System and also established a website.
Renovations of the Children’s Library occurred in 2000-2001, providing a new Technical Processing Department, two Public Computer Centers, a Literacy Education Center/Meeting Room, a Friends of the Library Book Center, and exterior French drain and water vapor barrier. This addition was made possible through individual contributions, a Pennsylvania State Keystone Grant, public, private, and foundation donations.
The Library underwent a $1.2 million renovation in the spring of 2012 wherein it expanded its computer center and children’s library. It also set aside space for a defined Young Adult Room and placed new furniture throughout the building. A new roof was also placed on the original building, storm windows were installed and the floor was replaced in the Children’s Library. The renovation was complete by the fall of the same year.
Since 1902, the collection has grown to approximately 69,000 items. Circulation of the collection has more than doubled from the 1970’s to present day, making the Phoenixville Public Library the third largest circulating collection in the Chester County Library system. The Library’s children’s programs has grown to be the second largest in the Library System. Carnegie’s goal was to provide information access for the intellectual and educational development of citizens through library. The Phoenixville Public Library’s Trustees have continued to support this goal for more than 100 years.
DRAFTDefinition: “A volunteer is defined as any individual who performs a service for the library without compensation. Under no circumstances shall a volunteer be considered an employee or independent contractor of the Library. A volunteer shall not receive wages, salary, benefits, or any compensation or consideration for the performance of his or her duties. The role of the volunteer is to assist but not to replace or assume the responsibilities or authority of any library employee. The may undertake activities that are in support and at the direction of Library employees. Volunteers will follow all policies, procedures, and guidelines concerning the conduct of Library employees. No volunteer shall be permitted to access, review, disclose, or use confidential information or participate in conversations in which confidential information is discussed.” –Phoenixville Public Library’s A Handbook for Employees
The library has an age requirement of 14 years of age or older.
All potential volunteers must fill out a print application or an online application through the library’s website and fill out the library’s liability waiver. Minors are required to have their parent/guardian’s signature of permission on the volunteer application and the liability form. Potential volunteers are also required to perform a shelving test and must pass the shelving test. The Volunteer Coordinator has the ability to deny a volunteer a position even if they passed the test.
There are two categories of volunteers:
Temporary Volunteer: a person who requires a certain amount of hours volunteering due to court-ordered community service, a school project, a club project, etc.
Permanent Volunteer: a person who intends on keeping a steady schedule of volunteering at the library. Permanent volunteers require three clearances in order to volunteer.
Required Clearances:
1. Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Record CheckThere should be no fee for this clearance as a volunteer. You may apply for thisclearance online at: https://epatch.state.pa.us/Home.jspBe sure to print off the ‘certification form’ not just the receipt. You must click on‘control number’ button and then the ‘certification form’ button.
2. Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
There should be no fee for this clearance as a volunteer. You may apply for thisclearance online at: http://www.compass.state.pa.us/CWIS/Public/homeYou will need to CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT. Once this new account is created,you will receive 2 e-mails – one will contain your USER ID and one will contain yourPASSWORD. You will then access the website again. Select LOGIN and ACCESS MY
DRAFTCLEARANCES and CONTINUE to the page where you enter your login information. When filling out the online application select CURRENT SCHOOL EMPLOYEE. You will need all addresses where you have lived since 1975 and the names and ages of everyone you have lived with since 1975 to complete this application.
3. Federal Criminal History RecordThere is a fee of $22.60 for this clearance that is payable at the time of yourappointment. The library will reimburse you for this amount.You must register online at: https://uenroll.identogo.comWhere it states: “Enter your Service Code to get started,” type: 1KG6XNSelect State – PennsylvaniaChoose Agency – PDESelect Reason – PDE – School DistrictClick on Continue and answer all the questions, select a location and make anappointment.
Responsibilities
Although volunteers are not paid employees, they still have to abide by certain policies and/or procedures. If they do not abide by these policies/procedures, their position of being a volunteer may be terminated.
Appearance: Volunteers should use good judgment in both dress and grooming just like library employees. They are expected to present a clean, neat, and tasteful appearance. Business casual is required at the library, but Jeans are permitted. Jeans should be without holes and not washed out.
Tracking Volunteer Hours: Volunteers are required to track their volunteer hours in the Volunteer Timesheets Binder. They are to enter their total time they volunteer to the closest ¼ hour. The Volunteer Timesheet Binder is behind the Adult Circulation Desk. The Young Adult Summer Volunteer book is behind the Children’s Circulation Desk.
Call Outs: Volunteers are required to let the Volunteer Coordinator know if they are not going to be coming in to volunteer before their shift starts.
Emergency Closings
Volunteers should check the Phoenixville Library’s website, social media pages, or call to see if the library is closed or closing in an event of an emergency.
Morning volunteers are allowed to be in the building after 9:00 A.M. A circulation assistant must be present on the floor in order for the volunteer to be there. Volunteers are not allowed to go up into the attic. Volunteers are allowed to access the break room and the back offices with permission from a library employee.
I acknowledge that I have received a copy of the Phoenixville Public Library Handbook for Volunteers. I understand that this handbook has been provided for me with informational purposes only and I acknowledge that I should direct my questions regarding this handbooks, its policies, procedures, and guidelines to the Volunteer Coordinator at the Phoenixville Public Library.
I acknowledge that I have received the Phoenixville Public Library’s Volunteer Handbook and understand it is my responsibility to read and comply with the policies and procedures within this Handbook and any revisions made to it.
