Mount Prospect Public Library Annual Report 2020

Mount Prospect Public Library

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10 S. Emerson, Mount Prospect, IL 60056 847/253-5675

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Mount Prospect Public Library 2020 annual report cover

Mount Prospect Public Library 2020 annual report table of Contents. Page 1: Thank You. Page 2: Embrace the Unexpected. Page 9: By the Numbers. Page 10: Connecting with the Community. Page 11: South Branch. Page 12: Signature Events.

Thank You. At the beginning of 2020, the library set off to a great start: we launched our circulating Roku collection, threw a Makar Sankranti celebration, study room usage was through the roof, nearly 700 people enjoyed the second annual FanFest pop culture celebration, and we had 13 local schools participate in the Elementary Art Show that brought more than 800 visitors to the library to celebrate youth art. Then in March, we - along with the rest of the world - had our lives turned upside down by the global COVID-19 pandemic. We closed the library buildings on March 15, and immediately started figuring out how to provide library services to our community during lockdown. Our goal was to continue to allow the community to use the library, even if it was in different ways than usual. What hasn't changed is our dedication to provide the Mount Prospect community with excellent library services. Thank you for your patience, support, and adaptability throughout 2020. We look to the future with hope and anticipation. Su Reynders & Sylvia Haas

Embrace the Unexpected. This was the year of easing checkout limits, removing barriers, and discovering new ways to reach our patrons. We were here, at different periods of time when you needed us. From patrons coming with wagons in March — “Take all you want, no limits,” we said back then — to removing fines and simply asking the questions, “How do we get this book to this patron? What do we need to make it happen?” Over and over, we thought about our patrons and the community as we fulfilled our library mission. Allowing patrons to check out what they needed during a temporary closure was the right thing to do and it began a wave of new changes. 2020 called for us to review policies and procedures. With this “can-do” attitude, we also considered restrictions and fines. In June, the Board of Trustees solidified this new ideal by announcing a Fine Amnesty Day, clearing all MPPL fines from patron accounts. Since then, no fines have accrued, and people returned materials going back years. Patrons can check balances on their library account or on the app or call the library for details. We had a high demand for online services and library cards this year. While many residents have a Mount Prospect Public Library card and use the MPPL app, not everyone has a library card in Mount Prospect. Cards expire, new residents arrive, or life simply gets busy. When people realized they could access our popular online services with a library card, we launched online self-registration to help. This program initiates the library card process, and then it’s verified by library staff. By the end of the year, 2,300 people self- registered. We didn’t just rely on self- registration, either. It wasn’t long before we realized there were students who needed help during this critical time and remote learning. The library partnered with local teachers and school librarians so students in unincorporated areas had library cards and access to databases and digital collections. This activity was reinforced by recent state legislation called Cards 4 Kids.

Discovering What’s Possible. Within days of lockdown, community members discovered electronic resources and services using their library card from home. If people hadn’t tried it before, they had perfect opportunities to read e-books on tablets; stream music and movies; and discover recipes, crafts, and activities. We offered gardening tips, résumé templates, and e-learning recommendations for kids. The OverDrive service improved in many ways this year, including adding 3,500 new titles. Additional funding and strategic purchases reduced wait times for materials, with the lowest average wait times coinciding with the peak of spring library closures. Staff also collaborated with local school districts to expand student access to the library’s OverDrive e-book collection by using the Sora app. By adding 300 titles to this collection, we increased community access to help local students. We also added several new online subscription services, including BookFlix, Story Cove, PebbleGo, Little Pim, and Scholastic Teachables. These databases all helped to meet the needs of patrons learning from home or possibly homeschooling for the first time. "Thank you for everything you’re doing to try and make it normal during this abnormal time! I’m so glad the library has figured out ways to continue to provide a valuable service." —Parking Lot Pickup patron

We Love Our Volunteers. Hands down, our volunteers are the best. No matter the project, they deliver. The library hosted a face mask collection project, inviting community members and staff to donate new, homemade face masks to share with library patrons and other community members who needed face coverings. We collected and distributed more than 300 face coverings using the outside book returns. Later, these face coverings were available to patrons who needed them at the Main Library and South Branch, plus some residents who needed them early in the pandemic. The two non-profit library organizations held a reduced number of fundraisers prior to the building closure; the Friends of the Library ran a successful winter book sale and the Library Foundation hosted their annual Mini Golf event. Even with their limited revenue, the hardworking volunteer groups stayed committed to funding library initiatives and programming throughout the year. Book Bundles. The library moved quickly to a grab-and-go model by creating book bundles. We started with storytime bundles, and then added board book and leveled reading bundles. In short order, the storytime bundles were very popular and checked out more than 250 times — that’s more than 1,430 picture books enjoyed by children. Get Outside and StoryWalk® To provide a safe in-person programming option, we held a variety of socially distanced outdoor events at the library, Pocket Park, and various park district locations. Registering small groups at a time, we delivered more than 20 programs to more than 600 people. These outdoor activities expanded to the community using StoryWalk® experiences out on paths and neighborhoods. Special thanks to community members and area park districts for sharing their outdoor spaces with us — we had a wonderful time

Roll. Camera. Action. Zoom! The library launched YouTube storytimes, book recommendations, and tutorials in 2020, plus we presented hundreds of Zoom programs for thousands of attendees. We even offered a “How To Use Zoom” program to help our patrons embrace the new way to communicate. A few highlights: Library staff created video booktalks to highlight timely titles, notably spotlights on “Own Voices” and “Black Stories Matter.” Book groups moved to using Zoom, with offerings for readers of all ages. One of the most successful included the bimonthly Let’s Talk Books bookshare session. Staff offered a variety of dynamic programming options via Zoom and YouTube for children, including storytimes, songs, and movement videos. Bilingual Play & Learn, a collaborative session between the library and the Community Connections Center, presented a weekly storytime in Spanish and English, featuring stories, music and movement activities for young children and their caregivers. South Branch had many popular programs, including Zumba, Lotería (a Mexican bingo-like game), seasonal bingo, and follow-along crafts. A sign of the times, one of the most popular technology sessions was Cutting the Cord: Getting the Most Out of Streaming Services. We brought back many programs by request, including concerts, entertainment programs, and Home Modification Solutions for All Ages, in partnership with the Village’s Human Services Department. Librarians hosted dozens of virtual field trips for teachers and students, presenting booktalks, author studies, storytimes, interactive activities, and tours of library spaces. We maintained regular contact with our ongoing teen programs, Teen Think Tank and Teen Book Café, with a highly engaged audience. Night Off? Game On! embraced the possibilities of a virtual environment for this monthly meetup group. Genealogy continues to be popular. One of many programs included Cyber Sleuthing Your Family Tree. We invited authors to book talks, including a virtual author visit with Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke and children’s author Christina Soontornvat.

In response to the pandemic driving patron demand for all things digital, additional efforts were directed toward increasing the digital media content we offer patrons. To meet demand, we purchased 3,500 titles total in 2020 (890 titles in 2019). This equates to a 294% increase in the number of titles purchased and cataloged. We expanded the library’s digital magazine collection from 55 titles to more than 3,000 on OverDrive. We purchased more copies of high-demand titles to decrease wait times for items from all areas of the library’s collection.

By the Numbers. 63% INCREASE IN ELECTRONIC MATERIALS USAGE. 57% INCREASE IN CHAT REFERENCE. 20% DECREASE IN PRINT MATERIALS USAGE. 120,000 E-MEDIA DOWNLOADS. 182,000 DVDS BORROWED. 450,000 BOOKS BORROWED. 900 VIRTUAL PROGRAMS. 21,000 PROGRAM ATTENDEES. IN 2020, PATRONS CHECKED OUT MORE THAN $9.3 MILLION WORTH OF BOOKS, MOVIES, MUSIC, AND MAGAZINES. TOP CIRCULATION PRINT TITLES: CAMINO WINDS By John Grisham. WALK THE WIRE By David Baldacci. THE 20TH VICTIM By James Patterson. TOP CIRCULATING AV TITLES: PARASITE. DOWNTON ABBEY. FORD V. FERRARI

Connecting with the Community. 2020 Census: You Count! Library staff joined the Village of Mount Prospect’s Complete Count Committee to coordinate efforts for the 2020 Census. With a goal to increase the community’s response rate, staff collaborated on a publicity campaign including a Mount Prospect video, website, social media, and printed information about census facts to share with the community. The result was a self-response rate of 80.6% in Mount Prospect, an increase in participation from 2010. Housing Services. The annual Unsheltered Point-in-Time Count occurred in Mount Prospect in January. After the count, workers from Northwest Compass, a social service agency located in Mount Prospect, met with people they connected with in the lobby conference room to talk about stable housing and other resources. Cards for Seniors. An outreach team worked together to partner with Alden Gardens, an assisted living facility in Des Plaines, to provide our patrons with the opportunity to connect with residents by making cards. Outreach Crafts. The library distributed outreach kits to connect with children and families throughout the community, plus offer information about library programs and services. Area schools, including D26 Euclid and Indian Grove Schools, D59 John Jay and Forest View Schools, participated. Documenting History. The Mount Prospect Historical Society launched the Pandemic Documenting History Moments 2020 project in cooperation with the library, Mount Prospect Community Engagement Committee, the Mount Prospect Park District, and the River Trails Park District. From photos to journal entries to impressions about living through this period, all are welcome as part of the collection to describe this shared experience. Empowering Voters. The local nonpartisan League of Women Voters registered voters and offered information during National Voter Registration Day. The League reported registering new citizens and residents, teens turning 18, and first-time voters. They helped visitors check their registration and answered questions about vote-by-mail.

South Branch. South Branch provided Parking Lot Pickup of library materials, along with printing and copying for patrons. With its location at the Crystal Court Shopping Center and large windows, staff also offered visitors an option to browse materials. Staff used the windows as an opportunity to share ideas and communicate with patrons during closures. South Branch launched popular outdoor programs this summer by working with the Mount Prospect Park District near South Branch. Several programs were held at Highline Park, just west of South Branch’s location. Programs included activities about seed bombs, abstract art, bubble-making, and interactive storytimes. Staff placed outreach craft kits in various locations around the village for children, including District 59 schools, local parks, and the parkway of the Crystal Court shopping center. The kits were regularly replenished and extremely popular. South Branch participated in Census 2020 efforts, including distributing printed materials and providing access to complete the census. At District 59 food distribution sites and other places in the community, we gave away books, handed out craft kits, and promoted the Summer Reading Challenge.

Signature Events. FanFest 2020. In February, nearly 700 community members of all ages gathered for FanFest 2020. This one-day signature event included popular photo opportunities with characters, games, plus new additions of face painting, a cosplay runway, and a cartooning workshop. Reading Challenges: Staff rose to the challenge to provide a meaningful summer reading adventure by offering a customized experience for patrons using the Beanstack online platform. Paper logs were available by request. We kicked off the Summer Reading Challenge with a neighborhood car parade in June. Most participants navigated the program on their own, by tracking their reading online or calling in updates. Library staff offered reading logs and giveaway books at end-of-school-year events and meal distribution sites. Nearly 800 children in grades 5 and younger registered this year; and 36% completed the program by reading for at least 30 days. Participation among adults increased by 8% compared to 2019. A total of 438 children participated in the Winter Reading Program: Chill Out at the Library. Storytime was the most popular activity for todders, while preschoolers and grade schoolers most enjoyed decorating quilt squares for the bulletin board.

Community Read. We brought together elementary and preschools, community leaders, and daycares for our first community read in October. Woven Together: One Town, One Day, One Read offered area teachers, librarians, and participants a free copy of “Blue Sky, White Stars” by Sarvinder Naberhaus along with curriculum suggestions, and a paper star quilt square to share with students. Students made posters, interviewed their parents about their ethnicity, and held discussions about “What makes America strong?” The program culminated with a live Zoom author visit with Naberhaus. A total of 160 people attended the event. After the reading, she graciously answered questions from the very active and curious crowd. Since the program, families and community members continue to share how much they enjoyed the author and the community read.

A Team Effort. The library Board of Trustees and the Executive Director want to commend staff for providing excellent library services throughout this unusual year. The library is fortunate to have professional, forward-thinking, and dedicated staff. It is their efforts, ideas, and actions that enabled the library to provide the many creative solutions to pandemic challenges. They have proven to have the motivation, innovation, and inspiration to make the impossible, possible. Congratulations on a job well done.

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Mount Prospect Public Library

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