The publishing industry is grappling with major changes, but demand for programs and materials has not slowed at the Williamsburg Regional Library.
The library, in the second year of its 2012-15 strategic plan, has expanded its downloadable collection, focused efforts on teen programming and is hoping to collaborate with the city to build a new shared space to take the place of the neighboring Stryker Building.
Library Director John Moorman reviewed the library’s performance and presented the 2014 proposed budget at City Council’s Thursday meeting. The library is jointly funded by the city and James City County.
York County also pays for residents of upper York to use the library; its use agreement expires next year, and a process is under way to revise the library contract to make York County a contractual partner.
The library’s proposed budget of $6.14 million is up 3.82 percent over the current year. By contract, the library employees follow James City County’s compensation plan. With guidance from the county, the library budget increases employee salaries and wages by 3 percent, and includes a 10 percent increase in health insurance. Williamsburg’s funding level is proposed to stay the same, at $168,148.
The operations budget is increasing 4 percent to cover higher costs for contracted services, goods and materials. The budget for collections is proposed to increase 7.5 percent to include funding for downloadable audiobooks and music.
The library has expanded its collection of downloadable audiobooks, eBooks and music in the past year. As of January, users had downloaded 33,738 items. Moorman said downloadable content is in high demand, as more library consumers gain access to e-Readers and tablets, but the publishing industry has made it challenging for the library to provide a wide selection.
Some publishers refuse to sell e-books to libraries, while others sell the content at increased rates. Random House, for example, will charge the library $95 to buy an e-book available on Amazon for $25. The library has used a vendor to lease downloadable content. Under the current system, only one user can check out an e-book at one time. As a result, patrons who would have been able to easily check out a hardcover new release might be 85th on a waiting list to check out the e-book. By contrast, 100 people can check out downloadable audiobooks at the same time.
“Until a system is worked out that enables publishers to feel comfortable they will have a revenue stream they can work with, and libraries are able to access this material as they do in another format, you will see a period of change,” Moorman said.
The library is increasing efforts to appeal to teens. A vacant position was recently converted to a teen reading coordinator position and a teen advisory group was formed; the group meets monthly. The library is also a finalist for the National Medal for Museum and Library Services, the highest honor possible for libraries.
Space is at a premium in the library’s Williamsburg location. Moorman said the library’s programs have high attendance and its meeting rooms are always reserved, often far in advance. He estimated the library turns away 10 to 15 groups a month that are seeking meeting space. Meeting with his own staff has become a challenge, Moorman said.
The library hopes its space issues can be resolved by the construction of a proposed Stryker Center. City staff has worked with library staff to develop a concept for a shared building that would provide meeting chambers for city boards and council, along with office space, community meeting rooms and a gallery for the library. The Williamsburg Library Foundation has proposed funding up to $500,000 for construction, technology and furnishing costs.
Council members have been divided on whether it’s the right time to pursue the project, but agreed to accept an unsolicited proposal for the construction project from Guernsey Tingle Architects and Henderson, Inc. in February. By accepting the proposal, the city opened up a process to receive competing bids. Originally, the deadline for bids was set for April 12, but council voted unanimously Thursday to push the deadline to May 15.
