Library accomplished so much in 2011—December 30, 2011
It’s that time of year again, when I take a moment to sit back and reflect on all that the library has accomplished this year. I could report statistics to you all day long about how our number of items checked out has increased more than 7% over last year, or how community members used a total of 31,000 computer hours this year compared to 22,000 last year. But the real question of success of an organization such as the library is not always quantifiable.
Our mission is to enhance the quality of life here in Hastings and Adams County and there’s no simple formula or statistic that says we’ve met our mission. Let me list a few of our accomplishments, and you can decide for yourself the “success” we’re having. ·
- In 2011, we added computer classes for adults and more than 100 people attended.
- We were “lifesavers” for having the laminated state income tax forms to copy. Some people were rather upset with the government because they hadn’t printed any forms. One gentleman left happy and even sprinkled ice melt out front when he left (unasked)!
- We began offering Family Story Time every Saturday at 10:00 am.
- We partnered with Hastings Public School’s school media specialists to bring iPad training to the teachers who received iPads for the classroom.
- We had a family and a daycare facility both tell us that since their children visit the bookmobile, they "play bookmobile for hours" at home and at daycare.
- We saved a man $150 by finding documentation and a video on repairing his car.
- A little four year-old asked to go to the library for her birthday!
- We helped a woman find books from her childhood to relive again.
- We provided wireless access for a student who was so thrilled to receive a 4.0 GPA in his online classes.
- We helped a daycare set up their own library of books that children will enjoy over and over.
Every month we hear stories like these of how we touch the lives of our community members. These stories best demonstrate fulfilling our mission and are why many of us show up for work each day. I thank the 300 individuals, families, organizations and businesses that also believe in our mission strongly enough to have contributed to our capital campaign.
In 2012, my promise to you is to continue to find ways we can improve your quality of life. Libraries grow and evolve as our communities do. If there’s a way you believe we can make a difference, I want to hear from you. Contact me anytime via agreenland@hastings.lib.ne.us or (402) 461-2346. Here’s to a wonderful start to a New Year!
