THE LIBRARY

BY D.R. MOON LIBRARY DIRECTOR ELIZABETH MINIATT

Happy February! I hope everyone had a safe and warm January despite the frigid temperatures and various stormy winter weather. Welcome back our monthly library report. The library board meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 5PM in the lower level of the library. The meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend. However, if you are unable to make it to the meeting, you can still find the news and updates I share with the board each month here.

Our annual report is being reviewed by the library board this week. Last month I mentioned our total circulation for 2021 was 32,390. Circulation, along with library expenses, is used to determine the county funding we receive through the “cost per circ” equation, which is our total expenses divided by our total circulation. This number is then multiplied by the number of cir- culations in a specific county. For example, if we spend $100,000 in a year with a total circulation of 10,000, our “cost per circ” is $10.00. If 5,000 of those circulations were in Chippewa County, we can request $42,000 from Chippewa County since they are currently working towards 100% reimbursement. Many other counties around us are still reimbursing at 70%, so this is definitely something that Chippewa County can be proud of by moving forward in supporting libraries.

This month you’re invited to participate in our all-ages Library Love Story challenge! Sharing your experiences regarding the library can show how the library helps our community, demonstrate how the library has changed to meet your needs, and help us to focus programs and services. It doesn’t have to be long and it’s a great way to help the library. Pick up a form at the library or go to our website to access the online form.

Our library book club is reading Farm Girl this month and planning to meet on February 24th at 2PM to discuss the book. Books for upcoming months have not all been chosen, so if you would like to join our book club and make your own suggestions for what to read this year please come to the meeting! Other programs this month include the Creative Writers Guild on the 15th at 2:30PM, Storytime on the 10th and 24th at 10:30AM and Crafting Club on the 23rd at 2:30PM. Finally, Girls Who Code clubs are meeting at 4PM on the 17th of this month as well. We welcome new members to join the coding clubs, please make sure to register with library staff before attending. Check out our website, or pick up a calendar from the library, for the full details.

The library is open for you Monday through Friday from 10AM-6PM. Come in any time to use the computers, find a book or movie, borrow a WiFi hotspot or iPad, or use our printer to fax, scan, and copy. As tax season is upon us, please note that the library does have state and federal tax forms as well as instructions, that can be picked up or printed free of charge during our open hours. We are also still offering curbside pick-up to those who wish to use that option and home delivery for the elderly and home-bound. Thank you for your support and we hope to see you soon!