Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Follow up to Lakeside Learning - Annual Survey

As Bonnie promised here are some answers to questions asked during our evening session. I have contacted Gerry Rowland at the State Library to confirm my responses.
Question #1: Item # 133 In Library Materials Use
The question asked was counting "other" in library use. In library use has no other category. This is for materials (holdings) only. As people come in to use the copier, fax, drinking fountain, etc. that would be one visit (Item #134), no matter how many things they do.
Speaking of visits; if the restroom is located in the same building but outside of the library proper, I don't think that I would count as actually leaving and returning and should probably only count as one visit. Try to give a clear picture of what is happening at your library. Use your best judgement.
Question #2: If janitorial service is by contract: you do not count them as "other paid staff" (Item #8,9), but you do enter the dollar amount spent on this contract in expenditures. It would go in Item #74 "Plant operation."
Question #3: Do you count multiple books for a book discussion that you get through the book discussion list rather than SILO?
As the borrower, you would count each copy as a circulation for your library. As a lender they would be a "non-SILO generated" ILL transaction. Remember, lender transactions do not count in your circ. Please note the difference between "multiple copies for book discussion" and bulk loans in the Access Plus Terms of Agreement.
Question #4: Where do you count circulation for the patrons who live in an incorporated area (town) that has no library, no contract for service, and is in your county?
Item #125 Other circulation. Be sure to enter this town in Line #162 & #163 "Cities without libraries that your library serves without compensation."

That's all the questions I wrote down. Anyone have any others?
Blogging is not something I am in the habit of doing, so I might need a gentle reminder to respond to your comments!
Thanks for all your input and questions at Lakeside Learning. I hope the discussion was helpful.

Ann S.
Manson Public Library

2 comments:

Ann S. said...

Lines 74-75 "plant operation" are expenditure lines.
Line #8 "other paid staff" accounts for the number of workers (based on FTE)

Usually janitorial is a regular, on-going service and should be included in Line #8. Also report the wages and income and expenditures (#24-25, #60-63).
Snow removal and mowing is seasonal and is best considered as part of "plant operation" #74. If the city crew does this, prorate if possible, and include in #75.

Also remember that if your city pays for any of these you also need to account for them in both income (#24-25) and expenditures (#62-63 or #75)

Ann S. said...

#77 "All other operating expenditures" includes all of these. Remember if it doesn't fit anywhere else (#60-76) then it goes here.
Dues, training and travel are part of staff and board training, correct? You also need to report them in #175 as part of the FSCS stats for continuing education which is expenses related to training of library staff or trustees.