Annual Report

Hawkins Memorial Library
Annual Report 2020-2021

Noteworthy:

  • Received five grants from Aureon to purchase: outdoor furniture, Christmas trees, DVD carts, and new computer chairs. 
  • Received a Prairie Rapids Audubon Society Grant for children’s programming – books, puppets, and bird BINGO.
  • Received a $100 donation from the La Porte City Women’s Club for the Summer Reading Program.
  • Other donations: Judd $1000; Schildroth $500; Heiar $100; Aschenbrenner $1000.    
  • The Library Board of Trustees began actively looking for locations for a larger library.
  • The fall wreath/garland fundraising sale distributed 78 wreaths.        
  • The library was decorated for the seasons and holidays.
  • Patrons saved $147,693 by using the library instead of purchasing materials. This does not include savings from the use of eBooks, eAudiobooks, databases, multiple readers or in-library uses.
  • This year there were 22,775 items circulated and an activity total of 11,335 persons using programs and services.
  • Bridges use of online eBooks, audiobooks, movies and magazines was 2857.
  • The volunteer program recorded 184 volunteer visits, working a total of 418.25 hours.
  • The account at Stuff, Inc., used for the resale of books, brought in $1980.77.
  • 61% of materials checked out were to La Porte City residents.
  • Saw an increase in fax, copying, and scanning services. 

Improvements and services:

  • Offered 2 free weekly Audio File Sync Audiobooks for Teens for 12 weeks – April through July.
  • Regular rotation and restocking of books in the seven Little Libraries.
  • Completed section by section inventory and book weeding.
  • Began indoor and outdoor game checkouts.
  • Provided book reserve and pickup service, with no fines and no checkout limits.
  • Promoted our book reserve/request service for patrons to pick up books, movies and magazines.
  • A new sidewalk and front entry was installed.
  • Posted weekly Storyline Online book readings for children.
  • The Library Board of Trustees adopted a fine free policy.
  • Rotation and restocking of books in the seven Little Libraries around town.
  • The library’s book drop was repainted.
  • Offered the Big Library Read three times during the year.
  • Added Brainfuse HelpNow learner help and tutoring to the website.

Community Presence and Partnerships:

  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Maintained a promotional display in the front window of Rick Lubben’s Law Office.
  • Partnered with Black Hawk County 4-H for weekly science programs: Tech Tuesday Zoom classroom, Kid’s Kit ideas, and a related scavenger hunt. (2020)
  • The Black Hawk Co. Extension Service presented weekly Summer Science STEM programs (4-H) and a gardening program (Master Gardeners). Collaborated with Black Hawk County 4-H for Kid’s Kit ideas. (2021)
  • Tootsies and Casey’s General Store donated Summer Reading Program gift certificates as prizes.
  • Coordinated with LPC Police Department and DHS to provide 20 Caught in the Act Bags to children in town. 
  • Housed people needing WiFi/electricity due to the derecho. 
  • Union School District: Provided work study for a Union High School student during the spring quarter. The La Porte City Elementary School 5th grade utilized the library for Wax Museum. Hosted the UHS Child Development Class for materials research. Provided weekly library news in the LPC Elementary newsletter
  • Held Food for Fines in conjunction with LPC Elementary School, LPC Connect and Thriftway, with items collected going to the local food pantry at Heartland Church. 
  • Donated boxes of books to the Black Hawk County Jail for use by inmates.
  • Rotated and restocked books in the Lion’s Club’s seven Little Libraries.
  • Provided monthly columns and news articles for the La Porte City Newsletter.
  • Flyers were hung on public bulletin boards promoting programs.
  • Website and Facebook postings and event listings. 
  • Requested Wish Tree donations for the library at Christmas time.
  • Summer program information was submitted to the school and shared with all families.
  • Proctored testing for college students.
  • Held a registration night with the Waves Swim Team.
  • Provided a magic show, participated in the parade, and held a cookie/popcorn sale during Festival of Trails.

Programs:

  • Offered monthly Story Window displays of books to be read in the front windows of local downtown businesses.
  • Provided weekly passive STEM, science, and craft programs, including LEGOs, Magformers, coloring and painting, perler beads, potholders, and more.
  • Hung monthly themed photo booths with props.
  • Held Tech Tuesday Zoom classroom weekly science programs, provided Kid’s Kits, and offered a related scavenger hunt with Black Hawk County 4-H.
  • Promoted online eBook and audio options, a Black Lives Matter community read of four books through Bridges, plus an online book discussion of The Hate U Give.
  • Instituted adult Summer Reading Program BINGO.
  • Assembled book bundles for children.
  • Offered weekly Kid’s Kits, scavenger hunts, Storyline Online, game days, and an online scam program.
  • Completed the Summer Reading Program 2020 with a total of 139 logs turned and 548 hours recorded.
  • Promoted monthly online eBook and audio options of classic books through Bridges, and offered online book discussion questions.
  • Promoted Library Card Sign-up Month and Banned Books Week in September.
  • Began offering Monday Coffee Time again in September, and resumed Saturday coffee time in January.
  • Offered weekly summer Kid’s Kits, then beginning in the fall the library provided Kid’s Kits 2-4 times each month that were well used by families and grandparents. 
  • Hosted a book signing for area author Ruth Ann Schneck.
  • Recorded four different Santa Stories, posting a different one each week, and each for two weeks, on Facebook and receiving nearly 500 views.  
  • Decorated for holidays and seasons inside and outside.
  • Numerous Christmas trees were on display, including an I Spy tree, a Wish Tree for the library, an Adopt a Book tree, a Frozen tree, a bear tree, a cookie tree, a Santa tree, a Garfield tree, and more.
  • Provided the Adopt-a-Book program November – January.
  • Began the monthly Color and Connect program again in January.
  • Display for National School Choice Week with activities.
  • Held Blind Date with a Book event in February. 
  • Held Get Lucky with a Book event in March.
  • Promoted National Library Week in April.
  • Hosted a Black Hawk County Extension Service seed giveaway in the spring.
  • Participated in The Big Library Read quarterly.
  • Began our summer Reading Program in June 1, with reading logs, prizes, and programs.
  • Observed Get Caught Reading Month, and Children’s book Week.
  • Held Swim Team registration night.
  • Held a gardening program with the Black Hawk County Extension Service Master Gardeners at the City Park.
  • Partnered with Black Hawk County 4-H for weekly Monday STEM science programs at the park.
  • Partnered with the LPC Police to provide Lunch with the Library weekly at the City Park – a picnic and Story Time program with activities.