Page 131 - Watauga FY21 Budget

(March ’20).
13.Training - The Senior Youth Librarian, Barbara Goss, traveled to New York for her official
“Family Place” training. A Texas State Library Grant (Federal funds included) provided
for the majority of the expense (Nov. ’19).
14.Youth Services – New and noteworthy events: Creepy Saturday, Lights on After School
/Outreach program (both Oct. ’19), Foster Village Literacy Night/Outreach program,
Thanksgiving Craft, What are you thankful for? (Nov. ’19), Hometown Christmas,
Nutcracker Holiday Event, Holiday Storytime (Dec. ’19), Watauga Middle School Read-
Aloud, College Prep Scholarship with FAFSA Workshop, Tween Young Writer (Jan. ’20),
College Series – Transfers, Resume Writing, Prepared Parents Series – Emergency,
Homeschool Research Help (Feb. ’20), Super Mario Day, STEAM Fair, Wake up the
Walls Walk Through Video (March ’20).
x Special Recognition
1. “Achievement of Excellence Award” from the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association
for 2019.
FY2020-2021 GOALS/ OBJECTIVES:

x Continue with a strong commitment to exemplary customer service.
x Expand and adapt to informational diversity.
x Examine the organization of the department to better address work flow.
x Continue with the move to online services and content or experiences.
x Seek alternative ways to provide professional services.
x Select the best materials and formats to meet the informational, educational, and recreational
needs of the users.
x Residents will have the resources they need to explore topics of personal interest and continue
to learn throughout their lives.
x Serve as a safe place where people share a sense of community.

MAJOR BUDGETARY ISSUES AND OPERATIONAL TRENDS:

x Shift more of the materials budget purchasing to digital material.
x Explore strategies for adapting services to societal changes resulting from the COVID-19 health
crisis.
x Pursue grants to help address library related community needs.
x It is more important than ever to maintain membership in the MetrOPAC. It is coming up for
contract renewal soon, and we must keep access to the large range of material for the citizens
of Watauga.
x Remove the charge for “late fines.” This fee creates barriers for patrons who need to use the
library. Also with improvements, such as automatic renewals in the Polaris ILL system, the
monies from this type of fine have declined. The other members of the MetrOPAC (Fort Worth,
Keller, Haltom City, Benbrook, Burleson, and Richland Hills) have all eliminated late fees. If we
continue to charge “late fines” it could be an issue for Watauga being allowed to remain in the
group.

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