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2012 Budget (PDF file) - Library Board approved October 18, 2011
2012 Budget FACT SHEET

2011 Budget (PDF file) - Library Board approved November 16, 2010
2011 Budget FACT SHEET

2010 Budget (PDF file) - Library Board approved October 20, 2009
2010 Budget FACT SHEET

2009 Budget (PDF file) - Library Board approved October 15, 2008

2008 Budget (PDF file) - Library Board approved October 18, 2007

2007 Budget (PDF file) - Library Board approved October 18, 2006

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2012 Budget FACT SHEET
(PDF file)

At their regular October 2011 meeting the Board of Trustees approved the 2012 Library budget. Find the library's 2012 budget online at www.oppl.org/about/budget.htm.

What's the bottom line for you, the taxpayer?

The Library has made minimal increases in its levy over the past several years. Last year the levy decreased. This conservative approach is not possible this year as we face increased demand for our services and the need to invest in our physical and technological infrastructure. The bottom line for the taxpayers is a levy increase of 6.53% to support the 2012 budget.

How will the money in the 2012 budget be used?

• Library facilities: Hours that meet the needs of the community; prudent, sustained investment in infrastructure; excellent stewardship of past community investment in library facilities

• Add Sunday hours at the branch libraries
• Create an Idea Box in the former café at the Main Library
• Maintain aging buildings appropriately
• Fix flooding problems at the Maze Branch Library
• Replace and upgrade building software systems at the Main Library
• Renovate middle school and teen spaces at the Main Library
• Engage with the community about these changes

• Technology: Prepare for the future role of the library in Oak Park

• Provide new and additional computers (laptops, Macs, etc.)
• Increase internet bandwidth
• Expand and upgraded self checkout system
• Enhance virtual services available 24/7
• Digitize local history and special collection resources so that they are easily available to the Oak Park community and scholars everywhere

• Collections: Provide Oak Park residents with a vibrant, up-to-date collection in a variety of formats that meets their needs

• Make materials easier to find in response to the changing ways that customers use libraries
• Add materials in new formats (ex., e-content, blu ray, games)
• Evaluate effects of SWAN consortium and realign spending priorities appropriately

• Marketing and communications: Engage with the community about what it wants and needs from the library

• Reach out to community members to find out what services and resources they need
• Engage the community to envision the future of the library and create new strategic plan
• Offer more varied programs in response to our diverse community

• Staff: Attract, retain, and engage an expert staff that can help library customer with all their needs

• Assist customers with traditional services, new ideas and resources, and cutting edge technology
• Be nimble in responding to changing needs and new ideas
• Reach out to the community through school visits, home delivery, book discussions, active agers events, teen volunteer programs, etc.
• Reflect the diversity of our community

• Oak Park Public Library is a leader in our Village

• Engage the community around the future role of our library
• Provide leadership in collaborating with other agencies to address the digital divide and achievement gap
• Lead the Digitally Inclusive Community initiative
• Collaborate with other agencies to share costs, provide enhanced services

Added Value to the Community:

• Named 4 Star Library and Second in the State
  Oak Park Public Library received four stars in Library Journal's national rating of public libraries. Our outstanding service to the community earned us second place in the state within our category. This distinction is measured by visits to our buildings, circulation of our collections, participation in our programs, and use of our technology. We are delighted that our community was honored in this way!

• Oak Park loves its library
  Ask Oak Parkers why they love the library and you will hear a huge variety of reasons. We serve as a community gathering place, as a technology access point, and a resource for lifelong learning and enjoyment. This summer we captured some of the love on video. Hear what your neighbors and friends have to say at www.oppl.org/love/.

• Increase in library usage
  Oak Park Public Library continues to be a busy place, serving many people in many ways. Our numbers - visits, items borrowed, program attendance, computer usage - all continue to increase.

• Return on investment
  Library cards are free to Oak Park residents and material may be borrowed for free. Many services and programs can be enjoyed for free without a library card. Tax-payer dollars support these valuable services and ensure that they are available to all. How much would the services of your public library cost if you had to pay for them directly? Use a simple calculator at www.oppl.org/services/valuecalculator.htm to estimate the value of your Library use.

• We'll be here in 2012 and beyond
  Because the world is constantly changing, we're challenging our staff to learn and innovate new ways of meeting your changing needs. And we need you, Oak Park, to help us create that future. We want to engage your talents, experiment, and meet your expectations. Join one of our community conversations about the future of the library. Find details and inspiration at www.oppl.org/spark/.

Who to contact for more information?
For more information visit www.oppl.org/about/budget.htm or
contact Executive Director Dee Brennan at 708-697-6911 or dbrennan@oppl.org.

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2011 Budget FACT SHEET
(PDF file)

At their regular November 2010 meeting the Board of Trustees approved the 2011 Library budget. Find the Library's 2011 budget online at www.oppl.org/about/budget.htm.

What's the bottom line for you, the taxpayer?
The financial bottom line for the taxpayers is very good news. The Library's expenses for 2011 will increase by 4%, yet the overall levy will decrease by 1%. The extended levy set by the Village of Oak Park in 2009 matches the Library's proposed levy increase for 2011. However, the refinancing of construction debt resulted in a $73,897 decrease in the Library's budget line for debt. Therefore, the overall levy will decrease by 1%.

Highlights:

• Continued increase in library usage
  The Library continues to be a busy place, serving many people in many ways. One way to measure library usage is by counting the number of times items are borrowed. In 2010, we are on track to circulate more items than ever - our numbers have increased 54% in five years.
• Value of the Library
  We are pleased to hear that the Library continues to add value to the community. Whether it's for a storytime, a favorite book, job searching resources, wifi Internet access, a film showings or other program, people tell us that they benefit from their use of the Library. In 2010, we captured some of these stories on video, www.oppl.org/success/.
• Return on investment
  Library cards are free to Oak Park residents and material may be borrowed for free. Many services and programs can be enjoyed for free without a library card. Tax-payer dollars support these valuable services and ensure that they are available to all. How much would the services of your public library cost if you had to pay for them directly? Use a simple calculator at www.oppl.org/services/valuecalculator.htm to estimate the value of your Library use.
• Significant financial achievements in 2010
  In 2010, the Library's tax levy was a 0% increase over 2009. Despite that, we made major investments in our technology infrastructure. To maintain the Library as a technology center, public computers were replaced and supporting network systems were updated. The automated materials handling system was updated to achieve intended efficiencies. Also in 2010, we migrated our library system to the SWAN consortium, one benefit of which will be the reduction of our system maintenance costs because they will be shared by the consortium.
• Reduction in other sources of income
  Other revenue sources are disappearing, decreasing, or very unreliable. State funds are drying up at an alarming rate, resulting in local libraries and communities taking on increasing financial responsibility for important services and mandated expenses. State support for delivery and SWAN may disappear in 2011, meaning that member libraries may share the full cost for these services. Like the other taxing bodies in Oak Park, the Library's expenses for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund are increasing because of state budget troubles. The Library may not receive state per capita funds in 2011. The Friends of the Library's Annual Book Fair took in less money this year because it was located in a temporary facility. Interest income is miniscule, despite our best efforts.
• Good stewardship
  There was great pressure on the Library's budget line for salaries in 2010. The salary budget has not increased since 2007, despite increases in usage, special projects, and expansion or addition of services. Since 2008 the Library has taken on management of the parking garage at the Main Library, established rich browsing collections to improve access to materials at all locations, rearranged the Dole Branch Library floor plan and added a new focus on early literacy, and increased fundraising activities in the last two years. To accomplish this and more with the level-funded personnel budget the Library reorganized staff, consolidated management responsibilities, streamlined processes, and implemented technology to improve efficiency.

What is new in the 2011 budget? How will the money be used?

• The Library's budget for 2011 includes a 4% increase to the salaries line in order to meet the additional demands for library services. We will be adding staff in the Circulation Services Department because of the increasing workload; implementing a new concierge service at the Main Library; and using a vacant position in IT to fund a much needed virtual services manager position. We will be reducing our dependence on contracted security and collaborating with community agencies to provide programs for at-risk teens and others.
  
• The 2011 budget designates a portion of the materials budget line for the purchase of downloadable books. We predict that the demand for and use of downloadable library materials will "explode" in 2011 as the devices have matured and content is increasing available. The Library is also budgeting for a technology tool-kit to familiarize both staff and patrons with the various devices and possibilities.
  
• The Library will also defer staff raises (historically done in July) to January. This deferral brings our compensation changes in line with our fiscal year, which will make financial planning and tracking more efficient.

Who to contact for more information?
For more information visit www.oppl.org/about/budget.htm or
contact Executive Director Dee Brennan at 697-6911 or dbrennan@oppl.org.

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2010 Budget FACT SHEET
(PDF file)

At their regular October 2009 meeting the Board of Trustees approved the 2010 Library budget. Find the Library's 2010 budget online at www.oppl.org/about/budget.htm.

What's the bottom line for you, the taxpayer?
The Library worked with the Village last year to refinance debt for the construction of the Main Library and renovations to the Branches. This refinancing resulted in a 10.64% decrease in the Library operating budget for debt. In 2010, we will reinvest some of this savings in improvements to the Library's infrastructure, the details of which are described below. The bottom line is the Library's operating budget increases 5.18%, but coupled with the decrease in debt the overall levy increase is 0%.

Highlights:

• Dramatic increase in library usage
  People turn to public libraries for essential services in tough economic times. The dramatic increase in use of the Oak Park Public Library has in part been a result of the recent economic downturn. In 2009, the Library is on track to circulate more than 1,300,000 - an increase of 51% in 5 years.
• Expanded library services
  The Library continues to expand services to the community in response to community needs. Within the last 18 months the Library has offered additional storytimes, new book discussions for those in their 20s and 30s, additional computer classes including one for job searching online, accessible computers and computer software, new gaming programs for all ages, new museum adventure passes, and a larger collection of downloadable audiobooks. These services and resources complement the 314,000 books, DVDs, CDs, and magazines that can be borrowed and online tools that can be accessed from home for free by library cardholders.
• Equal access for all
  Public libraries bridge the digital divide between the haves and have-nots by providing equal access to services. The Oak Park Public Library continues to provide the majority of services and programs for free. Library cards are free to Oak Park residents, and books, DVDs, CDs, and magazines can be borrowed for free. Many services and programs, like wifi Internet access, group study rooms, and book discussions, can be enjoyed for free without a library card. The Library serves as a safety net for the entire community, especially for families who use the Library as a no-cost, educational, entertaining place to take kids. Tax-payer dollars support these services and ensure that they are available to all.
• Reduction in other sources of income
  In 2009, due to state budget woes the State Library cut per capita grant funding by 16% for all public libraries. This translates to a $9,600 drop in Oak Park Public Library income. The Library's income from interest has decreased dramatically due to past use of invested income to cover deficits and to lower interest rates.
• Return on investment
  The Oak Park Public Library receives 5.32% of the property tax bill. How much would the services of your public library cost if you had to pay for them directly? Use a simple online calculator at www.oppl.org/services/valuecalculator.htm to estimate the value of your Library use.
• Good stewardship
  The Library relies on property taxes for over 89% of our funding, as do most public libraries. Therefore, the Library strives for the highest levels of efficiency with these finite financial resources. When the Main Library reopened, new self checkouts and the automated materials handling system were installed to limit the need for additional staff. Expenses budgeted for salaries have remained flat in 2008 and 2009, and will continue to be in 2010, despite increased library usage. Despite increase in program attendance in 2008 and 2009, the budget for these activities remained flat.

  The Library also participates in intergovernmental agreements to avoid duplication of services and make the best use of tax-payer dollars. Through membership in SWAN, the Oak Park Public Library will share resources and expenses with other suburban libraries to provide better service at lower cost. The Library is fortunate to have the support of the Friends of the Library and is increasing fundraising activities. The Library also pursues grants and awards to assist in achieving Library goals. In addition, through the new volunteer program, hundreds of volunteers have contributed thousands of hours of service to assist the Library in achieving its mission.

What else is new in the 2010 budget?

• Projected revenues include $.05 increases in fines, printing, and photocopying to $.20; an increase in Veterans Room rental fees for for-profits entities to $150 per four-hour period; an increase to the 6-12 hour parking rate in the Main Library garage to $20.
• We are also tightening our belts and cutting some expenses. The Dole and Maze Branch Libraries will close 1 hour earlier, at 8 pm instead of 9 pm, during the week. The Branches will also return to a winter holiday break schedule and be closed during the school vacation in December/January (December 19, 2009 through January 3, 2010).
• We have decreased funding for conference attendance and travel reimbursements.
• In making these decisions about revenue and expenses the Library carefully considered the impact on public service and sought actions that would minimally affect library usage.

How will the money be used?

• Technology and building infrastructure
  Since opening six years ago the Main Library building has been warmly received, frequently praised, and heavily used. To maintain the Library as a technology center, public computers need to be replaced and supporting network systems need to be updated. An investment in technology infrastructure will update the automated materials handing system (which was first generation technology and is now operating at 150% of its capacity) and achieve intended efficiencies. Scheduled maintenance work to the buildings and grounds will ensure safety, efficiency, and the delivery of excellent library service.
• New services
  Significantly, in 2010 the Oak Park Public Library will join SWAN, a library resource sharing consortium. In addition to annual membership fees, Library funds will be used in a one-time effort to migrate data from our current system to the SWAN system. The on-going benefits of additional resources for the Oak Park community and long-term cost savings far outweigh the initial costs. Through SWAN the Oak Park Public Library will provide expanded service at lower operational costs.

Who to contact for more information?
For more information visit www.oppl.org/about/budget.htm or contact Executive Director Dee Brennan at 697-6911 or dbrennan@oppl.org.