2014 Library Budget

Darien Library

Darien Library

Report to the Representative Town Meeting

May 2014

Process: Approved by the Darien Library F&B Committee: January 7, 2014

Approved by the Darien Library Board: January 13, 2014

Approved by the Board of Selectmen: February 12, 2014

Approved by the Board of Finance April 8, 2014

Budget Summary

The Library’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2014-2015 calls for expenditures of $3,483,239, an increase of $82,674, or 2.4%.

The budget makes provision for a 3% increase in staff and administrative salaries. Because of a position that will be left vacant, the increase in compensation is nominal, $3,184. Including the effects of FICA, Personnel costs increase by $4,642, or 0.2%.

Library and Building operating accounts increase by $27,081, or 4.6%, primarily because of increases in Maintenance/Service and Janitor Supplies accounts, Outsourced Cataloging because of increased acquisitions, and Electricity, Gas and Fuel because an increase in fuel related to the generator installed by the Library in 2013.

In accordance with guidance from the Town, we have budgeted a 12% increase in Health Expenses, an 8% increase in Retirement, and an increase of 15% for Workers Comp and 10% for property and liability insurance. These accounts together increase by $50,951, or 8.7%.

These, and other actions, are detailed later in this report.

The table below outlines the major categories affecting the budget proposal:

Category Increase % Budget Increase

Personnel $4,642 0.2%

Operating Accounts $27,081 4.6%

Health, Insurance and Retirement $50,951 8.7%

Total $82,674 2.4%

Report to the Representative Town Meeting May 2014

Darien Library

% of Total Contribution

Budget to Budget

Increase Percentage

Darien Library Staffing Decisions

Total Staffing Decisions 3,184$

FICA 1,458$

Total of Staffing Decisions 4,642$ 5.6% 0.1%

Darien Library Operating Adjustments

Operating Accounts

Life Insurance (854)$

Electricity, Gas and Fuel 4,412$

Water and Sewer 314$

Building Operations 2,979$

Maintenance/Service 9,269$

Library Supplies (1,900)$

Janitor Supplies 7,500$

Internet/Telephone (139)$

Outsourced Cataloging 5,500$

Total 27,081$ 32.8% 0.8%

Total of Operating Increases 27,081$ 32.8% 0.8%

Externally Determined Appropriations

Health Insurance 35,091$

Retirement 11,381$

Insurance 4,479$

Total 50,951$

Total of Externally Determined Appropriations 50,951$ 61.6% 1.5%

Total Budget Increase 82,674$ 100.0% 2.4%

Summary of Budget Increase Components


Darien Library

The Highest Level of Library Service

Darien Library is a resource actively used by the whole community. It is open 72 hours a week, 52 weeks a year.

90% of all Darien residents have a library card.

During fiscal year 2012-2013, the Library was visited 410,820 times, 46,447 people attended programs, librarians answered 104,797 questions, 82,020 people logged on to the Library’s computers, and 86,722 users accessed the Library’s Wi-Fi resources.

Connecticut State Library statistics show that Darien Library is unsurpassed within the state in per capita measured services the community:

First in residents’ circulation 25.2

First in computer logins 8.3

First in collection turnover 5.6

First in visits 19.5

Third in reference queries answered 4.6

Fifth in program attendance 2.1

Since the Library’s new building opened, we have experienced significant growth in a number of areas:

2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013

Book Circulation 480,966 494,141 494,946

Reference Queries 86,649 95,408 104,797

Computer Logins 97,681 92,466 82,080

Wi-Fi Use No data 83,225 86,722

Program Attendance 40,275 44,446 46,477

Note the substantial increase in Reference queries (20.9% over three years.) We have delayed adding to the staff in this area until its need was overwhelming, but we will add the position this year. Some of the increase in the staffing will be offset because we are leaving another position (Assistant Director) vacant.

The following chart shows the prospective staffing levels for next budget year. Note that, with the increase in next year’s staffing, our FTE count is still less


Darien Library

than the staffing in the first year in the new building, and less than the higher levels of staffing in the old building, which was half the size, with less activity.

As a bottom line summary, it should be noted that the Library’s staffing has been remarkably stable during a time of significantly increased use. We have planned for increases, but delayed them until we could implement small changes in staffing without causing increases in the budget.

Effective Business Practices

Following on from earlier initiatives, we have continued our efforts to operate the Library at the least possible cost to the citizens of Darien by emphasizing efficiencies in staffing. We have done this by investments in technology, by reorganization and by outsourcing, with the result that Darien Library has a reputation as being one of the most innovative and best-run libraries in the nation.

As recently as January 24, 2013, this was addressed at the national level. NPR carried an Associated Press report that focused on the effect of investments in technology to reduce staffing. Darien Library was cited, along with Microsoft, in a section of the report headed “Smarter Machines”, for the staffing efficiencies

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Darien Library Budgeted Staffing

First year in new building


Darien Library

achieved from investing in technology – in our case the 3M/Lyngsoe sorting system that checks in and receives returned items.1

The following table shows the relative cost of circulating an item at Darien Library compared to peer libraries, calculated from total salaries divided by items circulated, converted to an index. Note that Darien Library is 29% less costly than the next closest peer, based on 2011-2012 statistics. [2012-2013 data is not available at present.]

Budget Development Details

Staffing

The staffing budget this year is driven by two factors, a 3% compensation increase and one administrative position left vacant, offset by a new Knowledge and Learning Services position:

1 “Practically Human: Can Smart Machines Do Your Job?” 1/24/13 11:13 AM

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=170126819

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

100129 131 136

146171 178

199

Staff Salary Costs per Item Circulated 2011-2012(Indexed to Darien Library = 100)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=170126819


Darien Library

1. Library employees – both salaried and hourly -- will be granted an increase of 3%. This follows from the four previous years of increase shown below:

Budget Year Increase

2009-2010 2.0%

2010-2011 2.25%

2011-2012 0.0%

2012-2013 4.0%

2013-2014 3.0%

2014-2015 3.0%

6-year compound rate 2.37%

2. We will bring onto staff a newly graduated librarian to buttress the Knowledge and Learning staff, which provides support for research by community residents, and staffs the Reference and Help Desks. As noted, queries in these areas are up 20.9% over the past three years.

Total staffing will equal 30.4 FTEs for the 2014-2015 budget, an increase of 0.5 FTE, because the increase is partially offset by a reduction in staffing at the administrative level, with a position left vacant..

As a result of the actions we have taken with respect to staffing, total personnel compensation costs including FICA will essentially be flat, increasing by $4,642, or 0.2%.

Operating Accounts

The Library’s Operating Accounts are budgeted to increase by $27,081. Major factors in the increase include fuel for the full-size generator installed by the Library, maintenance on new safety equipment, budgeted repairs, increased janitor supplies to support in-house maintenance, and additional outsourced cataloging services to match increased purchases of circulating items.


Darien Library

Operating Accounts with Major Increases

1. Electricity, Gas and Fuel will increase by $4,412, and $3,700 of that represents half cost of refilling the tank with diesel in the event that the generator is needed to support Library operations in another power outage. The Board of Selectmen has agreed to hold the Library harmless in the event that more fuel than a half-tank is required.

2. The Maintenance/Services Account primarily supports maintenance and warranty services for the Library’s building equipment (elevators, HVAC systems, geothermal pumps, generator, sorting equipment) and operating services, (such as the building management and integrated library system catalog), together with building repairs. The increase of $9,269 in this account is related to new services contracted for our pumping systems, and an allocation for repairs to systems based on experience.

3. Outsourced Cataloging provides the funds for the services of out-sourced third party preparation of books, DVDs, CDs, Books on CD and other items to make them shelf ready. We began this initiative several years ago, and it has proven very cost-effective, allowing us to reduce staff time significantly in excess of the cost of the outsourced services. We are increasing this account by $5,500 to meet the needs of increased circulation, and in doing so we offset the need for additional staffing that would otherwise be required.

As noted, the Library’s use of outsourcing is based on an innovative model now being adopted by libraries, many of whom have visited Darien Library to gain an understanding of the process that leads to significant cost-effectiveness. $67,000 of this account relates to this initiative, and the outsourcing initiative replaces a staffing model which would have estimated costs of $132,785, saving $65,785.

4. Janitor Supplies will increase by $7,500 because of requirement for replacement parts for electricity, plumbing, HVAC and other work completed in-house by the Library’s Building Engineer.


Darien Library

Health Insurance, Retirement and Insurance Accounts

Health Insurance Health insurance expenditures are projected to increase by $35,091, or 8.6%. We have used a 10% in accordance with the Town, which is partially offset by a reduction of some elements of an employee’s coverage.

Pension

We have budgeted the amount of Pension funding requested by the Town of Darien. This represents an increase of $11,381, based on an assumed 8% increase.

The Library’s Central Role in Darien

The Library is the community’s most actively used resource.

As noted, more than 90% of Darien residents have an active Library card. Members of the community on average take out 26 books, DVDs, books on CD or other items each year, and this is far and away the highest circulation rate of any library in the state, and one of the highest in the nation.

82.2% of Darien seniors use the Library, more than any other organization or program in the community, according to a survey by Aging in Place/The Community Fund in the fall of 2009.

The table below lists the five organizations or programs most highly used by seniors, according to the survey:

Program/Service Use Now Will Use in Next 5 Years

Darien Library 82.2% 85.0%

Place of Worship 64.8% 68.4%

Darien Community Assoc 36.3% 41.5%

Darien Senior Center 30.0% 44.9%

YMCA 24.4%

Aging in Place in Darien 52.1%


Darien Library

At the other end of the age spectrum, the Library is used by young children and their parents and care-givers – often the Library is the first public space a young child ever visits, and by a growing number of middle school and high school students who have made the Library the place to visit for studying, especially during midterms and finals, when the Library remains open until 10:30 PM, allowing students to study alone or in groups.

For everyone of all ages, the New Darien Library is a community center; a distribution center for books, magazines, DVDs, videos, books on tape, technology and other materials; a cultural center for programs for all ages; a haven for study and research; a busy technology and continuing education hub; a resource for Town government and many community organizations. Library users constantly ask that we extend our hours.

Recent use trends build on past successes. For many years the Darien Library has proven to be a high-profile example of extraordinary customer service provided in a remarkably cost-efficient manner.

As noted earlier, the Library has seen extraordinary levels of increase in the use of the Library since the opening of the new building.

Service to the Whole Community

The Library collaborates with many Darien and other organizations to provide services to the community. The expanded Library’s many meeting rooms have been made available at no expense by Board of Trustees policy to the Town of Darien and its Boards and Commissions.

Community Support

We provide space in the Library for many community activities, including:

Americares

Amnesty International

Boy Scouts of America

Chinese Language School

Connecticut Chinese Association

Council of Darien School Parents

Darien Adult Chamber Music Group

Darien Arts Center

Darien Board of Realtors

Darien Democratic Town Committee - public forum

Darien First Selectman Storm update meeting

Darien Go Green Group


Darien Library

Darien Land Trust

Darien Little League

Darien Public Schools (Special Ed. Dept.)

Darien Sail & Power Squadron

Darien Senior Mens’ Investment Group

Darien Senior Mens’ Book Group

Darien Soccer Association

Darien Summer Strings performance

Darien Tree Conservancy

Darien Office of Voter Registration

Darien Youth Hockey Association

Delafield Island Tax District

Depot

Fairfield County Micro Investors Council

FEMA

First Church of Christ Scientist Darien

Girl Scouts of America

Hackers for Hope

HomeCare/Nursing Blood Pressure clinics

Jack & Jill of America

Jr. League of Norwalk/Stamford

League of Women Voters - BOE Candidates Debate

League of Women Voters

New Canaan Society, Inc.

Noroton Bay Neighborhood Association

Noroton Yacht Club

Norwalk Grassroots Tennis

Obie Harrington-Howes Foundation

Odyssey of the Mind school group

Person-to-Person Scholarship Committee

Red Cross Blood Drive

Representative Terrie Wood - Access Health Care

Representative Terrie Wood - Legislative Wrap-up

Republican Town Committee

Royle School Yearbook Committee

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, Inc.

South West CT Green Building Council

St. Catherine Academy/Diocese of Bridgeport

Tax Aide


Darien Library

Coordination with the Schools

Children’s librarians visit the elementary schools and Middlesex for book-talking in each classroom; they coordinate programs with elementary librarians; hold a Teacher Orientation for all new teachers at the beginning of the school year; visit PTO meetings; visit preschools throughout the community; many teachers ask their students to write their book reviews for summer reading on the Darien Library web site in place of submitting written papers.

Middlesex students write their summer reading reviews on the Library’s web site as well, and the Library puts together the 8th grade summer reading list for students, and purchases enough copies to supply student needs.

The Library stays open until 10:30 PM during midterm and final exam weeks for the High School.

Not-for-profit Technology Support

The Library plays a central technology role in the on-line presence of the community, assisting 36 community non-profits to maintain their web presences. The Library makes available technology to help non-profits with their activities, for example by lending notebook computers to assist with registration drives, and video projectors to assist in public presentations.

A Cultural Center of the Community

The New Darien Library provides a much greater range of resources to the community – meeting spaces, quiet study areas, accessible collections, services to the young and mature alike – as an extension of its role as the cultural center of Darien. A broad range of community residents, from Senior Citizens to young children to Middle and High School students who fill the Library to study, from community residents who use the Library for enjoyment or as support for their work, all find support and resources available to their needs and interests, matched by extraordinary customer service that has a national reputation for the highest level of service to the community.

The Community’s Foremost Example of a Public-Private Partnership

The New Darien Library

This year, January 10, 2014, was the fifth anniversary of the opening of the New Darien Library. The $28 million project to fund construction of the New Darien Library is the largest gift to the Town by any measure, and stands alone in terms of commitment to the future of the community and its residents.


Darien Library

This year the Trustees of the Library, recognizing the role the Library plays for many in the Town when power is out in storms, installed a full-sized generator at a cost of $350,000 so that the Library can in future provide heat, light, technology, and friendship and a place for the Town to come together, as it has four times in the past five years.

Annual Support

We remind you that each year the Library trustees raise all the money the Library spends on books, DVDs, research services, programs and other materials through an annual fund drive. We also pay for all on-going capital expenses from the Friends Fund. (This year we expect to spend approximately $300,000 on technology projects, as part of a total Friends’ expenditure of more than $1,200,000.)

For years the community of Darien has been the recipient of private funding that replaces the use of tax dollars for the collection development, technology initiatives, programs and services that have allowed the Darien Library to become a community asset.

In addition, from this private funding has come the investment in productivity measures that helped make Library employees the most productive in the region, at a considerable savings in labor costs that would have been borne by the taxpayers.

The Darien Library Budget Proposal

The major elements of the Library’s budget proposal are summarized below, and we ask that they be considered in the context of three important considerations:

Darien Library employees are remarkably efficient. We do not seek to compare their schedule to other employees of the Town or School District, but we do know that our employees work harder, are more productive, and provide better service than any other library. We ask them to do so with the understanding that they will be provided the support necessary to match their efforts. This year they continue to make extraordinary sacrifices in workload (all Library full-time employees who work with the public are scheduled to work one night a week and one weekend a month as part of their schedule) while they are providing extreme customer service at a time of substantially increased use of the Library.

The Friends of the Library made significant investments to promote productivity and efficiency for Library staff, and they are committed to continue their role in the Public-Private Partnership, as they have this year by installing


Darien Library

a generator at no cost to the Town. The Friends’ gift of the New Darien Library to the community was a watershed event in the history of this community. The Public-Private Partnership between the Town and the Library continues to provide a substantial benefit to the residents of the Town of Darien.

The Library’s administration has demonstrated over many years that it will ask only for the resources it needs, and that it can be trusted to manage those resources in an exemplary manner. The funding we request is the minimum necessary to provide the community the services it requires to meet the increased use of the Darien Library.Highlights of increases in this year’s budget request:

1. Salary Budget: ........................................................................... $ 4,642

The Library staff will receive merit-based pay increases averaging 3%.

A new Knowledge and Learning Services position will be added, and this will be offset by a vacant administrative position.

2. Darien Library Operating Expenditures: ............................... $ 30,781

Electricity, Gas and Fuel will increase by $8,112, accounted for primarily by a $7,400 allocation for diesel fuel.

Maintenance services for building equipment and systems will increase by $9,269 to provide for a repairs and systems maintenance.

Outsourced Cataloging will increase by $5,500 to recognize the cost of processing an increased volume of new acquisitions.

Janitor Supplies will increase by $7,500 to provide parts and supplies to support in-house maintenance and repairs

3. Health Insurance and Retirement Expenses: ....................... $ 50,951

Health insurance expenditures will increase by $35,091, using a 10% increase in rates, and a decrease in employee health contracts.

Retirement expenditures will increase by $11,381 per the retirement estimate of an 8% increase directed by the Town.

Total Budget Increase (2.5%) ...................................................... $ 86,374

The Board of Trustees of the Darien Library urges your support of this budget proposal.

Amy Cholnoky President, Board of Trustees


Darien Library

A Recurring Side Note on Non-resident Use of the Library

As one of the finest libraries in the nation – renowned for its customer service, collection, lending practices and innate friendliness -- it should be expected that Darien Library is visited by some residents of adjoining communities exercising their right under state regulations to use the services to which they are entitled – borrowing books, DVDs and other items, using reference resources, logging on to the Library’s computers.

Most importantly, non-resident use of the Library has an insignificant effect on the Library’s tax-supported budget. Specifically, the only expenditures in the prospective Town budget that can be attributed to non-resident use are approximately $1,000 for paper supplies and $40 for RFID tags and $890 four outsourced cataloging.

The Friends’ budget pays for all books, DVDs, Books on CD and technology – so the additional items acquired for increased circulation are not a Town expense.

More importantly, the Library has not increased staff in any way because of non-resident use, and, if all non-resident use went away, would not be able to reduce staffing positions or hours.

All Library staffing decisions are based on a system that calculates position requirements from a zero-based model allocating service positions and tasks, not hours. We staff for service positions – Reader Advisors Welcome Desk, Children’s Room, Information Services, and Teen Center and Power Library – and for tasks -- ordering and processing books, program development and delivery, web page development and update, circulation back office tasks, for example. None of these would change if non-resident use declined or even went away.

We staff for service positions and for tasks, and then we automate those tasks (with funds from the Friends’ budget) so that volume increases do not require increased staffing. For example, though circulation has increased by more than 50% in the past six years, we are making fewer, not more, telephone calls to patrons because we have provided upgrades to our ILS that email notification. We have automated and outsourced our book ordering so fewer personnel purchase and process more books.

The other elements of the Library’s town budget – lighting, heating, telephone, janitorial services, payroll, and all personnel benefits, for example – are not related to the profile of use by non-residents.


Darien Library

Approved 12/31/13 Proposed

Actual Actual Budget Actual Budget YTD Budget $ %

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2012-13 2013-14 2013-14 2014-15 Increase Increase

Salaries

Administrative 340,369 340,368 352,395 353,990 340,325 184,359 245,659 (94,666) -27.8%

Member Services 1,207,896 1,219,693 1,243,478 1,207,974 1,283,276 606,424 1,386,356 103,080 8.0%

Support 387,658 396,454 413,951 447,163 442,908 234,708 437,679 (5,229) -1.2%

TOTAL 1,935,923 1,956,515 2,009,824 2,009,127 2,066,510 1,025,491 2,069,694 3,184 0.2%

Fringe Benefits

Social Security 148,693 152,393 147,667 147,997 155,880 73,973 157,338 1,458 0.9%

Town Retirement 126,182 139,197 136,636 136,636 142,266 142,266 153,647 11,381 8.0%

Health, Dental and LTD 343,125 319,808 341,865 319,405 410,160 197,199 445,251 35,091 8.6%

Life Insurance 3,669 3,424 3,470 4,579 4,472 2,233 3,617 (854) -19.1%

Unemployment Comp. 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 - 0.0%

TOTAL 623,169 616,322 631,138 610,117 714,278 417,171 761,354 47,075 6.6%

Building Operations

Electricity, Gas and Fuel 127,217 121,973 108,278 120,548 110,049 60,762 114,461 4,412 4.0%

Water & Sewer 6,274 7,888 6,200 7,163 7,050 3,217 7,364 314 4.4%

Insurance 22,203 23,348 31,270 24,246 32,521 19,772 36,999 4,479 13.8%

Building Operations 138,590 144,971 152,277 167,551 147,520 64,299 150,499 2,979 2.0%

Maintenance/Service 140,311 160,776 160,000 172,156 163,388 118,361 172,656 9,269 5.7%

TOTAL 434,595 458,956 458,025 491,664 460,527 266,411 481,980 21,453 4.7%

Library Operations

Library Supplies 27,792 28,026 29,450 28,151 31,900 9,698 30,000 (1,900) -6.0%

Janitor Supplies 11,951 12,279 11,000 22,826 12,250 11,013 19,750 7,500 61.2%

Postage 2,797 2,599 2,000 1,400 2,000 1,000 2,000 - 0.0%

Printing 827 795 1,350 1,350 - 1,350 - 0.0%

Staff Development 460 2,254 1,500 1,425 1,500 - 1,500 - 0.0%

Internet/Telephone 12,526 15,838 11,300 11,304 11,300 4,843 11,161 (139) -1.2%

Audit 13,450 11,250 9,450 9,450 9,450 7,500 9,450 - 0.0%

Outsourced Cataloging 67,989 81,182 84,050 78,073 89,500 53,627 95,000 5,500 6.1%

TOTAL 137,792 154,223 150,100 152,629 159,250 87,681 170,211 10,961 6.9%

TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS 3,131,479 3,186,016 3,249,087 3,263,537 3,400,566 1,796,754 3,483,239 82,674 2.4%

2014-15 from 2013-14


Darien Library

Salary Budget Staff members will receive a 3% merit-based increase.

Town Retirement Allocation provided by Town Hall.

Health Insurance We are in the Town plan, and are budgeting a 10 % increase. Increase is offset by partial reduction of some health contracts.

Unemployment Compensation Library is self-insured for unemployment compensation.

Electricity, Gas and Fuel The Town of Darien’s consortium electricity rates are projected increase, and we project electricity demand to decrease slightly. There is an allocation for diesel fuel of $3,700.

Water and Sewer Adjusted to reflect usage experience.

Insurance We are using the rates advised by the Town.

Maintenance/Service Maintenance, service and repairs on the new building’s systems. This includes HVAC, the geothermal system, elevators, building management, security and phone systems.

Building Operations This includes contracted cleaning, snow plowing by our staff, grounds, cleanout of our water retention system, lawn care and other services.

Library Supplies We are decreasing this amount to reflect experience.

Janitor Supplies Primarily plumbing, electricity and HVAC parts, cleaning supplies and paper products for the public restrooms, increased to reflect experience.

Postage and Printing We continue restrict postage by using electronic payment processes.

Staff Development We have reduced staff development to an absolute minimum of staff hours.

Internet/Telephone This account provides funds for maintenance of our fiber connection to the State of CT CEN, and our telephone lines and usage. We are rebidding our telephone contract.

Audit Engagement fee for the Library’s GAAP audit.

Outsourced Cataloging Outsourced cataloguing services to reduce the need for staff hours. Increased demand for books leads to an increase in this account.


Darien Library

Darien Library

Fact Sheet

2014

Darien Library has been designated a top 10 library for ten years straight in a survey by the Hennen American Public Libraries Ranking Index. In 2010, the latest edition, it was ranked the tenth highest of all libraries its size in the country.

Darien Library is also highly ranked by Library Journal, one of three Star Libraries in CT.

Darien Library is the busiest library in Connecticut on a per capita basis. Darien residents borrow more books on average (26) than any other community.

90% of Darien residents have library cards.

Usage of the Library has increased significantly since the new building opened.

The Library’s services to the community’s senior citizens are broad-based and significant:

o A recent survey showed that seniors rely on the Library more than any other community resource for programs and resources.

During the past year, there were 22,819 participants in Children’s Library programs, such as Storytime, Born to Read, Sleepytime, Drop-in Storytime, preschool, elementary and Middle School visits and BookMANIA!. Attendance at Teen Programs was 2,568 and at Adult programs was 19,581.

Users cite superior personal service given by the library staff as the primary reason they prefer Darien Library.

The library is a model of excellence in the use of new technology and hosts the web pages for 36 local community organizations.

The Library’s innovative website and SOPAC are providing both information and entertainment to those members of the community who wish to use a new form of communication, and have gained national recognition.

A study by the CT State Library in 2004 showed Darien Library had the lowest cost per circulation item of all libraries studied. This is still the case.


Darien Library

THE DARIEN LIBRARY VISION

Our vision is to inform, educate, entertain and enrich our community .

THE DARIEN LIBRARY MISSION

The Library will provide access to a broad array of content, as well as training

and assistance to help people successfully navigate and use information.

The Library will provide a broad array of programs and services to educate,

entertain and enrich people.

The Library will be proactive and creative in anticipating and responding to

community needs for resources, programs and services.

The Library will be accessible: physically to people during convenient hours

and electronically twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and three

hundred and sixty five days a year, and without charge to the individual user.

The Library will be the heart of the community, providing flexible and

inviting environments within which to access and enjoy its resources.

The Library will be a customer-driven organization with friendly, professional

staff dedicated to creating a positive and fun library experience.

The Library will attract, develop and sustain a highly professional staff in an

environment where teamwork, high standards and esprit de corps support

excellence.

The Library will collaborate with other town agencies and community groups

to serve the needs of the community.

The Library will be a public-private partnership, funded annually by a

combination of taxpayer dollars and individual donations sufficient to

sustain a library of excellence.

The Board of Trustees will obligate itself to continually attract new trustees

who are accomplished individuals with diverse expertise who have the time,

interest, and dedication required to support the Library in pursuit of its

vision and mission.

2014 Library Budget

Documents

Transcript of 2014 Library Budget