Dougherty County Public Library system thriving

ALBANY — A recent annual report presented by Dougherty County Public Library officials indicates that the institution remains in good health.

Walter Kelley, board chairman of the library system, and Library Director Pauline Abidde presented the report to the Dougherty County Commission last week. It noted 52,192 registered users of the library system, 3,175 of whom were registered during Fiscal Year 2018.

To these registered users, the library provides access to more than 326,340 books, audio books and DVDs in addition to 12,495 downloadable e-books.

“The Dougherty County Public Library continues to be an integral part of the community,” the report states. “The library enhances the livelihoods of those who patronize it by providing a place to access digital resources and content; (providing) resources for educational, enlightenment or entertaining purposes; attend programming designed to instill a love of libraries and reading; or enjoy the library facility as a wonderful place to be.”

In the fiscal year, the library system operated on a budget of $2.867 million, while income from state grants for professional salaries and benefits and materials totaled $228,821. The system’s budget supported 35 full-time and 16 part-time employees.

“Overall spending for the fiscal year was under budget by $87,040, mainly due to periods of position vacancies,” the report said. “The library collected $76,977 in fines and for photocopies ($44,485, $32,492, respectively). Photocopies showed an increase of 8.3 percent over the revenue estimate.”

The report said the library saw a 52 percent increase in registrations from summer reading, so the intention of the library system is to continue doing the summer reading kickoff party. The library implemented electronic registration for summer reading using the Beanstack application, and 964 children and teenagers registered.

“One hundred thirty-three programs were held with an attendance of 1,847 children and parents,” the report said. “Over 20,000 juvenile books were read during the summer reading. The summer reading programs were funded by a budget of $3,979 in addition to $350 in funds from (Friends of the Dougherty County Public Library).”

The report said the library hosted more than 308,108 visits and circulated 425,320 books and audiovisual materials. It hosted more than 87,632 computer sessions on library computers and provided Wi-Fi to a growing number of patrons who come in with their own computers.

“The library has proven to be a great support for many students who now have laptops to access the internet,” the report said. “The demand for electronic materials is ever increasing.”

The library provides access through Georgia Download Destination to provide 12,156 audio books, 9,839 e-books and 50 e-magazines to meet demand. There were 11,702 downloads in FY 2018, and 37,178 books were exchanged through the Public Information Network for Electronic Services, or PINES, lending and borrowing between the library system and other Georgia PINES libraries.

A contract was awarded to W.J. Kirksey Construction to renovate the Northwest branch on 2507 Dawson Road after it submitted a bid of $1.599 million. Hecht-Burdeshaw Architects of Columbus provided professional services for the project — which is expected to take 230 days to complete.

“The project will renovate an additional 11,000 square feet of available space; allocating the space to a genealogy/local history room, a teen makerspace, a training room, additional study rooms, a used book/souvenir shop, a children’s activity room and an event center,” the report said. “The event center is expected to generate revenue when not in use for library events, as it will then be available for community events.”

A state major repair and renovation, or MRR, grant provided funds in the amount of $40,715 to cover half the cost to replace the metal and Plexiglas canopy roof at Northwest due to storm damage. Following Hurricane Michael, all the library facilities came out with minor damages and power outages, the report said.

The library partnered with the Dougherty County School System to help support the application for Literacy for Learning, Living and Leading in Georgia grant funds — in turn opening the door for $2 million toward literacy improvement in the county.

“The library is playing a major role in the support of this effort by heightening the awareness of library resources to students,” the report said. “The library is also inviting day care centers to partner with the use of institutional library cards to assist them in instilling a love of reading in children.”

The Dougherty County Law Library was also established, while the library teamed with Albany State University to provide three successful community readings and book discussions.

At the Southside and Westtown branches, growth has been seen since the re-opening of both facilities on Feb. 25, 2016 and Feb. 24, 2014, respectively. At Westtown, located at 2124 Waddell Ave., renovations and repairs are planned that will re-integrate 1,044-square-feet of closed-off space for public use.

“An open floor plan will be used for efficiency in staffing the facility,” the report said. “The library is seeking a state MRR 90/10 repurposing grant to assist with the estimated $594,000 renovation project.”

Improvements are expected to include repurposing of an unused magazine closet to expand the computer area; a new and repositioned circulation desk; upgraded ceiling tiles, lighting and flooring; additional work space and staff lounge; a dedicated children’s area; upgraded wiring, plumbing, air conditioning and heating, and installation of automatic doors and a security system.

Bathrooms will require expansion for handicap accessibility and compliance with the current plumbing code.

“The Westtown library is in need of complete interior renovation,” the report said.

The report said Westtown registered 128 new users during the year, checked out 15,572 items and hosted 6,001 computer sessions. Southside, located at 2114 Habersham Road, registered 227 new users, checked out 22,994 items and hosted 5,784 computer sessions.

The library system’s board also approved a patron behavior policy and an unattended children policy during the year.

Included in the report was feedback from a few library patrons.

“I am very grateful for the large variety of books you have available,” one patron wrote.

Another patron wrote: “This is an excellent place to study.”

To learn more about what is offered at the library, visit www.docolib.org.

Jennifer Pars